GrameenPhone reaches 10 million mobile subscribers — MobileMonday Global: Industry News

^{The largest operator in Bangladesh} GrameenPhone reaches 10 million mobile subscribers

5 Nov 2006 at 12:52 GMT Timo Poropudas

GrameenPhone Ltd., the largest mobile operator in Bangladesh, has reached 10 million mobile subscribers. The achievement coincides with the 10th anniversary of the company receiving the operating license in November 1996.

“People’s lifestyles are changing with the introduction of mobile phones in Bangladesh,” said Erik Aas, CEO of GrameenPhone. “Mobile phones are not only a tool for the privileged anymore, but they are now empowering people from all groups in all areas of our country.”

“Constantly declining tariffs, affordable prices of handsets and superior network coverage all over the country are the three main drivers for our success,” continued Erik Aas. Till date, GrameenPhone has invested around USD 1 billion in its network and services, covering more than 95% of the country’s population.

The company has more than 5000 employees, and estimates another 100,000 people to be directly dependant on its business by working for vendors, suppliers and retailers. Additionally, the internationally acclaimed Village Phone Program is providing good business opportunities for more than 260,000 Village Phone operators, mostly poor rural women, all across the country.

The service development has been significant over the last few years. GrameenPhone subscribers can now enjoy all the modern data communication and content services. Mobile office, Internet access, picture messages (MMS) and modern music and download services are available through the nationwide EDGE enabled network.

Building on the successful Village Phone Program, which provides mobile communication in rural areas to people who cannot afford to buy a regular subscription, GrameenPhone has recently started an ambitious program to establish 500 Community Information Centers by the end of the current year. These centers provide shared high-speed Internet access and other information-based services in the rural areas through GrameenPhone’s nationwide EDGE network.

GrameenPhone is jointly owned by Telenor of Norway (62%) and Grameen Telecom Corporation of Bangladesh (38%).