The New Nation - Internet Edition

BUSINESS REPORT

The Grameenphone subscribers now stands over 18 million after increasing over 1.5 million during the last four months till April.

Anders Jensen, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Grameenphone revealed this while addressing a crowded press conference at Sonargaon Hotel in the city yesterday.

"During the first quarter (January to March 2008) of this year, our subscribers grew 17.8 million from 16.5 million at the end of the last year. The subscribers currently stands at over 18 million," Andres said, adding: "Our revenue increased Tk 0.6 billion from Tk 14.3 billion to 14.9 billion during the same time."

Chief Financial Officer Arif Al Islam and Public Relations Director Syed Yamin Bakth were present at the press conference.

Anders Jensen, announcing the company's first quarter results of the current year, said the Grameenphone has been showing a healthy growth both in terms of the number of subscribers and revenue.

The CEO also talked about the recent brand repositioning campaign launched by Grameenphone with the brand promise "Stay Close".

"Grameenphone is the most well-known local brand and we are reinforcing out strong local roots through this campaign," he said.

"Alone with fresh investments of Tk 5.6 billion during the first quarter, the cumulative investments now stand at Tk 117.4 billion including the largest single year capital expenditure of Tk 35.8 billion last year," Jensen said.

"This has enabled Grameenphone to build the largest network with the widest coverage around the country, bringing more than 98 per cent of the total population under its network coverage," the Grameenphone chief said, adding that 'The Grameenphone network now has more than 10600 base stations in over 6100 locations around the country.'

"Grameenphone will continue to help its valued customers to stay close to their loved ones and important things by providing the best voice and data services in a reliable and caring way."

Jensen said the total stakeholders' dividend had so far stood at Tk 9.1 billion including taxes and a declared dividend of Tk 1.5 billion in 2007, which is less than 8 per cent of the total investment.

"Grameenphone has so far contributed more than Tk 111.2 billion to the national exchequer in direct and indirect taxes up to first quarter. The total contribution was Tk 34.2 billion in 2007, up from Tk 20.5 billion during the previous year.

While explaining about the brand campaign, the Grameenphone CEO noted that the company is committed to marking its services affordable to a much larger segment of the population, both in urban and rural areas, while maintaining the premium quality which has always been its brand image.

"We are committed to provide the best network, innovative products and services useful to the customers and quality customer interactions at every touch-point," he added.