MTN Group

Infobox_Company
company_name = MTN Group
company_
company_type = Private
company_slogan = Everywhere you go
foundation = 1994
location = South Africa
key_people = Phuthuma Nhleko, CEO
industry = Telecommunications
products = GSM-related products
Internet services
homepage = [http://www.mtn.com/ www.mtn.com]

MTN Group is a South Africa-based multinational mobile telecommunications company, operating in many African and Middle Eastern countries.

MTN describes itself as "the leader in telecommunications in Africa and the Middle East" and as of early 2007 is active in 21 countries. [TV advertisement repeatedly shown on Al Jazeera English in January 2007 included the above quote and the statement "now in 21 countries".] [http://www.mtn.com/mtn.group.web/explore/CEO/CEO.asp MTN website] (Since 2000, Africa has been the fastest growing mobile phone market in the world. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3686463.stm BBC NEWS | World | Africa | Africans rush for mobile phones ] ] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4331863.stm BBC NEWS | Business | Mobile growth 'fastest in Africa' ] ] [ [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2068420,00.html Phone revolution makes Africa upwardly mobile - Times Online ] ] )

MTN Group's President and CEO is Phuthuma Nhleko. The company sponsors the CAF Champions League football competition.

Coverage

MTN acquired Investcom, thereby expanding to ten more countries, mainly under the Areeba and Spacetel brands. [http://www.investcomllc.com/mobile.aspx Investcom - mobile communications division]

As of early 2007, MTN is active in:
* Afghanistan (Investcom)
* Benin (Investcom)
* Botswana (Botswana Mascom)
* Cameroon (MTN Cameroon)
* Republic of Congo (MTN Congo SA)
* Cote d'Ivoire (MTN Cote d'Ivoire)
* Cyprus (Investcom)
* Ghana (Investcom)MTN Ghana
* Guinea Bissau (Investcom)
* Republic of Guinea (Investcom)
* Iran (MTN Irancell)
* Liberia (Investcom)
* Nigeria (MTN Nigeria)
* Rwanda (MTN Rwanda)
* South Africa (MTN South Africa)
* Sudan (Investcom)
* Swaziland (MTN Swaziland)
* Syria (Investcom)
* Uganda (MTN Uganda)
* Yemen (Investcom)
* Zambia (MTN Zambia)

MTN is also expanding its operations to Pakistan.

Business

MTN's competition in South Africa includes the company Vodacom.

Talks with Bharti Airtel and Reliance Communications

In May 2008, it emerged that Bharti Airtel, an India-based telecommunications company, was exploring the possibility of buying MTN Group. The Financial Times reported that Bharti was considering offering US$19 billion for a 51% stake in MTN, which would be the largest overseas acquisition ever by an Indian firm. The Economist magazine noted, "If anything, Bharti would be marrying up," as MTN has more subscribers, higher revenues, higher profits and broader geographic coverage. [ [http://www.economist.com/daily/news/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11323216&top_story=1 "Emerging-market telecoms: Eyes on Africa"] , "The Economist", 6 May 2008]

However, talks fell through after a few days and Bharti Airtel pulled out of the proposed deal on May 24. Two days later, it was reported that another Indian telecommunications company, Reliance Communications is in talks with MTN for a "potential combination of their businesses." If realized, the estimated worth of the combined entity would have been $70 billion (£35 billion), with 116 million subscribers worldwide. [ [http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/may2008/gb20080527_247909.htm?campaign_id=rss_as Exit Bharti, Enter Reliance in MTN Tango - Businessweek] ] [ [http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/telecoms/article4099880.ece India's Reliance Communications plans merger with MTN - The Times Online] ]

However, on July 18, the two companies announced that they had mutually decided to end discussions regarding the merger.

References

External links

* [http://www.mtn.com MTN Group]
* [http://www.mtncameroon.net MTN Cameroon]
* [http://www.irancell.ir MTN Irancell]
* [http://www.mtnonline.com MTN Nigeria]
* [http://www.mtnrwandacell.co.rw MTN Rwanda]
* [http://www.mtn.co.za MTN South Africa]
* [http://www.mtn.co.sz MTN Swaziland]
* [http://www.mtn.co.ug MTN Uganda]
* [http://www.mtnfootball.com MTN Football]
* [http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=106 MTN Broadband Forum]