MTN Irancell

Irancell
semi Private
Industry Telecommunications
Founded 2005
Headquarters Tehran, Iran
Key people
 Dr. Ebrahim Mahmoudzadeh (Chairman of the Board of Directors)
Products Prepaid and postpaid mobile phones
Website www.irancell.ir

Irancell is the second largest mobile phone network operator of Iran. It is 49% owned by the South Africa-based MTN Group.

Services

In August 2014, MTN Irancell Officially got the license for 3G and upper generation from Iran's Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) and started its network for WCDMA in band 2100.[1][2]

On December 3, 2014, Irancell officially launched Iran's first LTE network in nine cities.[3]

Shareholders

MTN Irancell has two shareholders: Iran Electronic Development Company (IEDC) (51%), and MTN International (Mauritius) Limited (49%).

IEDC currently has two key shareholders:[4]

Controversy

Sanctions

According to Reuters, the company was able to obtain banned U.S. technologies despite imposed sanctions against Iran.[5]

Sunni insult and boycott

In July 2013, Iran's Sunni community which is the second largest religious group, accused the company of insulting caliph Umar, after he was called "deceived by the Devil" in a competition's question. People in predominantly Sunni Provinces Kurdistan and Sistan & Baluchestan boycotted the company and a Sunni MP voiced their anger in a parliamentary session. Irancell later apologised for the 'unintentional mistake'.[6]

Mobile web pricing

After Irancell doubled the prices for its mobile web services in December 2014, some angerred users started protesting the company via the social media. Subscribers decided to hold a boycott on the company and remove their SIM cards altogether on December 31, 2014.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "MTN Irancell preparing for 3G launch". TeleGeography. 2014-08-07. Retrieved 2014-12-07.
  2. ↑ "MTN Irancell awarded 3G and higher generations License Agreement". ICTna.ir. 2014-08-06. Retrieved 2014-12-07.
  3. ↑ "MTN Irancell 4G Network Launched Commercially". ICTna.ir. 2014-12-03. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  4. ↑ "Subordinate Companies - Iran Electronic Development Company". Sina Electronic Development Holding Company. Archived from the original on 2012-10-12. Retrieved 2012-06-14.
  5. ↑ Stecklow, Steve; George, Marcus; Westall, Sylvia (June 4, 2012). Michael Williams, ed. "Exclusive: Iranian cell-phone carrier obtained banned U.S. tech". Reuters. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Iran mobile company indicted for "insulting Sunnis"". BBC World Service. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  7. ↑ "Subscribers turning Irancell off?". Shargh (in Persian) (2198). 30 December 2014. p. 15.

External links