Kuwait based Zain Group says that it is rebranding its entire African operations from Celtel to Zain. The move coincides with the linking of the borderless mobile service 'One NetworkÃ' across two continents.
14 country operations across Africa will immediately rebrand to Zain, namely: Burkina Faso, Chad, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Zain will launch its mobile operation in Ghana later in 2008.
At a press conference held in Nairobi, Dr. Saad Al Barrak, Zain GroupÃ's Chief Executive Officer, noted: "By rebranding to Zain, we are bringing together our African and Middle East operations under a single, strong and unique identity. We believe the Zain brand provides an optimal platform upon which we can build a top 100 global brand with the ultimate goal of better serving our customers. It builds upon the success of our African operations and will propel the Zain Group towards becoming one of the top ten global mobile telecommunications companies by 2011."
The borderless roaming service will also bow be available to 500 million people stretching from the west coast of Africa to the Middle East, covering an area larger than the United States of America.
From today, all Zain customers (pre-paid and post-paid) in Africa and the Middle East using 'One NetworkÃ' will enjoy the benefits of being treated as a 'localÃ' customer wherever they are. Customers can make calls and send messages at local rates when communicating with a travelling Zain customer who will receive incoming calls free-of-charge and be able to make calls back home at local rates. Pre-paid customers can also top up their phones with recharge cards bought from either their home country or more than one million outlets available in one of the 15 One Network countries.
Chris Gabriel, CEO Zain in Africa said: "We are confident that our African customers will embrace the vibrant and colourful Zain identity. As one brand, we will be better positioned to offer customers more innovative products and services alongside the best network coverage on the continent."
The rebranding of Celtel comes less than a year after the Zain brand became the GroupÃ's master corporate brand that was successfully launched across its Middle Eastern markets.
Posted to the site on 1st August 2008
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/32799.php