Warid Telecom
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| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunication |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Headquarters | 301-Dhabi Tower, Hamdan Street, Post Box 44222, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
| Key people | Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Chairman Zouhair A Khaliq, Director on the boards of the Abu Dabhi Group Telecom sector |
| Products | Telephony, WiMAX, EDGE, GPRS, GSM |
| Website | www.waridtel.com (Pakistan) |
Warid Telecom International is an Abu Dhabi based mobile telecommunication firm providing telephony services in Congo, Pakistan and Uganda. Warid is expected to launch in the Ivory Coast and Georgia soon.
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[edit] 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[1].
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 per cent equity stake in Warid Telecom for an estimated $758 million[2] — valuing the company at an enterprise value of $2.9 billion.
[edit] Network Technology
| Network | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|
| GSM900/1800 | Live/Active | May, 2005 |
[edit] Zahi and Zem
Warid Pakistan provides both post-paid and pre-paid connection plans. The post-paid plan is branded and marketed across the country under the name Zahi Post-paid, which means leader or royalty. The pre-paid segment is branded and marketed as Zem Pre-Paid.
Zahi-Post-paid and Zem Pre-paid user enjoy various value added services(VAS), such as SMS, MMS, GPRS, 64K SIM, Dual SIM product, Corporate packages for product advertising via SMS, and a host of other features.
However International Roaming is available to its Zahi(post-paid) users as of March 2007. For pre-paid customers, International Roaming is also available. (Selected Countries)
Warid has been one of the highest contributor in development work carried out in the quake hit areas of Pakistan after the devastating event of 8 October 2005, furthering their stance of 'We Care'.
4b Azadi package with waridtel 4b (trend) telecom has announced a bundle pack promotion with Warid telecom keeping in view the low end post paid segment . press release & press adds are published in leading news paper of Pakistan.
[edit] Glow
Glow is a new innovative brand by Warid Pakistan mainly intended for youth. It offers cheaper tariff and free online contents via its portal. Brand ambassador of Glow is the famous pop & rock Pakistani Singer Atif Aslam
[edit] Bangladesh
In December 2005, Warid Telecom International LLC obtained a 15 year GSM license to operate as the sixth mobile phone operator in Bangladesh for US$ 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 Jan 4, 2010.[4]
On December 20, 2010, Warid Telecom was rebranded to airtel.
[edit] Republic of Congo
Planned to launch services in Republic of Congo in early,2008.[5]
[edit] Network Technology
| Network | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|
| GSM900/1800 | Live/Active | November, 2007 |
[edit] Ivory Coast
Planned to launch services in Ivory Coast in early,2009.
[edit] Network Technology
| Network | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|
| GSM900/1800 | Planned | April,2008 |
[edit] 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.[7]
[edit] Network Technology
| Network | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|
| GSM900/1800 | Live/Active | February, 2008 |
[edit] Affiliates
- Bank Alfalah Limited
- Wateen Telecom
- Alfalah Insurance Company
- Alfalah Securities (PVT) Limited
- Alfalah GHP
- United Bank Limited
- CNBC Pakistan
- Taavun
- Al Razi Health Care
[edit] References
- ^ 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://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703436504574639763075967666.html
- ^ Greenfield operator with no prior experience? Try Managed Services
- ^ a b c Warid Congo SA - Network Information
- ^ Warid plans WiMAX network in Uganda - Telecompaper
[edit] External links
- Official site for Bangladesh : Warid Telecom, Bangladesh
- Official site for Congo : Warid Telecom, Congo
- Official site for Georgia : Warid Telecom, Georgia
- Official site for Ivory Coast : Warid Telecom, Ivory Coast
- Official site for Pakistan : Warid Telecom, Pakistan
- Official site for Uganda : Warid Telecom, Uganda
- Job site for Warid Pakistan, Bangladesh, Uganda, Congo
- Warid Telecom Sister Company Wateen Telecom
- Warid Telecom Roaming Partners
- Services contract with ericsson in Bangladesh
- Warid implementing PTA’s pre-activation programme
- Warid in Bangladesh
