MTC Group has won three prestigious telecom industry awards at the second annual CommsMEA telecom awards.
The awards include the “Overall Operator of the Year” and the “New Telecoms Service of the Year” for One Network, the world’s first borderless mobile network in Africa. Dr Saad Al Barrak, CEO of MTC Group, was also honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award for his pioneering efforts in the industry.
Hosted by CommsMEA, a leading telecommunications magazine for the Middle East and Africa, at the Fairmont Hotel, Dubai, the judging panel comprised international telecom professionals and regional industry peers.
Dr Al Barrak joined MTC in 2002 and in the course of five years, the group has expanded from a one country operator in Kuwait with 600,000 customers to a mobile operator whose geographic coverage spans across the Middle East and Africa. MTC’s capitalisation has multiplied more than 10 times since his appointment to exceed $30 billion (August 2007). Last year MTC Group reported revenues of $4.167 billion while profits rose to $1.051 billion for 2006, a five-fold increase since 2003.
“I would like to thank the organizers as well as the esteemed panel of judges for their recognition of MTC as we continue to fulfill our vision of becoming global telecommunications company,” said Dr Al Barrak. “We will continue to bring the best possible services to our 32 million customers throughout the Middle East and Africa and on other continents in the future as we continue to expand. I would like to offer and recognise our awards on behalf of MTC’s distinguished people for, without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
The citation for MTC winning “Overall Operator of the Year,” said that the award was recognition of the company leading the remarkable trend of mobile communications within the Middle East and Africa. The award also recognizes MTC’s rapid transition from a mobile operator in Kuwait with 600,000 customers in 2003 to a major telecom conglomerate in the Middle East and Africa serving 32 million customers in 21 countries.
This year the Group has expanded its reach with its successful bid for the third mobile licence in Saudi Arabia, offering the company the opportunity to enter the biggest market in the region. Its strategic geographic position also allows the group to provide seamless network operations across contiguous markets.
The “New Telecoms Service of the Year” award recognises One Network, the world’s first borderless mobile network. Serving six countries in Africa - Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda – it covers 160 million people or approximately 20 per cent of Africa’s population.
One Network gives all post paid and prepaid customers the opportunity to move freely across geographical borders in these six countries without roaming call surcharges and without having to pay for incoming calls.
“In a region that is historically dependant on freedom of movement across borders, this service fits the needs of our customers perfectly, breaking down barriers and making life better for business, families and individuals from West to East, from the Atlantic to the Indian Oceans,” said Dr Al Barrak. –TradeArabia News Service