Pakistan’s cellular leader Mobilink achieves record digit of 20 Mln Customers  
'Pakistan Times' National News Desk

ISLAMABAD: Mobilink, the country’s leader in cellular communications and part of Orascom Telecom Group, today announced reaching its 20 million customers milestone.

The achievement moves the company to a new dimension from its original vision of ‘reshaping communication’ towards a vision of ‘reshaping lives’.

Mobilink has the exclusive distinction of being the only cellular company in Pakistan to have spearheaded the development of the telecommunication sector to unprecedented heights since coming into operation a little over 12 years ago.

Mr. Naguib Sawiris, Chairman Orascom Telecom & Mobilink while speaking at the 20-million customer celebration said, “It seems only recently that I had the opportunity to visit Pakistan on the occasion of Mobilink’s 10 million customers’ milestone; coming here again in such a short time to celebrate 20 million subscribers is a remarkable achievement! First of all, I would like to thank and congratulate the Government and people of Pakistan for their support, trust & confidence in our technology and services and secondly, acknowledge the efforts of the management of Mobilink in Pakistan for doing a splendid job”.

Achieving the 20-million customers’ milestone, an addition of over 10 million subscribers in a record 300 days, has been recognized internationally by Informa Telecoms and Media UK as “one of the fastest growing networks in the Asia Pacific region”.

This rapid increase of customers has positioned Pakistan third in the fastest growing countries in this region following the heavily populated countries of China and India. Mobilink’s parent company, Orascom Telecom, has grown to become a major player in seven emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia with over 41 million subscribers as of June 2006.

The growth witnessed has placed “Orascom as the second fastest growing networks for 2006 with an annual change exceeding 140%” stated the Informa Telecoms and Media UK report.

The development of the telecommunication sector owes much to the contribution made by the cellular companies, foremost amongst them being the pioneering role played by Mobilink.

The company has successfully transformed an initially slow-paced industry, into a booming industry through aggressive investment and expansion of coverage present in more than 1200 cities towns and villages of Pakistan.

Mr. Zouhair A. Khaliq, President & CEO, Mobilink under whose leadership, the company has achieved this significant milestone, said, “Mobilink has lived up to its promise of reshaping communication in Pakistan, we have touched the lives of people from all walks of life and are proud to have contributed profusely in the development of the social sector in Pakistan.

We have firmly believed in the delivery of our commitments and steadfastly embarked upon some of the most advanced services for our 20-million family members.”

“I am grateful for the continuous support and belief in our services to Pakistan and our customers and the times ahead in the telecommunication business promise to remain exciting.” He added.

Mobilink also announced the renewal of its corporate vision from ‘reshaping communication’ to the aptly-timed ‘reshaping lives’ as the company ushers in a new era of ‘giving back’ to its customers.

Having touched the lives of millions of people from the shores of the Arabian Sea to the rugged terrains of northern Pakistan, Mobilink stands at the threshold of a new and dynamic future.

About Mobilink

Mobilink, a part of the Orascom Telecom Group, is Pakistan’s leading cellular service provider with more than 54% of the total market share.

It has a customer base of more than 20 million members and provides the most extensive coverage footprint across Pakistan with presence in more than 1200 cities, towns, villages and countless destinations and true International Roaming in over 100 countries with more than 300 partner operators worldwide.

Mobilink has invested more than US 1.8 Billion Dollars to date making it one of the largest private Foreign Direct Investor (FDI) in Pakistan as well as one of the largest contributors of taxes, duties and royalties to the National exchequer.

Mobilink achieved the number one position in terms of overall growth rate in the Asia Pacific region for 2005. Orascom Telecom, Mobilink’s parent company, has grown to become a major player in the international telecommunication market and is a leading telecommunications company operating in seven emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia with over 41 million subscribers as of June 30, 2006.●