SENS Note - 23 October 2006

MTN -- launch of Irancell

Shareholders are advised that MTN Irancell launched commercial operations in the Islamic Republic of Iran on Saturday, 21 October 2006 with coverage in Tehran, Mashhad and Tabriz. Sari and Karaj are expected to be available within the next two weeks. MTN Irancell is currently connecting only post paid customers and has released 350 000 SIM cards into the market. It is expected that MTN Irancell will have 1 million subscribers by the end of December 2006. Unlike current services, MTN Irancell subscribers will benefit from a service that is available immediately upon purchase of a SIM card at a connection fee of IRR 1 500 000 (approximately USD160). MTN Irancell products are available at over 200 stores in Tehran, Tabriz and Mashhad. This distribution network is expected to increase to 7 000 national points of presence by December 2006, in most of the major cities in Iran.

Click here for original article