MTN Group to improve voice quality and data growth

Accra, March 13, GNA – Mr. Michael Ikpoki, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana Limited, said it has initiated key infrastructure investment to support voice quality, capacity and data growth of the company.

He said the infrastructure provided was lower in the first half of last year, due to operational supplier difficulty.

Mr Ikpoki, however, said measures had been put in place to address this issue, and capital investments of 68.8 per cent of the year’s total capital would be completed in the second quarter of the same year.

He announced these at a press briefing on the 2011 Annual Report of the MTN Group in Accra on Monday.

Mr Ikpoki said this year, like every year, the company would focus on all its energies on improving customers experience by investing in network improvement, hiring experienced staff, providing quality service, improving distribution networks and brining on board more value-added services, among other things.

“The MTN Group will continue to provide competitive voice offerings aimed at maintaining market share as lower traffic and mobile termination Rates, mainly in South Africa and Nigeria impacted revenue growth,” he added.

Meanwhile the operational cost elements of the company comprised direct network and operating cost, US.48 billion; handsets and accessories, US.077 billion; interconnect and roaming costs, US.77 billion; selling, distribution and marketing costs, US.954 billion, employees benefits, US1.4 million and other expenses which stood at US3.74 million.

Mr Ikpoki said MTN Ghana has delivered a solid performance as subscribers increased by 16.5 per cent to 10.2 million subscribers owing to attractive promotions.

He noted that the market share declined marginally to 52 per cent from 53 per cent, but it could be considered highly satisfactory given the very competitive nature of the market.

Mr Ikpoki said MTN Ghana recorded total cedi revenue increased of 15.1 per cent for the year due to a 13.9 per cent increase in airtime; subscription revenue and a 35.1 per cent increase in interconnect revenue.

He said the company would continue its efforts to strengthen it position on the non-voice service and maintain and improve customer experience.