Is ARPU still a reliable metric?

In the telecom industry many AxPU metrics have been proposed and/or used to assess the business performance of a given telecom market and/or operator. However ARPU (average revenue per user) remains the most strategically regarded and widely accepted metric. It is commonly calculated by dividing aggregated revenues by the average number of subscribers who theoretically generated those revenues during a predefined time period – typically a month as adopted by most telecom carriers. More interestingly, focused ARPU figures are calculated for specific services in a bid to identify the largest sources of revenue generation, as they are calculated according to diverse factors such as geographic location, user age, occupation, and income.M.Jamoussi

Jamoussi believes it is time to contest assumptions such as low-ARPU markets are unprofitable, while high-ARPU ones are

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The challenge of overcoming consumer apathy

Unsolicited text messages, web page banners while browsing the mobile Internet and banner ads on idle screens… These formats still constitute the most predominant types of mobile advertising that mobile phone users are exposed to today, and are largely initiatives based on formats from the online world of advertising.

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Brimming with potential

A combination of international and regional developments over the past 12 months has prompted unprecedented changes in the business environment in the Middle East. In a wide-ranging discussion with Comm., Ericsson’s president for Region Middle East explains why the region remains a viable ICT hub, and how the years ahead are poised for strong growthEricsson@Arenco_005 (640x426)

Anders Lindblad has been president of Region Middle East for Ericsson for about 18 months, in which time he has witnessed tremendous change within as well as externally to the telecom sector

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Group dialogue

Motorola’s proprietary group communications technology iDEN has been largely successful across the Americas and in parts of Asia, without ever having taken Europe, the Middle East, or Africa by storm. Razi Sayyed, Motorola Solutions’ iDEN MEA regional account manager believes that is about to change with particular reference to Africa, where he believes significant potential for adoption exists

sayyed razi 1 (640x480)Razi Sayyed is excited about extending iDEN’s footprint to a new continent for the first time

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Experienced hands; new ideas

Ahmad Julfar was confirmed as CEO of Etisalat Group in August this year, and in his first official interview since his appointment, details his plans to build on the telco’s strong history in order to overcome very real, modern, and complex challengesCM*5549223

Julfar believes very few other telecommunications company in the world have a more complete portfolio of products, capabilities and talent than Etisalat

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News

Qualcomm records stellar quarter to December 25, 2011

Qualcomm has reported record quarterly revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 ended December 25, 2011. The company posted revenues of US$4.68 billion, a rise of 40 per cent on the previous year. Net income was up by 20 per cent to US1.4 billion. Operating income was also up, by 24 per cent to [...]

122 telecom licences cancelled in India given allegedly corrupt award process

India’s Supreme Court has cancelled 122 telecommunications licences awarded to companies in 2008. The licences were issued by former minister A Raja, who is accused of mis-selling bandwidth in what has been called India’s biggest corruption scandal. Raja denies wrongdoing. Government auditors say the scandal cost the country about US$40 billion. The judges also ordered [...]

Etisalat considers sale of towers in Africa

Etisalat is reported to be mulling bids to sell its towers network Africa. The telco has subsidiaries in 10 countries and owns around 4,500 towers across the continent. Citing sources familiar with the matter, Reuters said that Etisalat has invited bids for the tower assets. The telco had been looking to sell the towers to [...]

Bharti Airtel faces ownership crisis in Nigeria

A court in Nigeria has upheld Econet Wireless Limited’s five per cent claim to Airtel Nigeria, a cellco to which it was a founding shareholder in 2001. The court sided with the Zimbabwe operator that its stake been unfairly cancelled, and any decisions since the cancellation are void. “All actions and resolutions taken by the [...]

Qatari sovereign wealth fund reportedly interested in Saudi Oger

The government of Qatar is reported to have approached Saudi Oger about a deal to buy its 55 per cent stake in Oger Telecom, which owns a controlling 55 per cent stake in Turkey based Turk Telecom. Oger Telecom also owns a 75 per cent stake in South Africa’s third mobile network, Cell C. Citing [...]

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