HiPipo Money

Press Release:  Kampala, Uganda – 13^th March, 2013

MTN Uganda Doubles internet speeds to 42 Mbps- Another innovative First in Uganda.

MTN Uganda has upgraded its internet speeds to 42Mbps from 21.6Mbps, making it the first company in Uganda and one of the very first in Africa to launch this innovation. This announcement was made on Wednesday 13^th March 2013 as the company also announced its successful annual results for the period ending December 2012.

42Mbps is the fastest speed achievable on a 3G+ network, giving MTN customers twice the speed and power to browse the internet.

“This is double the speed that any other mobile operator in Uganda provides and it is the reason we will be considered the data provider of choice in 2013 and beyond,” said Ernst Fonternel, Chief Marketing Officer MTN Uganda.

Fonternel explained that 42Mbps means MTN customers can now do more in less time, allowing them to download movies in less time, send high volume files in an instant, use video chat applications without breaks and stream videos without buffering.

“These benefits translate into an improvement in e-commerce, e-governance, e-learning and on line collaboration,” said Fonternel.

Over the last two years, MTN has made major investments to its data infrastructure in Uganda. MTN Uganda launched the first mobile money service in Uganda with tremendous success, introduced 3G+, expanded the mobile distribution foot print, and greatly enhanced the mobile core, radio capacity and infrastructure technology. 

Furthermore, it extended the fibre network backbone and built five regional switching centres in the East, West, North and Central regions. MTN also built a fibre optic line through Katuna into Rwanda, providing an alternative data capacity route into Uganda.

“MTN’s vision is to lead the delivery of a bold, new Digital World to our customers. MTN Uganda is embracing this vision through constant enhancements to our Data Network to deliver World-class Internet and make their lives a whole lot brighter.” said Fonternel.

MTN continues to invest in the latest technologies to provide World-class Internet, everywhere you go. MTN reconfirmed their plans to launch its 4G LTE Network in the coming months.

About MTN Uganda

Launched in 1998, MTN Uganda is the leading telecommunications firm in country with more than 7.7 million customers as of 31 December 2012.

Visit us at www.mtn.co.ug;www.youtube.com/mtnug;www.facebook.com/mtnug and www.twitter.com/mtnugandacare.

About the MTN Group

Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a leading emerging market operator, connecting subscribers in 22 countries in Africa and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code: “MTN.” As of 31December 2012, MTN recorded almost 190 million subscribers across its operations in Afghanistan, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Iran, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia. Visit us at www.mtn.comand www.mtnfootball.com

Cathy Namuddu has today become the second woman to win Shs 13.5 million in the ongoing DStv-subscription rewards promotions.

The first lady to win this prize money was Keren Asaba who won the same money last week.

To win this money, one has to pay his/her subscription fees between 5^thFebruary to April 10^th 2013. Whoever pays between this time automatically enters this incredible subscriber incentive scheme.

Each week, Shs 13.5 million are given out to one lucky winner. 

An overjoyed Cathy Namuddu said: “I have always been a fan of DStv, especially the picture quality and programming. I was extremely surprized to win in this campaign, I couldn’t believe it when I got the phone call that I had won. I urge fellow subscribers to hang in there, because indeed DStv does offer so much more”.

She plans to complete her wall fence as well as transfer her child to a better kindergarten.

“Often we are limited to do some of the things we set out to do but this money will aid me achieve some of my plans for this year. Thank you DStv” Namuddu added.

This is week five of the campaign, with five winners already and four more winners in the pipeline. This campaign is applicable to all subscribers regardless of the bouquet they subscribe to provided they stay connected between 5^th February 2013 and April 10^th 2013. 

MultiChoice Uganda Regional Sales Supervisor Central Region Hillary Mawerere said: “The rationale for this campaign is to make a difference in our subscribers’ lives. It is humbling to note and see the transformations this money will make for most of them. We encourage all our subscribers to embrace this campaign, stay connected and stand a chance to win Shs 13,500,000.”

Winners walking away with cash prizes will be filmed for inserts that will be screened during the hit game show THE MONEY DROP on AfricaMagic and AfricaMagic Entertainment. So not only could you win, but you could also be on TV!

 In addition, DStv audiences can win a full year’s subscription on their current bouquet, just by watching their favourite shows in a competition dubbed Spot the Box.  Tune in and when you see a blue DStv Rewards Box pop up on screen, make sure you SMS/TEXT the competition hotline (details onscreen and at www.dstv.com) with your name. It’s that easy to win!

The latest initiatives come just a few short months after DStv launched its attention-grabbing 10% discount campaign, also part of the DStv Rewards initiative, which knocks 10% off the subscription price for those consumers who pay on time and who enjoy unbroken service.  So make sure you pay before you are disconnected and you will earn this discount. With 2013 getting off to a fantastic start for DStv subscribers, the question is…what would you do with your cash winnings?

MTN Press Release Date:3/15/2013

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has withdrawn court case number 276-2012 previously brought under private prosecution against a number of MTN Uganda executives. This was based on the fact that there is no evidence to prosecute.  

The executives are; Charles Mbire, Mazen Mroué, Khumo Shuenyane, Nosipho Molope, Sifiso Dabengwa, Christian de Faria, Ignatius Sehoole, Nozipho-January Bardill, Anthony Mutyaba Katamba, Francois Tefouet, Mervyn Immelman, Mike Blackburn, Nigel Williams.

The Chief Magistrate of the Buganda Road Court has formally accepted the withdrawal of the case. This brings to end all matters related to the tax allegations made by dismissed staff, against the MTN Uganda executives.

MTN Uganda revenues for the year 2012 grew by 16 per cent, the company has revealed. The growth according to the company came at the back of increasing returns from voice coupled with an ever growing data and mobile money platform usage.

“MTN Uganda delivered strong results in a competitive market with Revenue up 16% and EBITDA up 22%. Data revenue increased 86% supported by a strong performance in MTN Mobile Money,” read part of a statement from the telecommunication giant, adding: “With more than 20 million transactions each month; MTN Mobile Money now contributes meaningfully to MTN Uganda’s revenue.”

Read Full Statement From MTN Uganda Below

Kampala, Uganda – 13^th March, 2013                            

MTN Uganda celebrates strong annual results for the year 2012 reflected by positive revenue, Data and Mobile Money growth

MTN Uganda delivered strong results in a competitive market with Revenue up 16% and EBITDA up 22%. Data revenue increased 86% supported by a strong performance in MTN Mobile Money. With more than 20 million transactions each month; MTN Mobile Money now contributes meaningfully to MTN Uganda’s revenue. As per the GSMA  2012 Global Mobile Money Adoption survey, MTN Uganda ranks 2^nd in terms number of active Mobile Money customer accounts. MTN Uganda also concluded the tower transaction with ATC during 2012, which saw the business sell 962 towers to ATC. This transaction will have a positive impact on Infrastructure sharing and improve operational efficiencies for the ICT Sector in Uganda

The MTN Group results that were released on Wednesday 6^th March, 2013 by the MTN Group President and CEO- Sifiso Dabengwa, clearly highlighted MTN Uganda’s positive results. MTN Group is the leading emerging market mobile operator, connecting almost 190 million subscribers in 22countries across Africa and the Middle East. MTN is at the forefront of global technological changes,delivering a bold, new Digital World to our customers.

This morning, at the official announcement of the MTN Uganda performance, the MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer-Mazen Mroué also shared with key stockholders and media officials the new MTN Brand Vision. “To Lead the delivery of a bold, new Digital World to our customers”. This will mean a focus on creating a distinct customer experience, driving sustainable growth while transforming the operational model. Our new MTN mission is ‘To make our customers’ lives a whole lot brighter’,Mroué added.

In a highly competitive environment, with seven network operators, MTN Uganda maintained its leading position in subscriber numbers and market share. By year end, MTN had 7.7 million subscribers and total market share of 52.5%, up from 52.0% in 2011.

In 2013 MTN Uganda’s value proposition is solid; the groundwork has been established to increase the contribution of Data and Mobile Money to overall revenues. In the year ahead, MTN Uganda will roll-out LTE and increase WiFi hotspots coverage, to continue giving Ugandans World-class and universal access to the internet and Mobile Money Services focusing on person-to-business and person-to-business financial transactions.

Today’s announcement coincides with the launch of another innovative first in Uganda as MTN Uganda launches its upgraded 42 Mbps Data Network. This attests to the new MTN Brand Vision and Mission and shows that MTN is indeed embracing the new Digital World only a few months after the successful launch of its World-class Internet campaign enabling Uganda customers to enjoy faster Internet access, download and superior quality live streaming.

Over the last two years, MTN has made major investments to its data infrastructure in Uganda. MTN Uganda launched the first mobile money service in Uganda with tremendous success, introduced 3G+, expanded the mobile distribution foot print, and greatly enhanced the mobile core, radio capacity and infrastructure technology.  Furthermore, it extended the fibre network backbone and built five regional switching centres in the East, West, North and Central regions.

At the time of this launch, the MTN Uganda Chief Marketing Officer- Ernst Fonternel said, “We have further improved and widened our 3G+ network coverage to deliver the newly improved speed to more than 1 million data customers supported with the widest network coverage, a wide range of devices and affordable tariffs”.

This shows MTN Uganda’s commitment to consistently invest in the network through a significant focus on infrastructure investment.“This investment is aimed at providing our customers with the best possible user experience across the Country. We are happy that we shall now be able to provide our customers with this world-class internet that promises speed, convenience, coverage and affordability,” said Fonternel.

The MTN Uganda annual results show a marked improvement in the overall performance of the MTN Group. Announcing the MTN Group annual results, the MTN Group President and CEO-Sifiso Dabengwa said, “We are pleased to announce MTN’s results for the year ended 31 December 2012, which notwithstanding significant challenges, reflect solid progress in growing subscribers, revenue and EBITDA. The year was characterised by the continued global economic slowdown, increasingly competitive mobile markets as well as regulatory and political challenges. The new MTN Group structure, put in place in early 2012, which sees the business split into key pillars, namely South Africa, Nigeria and the ‘Large and Small Opco Cluster’, has  enabled more focused management and better execution of strategies across the various business units,” Dabengwa added.

Over the past year, MTN Group subscribers increased 15.1% to 189.3 million, a strong result in the face of the ongoing subscriber registration requirements and network challenges in key markets. The low levels of mobile penetration across our markets should support continued strong subscriber growth.

MTN Group overall Revenue for the year increased 10.9%, with the majority of MTN operations delivering strong organic growth. Group EBITDA increased 8.2% with an EBITDA margin of 42.9%. Encouragingly a margin improvement across the majority of the Large Opco Cluster was seen with organic growth in EBITDA of 20.7%.

After a challenging 2012, the MTN Group is well positioned for 2013. It expects to deliver continued organic growth in both revenue and EBITDA and anticipate reaching the milestone of 200 million subscribers by mid-year.

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About MTN Uganda

Launched in 1998, MTN Uganda is the leading telecommunications firm in country. Visit us at www.mtn.co.ug and www.facebook.com/mtnug.

About the MTN Group

Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a leading emerging market operator, connecting subscribers in 22 countries in Africa and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code: “MTN.” As of 31December 2012, MTN recorded almost 190 million subscribers across its operations in Afghanistan, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Iran, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia. Visit us at www.mtn.comand www.mtnfootball.com

The DStv Rewards campaign has registered the first female winner in Uganda. Keren Asaba joins the elite club of winners of the massive UGX 13,500,000 grande prize in the on-going DStv rewards campaign. The 25 year old English teacher based in Rwanda has been on the DStv service for over a year and says since she joined she has never looked back. DStv subscribers just have to remain connected between 5^th February to April 10^th 2013 to enter this incredible subscriber incentive scheme.

Keren Asaba elated said “I am so thankful and grateful to God. I can’t believe this is real; the fact that a MultiChoice official called me after the draw erased all my doubts of my win.  Thank you so much DStv for rewarding me”

She plans to develop land that her and her husband recently bought and says given the nature of her job and distance from her family the money would come in handy in opening up a business that will enable her to be closer to her loved ones.

This is week four of the campaign, with five more winners in the pipeline. This campaign is applicable to all subscribers regardless of the bouquet they subscribe to provided they stay connected between 5^th February 2013 and April 10^th 2013. 

MultiChoice Uganda PR Manager Tina Wamala said “This is an incredible campaign that we are encouraging all our subscribers to embrace. Every week until April 10^th 2013 one lucky subscriber will win UGX 13,500,000. We want to demonstrate our appreciation to all our subscribers for the loyalty and this campaign has achieved that so far”.

Winners walking away with cash prizes will be filmed for inserts that will be screened during the hit game show THE MONEY DROP on AfricaMagic and AfricaMagic Entertainment. So not only could you win, but you could also be on TV!

 In addition, DStv audiences can win a full year’s subscription to their current bouquet, just by watching their favourite shows.  Tune in and when you see a blue DStv Rewards Box pop up on screen, make sure you SMS/TEXT the competition hotline (details onscreen and at www.dstv.com) with your name. It’s that easy to win!

MultiChoice Uganda is also pleased to announce our first Spot the Box winner from Uganda, Malcolm Muyiinda, who is a compact subscriber. The latest initiatives come just a few short months after DStv launched its attention-grabbing 10% discount campaign, also part of the DStv Rewards initiative, which knocks 10% off the subscription price for those consumers who pay on time and who enjoy unbroken service.  So make sure you pay before you are disconnected and you will earn this discount. With 2013 getting off to a fantastic start for DStv subscribers, the question is…what would you do with your cash winnings?