Warid Telecom
 | |
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunication |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Headquarters | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
| Key people |
Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Chairman Bashir Tahir, founding CEO (retired) |
| Products | Telephony, WiMAX, EDGE, GPRS, GSM |
| Website | www.waridtel.com (Pakistan) |
Warid Telecom International is an Abu Dhabi-based mobile telecommunication investment firm whose portfolio companies provide telephony services in the Republic of the Congo, Pakistan, and Uganda.
Pakistan
In 2004, Warid Telecom International LLC, purchased a license for operating a nationwide mobile telephony network, (WLL) and long distance international (LDI) for $291 million US dollars and was the first venture of Warid Telecom International LLC. The licence was bid for and acquired by a team led by Bashir Tahir the former CEO of the Abu Dhabi Group, which is the parent company of all Warid operations.[1]
Warid Pakistan launched its services in May 2005. Within 80 days of launch Warid Pakistan claims to have attracted more than 1 million. users.[2]
On June 30, 2007, Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) and Warid Telecom announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement subsequent to which SingTel will acquire a 30 percent equity stake in Warid Telecom for an estimated $758 million, valuing the company at an enterprise value of $2.9 billion.[3]
Network technology
| Network | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|
| GSM900/1800 | Live/Active | May, 2005 |
Zahi and Zem
WaridTel provides both postpaid and prepaid connection plans. The postpaid plan is branded and marketed across the country under the name Zahi Postpaid, which means leader or royalty. The prepaid segments are branded and marketed as Zem Prepaid, which means fun and "glow", a youth-oriented prepaid brand.
Zahi Postpaid, glow Prepaid and Zem Prepaid user enjoy various value added services (VAS), such as SMS, MMS, GPRS, 64K SIM, Dual SIM product, Corporate packages for product advertising via SMS, My Status, Talky Message, and a host of other features.
Glow
Glow is a new brand by Warid Pakistan mainly intended for youth. It offers tariffs and free online content via its portal,[5] which was set up in collaboration with Arvato.[6] The brand ambassador of Glow is Pakistani Singer Atif Aslam
Glow was launched by Warid International's Group CCO, Ali Tahir, the strategic and project lead for the initiative.[7] It was launched within three months and rapidly acquired more than a million subscribers in a short period of time.[8]
Bangladesh
In December 2005, Warid Telecom International LLC obtained a 15-year GSM license to operate as the sixth mobile phone operator in Bangladesh for US$50 million. Warid Bangladesh started rolling out its network from mid-2006, and launched commercial operations on May 10, 2007, covering 26 districts. It uses the code 16 preceded by the code number of Bangladesh +880. Warid Bangladesh has acquired a million subscribers within 70 days of launch.
Warid Telecom sold 70% of its stake in Bangladesh operations to India's Bharti Airtel for US$300 million receiving regulatory approval from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) on January 4, 2010.[9]
On December 20, 2010, Warid Telecom was rebranded as Airtel.
Republic of Congo
Planned to launch services in Republic of Congo in early 2008.[10]
Network technology
| Network | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|
| GSM900/1800 | Live/Active | November, 2007 |
Uganda
Planned to launch services in Uganda by the fourth quarter of 2007. Warid is also set to deploy a WiMAX network throughout Uganda through its sister concern Wateen Telecom.[12]
Network Technology
| Network | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|
| GSM900/1800 | Live/Active | January, 2008 |
References
- ↑ http://m.arabianbusiness.com/royal-flush-57528.html
- ↑ Warid, Pakistan, gains 1 million GSM subscribers in 80 days - Ericsson Customer Success Stories
- ↑ SingTel Confirms to Buy Warid Stake for $758 Million
- ↑ Warid Telecom (PVT) Ltd - Network Information
- ↑ http://www.pakistan.web.pk/threads/glow-prepaid-youth-brand-from-warid-launched.3540/#axzz1sAUkpGn1
- ↑ http://www.glow.net.pk/media/archive/glow.php
- ↑ http://www.waridtel.com/about/media/archive/glow.php
- ↑ http://home.singtel.com/attachment_hub/4A15D2F5-43E5-4B8C-9AD5-D0D889A708ED/Associates.pdf
- ↑ http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703436504574639763075967666.html
- ↑ Greenfield operator with no prior experience? Try Managed Services
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Warid Congo SA - Network Information
- ↑ Warid plans WiMAX network in Uganda - Telecompaper