Warid Telecom

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Warid Telecom
Type Private
Founded 2004
Headquarters 301-Dhabi Tower, Hamdan Street, Post Box 44222, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Key people Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Chairman
Mr. Bashir A. Tahir, CEO Abu Dhabi Group & Warid International
Industry Telecommunication
Products Telephony, EDGE, GPRS, GSM
Website www.waridtel.com (Pakistan) www.waridtel.com.bd (Bangladesh)

Warid Telecom International is an Abu Dhabi based mobile telecommunication firm providing telephony services in Bangladesh, Congo, Pakistan and Uganda. Warid is expected to launch in the Ivory Coast and Georgia soon.


Contents

[edit] Bangladesh

Main article: Warid Telecom (Bangladesh)
Warid Telecom Franchise in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Warid Telecom Franchise in Dhaka, 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 50 million US dollars.

Warid Bangladesh launched their operations on the 10th of May, 2007 and uses the code 16 preceded by the code number of Bangladesh +880. Warid Bangladesh has acquired a million subscribers within 70 days of launch.

The company started rolling out network from mid-2006. In less than a year, amidst much speculation, Warid Bangladesh launched their commercial operation with 26 districts – the largest ever launch in terms of network coverage and BTS Stations. Unlike its operations in other countries Warid Bangladesh uses the slogan be heard instead of we care.

Currently Warid Bangladesh provides both post-paid and pre-paid connection plans. The post-paid plan is branded and marketed across the country under the name Zahi Post-paid, which means leader or royalty. The pre-paid segment is branded and marketed as Zem Pre-Paid.

[edit] Network Technology

Network Status Date
GSM1800 Live/Active May, 2007

[1]

[edit] Republic of Congo

Planned to launch services in Republic of Congo in early,2008.[2]

[edit] Network Technology

Network Status Date
GSM900/1800 Live/Active November, 2007

[3]

[edit] Pakistan

Main article: Warid Telecom (Pakistan)
Warid Telecom customer services and sales point
Warid Telecom customer services and sales point
Warid Telecom business center, Lahore, Pakistan
Warid Telecom business center, Lahore, 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.

Warid Pakistan launched its services in May 2005. Within 80 days of launch Warid Pakistan claims to have attracted more than 1 million. users[4]. According to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, currently Warid Telecom has 14.39 million subscribers as of March 2008. It is ranked as the fourth largest operator in Pakistan. Warid Pakistan claims it has the largest "post-paid" subscriber base in Pakistan.

On June 30th, 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 per cent equity stake in Warid Telecom for an estimated $758 million — valuing the company at an enterprise value of $2.9 billion.

[edit] Zahi and Zem

Warid Pakistan provides both post-paid and pre-paid connection plans. The post-paid plan is branded and marketed across the country under the name Zahi Post-paid, which means leader or royalty. The pre-paid segment is branded and marketed as Zem Pre-Paid.

Zahi-Post-paid and Zem Pre-paid user enjoy various value added services(VAS), such as SMS, MMS, GPRS, 64K SIM, Dual SIM product, Corporate packages for product advertising via SMS, and a host of other features.

However International Roaming is available to its Zahi(post-paid) users as of March 2007. For pre-paid customers, International Roaming is also available. (Selected Countries)

Warid has been one of the highest contributor in development work carried out in the quake hit areas of Pakistan after the devastating event of 8th October 2005, furthering their stance of 'We Care'.

[edit] Network Technology

Network Status Date
GSM900/1800 Live/Active May, 2005

[5]

[edit] Uganda

Planed 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.[6]

[edit] Network Technology

Network Status Date
GSM900/1800 Live/Active February, 2008

[7]

[edit] Affiliates

[edit] References

  1. ^ Warid Bangladesh - Network Information
  2. ^ Greenfield operator with no prior experience? Try Managed Services
  3. ^ Warid Congo SA - Network Information
  4. ^ Warid, Pakistan, gains 1 million GSM subscribers in 80 days - Ericsson Customer Success Stories
  5. ^ Warid Telecom (PVT) Ltd - Network Information
  6. ^ Warid plans WiMAX network in Uganda - Telecompaper
  7. ^ Warid Congo SA - Network Information

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[edit] External links