SENS Note - 31 October 2007
MTN -- subscriber numbers for September quarter
 
MTN recorded 54 162 000 subscribers at 30 September 2007. This was a 12% increase from 48 346 000 subscribers recorded at 30 June 2007. The attached analysis is presented on a regional basis. The South and East Africa (SEA) region contributed 33% (June 2007: 35%) of the group total subscribers and West and Central Africa (WECA) and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions were 47% (June 2007: 48%) and 20% (June 2007: 17%) respectively.

The SEA region increased its subscriber base by 5% for the quarter. The South African operation contributed 52% to the region's growth, with subscribers increasing 3% for the quarter ended 30 September 2007. Subscribers in Uganda increased 12% to 2 094 000 subscribers over the same period due to more competitive pricing. MTN South Africa's ARPU increased, on a comparable basis by 1% to R146.

The WECA region increased its subscriber base by 9% for the quarter. Nigeria contributed 47% to the region's growth recording a 7% increase in subscribers to 14 985 000. An aggressive network rollout plan is addressing the quality and capacity issues following the high rate of subscriber acquisitions since the last quarter of 2006. Ghana increased its subscriber base by 14% to 3 872 000 underpinned by strong operational execution of the network rollout, while Cameroon increased subscribers by 15% to 2 238 000 due to increased marketing activities. Nigerian and Ghanaian ARPU's remained strong at USD17 and USD16 respectively.

The MENA region recorded a 36% increase in subscribers for the quarter mainly due to strong growth from start-up operations in Iran, which increased subscribers by 88% to 3 720 000. There was also continued strong growth in Afghanistan (66%), Sudan (24%) and Syria (12%).
 
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