The MTN Group, a multinational telecom group operating in 21 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, said it has reached the 100 million subscriber mark in its drive to become the world’s leading telecommunications service provider.

With a telecommunications network that covers a population of 500 million, the 100 million subscriber achievement means that 1 in 5 people in MTN’s 21 markets in Africa and the Middle East is an MTN subscriber, said a top official.

The company recorded a nine per cent increase in its subscribers for the quarter in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, explained MTN Group president and CEO Phuthuma Nhleko.

"This was due to continued growth from the Iran operation, which contributes 63 per cent to the region’s subscribers and increased its subscribers by 14 per cent to 18,252,000," he added.

The group recorded 98,203,000 subscribers on March 31, 2009 - up 8 per cent from December 31, 2008 - touching the all-important 100 million mark in April this year as the telecoms operator signed up more customers.

“For a 15-year-old company operating amid increased competitive intensity in all its markets, this is a most satisfactory performance by MTN. This affirms our leadership position in many areas of our business,” Nhleko remarked.

“MTN’s success is also attributable to a business model that has included sound financial investment, strong corporate governance, effective management and corporate social responsibility,” Nhleko said.

He paid tribute to MTN’s culturally diverse staff of over 40 nationalities across the company’s markets, saying their “can-do” spirit and “innovative mindset” had placed the MTN Group in a strong competitive position.

Ismaeal Jeroudi, CEO of MTN Syria, referred to the importance of the results and said: “we are very pleased and proud with MTN’s results and achievements that were accomplished to further enhance MTN Group’s success in its markets.”

“These results secure a position for us at the top of the region’s mobile operators’ pyramid. We are committed to maintain this success and work towards introducing the best and latest services in the industry” he added.

Jeroudi who also expressed the important role of MTN’s team by saying: “I am thankful to all the efforts our employees have put to retain an outstanding relationship with our customers. The outcome of such an un-matched relationship and commitment is clearly displayed in the results!”

The analysis below is presented on a regional basis. The proportional subscriber contribution between the regions remains relatively unchanged with that at December 31, 2008.

South and East Africa (SEA) region contributed 26 per cent of the group’s total subscribers while West and Central Africa (Weca) and Middle East and North Africa (Mena) contributed 45 per cent and 29 per cent respectively.-TradeArabia News Service