During the first half year of 2008, Maroc Telecom group achieved consolidated(1) revenues of MAD 14,308 million, up 10.0%, thanks to the continuing growth of Mobile activities both in Morocco and abroad in the subsidiaries, and despite an unfavourable economic context. On a comparable basis, consolidated revenues are up 8.2%.
In 2008 second quarter, consolidated(1) revenues amounted to MAD 7,343 million, up 6.5% and 8.1% on a comparable basis(2).
Maroc Telecom:
In the first half of 2008, net(3) revenues of all business activities in Morocco amounted to MAD 12,511 million, up 9.8%. Mobile During the first half of 2008, Mobile gross(4) revenues in Morocco increased by 12.9% to MAD 8,923 million, with the combined effect of the customer base significant growth and the limited decrease of ARPU, in spite of a highly competitive context. The first half of 2008 was marked by the launch by Maroc Telecom of 3G+ voice and internet offers. The customer base(5) maintained a steady growth and reached 14,2 million at the end of June 2008, up 21.3% compared to end of June 2007, which corresponds to a net increase of nearly 0.9 million since the beginning of the year. Due to the strong increase of the customer base and thelow level of access fees, the churn rate reached 27.6%, up 3.7 points compared to the first half of 2007. In improvement compared to the previous quarter, the first half blended ARPU(6) amounted to MAD 98.6, down by 8.2% compared to the first half of 2007, due mainly to the customer base strong increase. The average outgoing usage was maintained at the same level as 2007 with the similar
level of promotional offers. Consequently, the average price by minute is slightly down by 1.6% at approximately MAD 1.3 excluding tax.
Fixed-line and Internet
Fixed-line and Internet activities in Morocco achieved in
the first half of 2008 gross(4) revenues of MAD 4,750 million, slightly up by
0.5%. A the end of June 2008, the Fixed-line(7) customer base reached 1,329
million lines, slightly increasing by 0.3% compared to June 2007. Despite the
decrease by 3.9% of the average monthly invoice, mainly impacted by the
competition on the “phone shop” (‘téléboutiques’) segment, the fixed-line
revenues are stable due to the data and Internet performances, of which
revenuesrespectively increased by 17.3% and 9.1%. The ADSL customer base reached
482,000 lines at the end of June 2008, up 10.0% compared to June 2007, to which
14,000 Mobile 3G+ broadband subscribers have to be added.
Mauritel
In the first half of 2008, net(3) revenues of all business activities in Mauritania amounted to MAD 519 million, down 3.7% with the negative effect of the exchange rate. On a comparable basis(2), revenues decrease by 0.9%, due to the competition intensification with the entry of a third operator that induces strong pressures on tariffs and additional efforts on promotions. The Mauritel Mobile business (Mauritel Mobiles) gross(4) revenues amounted to MAD 417 million for the first half of 2008, up 2.1% on a comparable basis(2). Despite the competitive pressure, the Mauritel Mobile customer base continues to grow strongly (+32.3%) and exceeded one million
customers at the end of June 2008. The Mauritel Internet
and Fixed-line business gross(4) revenues amounted to MAD 145 million for the
first half of 2008, down 9.4% on a comparable basis. At end of June 2008,
Mauritel Fixed-line customer base stands at more than 46,000 lines, up 27.8%
compared to June 2007.
Onatel
During the first half of 2008, net(3) revenues of all businesses in Burkina Faso amounted to MAD 715 million, up 9.0% (+6.6% on a comparable basis(2) ). Despite the strong increase of the customer base, the revenues growth of Onatel was impacted by the drop in the consumption level, due to the cost of living rise.
Onatel Mobile business gross(4) revenues amounted to MAD 421 million for the first half of 2008, up 28.4% (+25.4% on a comparable basis(2) ). Onatel Mobile customer base reached more than 756,000 customers at the end of June 2008, up 95% compared to June 2007, mainly thanks to the coverage extension. Onatel Internet and Fixed-line business gross(4) revenues amounted to MAD 375 million for the first half of 2008, up 8.5 % (-10.6% on a comparable basis(2) ). At end of June, 2008, Onatel Fixed-line customer base stands at 130,000 lines, up 21.5% compared to June 2007.
Gabon Télécom
During the first half of 2008, net(3) revenues of all business activities in Gabon amounted to MAD 529 million, down 18.5% on a comparable basis(2) mainly due to substantial price cuts carried out since June 2007. Mobile business gross(4) revenues in Gabon amounted to MAD 308 million for the first half of 2008, up 38.1% (-6.7% on a comparable basis(2)). The Mobile customer base reached 424,000 customers at the end of June 2008, up 61.2% compared to June 2007, with promotions effect.
Gabon Télécom Internet and Fixed-line business gross(4) revenues amounted to MAD 275 million during the same period, down 22.9% on a comparable basis(2). At end of June 2008, Gabon Télécom Fixed-line customer base stands at nearly 31,000 lines, up 40.9% compared to June 2007. Mobisud (France and Belgium) Mobisud MVNOs achieved at the end of June 2008 total revenues of MAD 91 million for a customer base of 155,000 customers. The active customer base cleaning process made by Mobisud France during the 2nd quarter of 2008 mostly explains the customer base decrease compared to March 2008.
