SingTel’s regional mobile customer base reaches 232m 
ConvergenceAsia staff
11/02/2009

Singapore Telecommunications' (SingTel) combined regional mobile customer base has reached 232 million as at 31 December 2008.

Year-on-year, its aggregate mobile customer base in the eight markets – Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand – was up 35 per cent or 61 million. On a quarterly basis, the increase was 7.3 per cent, or 16 million.

The proportionate mobile customer base rose 34 per cent from a year ago or 6.8 per cent from a quarter ago.

Despite stiff competition in their home markets and the global economic crisis, the six regional associates continued to post double-digit customer growth of between 13 per cent and 55 per cent compared to a year ago.

Bharti posted the biggest jump in customer numbers among the associates. Its mobile base reached 85.7 million customers as at 31 December 2008, an increase of 55 per cent from a year ago or 11 per cent from a quarter ago. It also achieved its highest ever quarterly net additions of 8.2 million mobile customers this quarter.

Telkomsel’s total mobile customer base of 65.3 million was an increase of 36 per cent from a year ago. During the quarter, the Indonesian operator added 4.8 million customers following the successful re-launch of the highly popular simPATI PeDe in the preceding quarter.

Thailand and the Philippines, which are more mature markets, saw steady growth this quarter. AIS added 0.7 million mobile subscribers, compared to 0.8 million in the preceding quarter. Globe added 1.0 million mobile subscribers, comparable to a quarter ago.

In Pakistan, Warid grew its total customer base to 16.9 million, up 28 per cent year-on-year or 4.7 per cent from a quarter ago. PBTL's total mobile customer base in Bangladesh was 1.8 million, up 29 per cent from a year ago or 3.7 per cent from a quarter ago.

Optus’ mobile customer base expanded 9.0 per cent from a year ago to 7.63 million as at 31 December 2008. Reflecting the success of its innovative services and plans combined with its expanding distribution channels and 3G network, Optus attracted 213,000 new customers, including 104,000 postpaid in the quarter, compared to 182,000 in the preceding quarter. Optus’ 3G subscriber base now stands at 2.33 million, an increase of 7.9 per cent over the previous quarter.

SingTel’s total mobile customer base was 2.94 million as at 31 December 2008, an increase of 26 per cent from a year ago.

A total of 68,000 new mobile customers were added during the quarter of which 30,000 were postpaid net additions with continued good take-up of Apple iPhone 3G. Demand for 3G services remain strong, with 71,000 subscribers added. As at 31 December 2008, SingTel’s total 3G mobile subscriber base reached 1.14 million.

advertisement