On the occasion of its first anniversary, MTC Group celebrated along with its subsidiary MTC Touch with both the media and MTC Employees. The anniversary activities started with a press conference carried out on the 14th of June. The gathering was attended by General Manager of MTC Touch Mr. Mohamed Shabib and Chief Commercial Officer Mr. Saad Nasir.
A welcoming note from Mohammad Shabib, who said: focused on the significance of June the 1st as the first day MTC officially became the manager of the MIC2 mobile operator in Lebanon. He added, “Many have contributed to our remarkable first year especially the media... This year we introduced ‘everyone has something to say’... Now here is what we have to say to you... Thank you!”
Indeed, Lebanon is considered a very strategic market for MTC Group as its telecom sector has great potential. mtc touch has joined its efforts with the Lebanese Government, represented by the ministry of telecommunications (MoT) as they share the same objective: Enhancing the mobile experience in Lebanon as telecom is really an area that is most important to build the economy. “We are certain that as mobile telecom operators, we will be able to contribute to the economy by improving and building this sector” confirmed Shabib.
In Lebanon, MTC is working towards extending its management contract to acquiring the operation as this is part of MTC’s 3X3X3 expansion plan
During the past year MTC Touch has achieved great strides in first continuing to provide customers with good services, successfully recruiting the best Lebanese talents, re-branding the company to MTC Touch, and upgrading the existing network and service offering.
In the future MTC Touch’s main concern will be to maintain the network at its highest technology standards and accordingly expand its core capacity, while introducing new products and services such as Friends and Family, video and music streaming to meet both customers’ demands and stay in line with MTC Group’s level of service offering.
“Our future plans are based on a vision as we aspire to become the customers’ preferred communication network by constantly searching for ways to enhance their mobile experience”, concludes Nasir.
On the 18th of June MTC Group along with its subsidiary MTC Touch held a Gala dinner at Biel Royal Pavilion in Beirut to thank the employees of MTC Touch for their dedication and efforts during the first year of operations.
About MTC Group
Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) was founded in 1983 and today is one of the largest mobile operators in the Middle East and Africa, with more than 9.5 million customers spread across 18 countries - Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and 13 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange, MTC has a market capitalization exceeding USD$7 billion as at May 1, 2005. The shareholder base is made of 75% public and 25% by the Kuwait government.
Kuwait (MTC-Vodafone)
Notably distinct as the first mobile operator in the Middle East (1983), in September 2002- MTC entered into a Partner Network Agreement with Vodafone, the world's leading mobile community creating MTC-Vodafone Kuwait. The agreement allows MTC Kuwait customers to access their home services when roaming abroad on any of Vodafone’s networks and to access Vodafone’s global products and services. The operation currently has a 55% market share of subscribers in Kuwait.
Jordan (Fastlink)
In January 2003, MTC acquired 91.6% of Fastlink in Jordan taking MTC’s ownership to 96.5%. Fastlink is one of the best known brands in Jordan holding a dominant market position with a 71% market share of subscribers and has continually broken new ground through the introduction of new products and services. It was the first Middle Eastern operator to launch MMS Services and offers a rich plethora of mobile data services and infotainment solutions.
Bahrain (MTC-Vodafone)
MTC won the Bahrain license to develop the second GSM network in April 2003 and officially launched its services in December 2003, at the time, the fastest deployment in the Middle East. Known also as MTC-Vodafone, the operation is at the forefront of technological development in the Middle East. It pioneered the introduction of 3G and EDGE, offering high-speed data and multimedia services to its customers. Within one year of operation, the operation had gained over 100,000 subscribers and taken an approximate 17% market share in a short time.
Iraq (MTC Atheer)
In December 2003 MTC Atheer was licensed to install and operate a GSM network in the Southern region of Iraq. In less than a year, the company succeeded in executing its initial objectives despite the security situation in Southern Iraq. MTC Atheer offers the highest standard of services and the most technologically advanced products in Iraq. It has recently connected Baghdad, and the company has the widest reaching mobile telecommunications network in the country. In the very near future the network will be expanded to offer a full GPRS network. The network is being expanded to support 1 million subscribers by September 2005.
Lebanon (MTC Touch)
On June1, 2004 the Government of Lebanon handed over the management of one of the two mobile networks (Mic2) to MTC, now known as MTC Touch. The 4 year management contract will see MTC leveraging resources, expertise and know-how from different areas of the group and applying them to offer customers with cutting edge products and services. On taking over, the initial effort and focus was to rebrand the operation and recently the network was upgraded with a new Intelligent Network (IN) that provides customers with a host of new services. The operation has a 50% market share of subscribers. The agreement places MTC in the best possible position if the Lebanese Government decides to privatize the assets after the management contract expires.
Africa (13 countries) (Celtel)
Most recently in May 2005, MTC acquired Celtel International, a Dutch communications network company with major interests in 13 Sub-Saharan African countries, in one of the biggest telecom deals in the Middle East and Africa worth $3.36 billion. With over six million subscribers Celtel enjoys a commanding position in the telephony market of Sub-Saharan Africa. MTC bought 85% of Celtel for US$2.84 billion, with a commitment to buy the remaining 15 per cent over the next two years for US$ 520 million. Celtel covers 13 countries - Uganda, Tanzania, Niger, Malawi, Chad, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, Sudan and Kenya. The company’s motto is “Making life better”.
Conclusion
MTC has completed its first phase of its 3X3X3 strategy which entails becoming a global operator with more than 20 million customers by 2011. MTC will continue to expand internationally through acquisitions, partnerships and green-field opportunities. In complement to increasing value for our shareholders, MTC’s objectives are to support the local community, offering employment and creating business opportunities wherever we operate.
