Airtel reaffirms commitment to chad

Bharti Airtel Limited (“Airtel”), a leading global telecommunications services provider with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa, today said that it is committed to continue investing in their operations in Chad and build world-class 3G and fibre optic networks that will support the country’s future economic growth. Airtel is the largest mobile operator in Chad, serving over 2 million customers with 2G and Airtel money services. 

Airtel’s Senior Management Executives, including Mr. Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman; Mr. Manoj Kohli, MD & CEO (International); and Tiemoko Coulibaly, CEO Africa Francophone Region, today called on the President H.E. Idriss Deby Itno and underlined their commitment to the country’s telecom sector and contributing to the ICT goals of the African nation. 

Airtel also announced that it plans to support a young ICT training and development program that will provide IT training to 6,000 youth in the country, enabling them find employment opportunities.

Mr. Manoj Kohli said, “Airtel will be an inherent part of the vision of the President for a modern and digital Chad. It has been our endeavor to provide world-class services to our customers and we will continue to invest in building 3G broadband networks that contribute to the digital revolution in Chad. The country’s young population is its biggest asset and we would be happy to support initiatives aimed at the development of the country’s youth. Our decision on the young ICT entrepreneurship program is a step in this direction.”

To underline the urgent need for integration of youth into the African growth strategy, it was reiterated that Chad’s population is young; an estimated 47.3% is under 15. Chad aims to have a countrywide digital infrastructure, enabling the development of a wide range of e-services, which will give rise to a major qualitative improvement in social services and create the strong foundations for the country. 

source: www.citifmonline.com

KSC Designated as middle east operator of the year award

Zain Group, a pioneer in mobile telecommunications in eight markets across the Middle East and Africa, is proud to announce the award of the Middle East Operator of the Year accolade to its operation in Iraq at a gala awards ceremony hosted by CommsMEA in Dubai last week. This award marks a special period for Zain Iraq as just last month it was also awarded the Telecom Operator of the Year accolade at the prestigious Arabian Business Achievement Awards 2013. 

CommsMEA is a highly respected online and print telecom publication with circulation across the Middle East and Africa, and its annual awards ceremony identifies some of the best performing telecom companies and individuals from within the region over the past 12 months. The black-tie gala ceremony was attended by regional and international industry figures.   

On announcing the accolade, the five team independent  judging panel of CommsMEA noted, "Zain Iraq is an exemplary telecom operator in the professional manner in which it conducts itself, and the contribution it continues to make to the telecom sector in Iraq, as well as to the wider economy in the country. We were impressed by the KPIs the company continues to announce, making it a market-leading operator serving over 14.5 million customers, reflecting a 48% market share. Its exceptional network covers 97% of Iraq's population, with Zain having invested over US$4.5 billion inIraq since commencing its operations in 2003. We applaud these impressive developments and achievements made by the company, and believe it is a most worthy winner of theMiddle East Operator of the Year 2013 award."

source: www. 4-traders.com

Airtel wins African operator of the year 2013 award

Bharti Airtel, a leading telecommunications service provider with operations in 20 countries across South Asia and Africa, was recognised as the African Operator of the Year at the CommsMEA Awards 2013.

Executives including telecoms CEOs, vendors, ministers and regulators attended the eighth edition of the event at a 300-strong gathering at the Awards gala dinner held at Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai.

The award recognises excellence within the telecoms sector across the Middle East and Africa.

By beating some seriously strong contenders on the shortlist, which were the MTN Group, Vodacom and Nedjma, Airtel has consolidated its position as the best African Operator.

The winners were decided from a record number of nominations by a judging panel consisting of Akshay Lamba, chief architect and head of IT strategy at MTS; Milan Sallaba, managing director at Accenture Middle East; Erik Almqvist, partner and global head of operational consulting, Analysys Mason; Mark Kremers, partner, Oliver Wyman; Riad Hartani, partner at Xona, and Alan Horne, CEO Broadband Pioneer and Special Advisor to Global eHealth Foundation.

Commenting on the achievement, Manoj Kohli, the MD and CEO (International) at Bharti Airtel, said: “We are humbled by this recognition and the trust that the international industry panel, consumers and other stakeholders have placed on Airtel since our entry into Africa in 2010. During the past three years, we have managed to serve more communities within the countries that we operate in and hopefully change their lives through not only the voice but also the data and mobile commerce services that we provide. The latter are increasingly becoming essential in Africa.”

Airtel Africa now has the largest 3G and Mobile Commerce country footprint in sub Saharan Africa. The telecommunications company provides 3G services in 14 African countries and Airtel Money services in 17 countries across the continent.

Airtel Money is positioned to become Africa’s widest financial services provider. With a coverage across Airtel Africa’s operations in the 17 countries, the mobile money platform is poised to serve more diverse communities than any other financial institution in Africa. Currently leveraging a network of over 100,000 agent locations, Airtel Money facilitates access to financial services for the unbanked population.

A recent survey conducted by the African Business magazine indicates that despite only a 3 year presence in Africa, Airtel is one of Africa’s top ten most admired global brands.

source: www.capitalfm.co

mobile telecommunication company KSC

Zain Group, a pioneer in mobile telecommunications in eight markets across the Middle East and Africa, is proud to announce the award of the Telecom Operator of the Year accolade to its operation in Iraq at the prestigious Arabian Business Achievement Awards 2013, held in Dubai on 11 November.

Arabian Business is a highly regarded online and print business publication across the Middle East, and its annual Achievement Awards is widely recognized as the premier awards ceremony in the regional business calendar. The black-tie gala ceremony was attended by an elite audience of regional business leaders and international dignitaries including Zain Iraq Chairman, Mohammed Charchafchi and Chief Financial and Operating Officer, Wael Ghanayem.

On announcing the accolade, the editorial team of Arabian Business noted, "The Award confirms the immense contributions Zain Iraq has made to the telecom sector and the country in its 10 years of operation, during which it has become Iraq's leading mobile operator serving over 14.5 million customers reflecting a 48% market share. Zain is one of the most recognizable brands in the country and the operator's exceptional network covers 97% of the population, having invested over US$4.5 billion inIraq since commencing its operations in 2003. Zain Iraq is an important part of Zain Group, contributing 33% of the Group's customer base and 40% of its revenues."

Furthermore, Arabian Business noted, "Zain Iraq's wide-ranging educational, health and cultural programs are all indicative of a company acting with sound sustainable and corporate socially responsible values."

Zain Iraq Chairman, Mohammed Charchafchi commented on the award:"We are wholeheartedly committed to the continual development of the telecom sector in Iraq and playing our role in the revitalization of the country. We have always considered our journey in Iraq as one with the people and for the people, and I dedicate this award to our 14.5 million loyal customers and our committed 3,000-strong workforce."

Scott Gegenheimer, Zain Group CEO said: "Zain Iraq is in the final stages of preparing for a stock market listing, which will result in more Iraqis gaining ownership of a mobile operator serving their own country. Zain Group will continue to support the local management team whose solid track record is marked by continuing revenue growth and improving profitability over the years, maintaining Zain's undisputed market leadership in Iraq. We appreciate the Zain Iraq team's efforts being recognized at such an important time in the mobile operator's development."

source: www.4-traders.com

Zambia makes progress on access mobile and internet services

The Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) director general, Margaret Mudenda, says Zambia has made tremendous progress in ensuring that every citizen has access to telephone and internet services.

“Everywhere you go it is most likely that you will see use of those ICTs,” Mudenda said. 

On the other hand, however, she said the security and safety of such technologies, especially for the young is still work in progress.

She added: “It is undeniable that the ills and cyber threats that accompany an Information and Digital Society are around us now”.

ZICTA, the telecom sector regulator, has gone into partnership with UNICEF on child online protection and other cyber security matters.

Through the partnership, a joint work plan will be developed by the signatories to advance areas of collaboration that will ensure ZICTA ICT policies (or updates to existing policies) have a child-focus; are child friendly and incorporate children’s voices; and are informed by  research relating to children’s use of ICTs.

The partnership will further establish a group of partners from government, private sector, and NGOs, who will meet regularly to exchange updates on activities and identify collaboration activities in the field of ICT and children’s rights; partner on mass media outreach to children, young people, parents, and caregivers about responsible and safe use of ICTs.

Mudenda said to initiate the partnership, a joint symposium with private partners and the Ministry of Education Science, Vocational Training and Early Education, and other stakeholders was taking place this week at the New Government Complex.