Batelco increases subscriber base after expansion drive

Batelco, Bahrain’s leading mobile provider and an emerging regional operator, has accomplished major growth in its mobile subscriber base over the past year, buoyed by the group’s expansion in Jordan and Yemen.

“In Jordan, Batelco’s subsidiary Umniah has achieved one million subscribers and Sabafon over 1.6 million customers complementing Batelco’s 650,000 mobile customers in Bahrain. This milestone was reached at a time when competition is rapidly increasing in the Jordanian, Yemeni and Bahraini telecom markets,” stated Batelco chief executive Peter Kaliaropoulos.
As part of Batelco’s strategy for growth in the region’s telecom industry, the group acquired a 96 per cent shareholding in Umniah, Jordan’s fastest growing mobile operator for $415 million in June of last year.
“In Umniah we realised an exceptional performance of which we are justifiably proud. It gives impetus to our expansion drive and validates our major investment in buying the Umniah stake,” continued Mr Kaliaropoulos.
“Umniah will add a new string to its bow with the launch of wimax-based broadband services for the Jordanian market later this year, a move which is expected to attract significant numbers of new customers to the company.”
Furthermore, Batelco’s purchase of a 20 per cent shareholding in Yemen’s leading mobile communications company, SabaFon, for $144 million in March of this year, has further boosted the Batelco group’s mobile distribution footprint.
“SabaFon is the largest GSM mobile operator in Yemen offering national coverage with over 500 base stations across the country.
The company has over 1.6 million mobile subscribers, and with a population of over 22 million there is plenty of scope to see that figure rise,” Mr Kaliaropoulos said.
“We will continue to build on our niche growth strategy in the Middle East by focusing in areas of substantial growth such as mobile operations and broadband.”
“Our predictions for robust growth and cost and revenue synergies for the group, due to our overseas investments, are beginning to be realised.
“Batelco plans to continue their expansion drive, through targetted acquisitions of other operators and licences, either directly or with partners,” concluded Mr Kaliaropoulos.