Iraqi mobile network operator, Asiacell says that it is on target to double its subscriber base within a 12 month period. The company had 3.6 million subscribers in February, and CEO Dr Diar Ahmad said in an interview that the customer base has now passed the six million mark.
"By the end of the year we expect to have 6.3 million subscribers," he told the ITP publication, adding "We have had 90% growth on customer numbers. It is a very aggressive growth - more than we planned for,"
Asiacell is a consortium is comprised of Asiacell Iraq - the earlier license holder, Qatar's Qtel and investment banking group, Merchant Bridge. The firm has a competitive edge over its larger rival, Zain - in that it holds a license covering the northern Kurdish region of the country.
Zain ended September with 8.52 million customers, based on figures from the Mobile World subscriber database.
The smallest operator, Korek Telecom has a national license, but coverage which is limited to mainly the Northern region of the country. An expansion to national coverage would need the financial muscle of an outside partner - which has lead to recent rumours that Etisalat is in talks to take a stake in the firm.
On the web: ITP - Mobile World
Posted to the site on 12th November 2008
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/34601.php