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MTN Group Limited - Release Of Subscriber Numbers For The Quarter Ended
30 September 2009
MTN Group Limited
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number 1994/009584/06)
Share code: MTN
ISIN: ZAE000042164
("MTN Group" or "MTN" or "the Group")
RELEASE OF SUBSCRIBER NUMBERS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2009
MTN Group recorded 108,466,000 subscribers at 30 September 2009. This is a 5%
increase for the quarter from 103,187,000 subscribers recorded at 30 June 2009
and a 19.6% increase for the year to date.
The attached analysis is presented on a regional basis. The proportional
subscriber contribution between the regions remains relatively unchanged to that
as at 30 June 2009. South and East Africa (SEA) region contributed 23% (June
2009: 25%) of the Group`s total subscribers while West and Central Africa (WECA)
and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) contributed 46% (June 2009: 46%) and 31%
(June 2009: 30%), respectively.
The SEA region increased its subscriber base by a very modest 0,5% for the
quarter. This was primarily due to the disappointing negative movement of the
South Africa subscriber base which contributes 64% to the region. South Africa`s
subscriber base declined from 17,231,000 at the end of June 2009 to 16,419,000
at 30 September 2009. The main reason for the movement is the significantly
lower number of gross connections following the implementation of RICA
(Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-
Related information Act) on 1 August 2009. Given the current market uncertainty
following the RICA implementation there are challenges with South Africa
achieving its revised target of zero net additions for the full year. Uganda
increased its subscriber base by 11% in the quarter following the continued
success of MTN Zone which now constitutes 95% of the total prepaid base.
The WECA region increased its subscriber base by 5% for the quarter driven
mainly by Nigeria which accounts for 58% of the region`s subscribers. Nigeria
recorded a 5% increase in its subscriber base to 28,751,000 mainly due to
continued network rollout, innovative product offerings and the effectiveness of
the distribution channels implemented earlier in 2009. Ghana maintained its
market share and increased its subscriber base by 2,6% despite aggressive
competitor activity. Both Cameroon and Cote d`Ivoire increased their subscriber
bases by 4% and 5% to 4,186,000 and 4,210,000, respectively.
The MENA region recorded a 9% increase in subscribers for the quarter. This was
largely due to continued growth from the Iran operation, which contributes 62%
to the region`s subscribers and increased its base by 8% to 20,702,000. Iran`s
growth was attributable mainly to expanded network coverage and continued
promotional activity. Syria increased its subscriber base by 13% to 4,000,000,
well above expectations. Afghanistan, although a relatively smaller operation,
has been steadily contributing positively to the region`s growth and has gained
No. 1 position in the market from No. 3 at the beginning of 2009.
MTN has revised its subscriber net addition guidance for the year for South
Africa to zero and for Syria to 550,000 while other individually disclosed
country guidance remains the same. MTN expects to achieve the total group
subscriber net addition guidance for 2009 of 22,600,000.
MTN South Africa`s blended average revenue per user ("ARPU") increased by 1% to
R138. This was mainly due to the negative net connections of 750,000. US$
reported ARPU is now more in line with local currency trends, indicating
relativel currency stability in larger operations including Nigeria, Ghana, Iran
and Syria. ARPU`s in Nigeria, Ghana, Iran and Syria have remained relatively
stable for the quarter.
Subscriber Numbers
Jun-09 Sep-09 % Contribution
change* %
Subs `000 Subs `000
SEA
South Africa 17,231 16,419 -4.7% 65%
Post-paid 2,868 2,953 3.0% 12%
Pre-paid 14,363 13,466 -6.2% 53%
Uganda 4,382 4,843 10.5% 19%
Mascom - Botswana 1,053 1,121 6.4% 4%
Rwanda 1,381 1,655 19.8% 6%
Zambia 857 949 10.8% 4%
Swaziland 556 604 8.7% 2%
Sub total 25,460 25,591 0.5% 23%
WECA
Nigeria 27,338 28,751 5.2% 58%
Ghana 7,219 7,408 2.6% 15%
Cameroon 4,013 4,186 4.3% 8%
Cote d`Ivoire 4,013 4,210 4.9% 9%
Benin 1,291 1,383 7.2% 3%
Conakry 1,132 1,181 4.3% 2%
Congo - Brazzaville 1084 1193 10.1% 2%
Liberia 567 673 18.6% 2%
Bissau 395 409 3.5% 1%
Sub total 47,052 49,394 5.0% 46%
MENA
Iran 19,187 20,702 7.9% 62%
Syria 3,550 4,000 12.7% 12%
Sudan 3,025 3,395 12.2% 10%
Afghanistan 2,598 2,901 11.7% 9%
Yemen 2,131 2,289 7.4% 6%
Cyprus 184 195 6.0% 1%
Sub total 30,675 33,481 9.1% 31%
Total Subscribers 103,187 108,466 5.1% 100%
ARPU
Jun-09 Sep-09 % Local
change* currency %
change
YTD ARPU YTD ARPU
SEA
South Africa R 136 R 138 1% 1%
Post-paid R 362 R 357 -1% -1%
Pre-paid R 92 R 95 3% 3%
Uganda $7 $6 -9% -1%
Mascom - Botswana $10 $11 9% 3%
Rwanda $7 $7 -3% -3%
Zambia $6 $6 0% -3%
Swaziland $11 $12 9% 3%
WECA
Nigeria $12 $12 -6% -5%
Ghana $8 $8 -2% 3%
Cameroon $9 $9 3% 0%
Cote d`Ivoire $9 $9 3% -6%
Benin $12 $12 0% -3%
Conakry $8 $8 -5% -5%
Congo - Brazzaville $12 $12 4% 2%
Liberia $11 $11 -3% -3%
Bissau $10 $9 -6% -7%
MENA
Iran $8 $8 0% 1%
Syria $18 $18 2% 2%
Sudan $6 $5 -5% -2%
Afghanistan $5 $5 1% 1%
Yemen $7 $7 0% 1%
Cyprus $39 $39 1% -4%
* %`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
29 October 2009
Sponsor
Deutsche Securities (SA) (Proprietary) Limited
Date: 29/10/2009 12:29:01 Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za
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