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MTN - MTN Group Limited - Release of subscriber numbers for the quarter ended 31
March 2009
MTN Group Limited
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
Registration Number 1994/009584/06
Share code MTN
ISIN ZAE000042164
("MTN Group")
RELEASE OF SUBSCRIBER NUMBERS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 31 MARCH 2009
MTN Group recorded 98,202,000 subscribers at 31 March 2009. This is an 8%
increase for the quarter from 90,653,000 subscribers recorded at 31 December
2008. Strong subscriber growth continues to be a feature in almost all countries
in which we operate in line with our subscriber guidance, while currency
volatility has generally had a more negative impact on ARPU reported in US$.
Changes to spending patterns have been varied as economies respond to the global
economic situation.
The attached analysis is presented on a regional basis. The proportional
subscriber contribution between the regions remains relatively unchanged with
that at 31 December 2008. South and East Africa (SEA) region contributed 26%
(December 2008: 27%) of the Group`s total subscribers while West and Central
Africa (WECA) and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) contributed 45% (December
2008: 44%) and 29% (December 2008: 29%), respectively.
The SEA region increased its subscriber base by 4% for the quarter. The South
African operation contributes 69% to the region`s subscribers, increasing 2% to
17,428,000 for the quarter ended 31 March 2009. The modest increase in
subscribers was due to the mix of seasonal trends, weakening economic conditions
and aggressive competition. Uganda increased its subscriber base by 13% due to
the continued success of MTN Zone.
The WECA region increased its subscriber base by 10% for the quarter. The strong
growth in the region was primarily due to growth in Nigeria which contributes
59% to the region`s subscribers and recorded a 12% increase in its subscriber
base to 25,908,000. This was mainly due to continued improvements in network
quality and capacity with 173 BTS`s added in the quarter. Ghana increased its
subscriber base by 5% despite fierce competition. Both Cameroon and Cote
d`Ivoire increased their subscriber bases by 7% to 3,824,000 and 3,810,000,
respectively.
The MENA region recorded a 9% increase in subscribers for the quarter. This was
due to continued growth from the Iran operation, which contributes 63% to the
region`s subscribers and increased its subscribers by 14% to 18,252,000. The
disappointing slowdown of subscriber acquisitions in Sudan and Syria is mainly
attributed to the economic downturn in the respective countries. Sudan increased
its subscriber base to 2,658,000 while Syria experienced negative growth of 3%
to 3,428,000 subscribers.
MTN South Africa`s blended ARPU decreased by 6%. This is as a result of
increased penetration into lower market segments, seasonal trends and a slowdown
in consumer spending. Iran`s ARPU remain relatively stable notwithstanding
seasonal trends and increased penetration. The decline of many local currencies
against the US$ has negatively affected ARPU trends. Larger operations including
Nigeria, Cote d`Ivoire, Syria and Sudan experienced significantly more
resilience in local currency ARPU than reflected in the reported US$ number. To
better understand operating conditions we have included a column indicating the
change in ARPU in local currency. Q1 ARPU`s are also negatively affected by the
YTD nature of the ARPU formula.
Subscriber Numbers
Dec-08 Mar-09 Quarterly Contribution
% change* %
Subs Subs
`000 `000
SEA
South Africa 17,169 17,428 2% 69%
Post-paid 2,754 2,834 3% 11%
Pre-paid 14,415 14,594 1% 58%
Uganda 3,523 3,987 13% 16%
Mascom - 969 1,019 5% 4%
Botswana
Rwanda 1,159 1,330 15% 5%
Zambia 693 778 12% 3%
Swaziland 519 547 5% 2%
Sub total 24,032 25,089 4% 26%
WECA
Nigeria 23,077 25,908 12% 59%
Ghana 6,428 6,777 5% 15%
Cameroon 3,574 3,824 7% 9%
Cote d`Ivoire 3,562 3,810 7% 9%
Benin 1,010 1,111 10% 3%
Conakry 970 1,003 3% 2%
Congo - 823 942 14% 2%
Brazzaville
Liberia 486 534 10% 1%
Bissau 343 366 7% 1%
Sub total 40,274 44,275 10% 45%
MENA
Iran 16,039 18,252 14% 63%
Syria 3,539 3,428 -3% 12%
Sudan 2,647 2,658 0% 9%
Afghanistan 2,104 2,358 12% 8%
Yemen 1,859 1,972 6% 7%
Cyprus 158 170 8% 1%
Sub total 26,346 28,838 9% 29%
Total 90,653 98,202 8% 100%
Subscribers
ARPU
Dec-08 Mar-09 Quarterly LC %
% change* change
YTD YTD
ARPU ARPU
SEA
South Africa R148 R139 -6% -6%
Post-paid R403 R397 -2% -2%
Pre-paid R97 R92 -5% -5%
Uganda $8 $7 -19% -7%
Mascom - $13 $10 -24% -14%
Botswana
Rwanda $11 $7 -33% -30%
Zambia $11 $6 -41% -5%
Swaziland $14 $11 -22% -17%
WECA
Nigeria $16 $13 -23% -6%
Ghana $12 $8 -31% -15%
Cameroon $11 $9 -18% -10%
Cote d`Ivoire $10 $9 -13% -3%
Benin $15 $13 -17% -6%
Conakry $10 $8 -12% -27%
Congo - $18 $12 -35% -6%
Brazzaville
Liberia $14 $12 -17% -17%
Bissau $11 $10 -12% -6%
MENA
Iran $9 $8 -7% -16%
Syria $19 $17 -9% -6%
Sudan $7 $5 -19% -8%
Afghanistan $6 $5 -15% -14%
Yemen $8 $7 -9% -11%
Cyprus $44 $36 -17% -7%
* %`s are based on actual and not rounded figures
Subscribers are customers who have participated in a revenue generating activity
in the last 90 days. ARPU is the monthly weighted average revenue per
subscriber. Revenue includes interconnect fees and excludes connection fees and
visitor roaming revenue, and this is divided by the weighted average subscriber
base over the period.
** South Africa subscribers and ARPU`s include community service payphones into
pre-paid and application providers into post-paid.
Fairland
4 May 2009
Sponsor
Deutsche Securities (SA) (Pty) Limited
Date: 04/05/2009 13:38:01 Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za
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