Sudan
Zain in Sudan (formerly Mobitel) is the pioneer of GSM services in Sudan, being the first to offer mobile operations back in February 1997. Today it serves the largest number of mobile customers in the country with 7.335 million active customers as at 30 September 2009.
Zain (then known as Mobitel) was a joint venture between the Sudanese Telephone Company Ltd and several private shareholders until 2006, when it was fully acquired by the Zain Group (formerly MTC) as part of its strategy of becoming first a regional, then a global telecom entity. The acquisition of 61% of Mobitel from Sudatel was valued at US$ 1.332 billion
Zain has since invested more than $400 million in Mobitel’s network expansion and improvement; in a move to realize the objectives of providing coverage to 80 per cent of Sudan’s population. As a gesture of goodwill to customers, recently the company reduced call tariffs by 45 per cent to celebrate the company’s re-launch.
In its ongoing development Zain Group has engaged 500 new employees within an advanced plan to further enhance the company’s performance.
A board of advisors has been appointed to ensure transparency and justice in distributing $6 million that has been allocated to a corporate social responsibility fund that will support worthy causes and projects that benefit the Sudanese community.
The original message of Mobitel has always been and will continue to be under the Zain branding: to provide unprecedented services to customers, advance and develop the community, and provide the best value to all stakeholders.
Fact Box (as at September 30, 2009)
Established : 1997:
Active Customers 7.335 million
Market Share: 58% of Sudan Telecom Market
Roaming Agreements: 281 Partners in 127 Countries.
Number of Staff: 942
Coverage: 57.9% of the total population
Milestone and Awards:
- Zain completed 100% acquisition of operation in February 2006
- The Presidential Duty Order (Award) of the First Degree.
- $400 million invested to date in network expansion
For more information on Zain in Sudan, visit: www.sd.zain.com
