MTN Group Q3 subscriber updates

Sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest mobile phone operator MTN Group reported its overall subscriber base increased 9% quarter-on-quarter to 80.7 million at 30 September 2008. The West and Central Africa (WECA) region contributed the majority of the Group’s total subscribers at 44% and increased its subscriber base by 10% in the third quarter, with 56% of the region’s subscribers coming from Nigeria where the operator saw a 9% increase in customers. The South and East Africa (SEA) region accounts for 28% of the Group’s total subscribers and saw its base increase by 7% during the quarter. South Africa contributes 72% to the region’s subscribers, with its base increasing 4% to 16.2 million in the three months to 30 September. The remaining 28% of the Group’s customers are located in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The MENA region experienced a 10% increase in subscribers, led by Iran where subscribers increased by 13% to 13.1 million.