Grameenphone's attractive prepaid start-up offer
Grameenphone Ltd. has brought attractive bundle start-up offers this January for its pre-paid subscribers, providing new pre-paid subscribers with attractive discounts on F&F calls.Earlier, Grameenphone had introduced a special low tariff rates for its pre-paid subscribers that would allow them to talk at up to a 75% lower rates, for 30 days. Pre-paid subscribers would be eligible for an only 50 paisa/min on-net tariff by doubling their December, 2007 usage in January, 2008. The reduced on-net rates would be applicable from February 7, 2008.Under the bundle start-up offer, new smile, djuice and Business Solutions pre-paid subscribers will enjoy F&F calls at 35 paisa/minute for up to: 100 minutes (for smile M2M & djuice subscribers), or 200 minutes (for smile BTTB and Business Solutions prepaid subscribers); provided they have a minimum usage of BDT 100 through the first 30 days of purchase. The discount rate F&F minutes are valid for only 90 days.Grameenphone, which has completed 11 years of service in Bangladesh, has consistently introduced new attractive value offers and services for both pre- and post-paid subscribers from time to time. The company has been the fastest growing mobile service provider for most of that period and currently has over 16.5 million subscribers.
Information Department
Monday 26 January 2009
Grameenphone CellBazaar nominated for Global Award
Grameenphone CellBazaar nominated for Global Award
CellBazaar, an innovative market-access service from Grameenphone Ltd., has been nominated for the 3GSMA Global Mobile Awards 2008, in the category of "Best Use of Mobile for Social & Economic Development."
The 3GSMA Global Mobile Awards - the 'Oscars' of an industry that serves a third of the world's population - represents a stage for all players in the mobile world to attract the attention of their peers and the global media.
Using Grameenphone CellBazaar, buyers and sellers are able to trade basic goods (eg, rice, fish, motorcycle, used goods) from their mobile phones, bringing the benefits of information exchange, community networking and one-to-many trading to a previously unwired rural population.
Grameenphone CellBazaar is a user-generated market, accessible via mobile phone or computers in Bangladesh. It is a low cost, pay-as-you-use service where users pay the standard SMS or GPRS charges each time the service is accessed. There are no monthly or posting fees.
With CellBazaar, the seller and buyer can use their mobile phones to check market prices, or use the information to attain favorable prices or make an informed purchase decision in the market. The value proposition is in the ability to create a many-to-many community.
Speaking on the nominations for this award, GSMA CEO Rob Conway said that "The 2008 Global Mobile Awards have once again attracted a widely diverse range of entries from all corners of the world, demonstrating the social, business and economic impact that mobile communications is having on society. I congratulate the nominees on their achievement thus far, being short-listed by our independent judging panel is no mean feat given the caliber of subject matter experts it comprises, and the quality and quantity of submissions received. We await the announcement of the winners at the Global Mobile Awards evening during the Mobile World Congress with keen interest."
The other four nominees in the same category with CellBazaar are: Grameen Foundation for Village Phone Direct; Motorola for Solar & wind powered GSM macro cellsite; Nokia Siemens Networks for Village Connection; and Safaricom for M-PESA.
The 3GSMA Global Mobile Awards 2008 will be presented at the world's largest and most successful mobile industry event, the Mobile World Congress (formerly the 3GSM World Congress) at Barcelona, Spain, from the 11-15 February 2008.
It should be mentioned that last year in February Grameenphone was presented with the 3GSMA Global Mobile Award 2007 for its HealthLine service in the category of "Best Use of Mobile for Social & Economic Development," and was awarded the "GSM in the Community Award" for its Village Phone program in February, 2000.
Information DepartmentGrameenphone Ltd.Phone: 9882990email: info@grameenphone.com
CellBazaar, an innovative market-access service from Grameenphone Ltd., has been nominated for the 3GSMA Global Mobile Awards 2008, in the category of "Best Use of Mobile for Social & Economic Development."
The 3GSMA Global Mobile Awards - the 'Oscars' of an industry that serves a third of the world's population - represents a stage for all players in the mobile world to attract the attention of their peers and the global media.
Using Grameenphone CellBazaar, buyers and sellers are able to trade basic goods (eg, rice, fish, motorcycle, used goods) from their mobile phones, bringing the benefits of information exchange, community networking and one-to-many trading to a previously unwired rural population.
Grameenphone CellBazaar is a user-generated market, accessible via mobile phone or computers in Bangladesh. It is a low cost, pay-as-you-use service where users pay the standard SMS or GPRS charges each time the service is accessed. There are no monthly or posting fees.
With CellBazaar, the seller and buyer can use their mobile phones to check market prices, or use the information to attain favorable prices or make an informed purchase decision in the market. The value proposition is in the ability to create a many-to-many community.
Speaking on the nominations for this award, GSMA CEO Rob Conway said that "The 2008 Global Mobile Awards have once again attracted a widely diverse range of entries from all corners of the world, demonstrating the social, business and economic impact that mobile communications is having on society. I congratulate the nominees on their achievement thus far, being short-listed by our independent judging panel is no mean feat given the caliber of subject matter experts it comprises, and the quality and quantity of submissions received. We await the announcement of the winners at the Global Mobile Awards evening during the Mobile World Congress with keen interest."
The other four nominees in the same category with CellBazaar are: Grameen Foundation for Village Phone Direct; Motorola for Solar & wind powered GSM macro cellsite; Nokia Siemens Networks for Village Connection; and Safaricom for M-PESA.
The 3GSMA Global Mobile Awards 2008 will be presented at the world's largest and most successful mobile industry event, the Mobile World Congress (formerly the 3GSM World Congress) at Barcelona, Spain, from the 11-15 February 2008.
It should be mentioned that last year in February Grameenphone was presented with the 3GSMA Global Mobile Award 2007 for its HealthLine service in the category of "Best Use of Mobile for Social & Economic Development," and was awarded the "GSM in the Community Award" for its Village Phone program in February, 2000.
Information DepartmentGrameenphone Ltd.Phone: 9882990email: info@grameenphone.com
Standard Chartered Bank signs for BlackBerry
Standard Chartered Bank signs for BlackBerry
Standard Chartered Bank has very recently subscribed to Grameenphone's BlackBerry service to avail the advanced communication solutions.
Grameenphone has recently introduced BlackBerry® for the first time in Bangladesh. The BlackBerry® is an integrated wireless solution, which enables secure converged Voice and Data services to its valued subscribers. The BlackBerry® solution consists of smart phones integrated with software that enables access to a suite of data and communication services. BlackBerry® is a proven product worldwide and it has been found to assimilate seamlessly with corporate email accounts, thus offering a simple and secure way to communicate using the EDGE/GPRS network.
Standard Chartered Bank is one of the first valued customers of Grameenphone, that has opted for the BlackBerry service under Business Solutions platform.
The agreement was signed by Osman Morad, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bangladesh, and Anders Jensen, Chief Executive Officer, Grameenphone Ltd. on behalf of their respective organizations.
Ahmed A Shah, Managing Director & Head of Client Relationships, Naser Ezaz Bijoy, Country Chief Risk Officer of Standard Chartered Bank, Bangladesh, and Tania Ahmed, Head of Business Segment, Brands, along with other officials of Grameenphone, were also present at the signing ceremony.
Information DepartmentGrameenphone Ltd.Phone: 9882990email: info@grameenphone.com
Standard Chartered Bank has very recently subscribed to Grameenphone's BlackBerry service to avail the advanced communication solutions.
Grameenphone has recently introduced BlackBerry® for the first time in Bangladesh. The BlackBerry® is an integrated wireless solution, which enables secure converged Voice and Data services to its valued subscribers. The BlackBerry® solution consists of smart phones integrated with software that enables access to a suite of data and communication services. BlackBerry® is a proven product worldwide and it has been found to assimilate seamlessly with corporate email accounts, thus offering a simple and secure way to communicate using the EDGE/GPRS network.
Standard Chartered Bank is one of the first valued customers of Grameenphone, that has opted for the BlackBerry service under Business Solutions platform.
The agreement was signed by Osman Morad, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bangladesh, and Anders Jensen, Chief Executive Officer, Grameenphone Ltd. on behalf of their respective organizations.
Ahmed A Shah, Managing Director & Head of Client Relationships, Naser Ezaz Bijoy, Country Chief Risk Officer of Standard Chartered Bank, Bangladesh, and Tania Ahmed, Head of Business Segment, Brands, along with other officials of Grameenphone, were also present at the signing ceremony.
Information DepartmentGrameenphone Ltd.Phone: 9882990email: info@grameenphone.com
Grameenphone begins fiber replacement of Bangladesh Railway's Fiber Optic Network
Grameenphone begins fiber replacement of Bangladesh Railway's Fiber Optic Network
Grameenphone has once again taken the initiative to increase the strength of its transmission network by upgrading a major portion of the nationwide Fiber Optic Network leased from Bangladesh Railway (BR).
With the formal inauguration of the BR Fiber Replacement Project in Pubail, Gazipur earlier this month, Grameenphone not only took a big step to prepare its own network to meet future challenges, but also to contribute to the technical development of an important national resource.
Grameenphone CTO Md. Shafiqul Islam expressed a great deal of confidence in providing better services to its valued subscribers especially at the remotest part of the country through the BR fiber replacement project. "This project will substantially increase the capacity of the nationwide BR Fiber Optic Network and it is also an indication of Grameenphone's continued efforts to provide its subscribers the best network experience," he added.
It should be noted that Grameenphone has been using the 2,000-km BR-owned nationwide Fiber Optic Network for the last ten years on lease to build a state-of-the-art mobile transmission backbone network and to serve its growing subscriber base.
In the first phase of the project, 628-km of fiber optic link will be replaced along four different routes, in alignment with the transmission network requirements. Eventually, almost 1600 kilometers of the total fiber optic network will be upgraded from a composite cable network of single-pair fiber to 24-pair fiber and 10-pair copper cable network to support the requirements of Grameenphone and Bangladesh Railway simultaneously.
This fiber replacement project will add to the strength of Grameenphone's network, making it possible for the company to serve its subscribers better. At the same time, Bangladesh Railway will benefit from a new robust transmission network that is essential for an effective train transport management system.
Information DepartmentGrameenphone Ltd.Phone: 9882990email: info@grameenphone.com
Grameenphone has once again taken the initiative to increase the strength of its transmission network by upgrading a major portion of the nationwide Fiber Optic Network leased from Bangladesh Railway (BR).
With the formal inauguration of the BR Fiber Replacement Project in Pubail, Gazipur earlier this month, Grameenphone not only took a big step to prepare its own network to meet future challenges, but also to contribute to the technical development of an important national resource.
Grameenphone CTO Md. Shafiqul Islam expressed a great deal of confidence in providing better services to its valued subscribers especially at the remotest part of the country through the BR fiber replacement project. "This project will substantially increase the capacity of the nationwide BR Fiber Optic Network and it is also an indication of Grameenphone's continued efforts to provide its subscribers the best network experience," he added.
It should be noted that Grameenphone has been using the 2,000-km BR-owned nationwide Fiber Optic Network for the last ten years on lease to build a state-of-the-art mobile transmission backbone network and to serve its growing subscriber base.
In the first phase of the project, 628-km of fiber optic link will be replaced along four different routes, in alignment with the transmission network requirements. Eventually, almost 1600 kilometers of the total fiber optic network will be upgraded from a composite cable network of single-pair fiber to 24-pair fiber and 10-pair copper cable network to support the requirements of Grameenphone and Bangladesh Railway simultaneously.
This fiber replacement project will add to the strength of Grameenphone's network, making it possible for the company to serve its subscribers better. At the same time, Bangladesh Railway will benefit from a new robust transmission network that is essential for an effective train transport management system.
Information DepartmentGrameenphone Ltd.Phone: 9882990email: info@grameenphone.com
Grameenphone CellBazaar wins Global Mobile Award
Grameenphone CellBazaar wins Global Mobile Award
CellBazaar, an innovative market-access service from Grameenphone Ltd., has won the 3GSMA Global Mobile Award 2008, in the category of "Best Use of Mobile for Social & Economic Development."
The 3GSMA Global Mobile Awards - the 'Oscars' of an industry that serves a third of the world's population - represents a stage for all players in the mobile world to attract the attention of their peers and the global media. The award was announced at a gala award dinner last night on the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress currently being held in the Spanish city of Barcelona.
Grameenphone CellBazaar is a "great initiative - full marks for self-sustainability. This grass root level initiative is not only for operators to make money but for rural folks to sell and trade their goods and increased price transparency and help for the illiterate is also available. It has clear environmental benefits through reduced travel," the Award Judges said in their citation.
"CellBazaar is a great example of Grameenphone's continued leadership in simple, smart and customer relevant innovation," noted CEO Anders Jensen. "This award along with the awards GP previously won for HealthLine and Village Phone are a global recognition of the spirit of innovation within Grameenphone. I congratulate CellBazaar and its excellent team for this achievement."
The CellBazaar concept was developed at the MIT Media Lab by Kamal Quadir and he later founded a company to establish a partnership with Grameenphone. Using Grameenphone CellBazaar, buyers and sellers are able to trade basic goods (eg, rice, fish, motorcycle, used goods) from their mobile phones, bringing the benefits of information exchange, community networking and one-to-many trading to a previously unwired rural population.
Grameenphone CellBazaar is a user-generated market, accessible via mobile phone or computers in Bangladesh. It is a low cost, pay-as-you-use service where users pay the standard SMS or GPRS charges for accessing the service. There are no monthly or posting fees.
"Each year as the influence of mobile communications spreads further to enhance more and more aspects of people's lives, the scope of the Awards become greater, and the competition becomes more intense as a result. Because the mobile world is such an amazing universe of opportunities, its gravitational forces are pulling other industries into its realm-internet, finance, advertising, music and film. Many of tonight's winners reflect that premise, and as we celebrate 20 years since the foundations for global mobile communication were laid, they demonstrate not only how far we have come, but also the limitless possibilities of where innovation and inspiration can take us in the years ahead," observed GSM Association CEO Rob Conway.
The other four nominees in the same category with CellBazaar were: Grameen Foundation for Village Phone Direct; Motorola for solar & wind powered GSM macro cell site; Nokia Siemens Networks for Village Connection; and Safaricom for M-PESA.
It should be mentioned that last year in February, Grameenphone was presented with the 3GSMA Global Mobile Award 2007 for its HealthLine service in the category of "Best Use of Mobile for Social & Economic Development," and was awarded the "GSM in the Community Award" for its Village Phone program in February 2000.
Information DepartmentGrameenphone Ltd.Phone: 9882990email: info@grameenphone.com
CellBazaar, an innovative market-access service from Grameenphone Ltd., has won the 3GSMA Global Mobile Award 2008, in the category of "Best Use of Mobile for Social & Economic Development."
The 3GSMA Global Mobile Awards - the 'Oscars' of an industry that serves a third of the world's population - represents a stage for all players in the mobile world to attract the attention of their peers and the global media. The award was announced at a gala award dinner last night on the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress currently being held in the Spanish city of Barcelona.
Grameenphone CellBazaar is a "great initiative - full marks for self-sustainability. This grass root level initiative is not only for operators to make money but for rural folks to sell and trade their goods and increased price transparency and help for the illiterate is also available. It has clear environmental benefits through reduced travel," the Award Judges said in their citation.
"CellBazaar is a great example of Grameenphone's continued leadership in simple, smart and customer relevant innovation," noted CEO Anders Jensen. "This award along with the awards GP previously won for HealthLine and Village Phone are a global recognition of the spirit of innovation within Grameenphone. I congratulate CellBazaar and its excellent team for this achievement."
The CellBazaar concept was developed at the MIT Media Lab by Kamal Quadir and he later founded a company to establish a partnership with Grameenphone. Using Grameenphone CellBazaar, buyers and sellers are able to trade basic goods (eg, rice, fish, motorcycle, used goods) from their mobile phones, bringing the benefits of information exchange, community networking and one-to-many trading to a previously unwired rural population.
Grameenphone CellBazaar is a user-generated market, accessible via mobile phone or computers in Bangladesh. It is a low cost, pay-as-you-use service where users pay the standard SMS or GPRS charges for accessing the service. There are no monthly or posting fees.
"Each year as the influence of mobile communications spreads further to enhance more and more aspects of people's lives, the scope of the Awards become greater, and the competition becomes more intense as a result. Because the mobile world is such an amazing universe of opportunities, its gravitational forces are pulling other industries into its realm-internet, finance, advertising, music and film. Many of tonight's winners reflect that premise, and as we celebrate 20 years since the foundations for global mobile communication were laid, they demonstrate not only how far we have come, but also the limitless possibilities of where innovation and inspiration can take us in the years ahead," observed GSM Association CEO Rob Conway.
The other four nominees in the same category with CellBazaar were: Grameen Foundation for Village Phone Direct; Motorola for solar & wind powered GSM macro cell site; Nokia Siemens Networks for Village Connection; and Safaricom for M-PESA.
It should be mentioned that last year in February, Grameenphone was presented with the 3GSMA Global Mobile Award 2007 for its HealthLine service in the category of "Best Use of Mobile for Social & Economic Development," and was awarded the "GSM in the Community Award" for its Village Phone program in February 2000.
Information DepartmentGrameenphone Ltd.Phone: 9882990email: info@grameenphone.com
Grameenphone offers instant benefit on recharge
Grameenphone offers instant benefit on recharge
Grameenphone has brought a special instant recharge benefit offer for a specific group of prepaid subscribers.
Under this special offer, eligible Grameenphone pre-paid subscribers will be able to talk up to 200 min at only 50 paisa per minute if they recharge any amount. They will get this benefit instantly on recharge.
Grameenphone’s smile mobile-mobile, smile PSTN, djuice and Business Solutions pre-paid subscribers who have not been using their connection for at least 30 days on February 29 or whose subscriptions have been de-active for at least 30 days on February 29 are eligible for this offer.
Eligible subscribers can enjoy a rate of 50 paisa per minute, for up to 200 minutes, to call any Grameenphone number, till April 14 on any recharge amount. The offer starts from March 2, 2008 and is valid until April 14, 2008.
Grameenphone has brought a special instant recharge benefit offer for a specific group of prepaid subscribers.
Under this special offer, eligible Grameenphone pre-paid subscribers will be able to talk up to 200 min at only 50 paisa per minute if they recharge any amount. They will get this benefit instantly on recharge.
Grameenphone’s smile mobile-mobile, smile PSTN, djuice and Business Solutions pre-paid subscribers who have not been using their connection for at least 30 days on February 29 or whose subscriptions have been de-active for at least 30 days on February 29 are eligible for this offer.
Eligible subscribers can enjoy a rate of 50 paisa per minute, for up to 200 minutes, to call any Grameenphone number, till April 14 on any recharge amount. The offer starts from March 2, 2008 and is valid until April 14, 2008.
Grameenphone organizes Free Eye Camp at Barisal
Grameenphone organizes Free Eye Camp at Barisal
Grameenphone, jointly with Sightsavers International, organized a free Eye Camp at Government Gouronodi University College, Barisal on March 13, 2008.
This is the seventh free Eye Camp organized jointly by Grameenphone and Sightsavers International. Through these camps, conducted in rural parts of Bangladesh where people have little or no access to quality healthcare, Grameenphone aims to provide free eye-care services to the economically disadvantaged people of the area. The Dhaka Progressive Lions Eye Hospital (DPLEH), Takerhat, Madaripur, is the local partner in this eye camp.Mr. Mohammad Monjur E. Elahi, Deputy Commissioner, Barisal, was present at the inaugural session as the Chief Guest. MD. Rafiqul Islam, UNO, Gouronodi, Lion J.L. Bhoumik, Chairman, DPLEH, and Prof. Md. Shahidul Islam Bhuiyan, Principal of Government Gouronodi University College were also present as the special guest. Debashis Roy, Deputy General Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Quazi Farhad Ahmed, Manager, Barisal Region, Grameenphone, and Dr. Md. Alamgir Hossain, Program Coordinator, Sightsavers International were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Elahi expressed his appreciation of Grameenphone's efforts to come to the aide of the underprivileged people of Bangladesh
.
More than 3000 patients arrived for care at the Government Gouronodi University College ground. All patients were given routine examinations and prescriptions for refractive error were given to those who required it. Among them 150 patients were referred for and administered Intra Ocular Lens (IOL) or cataract surgeries.
As a conscientious corporate citizen of Bangladesh, Grameenphone has always recognized its social responsibilities, especially to the less privileged sections of the society, putting special focus on the healthcare needs of the country. Last year Grameenphone, jointly with NSDP of USAID, launched the nationwide safe motherhood project, "Grameenphone Safe Motherhood and Infant Care" through which, Grameenphone will provide free yet comprehensive healthcare services to not only pregnant and new mothers, but also their infants.
Grameenphone, jointly with Sightsavers International, organized a free Eye Camp at Government Gouronodi University College, Barisal on March 13, 2008.
This is the seventh free Eye Camp organized jointly by Grameenphone and Sightsavers International. Through these camps, conducted in rural parts of Bangladesh where people have little or no access to quality healthcare, Grameenphone aims to provide free eye-care services to the economically disadvantaged people of the area. The Dhaka Progressive Lions Eye Hospital (DPLEH), Takerhat, Madaripur, is the local partner in this eye camp.Mr. Mohammad Monjur E. Elahi, Deputy Commissioner, Barisal, was present at the inaugural session as the Chief Guest. MD. Rafiqul Islam, UNO, Gouronodi, Lion J.L. Bhoumik, Chairman, DPLEH, and Prof. Md. Shahidul Islam Bhuiyan, Principal of Government Gouronodi University College were also present as the special guest. Debashis Roy, Deputy General Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Quazi Farhad Ahmed, Manager, Barisal Region, Grameenphone, and Dr. Md. Alamgir Hossain, Program Coordinator, Sightsavers International were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Elahi expressed his appreciation of Grameenphone's efforts to come to the aide of the underprivileged people of Bangladesh
.
More than 3000 patients arrived for care at the Government Gouronodi University College ground. All patients were given routine examinations and prescriptions for refractive error were given to those who required it. Among them 150 patients were referred for and administered Intra Ocular Lens (IOL) or cataract surgeries.
As a conscientious corporate citizen of Bangladesh, Grameenphone has always recognized its social responsibilities, especially to the less privileged sections of the society, putting special focus on the healthcare needs of the country. Last year Grameenphone, jointly with NSDP of USAID, launched the nationwide safe motherhood project, "Grameenphone Safe Motherhood and Infant Care" through which, Grameenphone will provide free yet comprehensive healthcare services to not only pregnant and new mothers, but also their infants.
Grameenphone CEO Hands Over Clinic-on-Wheels
Grameenphone CEO Hands Over Clinic-on-Wheels
Grameenphone Ltd. handed over two clinic-on-wheels to NGOs Family Development Services and Research (FDSR) and Swanirvar Bangladesh today as part of the “Grameenphone Safe Motherhood and Infant Care” project.
Handing over the mobile clinics, Anders Jensen, CEO, Grameenphone said that “the clinic-on-wheels are expected to increase the accessibility of maternal and infant healthcare services to the hard-to-reach economically disadvantaged population.”
The clinic-on-wheels concept is unique and is perhaps this is being deployed for the first time in the country. The clinic-on-wheels will provide free ante-natal care, delivery and post-natal care to the mothers, and basic healthcare services to infants. The vehicles are equipped with professional staff, clinical aides and logistics to provide basic essential healthcare to the coastal belt communities of Bangladesh. Facilities for consultation, physical examination, a mini-pharmacy, and few basic laboratory investigation services will be available in the mobile clinics. It will also be equipped with provisions for minor surgeries. Each of the clinic-on-wheels will cover 4-5 clinic catchment areas and the route plan will be announced in advance to the target communities through public service announcements.
Yamin Bakht, Director PR Division and Shuvashish Priya Barua, Head of CSR, were present on behalf of Grameenphone. Mr. Belayet Hossian, Senior Health Advisor from USAID, Prof. Dr. Zahid Hasan, Member, Executive Committee and Treasurer of FDSR, Mr. Al-Husainy, Executive Chairman of Swanirvar Bangladesh, officials from Pathfinder International were also present at the ceremony.
Under the “Grameenphone Safe Motherhood and Infant Care” project, jointly with Pathfinder International and USAID’s nationwide 317 “Similing Sun” clinics, Grameenphone aims to provide free comprehensive primary healthcare services to the poorest of the poor mothers and infants of Bangladesh. GP is further investing in improving service quality and extending access to healthcare by recruiting additional community-based health-workers, upgradation of some of the existing static clinics into emergency obstetric care centers, and providing motorized vans and clinic-on-wheels.
From August 2007 to January 2008, around 558,143 economically disadvantaged mothers and infants have received free healthcare services under this project. The project aims to reach around 800,000 poorest of the poor mothers and infants annually.
Previously, Grameenphone provided financial assistance to FDSR and Swanirvar to set up Emergency Obstetric Care Centers and Ultasonogram Machines at its Patiya and Bhola Clinic respectively. The recruitment of physicians and consultant physicians in these clinics were also sponsored by Grameenphone. Grameenphone handed over five ambulances to the local NGOs as well, to facilitate establishing better patient referral between home-delivery and emergency obstetric care clinics as well as support transportation for the dedicated skilled birth attendants (SBAs) to ensure smoother home-delivery services.
Grameenphone Ltd. handed over two clinic-on-wheels to NGOs Family Development Services and Research (FDSR) and Swanirvar Bangladesh today as part of the “Grameenphone Safe Motherhood and Infant Care” project.
Handing over the mobile clinics, Anders Jensen, CEO, Grameenphone said that “the clinic-on-wheels are expected to increase the accessibility of maternal and infant healthcare services to the hard-to-reach economically disadvantaged population.”
The clinic-on-wheels concept is unique and is perhaps this is being deployed for the first time in the country. The clinic-on-wheels will provide free ante-natal care, delivery and post-natal care to the mothers, and basic healthcare services to infants. The vehicles are equipped with professional staff, clinical aides and logistics to provide basic essential healthcare to the coastal belt communities of Bangladesh. Facilities for consultation, physical examination, a mini-pharmacy, and few basic laboratory investigation services will be available in the mobile clinics. It will also be equipped with provisions for minor surgeries. Each of the clinic-on-wheels will cover 4-5 clinic catchment areas and the route plan will be announced in advance to the target communities through public service announcements.
Yamin Bakht, Director PR Division and Shuvashish Priya Barua, Head of CSR, were present on behalf of Grameenphone. Mr. Belayet Hossian, Senior Health Advisor from USAID, Prof. Dr. Zahid Hasan, Member, Executive Committee and Treasurer of FDSR, Mr. Al-Husainy, Executive Chairman of Swanirvar Bangladesh, officials from Pathfinder International were also present at the ceremony.
Under the “Grameenphone Safe Motherhood and Infant Care” project, jointly with Pathfinder International and USAID’s nationwide 317 “Similing Sun” clinics, Grameenphone aims to provide free comprehensive primary healthcare services to the poorest of the poor mothers and infants of Bangladesh. GP is further investing in improving service quality and extending access to healthcare by recruiting additional community-based health-workers, upgradation of some of the existing static clinics into emergency obstetric care centers, and providing motorized vans and clinic-on-wheels.
From August 2007 to January 2008, around 558,143 economically disadvantaged mothers and infants have received free healthcare services under this project. The project aims to reach around 800,000 poorest of the poor mothers and infants annually.
Previously, Grameenphone provided financial assistance to FDSR and Swanirvar to set up Emergency Obstetric Care Centers and Ultasonogram Machines at its Patiya and Bhola Clinic respectively. The recruitment of physicians and consultant physicians in these clinics were also sponsored by Grameenphone. Grameenphone handed over five ambulances to the local NGOs as well, to facilitate establishing better patient referral between home-delivery and emergency obstetric care clinics as well as support transportation for the dedicated skilled birth attendants (SBAs) to ensure smoother home-delivery services.
Grameenphone to fund pilot cervical cancer vaccination program
Grameenphone to fund pilot cervical cancer vaccination program
Grameenphone Ltd. will fund, for the first time in Bangladesh, a pilot vaccination program to prevent cervical cancer among economically disadvantaged young women.
The vaccination program will be administered by Bangladesh Medical College Hospital in collaboration with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Medical University and Harvard University. It will be jointly conducted by a committee headed by Professor Shaila Khatun, Professor Samina Chowdhury and others. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in many developing countries. It affects relatively young women and it is the largest single cause of years of life lost to cancer in the developing world. The Human Papillona Virus (HPV) accounts for a great majority of all cervical cancers worldwide. The HPV vaccine has recently been found to have the potential to prevent cervical cancer among women.
“This pilot vaccination program to prevent cervical cancer among poor young women is a great initiative. This vaccine has only recently been introduced in some developed countries like the United States, Canada and Europe and this is perhaps the first it is being planned to be administered in any developing country,” said Professor ABMF Karim, Professor Emeritus, Vrije University, Amsterdam, and Chairman of the Oncology Club and Adviser of the SAARC Federation of Oncologists. “As this type of cancer is more prevalent among poor women in our country, it is quite appropriate to target this group,” he added.
Under the pilot program, the HPV vaccination will be administered among 30 economically disadvantaged young women.
The Harvard Medical School will conduct an impact study on the vaccination program. This pilot study of evaluating the HPV vaccine in Bangladesh was proposed by Dr. Bimalangshu Dey and Dr. Annekathryn Goodman both from the Harvard Medical School. The study is designed to look at the cost implications and feasibility of possible integration of the program into routine vaccination schedules for women aged between 11 and 26 years. Additionally, issues of culture and parental attitudes will be studied. Dr. Dey is from Bangladesh and is also a Hematologic Malignancy & Bone Marrow Transplantation specialist at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Goodman is currently the head of the Gynecological Oncology Department at the Massachusetts General Hospital and a leading authority in the field of cervical cancer prevention.
“Such a program will not only carry clinical potential and academic merits, this will also open up a new avenue for greater clinical and scientific collaborations with foreign institutions worldwide. The benefits from such an initiative will be diverse and limitless,” observed Dr. Dey.
Grameenphone Ltd. will fund, for the first time in Bangladesh, a pilot vaccination program to prevent cervical cancer among economically disadvantaged young women.
The vaccination program will be administered by Bangladesh Medical College Hospital in collaboration with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Medical University and Harvard University. It will be jointly conducted by a committee headed by Professor Shaila Khatun, Professor Samina Chowdhury and others. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in many developing countries. It affects relatively young women and it is the largest single cause of years of life lost to cancer in the developing world. The Human Papillona Virus (HPV) accounts for a great majority of all cervical cancers worldwide. The HPV vaccine has recently been found to have the potential to prevent cervical cancer among women.
“This pilot vaccination program to prevent cervical cancer among poor young women is a great initiative. This vaccine has only recently been introduced in some developed countries like the United States, Canada and Europe and this is perhaps the first it is being planned to be administered in any developing country,” said Professor ABMF Karim, Professor Emeritus, Vrije University, Amsterdam, and Chairman of the Oncology Club and Adviser of the SAARC Federation of Oncologists. “As this type of cancer is more prevalent among poor women in our country, it is quite appropriate to target this group,” he added.
Under the pilot program, the HPV vaccination will be administered among 30 economically disadvantaged young women.
The Harvard Medical School will conduct an impact study on the vaccination program. This pilot study of evaluating the HPV vaccine in Bangladesh was proposed by Dr. Bimalangshu Dey and Dr. Annekathryn Goodman both from the Harvard Medical School. The study is designed to look at the cost implications and feasibility of possible integration of the program into routine vaccination schedules for women aged between 11 and 26 years. Additionally, issues of culture and parental attitudes will be studied. Dr. Dey is from Bangladesh and is also a Hematologic Malignancy & Bone Marrow Transplantation specialist at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Goodman is currently the head of the Gynecological Oncology Department at the Massachusetts General Hospital and a leading authority in the field of cervical cancer prevention.
“Such a program will not only carry clinical potential and academic merits, this will also open up a new avenue for greater clinical and scientific collaborations with foreign institutions worldwide. The benefits from such an initiative will be diverse and limitless,” observed Dr. Dey.
Grameenphone to fund pilot cervical cancer vaccination program
Grameenphone to fund pilot cervical cancer vaccination program
Grameenphone Ltd. will fund, for the first time in Bangladesh, a pilot vaccination program to prevent cervical cancer among economically disadvantaged young women.
The vaccination program will be administered by Bangladesh Medical College Hospital in collaboration with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Medical University and Harvard University. It will be jointly conducted by a committee headed by Professor Shaila Khatun, Professor Samina Chowdhury and others. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in many developing countries. It affects relatively young women and it is the largest single cause of years of life lost to cancer in the developing world. The Human Papillona Virus (HPV) accounts for a great majority of all cervical cancers worldwide. The HPV vaccine has recently been found to have the potential to prevent cervical cancer among women.
“This pilot vaccination program to prevent cervical cancer among poor young women is a great initiative. This vaccine has only recently been introduced in some developed countries like the United States, Canada and Europe and this is perhaps the first it is being planned to be administered in any developing country,” said Professor ABMF Karim, Professor Emeritus, Vrije University, Amsterdam, and Chairman of the Oncology Club and Adviser of the SAARC Federation of Oncologists. “As this type of cancer is more prevalent among poor women in our country, it is quite appropriate to target this group,” he added.
Under the pilot program, the HPV vaccination will be administered among 30 economically disadvantaged young women.
The Harvard Medical School will conduct an impact study on the vaccination program. This pilot study of evaluating the HPV vaccine in Bangladesh was proposed by Dr. Bimalangshu Dey and Dr. Annekathryn Goodman both from the Harvard Medical School. The study is designed to look at the cost implications and feasibility of possible integration of the program into routine vaccination schedules for women aged between 11 and 26 years. Additionally, issues of culture and parental attitudes will be studied. Dr. Dey is from Bangladesh and is also a Hematologic Malignancy & Bone Marrow Transplantation specialist at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Goodman is currently the head of the Gynecological Oncology Department at the Massachusetts General Hospital and a leading authority in the field of cervical cancer prevention.
“Such a program will not only carry clinical potential and academic merits, this will also open up a new avenue for greater clinical and scientific collaborations with foreign institutions worldwide. The benefits from such an initiative will be diverse and limitless,” observed Dr.
Grameenphone Ltd. will fund, for the first time in Bangladesh, a pilot vaccination program to prevent cervical cancer among economically disadvantaged young women.
The vaccination program will be administered by Bangladesh Medical College Hospital in collaboration with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Medical University and Harvard University. It will be jointly conducted by a committee headed by Professor Shaila Khatun, Professor Samina Chowdhury and others. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in many developing countries. It affects relatively young women and it is the largest single cause of years of life lost to cancer in the developing world. The Human Papillona Virus (HPV) accounts for a great majority of all cervical cancers worldwide. The HPV vaccine has recently been found to have the potential to prevent cervical cancer among women.
“This pilot vaccination program to prevent cervical cancer among poor young women is a great initiative. This vaccine has only recently been introduced in some developed countries like the United States, Canada and Europe and this is perhaps the first it is being planned to be administered in any developing country,” said Professor ABMF Karim, Professor Emeritus, Vrije University, Amsterdam, and Chairman of the Oncology Club and Adviser of the SAARC Federation of Oncologists. “As this type of cancer is more prevalent among poor women in our country, it is quite appropriate to target this group,” he added.
Under the pilot program, the HPV vaccination will be administered among 30 economically disadvantaged young women.
The Harvard Medical School will conduct an impact study on the vaccination program. This pilot study of evaluating the HPV vaccine in Bangladesh was proposed by Dr. Bimalangshu Dey and Dr. Annekathryn Goodman both from the Harvard Medical School. The study is designed to look at the cost implications and feasibility of possible integration of the program into routine vaccination schedules for women aged between 11 and 26 years. Additionally, issues of culture and parental attitudes will be studied. Dr. Dey is from Bangladesh and is also a Hematologic Malignancy & Bone Marrow Transplantation specialist at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Goodman is currently the head of the Gynecological Oncology Department at the Massachusetts General Hospital and a leading authority in the field of cervical cancer prevention.
“Such a program will not only carry clinical potential and academic merits, this will also open up a new avenue for greater clinical and scientific collaborations with foreign institutions worldwide. The benefits from such an initiative will be diverse and limitless,” observed Dr.
Grameenphone CEO Hands Over Clinic-on-Wheels
Grameenphone CEO Hands Over Clinic-on-Wheels
Grameenphone Ltd. handed over two clinic-on-wheels to NGOs Family Development Services and Research (FDSR) and Swanirvar Bangladesh today as part of the “Grameenphone Safe Motherhood and Infant Care” project.
Handing over the mobile clinics, Anders Jensen, CEO, Grameenphone said that “the clinic-on-wheels are expected to increase the accessibility of maternal and infant healthcare services to the hard-to-reach economically disadvantaged population.”
The clinic-on-wheels concept is unique and is perhaps this is being deployed for the first time in the country. The clinic-on-wheels will provide free ante-natal care, delivery and post-natal care to the mothers, and basic healthcare services to infants. The vehicles are equipped with professional staff, clinical aides and logistics to provide basic essential healthcare to the coastal belt communities of Bangladesh. Facilities for consultation, physical examination, a mini-pharmacy, and few basic laboratory investigation services will be available in the mobile clinics. It will also be equipped with provisions for minor surgeries. Each of the clinic-on-wheels will cover 4-5 clinic catchment areas and the route plan will be announced in advance to the target communities through public service announcements.
Yamin Bakht, Director PR Division and Shuvashish Priya Barua, Head of CSR, were present on behalf of Grameenphone. Mr. Belayet Hossian, Senior Health Advisor from USAID, Prof. Dr. Zahid Hasan, Member, Executive Committee and Treasurer of FDSR, Mr. Al-Husainy, Executive Chairman of Swanirvar Bangladesh, officials from Pathfinder International were also present at the ceremony.
Under the “Grameenphone Safe Motherhood and Infant Care” project, jointly with Pathfinder International and USAID’s nationwide 317 “Similing Sun” clinics, Grameenphone aims to provide free comprehensive primary healthcare services to the poorest of the poor mothers and infants of Bangladesh. GP is further investing in improving service quality and extending access to healthcare by recruiting additional community-based health-workers, upgradation of some of the existing static clinics into emergency obstetric care centers, and providing motorized vans and clinic-on-wheels.
From August 2007 to January 2008, around 558,143 economically disadvantaged mothers and infants have received free healthcare services under this project. The project aims to reach around 800,000 poorest of the poor mothers and infants annually.
Previously, Grameenphone provided financial assistance to FDSR and Swanirvar to set up Emergency Obstetric Care Centers and Ultasonogram Machines at its Patiya and Bhola Clinic respectively. The recruitment of physicians and consultant physicians in these clinics were also sponsored by Grameenphone. Grameenphone handed over five ambulances to the local NGOs as well, to facilitate establishing better patient referral between home-delivery and emergency obstetric care clinics as well as support transportation for the dedicated skilled birth attendants (SBAs) to ensure smoother home-delivery services.
Corporate CommunicationsGrameenphone Ltd.Phone: 9882990email: info@grameenphone.com
Grameenphone Ltd. handed over two clinic-on-wheels to NGOs Family Development Services and Research (FDSR) and Swanirvar Bangladesh today as part of the “Grameenphone Safe Motherhood and Infant Care” project.
Handing over the mobile clinics, Anders Jensen, CEO, Grameenphone said that “the clinic-on-wheels are expected to increase the accessibility of maternal and infant healthcare services to the hard-to-reach economically disadvantaged population.”
The clinic-on-wheels concept is unique and is perhaps this is being deployed for the first time in the country. The clinic-on-wheels will provide free ante-natal care, delivery and post-natal care to the mothers, and basic healthcare services to infants. The vehicles are equipped with professional staff, clinical aides and logistics to provide basic essential healthcare to the coastal belt communities of Bangladesh. Facilities for consultation, physical examination, a mini-pharmacy, and few basic laboratory investigation services will be available in the mobile clinics. It will also be equipped with provisions for minor surgeries. Each of the clinic-on-wheels will cover 4-5 clinic catchment areas and the route plan will be announced in advance to the target communities through public service announcements.
Yamin Bakht, Director PR Division and Shuvashish Priya Barua, Head of CSR, were present on behalf of Grameenphone. Mr. Belayet Hossian, Senior Health Advisor from USAID, Prof. Dr. Zahid Hasan, Member, Executive Committee and Treasurer of FDSR, Mr. Al-Husainy, Executive Chairman of Swanirvar Bangladesh, officials from Pathfinder International were also present at the ceremony.
Under the “Grameenphone Safe Motherhood and Infant Care” project, jointly with Pathfinder International and USAID’s nationwide 317 “Similing Sun” clinics, Grameenphone aims to provide free comprehensive primary healthcare services to the poorest of the poor mothers and infants of Bangladesh. GP is further investing in improving service quality and extending access to healthcare by recruiting additional community-based health-workers, upgradation of some of the existing static clinics into emergency obstetric care centers, and providing motorized vans and clinic-on-wheels.
From August 2007 to January 2008, around 558,143 economically disadvantaged mothers and infants have received free healthcare services under this project. The project aims to reach around 800,000 poorest of the poor mothers and infants annually.
Previously, Grameenphone provided financial assistance to FDSR and Swanirvar to set up Emergency Obstetric Care Centers and Ultasonogram Machines at its Patiya and Bhola Clinic respectively. The recruitment of physicians and consultant physicians in these clinics were also sponsored by Grameenphone. Grameenphone handed over five ambulances to the local NGOs as well, to facilitate establishing better patient referral between home-delivery and emergency obstetric care clinics as well as support transportation for the dedicated skilled birth attendants (SBAs) to ensure smoother home-delivery services.
Corporate CommunicationsGrameenphone Ltd.Phone: 9882990email: info@grameenphone.com
Grameenphone organizes Free Eye Camp at Barisal
Grameenphone organizes Free Eye Camp at Barisal
Grameenphone, jointly with Sightsavers International, organized a free Eye Camp at Government Gouronodi University College, Barisal on March 13, 2008.
This is the seventh free Eye Camp organized jointly by Grameenphone and Sightsavers International. Through these camps, conducted in rural parts of Bangladesh where people have little or no access to quality healthcare, Grameenphone aims to provide free eye-care services to the economically disadvantaged people of the area. The Dhaka Progressive Lions Eye Hospital (DPLEH), Takerhat, Madaripur, is the local partner in this eye camp.Mr. Mohammad Monjur E. Elahi, Deputy Commissioner, Barisal, was present at the inaugural session as the Chief Guest. MD. Rafiqul Islam, UNO, Gouronodi, Lion J.L. Bhoumik, Chairman, DPLEH, and Prof. Md. Shahidul Islam Bhuiyan, Principal of Government Gouronodi University College were also present as the special guest. Debashis Roy, Deputy General Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Quazi Farhad Ahmed, Manager, Barisal Region, Grameenphone, and Dr. Md. Alamgir Hossain, Program Coordinator, Sightsavers International were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Elahi expressed his appreciation of Grameenphone's efforts to come to the aide of the underprivileged people of Bangladesh.
More than 3000 patients arrived for care at the Government Gouronodi University College ground. All patients were given routine examinations and prescriptions for refractive error were given to those who required it. Among them 150 patients were referred for and administered Intra Ocular Lens (IOL) or cataract surgeries.
As a conscientious corporate citizen of Bangladesh, Grameenphone has always recognized its social responsibilities, especially to the less privileged sections of the society, putting special focus on the healthcare needs of the country. Last year Grameenphone, jointly with NSDP of USAID, launched the nationwide safe motherhood project, "Grameenphone Safe Motherhood and Infant Care" through which, Grameenphone will provide free yet comprehensive healthcare services to not only pregnant and new mothers, but also their infants.
Grameenphone, jointly with Sightsavers International, organized a free Eye Camp at Government Gouronodi University College, Barisal on March 13, 2008.
This is the seventh free Eye Camp organized jointly by Grameenphone and Sightsavers International. Through these camps, conducted in rural parts of Bangladesh where people have little or no access to quality healthcare, Grameenphone aims to provide free eye-care services to the economically disadvantaged people of the area. The Dhaka Progressive Lions Eye Hospital (DPLEH), Takerhat, Madaripur, is the local partner in this eye camp.Mr. Mohammad Monjur E. Elahi, Deputy Commissioner, Barisal, was present at the inaugural session as the Chief Guest. MD. Rafiqul Islam, UNO, Gouronodi, Lion J.L. Bhoumik, Chairman, DPLEH, and Prof. Md. Shahidul Islam Bhuiyan, Principal of Government Gouronodi University College were also present as the special guest. Debashis Roy, Deputy General Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Quazi Farhad Ahmed, Manager, Barisal Region, Grameenphone, and Dr. Md. Alamgir Hossain, Program Coordinator, Sightsavers International were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Elahi expressed his appreciation of Grameenphone's efforts to come to the aide of the underprivileged people of Bangladesh.
More than 3000 patients arrived for care at the Government Gouronodi University College ground. All patients were given routine examinations and prescriptions for refractive error were given to those who required it. Among them 150 patients were referred for and administered Intra Ocular Lens (IOL) or cataract surgeries.
As a conscientious corporate citizen of Bangladesh, Grameenphone has always recognized its social responsibilities, especially to the less privileged sections of the society, putting special focus on the healthcare needs of the country. Last year Grameenphone, jointly with NSDP of USAID, launched the nationwide safe motherhood project, "Grameenphone Safe Motherhood and Infant Care" through which, Grameenphone will provide free yet comprehensive healthcare services to not only pregnant and new mothers, but also their infants.
Grameenphone invests BDT 3550 crore in 2007
Grameenphone invests BDT 3550 crore in 2007
Grameenphone made fresh investments of more than BDT 3550 crore last year (2007) to further increase the capacity and coverage of its nationwide network.
This brings the total investment of Grameenphone to over BDT 11150 crore since its inception in 1997, including BDT 2150 crore invested in 2006.
"We had robust growth last year and the company is well-poised for further growth in the coming years. Grameenphone is committed to ensure a quality network, offer innovative products and services and provide committed after-sales service to its valued customers," observed Grameenphone CEO Anders Jensen.
"As such, we have continued to make large investments in the network. With more than 10,000 base stations in over 6,000 locations around the country, the Grameenphone network already covers more than 98 percent of the population," he added.
The subscriber-base increased to 16.5 million during last year, up from 10.8 million at the end of 2006. The subscriber market-share remained stable during the year. According to the figures published by the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, Grameenphone's market share was about 48 percent at the end of the year.
One of the primary reasons for the market growth was the continued fall in the average tariff rates. The average tariff rates of Grameenphone declined by 40 percent during the year. The company's annual revenue stood at BDT 5450 crore during the year.
At the same time, Grameenphone contributed over BDT 3400 crore in
direct and indirect taxes to the National Exchequer, up from BDT 2050 crore in 2006. The company contributed a total of BDT 10140 crore since it started its operation
Grameenphone made fresh investments of more than BDT 3550 crore last year (2007) to further increase the capacity and coverage of its nationwide network.
This brings the total investment of Grameenphone to over BDT 11150 crore since its inception in 1997, including BDT 2150 crore invested in 2006.
"We had robust growth last year and the company is well-poised for further growth in the coming years. Grameenphone is committed to ensure a quality network, offer innovative products and services and provide committed after-sales service to its valued customers," observed Grameenphone CEO Anders Jensen.
"As such, we have continued to make large investments in the network. With more than 10,000 base stations in over 6,000 locations around the country, the Grameenphone network already covers more than 98 percent of the population," he added.
The subscriber-base increased to 16.5 million during last year, up from 10.8 million at the end of 2006. The subscriber market-share remained stable during the year. According to the figures published by the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, Grameenphone's market share was about 48 percent at the end of the year.
One of the primary reasons for the market growth was the continued fall in the average tariff rates. The average tariff rates of Grameenphone declined by 40 percent during the year. The company's annual revenue stood at BDT 5450 crore during the year.
At the same time, Grameenphone contributed over BDT 3400 crore in
direct and indirect taxes to the National Exchequer, up from BDT 2050 crore in 2006. The company contributed a total of BDT 10140 crore since it started its operation
Grameenphone Board Approves Initial Public Offer
Grameenphone Board Approves Initial Public Offer
The Grameenphone Board of Directors, at a meeting held on July 21, 2008, has approved a proposal for floating an initial public offering (IPO) of its shares, subject to necessary approvals and market conditions.
A formal application for the IPO with expected gross proceeds of up to US$150 million and subsequent listing on the Dhaka Stock Exchange and the Chittagong Stock Exchange is expected to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Bangladesh and other concerned authorities by the end of July 2008. Grameenphone also intends to conduct a pre-public offer of its shares with expected gross proceeds of up to US$150 million prior to the IPO.
“We are hopeful that Grameenphone’s inclusion in the country’s bourses will further highlight the potential of capital markets as an important engine of economic growth,” said Mr. Anders Jensen, CEO of Grameenphone. “It will also enable the people of Bangladesh to share the success of the company.”
Citigroup Global Markets Bangladesh Private Limited has been appointed as the Global Coordinator, Issue Manager [and Lead Underwriter] for the IPO.
This press release is not for distribution in the United States. This press release and the information contained herein is not an offer to sell securities in the United States. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States unless registered pursuant to the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or exempt from such registration requirement. Any public offering of securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that will contain detailed information about our company and management, as well as financial statements. No money, securities or other consideration is being solicited by this press release or the information contained herein and, if sent in response to this press release or the information contained herein, will not be accepted.
The Grameenphone Board of Directors, at a meeting held on July 21, 2008, has approved a proposal for floating an initial public offering (IPO) of its shares, subject to necessary approvals and market conditions.
A formal application for the IPO with expected gross proceeds of up to US$150 million and subsequent listing on the Dhaka Stock Exchange and the Chittagong Stock Exchange is expected to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Bangladesh and other concerned authorities by the end of July 2008. Grameenphone also intends to conduct a pre-public offer of its shares with expected gross proceeds of up to US$150 million prior to the IPO.
“We are hopeful that Grameenphone’s inclusion in the country’s bourses will further highlight the potential of capital markets as an important engine of economic growth,” said Mr. Anders Jensen, CEO of Grameenphone. “It will also enable the people of Bangladesh to share the success of the company.”
Citigroup Global Markets Bangladesh Private Limited has been appointed as the Global Coordinator, Issue Manager [and Lead Underwriter] for the IPO.
This press release is not for distribution in the United States. This press release and the information contained herein is not an offer to sell securities in the United States. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States unless registered pursuant to the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or exempt from such registration requirement. Any public offering of securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that will contain detailed information about our company and management, as well as financial statements. No money, securities or other consideration is being solicited by this press release or the information contained herein and, if sent in response to this press release or the information contained herein, will not be accepted.
"Asian Telecom Innovation of the Year" in the Telecom Asia Awards 2008.
Grameenphone wins “Asian Telecom Innovation of the Year” Award
CellBazaar, an innovative market-access service from Grameenphone Ltd., has been voted "Asian Telecom Innovation of the Year" in the Telecom Asia Awards 2008.
The annual Telecom Asia Awards has been taking place since 1998. The Telecom Asia Award winners are chosen by an independent judging panel for their financial, market, technology and corporate governance performance, backed by research by global IT and telecom consultancy firm Ovum.
“This is yet recognition of the culture of innovation that exists within Grameenphone,” observes Anders Jensen, CEO of Grameenphone. “As a market leader, Grameenphone has always been committed to provide its customers with simple, smart and useful products and services.”
This is the first time Telecom Asia has introduced the "Innovation of the Year" award, and Grameenphone is proud to be the first receiver of this prestigious award. The Award-giving ceremony took place on April 8, 2008 in Phuket, Thailand.
Telecom Asia is Asia's largest regional telecom publishing group. It publishes the magazines Telecom Asia and Wireless Asia and the Web site www.telecomasia.net, aimed at telecommunications professionals around the region. “GrameenPhone’s achievements with CellBazaar show once more the remarkable potential of the mobile phone as a platform for innovation as well as its ability to narrow the digital divide,” said Joseph Waring, Telecom Asia Group Editor.
The CellBazaar concept was developed at the MIT Media Lab by Kamal Quadir and he later founded a company and established a partnership with Grameenphone. Using Grameenphone CellBazaar, buyers and sellers are able to trade basic goods (e.g. rice, fish, motorcycle, used goods) from their mobile phones, bringing the benefits of information exchange, community networking and one-to-many trading to a previously unwired rural population.
Grameenphone CellBazaar won the 3GSMA Global Mobile Award 2008, in the category of "Best Use of Mobile for Social & Economic Development" earlier in February this year in Barcelona, Spain. Last year, the Grameenphone HealthLine Service, a 24-hour medical call center manned by licensed physicians, won the 3GSMA Global Mobile Award 2007, in the same category.
CellBazaar, an innovative market-access service from Grameenphone Ltd., has been voted "Asian Telecom Innovation of the Year" in the Telecom Asia Awards 2008.
The annual Telecom Asia Awards has been taking place since 1998. The Telecom Asia Award winners are chosen by an independent judging panel for their financial, market, technology and corporate governance performance, backed by research by global IT and telecom consultancy firm Ovum.
“This is yet recognition of the culture of innovation that exists within Grameenphone,” observes Anders Jensen, CEO of Grameenphone. “As a market leader, Grameenphone has always been committed to provide its customers with simple, smart and useful products and services.”
This is the first time Telecom Asia has introduced the "Innovation of the Year" award, and Grameenphone is proud to be the first receiver of this prestigious award. The Award-giving ceremony took place on April 8, 2008 in Phuket, Thailand.
Telecom Asia is Asia's largest regional telecom publishing group. It publishes the magazines Telecom Asia and Wireless Asia and the Web site www.telecomasia.net, aimed at telecommunications professionals around the region. “GrameenPhone’s achievements with CellBazaar show once more the remarkable potential of the mobile phone as a platform for innovation as well as its ability to narrow the digital divide,” said Joseph Waring, Telecom Asia Group Editor.
The CellBazaar concept was developed at the MIT Media Lab by Kamal Quadir and he later founded a company and established a partnership with Grameenphone. Using Grameenphone CellBazaar, buyers and sellers are able to trade basic goods (e.g. rice, fish, motorcycle, used goods) from their mobile phones, bringing the benefits of information exchange, community networking and one-to-many trading to a previously unwired rural population.
Grameenphone CellBazaar won the 3GSMA Global Mobile Award 2008, in the category of "Best Use of Mobile for Social & Economic Development" earlier in February this year in Barcelona, Spain. Last year, the Grameenphone HealthLine Service, a 24-hour medical call center manned by licensed physicians, won the 3GSMA Global Mobile Award 2007, in the same category.
GP CEO announces Q1 results, talks about new brand campaign
GP CEO announces Q1 results, talks about new brand campaign
Grameenphone CEO Anders Jensen today announced the company’s first quarter (Q1) results of the current year, showing a healthy growth both in terms of number of subscribers and revenue.
Addressing a press conference on the occasion, he also talked about the recent brand repositioning campaign launched by Grameenphone with the brand promise “Stay Close”.
“Grameenphone is the most well-known local brand and we are reinforcing our strong local roots through this campaign,” he explained. “Grameenphone will continue to help its valued customers to stay close to their loved ones and important things by providing the best voice and data services in a reliable and caring way.”
The press conference was also attended by Chief Financial Officer Arif Al Islam and Public Relations Director Syed Yamin Bakht.
During the first quarter (Jan-Mar’08) of this year, the subscriber-base grew from 16.5 million at the end of last year to 17.8 million. The subscriber-base currently stands at over 18 million. The total revenue grew from BDT 14.3 billion to BDT 14.9 billion during the same period. The annual revenue last year stood at BDT 54.4 billion.
Along with fresh investments of BDT 5.6 billion during the first quarter, the cumulative investments now stand at BDT 117.4 billion including the largest single-year capital expenditure of BDT 35.8 billion last year. ¬¬This has enabled Grameenphone to build the largest network with the widest coverage around the country, bringing more than 98 percent of the population under its network coverage. The Grameenphone network now has more than 10600 Base Stations in over 6100 locations around the country.
The total shareholders’ dividend so far stands at BDT 9.1 billion including taxes and a declared dividend of BDT 1.5 billion in 2007, which is less than 8 percent of the total investment.
Grameenphone has so far contributed more than BDT 111.2 billion to the National Exchequer in direct and indirect taxes up to Q1’08. The total contribution was BDT 34.2 billion in 2007, up from BDT 20.5 billion during the previous year.
Going back to the brand campaign, the Grameenphone CEO noted that the company is committed to making its services affordable to a much larger segment of the population, both in urban and rural areas, while maintaining the premium quality which has always been its brand image.
“We are committed to provide the best network, innovative products and services useful to the customers and quality customer interactions at every touch-point,” he added.
Grameenphone CEO Anders Jensen today announced the company’s first quarter (Q1) results of the current year, showing a healthy growth both in terms of number of subscribers and revenue.
Addressing a press conference on the occasion, he also talked about the recent brand repositioning campaign launched by Grameenphone with the brand promise “Stay Close”.
“Grameenphone is the most well-known local brand and we are reinforcing our strong local roots through this campaign,” he explained. “Grameenphone will continue to help its valued customers to stay close to their loved ones and important things by providing the best voice and data services in a reliable and caring way.”
The press conference was also attended by Chief Financial Officer Arif Al Islam and Public Relations Director Syed Yamin Bakht.
During the first quarter (Jan-Mar’08) of this year, the subscriber-base grew from 16.5 million at the end of last year to 17.8 million. The subscriber-base currently stands at over 18 million. The total revenue grew from BDT 14.3 billion to BDT 14.9 billion during the same period. The annual revenue last year stood at BDT 54.4 billion.
Along with fresh investments of BDT 5.6 billion during the first quarter, the cumulative investments now stand at BDT 117.4 billion including the largest single-year capital expenditure of BDT 35.8 billion last year. ¬¬This has enabled Grameenphone to build the largest network with the widest coverage around the country, bringing more than 98 percent of the population under its network coverage. The Grameenphone network now has more than 10600 Base Stations in over 6100 locations around the country.
The total shareholders’ dividend so far stands at BDT 9.1 billion including taxes and a declared dividend of BDT 1.5 billion in 2007, which is less than 8 percent of the total investment.
Grameenphone has so far contributed more than BDT 111.2 billion to the National Exchequer in direct and indirect taxes up to Q1’08. The total contribution was BDT 34.2 billion in 2007, up from BDT 20.5 billion during the previous year.
Going back to the brand campaign, the Grameenphone CEO noted that the company is committed to making its services affordable to a much larger segment of the population, both in urban and rural areas, while maintaining the premium quality which has always been its brand image.
“We are committed to provide the best network, innovative products and services useful to the customers and quality customer interactions at every touch-point,” he added.
Grameenphone employees take part in biggest customer care campaign
Grameenphone employees take part in biggest customer care campaign
Almost half the total number of employees of Grameenphone Ltd. today (Tuesday), participated in the company's biggest customer care program to date.
"This customer service campaign follows up on the "Stay Close" promise from Grameenphone. As a caring company, Grameenphone values its subscribers, stands by them and takes care of them when they need help," explained Grameenphone CEO Anders Jensen. He also participated in interacting with the customers in the Gulshan-1 area during the day.
Led by the Management Team, over 2000 employees, representing most of the functional divisions and all the regional offices of Grameenphone, spent the day interacting with the customers in 124 popular local area markets and important public places across the country. The purpose was to interact with the customers, help them in solving their mobile phone related queries, and demonstrate Grameenphone's commitment as a helpful and customer-oriented company.
The employees who have participated in this program are not regular Grameenphone customer service managers, but full-time employees working in other areas of the company. These employees met with customers at these public places and explained the various functions and value-added services available with their Grameenphone connections.
Customers were referred to the various service options depending on their needs, e.g. referred to calling the ‘121' hotline, GPCs, or other nearest service points. Employees also solved connections problems that were within their capacity to solve or explained how the customer could solve the problem himself. Where necessary, customer feedback was collected to compile and present to the management.
Grameenphone is the largest mobile phone operator in Bangladesh with more than 20 million subscribers. The company has the widest network and, with service recently launched in the three CHT areas of Bandarban, Khagrachari and Rangamati, covers almost 100 percent of the country's population.
The company has nearly 600 customer touch points, including 82 Grameenphone Centers (GPC), across the country. GPCs are Grameenphone's flagship sales and service points. It is a one-stop shop, manned by professional sales and service people, to help customers pay their mobile bills, change a subscription, buy a new connection or replace a mobile phone, and more, all under one roof.
Corporate Communications DepartmentGrameenphone Ltd.Telephone: 988 2990
Almost half the total number of employees of Grameenphone Ltd. today (Tuesday), participated in the company's biggest customer care program to date.
"This customer service campaign follows up on the "Stay Close" promise from Grameenphone. As a caring company, Grameenphone values its subscribers, stands by them and takes care of them when they need help," explained Grameenphone CEO Anders Jensen. He also participated in interacting with the customers in the Gulshan-1 area during the day.
Led by the Management Team, over 2000 employees, representing most of the functional divisions and all the regional offices of Grameenphone, spent the day interacting with the customers in 124 popular local area markets and important public places across the country. The purpose was to interact with the customers, help them in solving their mobile phone related queries, and demonstrate Grameenphone's commitment as a helpful and customer-oriented company.
The employees who have participated in this program are not regular Grameenphone customer service managers, but full-time employees working in other areas of the company. These employees met with customers at these public places and explained the various functions and value-added services available with their Grameenphone connections.
Customers were referred to the various service options depending on their needs, e.g. referred to calling the ‘121' hotline, GPCs, or other nearest service points. Employees also solved connections problems that were within their capacity to solve or explained how the customer could solve the problem himself. Where necessary, customer feedback was collected to compile and present to the management.
Grameenphone is the largest mobile phone operator in Bangladesh with more than 20 million subscribers. The company has the widest network and, with service recently launched in the three CHT areas of Bandarban, Khagrachari and Rangamati, covers almost 100 percent of the country's population.
The company has nearly 600 customer touch points, including 82 Grameenphone Centers (GPC), across the country. GPCs are Grameenphone's flagship sales and service points. It is a one-stop shop, manned by professional sales and service people, to help customers pay their mobile bills, change a subscription, buy a new connection or replace a mobile phone, and more, all under one roof.
Corporate Communications DepartmentGrameenphone Ltd.Telephone: 988 2990
Grameenphone CEO visits village in Gazipur
Grameenphone CEO visits village in Gazipur
Grameenphone Ltd. Chief Executive Officer, Anders Jensen, along with three other members of its management team, paid a visit to a village and an adjoining village high school in Gazipur today.
The primary purpose of the visit was to learn first hand about the villagers' communication needs, their experiences with mobile telephones, and how or what Grameenphone could do to better meet their communication needs.
The CEO's team included Rubaba Dowla, Director, Marketing; Md. Shafiqul Islam, Chief Technical Officer; and Syed Yamin Bakht, Director, Public Relations, among other senior members of Grameenphone.
The CEO and his team first visited the Koyer High School, located at Boro Koyer village under Pubail Upazilla of Gazipur district, to spread the message of mobile internet and its benefits to the students. The Grameenphone CEO met with the students of Classes 9 and 10 and spoke to them about the benefits of communication and the internet.
Talking about the easy availability of information over the internet, the Grameenphone CEO added that "the internet has brought all research material at our finger tips, if we only know how to search and where to look."
He later handed over four laptops, with EDGE connectivity, to the students as a valuable addition to the school's library resource. "You may have heard about the Information Superhighway, well all I can say is welcome to the information age," he told the students. The Grameenphone CEO also planted a neem sapling at the school ground to mark his visit.
After the visit to the high school, the Grameenphone team also visited Boro Koyer a nearby village where they met with some village women at an informal Uthan Baithak (open-air meet). The discussion focused on their communications needs and while all of them didn't have a mobile set of their own, they had all used mobiles, often to call family members overseas. Jensen offered his phone to one of the women to call anywhere she desired and she seized the opportunity to call her son who is studying in Singapore. During the call, the mother insisted that her son speak to the Grameenphone CEO and they both exchanged cordial words.
The Grameenphone Healthline project was also discussed at the meet and pamphlets on the service handed over. At one point one of the people among the group used a Grameenphone official's phone to speak to a physician regarding an infliction he was suffering from.
A mobile phone was also handed over to the head Imam of the local mosque. The team also visited some households within the village with the same objective to understand their communication needs. They also met with some local farmers, and demonstrated how they could find out the current price of their produce in the market through the Grameenphone CellBazaar service.
The CEO also handed over a few mobile phone handsets, along with connections, and some other gifts to the women and farmers in the village. The CEO also stopped by at the local retail outlets in the bazaar and met with the local Grameenphone retailer.
The villagers were very excited to see the Grameenphone team and a huge gathering turned out to meet with and talk to the CEO and his team at length about their experiences with the mobile phone.
Grameenphone Ltd. Chief Executive Officer, Anders Jensen, along with three other members of its management team, paid a visit to a village and an adjoining village high school in Gazipur today.
The primary purpose of the visit was to learn first hand about the villagers' communication needs, their experiences with mobile telephones, and how or what Grameenphone could do to better meet their communication needs.
The CEO's team included Rubaba Dowla, Director, Marketing; Md. Shafiqul Islam, Chief Technical Officer; and Syed Yamin Bakht, Director, Public Relations, among other senior members of Grameenphone.
The CEO and his team first visited the Koyer High School, located at Boro Koyer village under Pubail Upazilla of Gazipur district, to spread the message of mobile internet and its benefits to the students. The Grameenphone CEO met with the students of Classes 9 and 10 and spoke to them about the benefits of communication and the internet.
Talking about the easy availability of information over the internet, the Grameenphone CEO added that "the internet has brought all research material at our finger tips, if we only know how to search and where to look."
He later handed over four laptops, with EDGE connectivity, to the students as a valuable addition to the school's library resource. "You may have heard about the Information Superhighway, well all I can say is welcome to the information age," he told the students. The Grameenphone CEO also planted a neem sapling at the school ground to mark his visit.
After the visit to the high school, the Grameenphone team also visited Boro Koyer a nearby village where they met with some village women at an informal Uthan Baithak (open-air meet). The discussion focused on their communications needs and while all of them didn't have a mobile set of their own, they had all used mobiles, often to call family members overseas. Jensen offered his phone to one of the women to call anywhere she desired and she seized the opportunity to call her son who is studying in Singapore. During the call, the mother insisted that her son speak to the Grameenphone CEO and they both exchanged cordial words.
The Grameenphone Healthline project was also discussed at the meet and pamphlets on the service handed over. At one point one of the people among the group used a Grameenphone official's phone to speak to a physician regarding an infliction he was suffering from.
A mobile phone was also handed over to the head Imam of the local mosque. The team also visited some households within the village with the same objective to understand their communication needs. They also met with some local farmers, and demonstrated how they could find out the current price of their produce in the market through the Grameenphone CellBazaar service.
The CEO also handed over a few mobile phone handsets, along with connections, and some other gifts to the women and farmers in the village. The CEO also stopped by at the local retail outlets in the bazaar and met with the local Grameenphone retailer.
The villagers were very excited to see the Grameenphone team and a huge gathering turned out to meet with and talk to the CEO and his team at length about their experiences with the mobile phone.
GP signs BillPay service agreement with Titas Gas
GP signs BillPay service agreement with Titas Gas
Grameenphone (GP) and the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company (TGTDCL) have signed an agreement to jointly launch the electronic bill payment service BillPay, first of its kind service for TITAS Consumers. This service will shortly offer all Titas Gas Consumers to pay their bills either from Handset with GP SIM or at any GP authorized BillPay center at anytime and from anywhere.“BillPay” is a reliable, fast and convenient service ensuring end-to-end transparency and ultimate convenience for the Titas Gas consumers. This is the first time a mobile operator has launched such a service with “universal access” for all regardless of having a mobile phone or not. Grameenphone, in December 2006, launched BillPay, innovative electronic bill payment and collection service using Mobile phone technology. The solution aims to remove consumer hassles associated with standing in long queues, traveling, limited payment hours and various post payment harassment. Today’s billing and collection systems are mostly manual which increases the chances of human error. Thus subscribers often have to take the proof of payment to respective the authorities to correct their arrears. BillPay would empower utility consumers to enjoy a smooth bill paying experience from mobile handset. Khalequzzaman Faruk, Secretary of TGTDCL and Delwar Hossain Azad, Dy. Director and Head of Financial Services of Grameenphone signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations. Jalal Ahmed, Chairman, Petrobangla, Engr. Md. Abdullah, Managing Director, TGTDC and Rubaba Dowla, Director Marketing, Grameenphone were present on the occasion along with other senior officials of both organizationsThis service is planned to be launched shortly for Titas Gas consumers in Dhaka Metro Areas, Savar, Munshiganj, Mymensingh, Netrokona, Gazipur, Ashuganj, Bhairab, Narshindi, Narayanganj, Manikganj, Sherpur, Jamalpur and surrounding areas. In the initial launch, TGTDCL consumers will enjoy easy access to convenient locations, open at 9 am to 10 pm everyday. Consumers with mobile phone will get an immediate confirmation of bills being paid correctly from Titas Gas. They will also be able to query present and past bill status instantly via SMS or receive assistance from the GP’s modern, dedicated BillPay helpdesk.TGTDCL will enjoy fully automated reconciliation processes, reduced time between bill receipt and posting – resulting in faster available funds as well as improved cash-flows and reduction of manual processing costs and errors.BillPay is a practical demonstration of how the private and public sector can work together with a common goal to serve the people of Bangladesh efficiently and effectively. Initiatives like this are likely to drive a positive social change in the country.
Grameenphone (GP) and the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company (TGTDCL) have signed an agreement to jointly launch the electronic bill payment service BillPay, first of its kind service for TITAS Consumers. This service will shortly offer all Titas Gas Consumers to pay their bills either from Handset with GP SIM or at any GP authorized BillPay center at anytime and from anywhere.“BillPay” is a reliable, fast and convenient service ensuring end-to-end transparency and ultimate convenience for the Titas Gas consumers. This is the first time a mobile operator has launched such a service with “universal access” for all regardless of having a mobile phone or not. Grameenphone, in December 2006, launched BillPay, innovative electronic bill payment and collection service using Mobile phone technology. The solution aims to remove consumer hassles associated with standing in long queues, traveling, limited payment hours and various post payment harassment. Today’s billing and collection systems are mostly manual which increases the chances of human error. Thus subscribers often have to take the proof of payment to respective the authorities to correct their arrears. BillPay would empower utility consumers to enjoy a smooth bill paying experience from mobile handset. Khalequzzaman Faruk, Secretary of TGTDCL and Delwar Hossain Azad, Dy. Director and Head of Financial Services of Grameenphone signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations. Jalal Ahmed, Chairman, Petrobangla, Engr. Md. Abdullah, Managing Director, TGTDC and Rubaba Dowla, Director Marketing, Grameenphone were present on the occasion along with other senior officials of both organizationsThis service is planned to be launched shortly for Titas Gas consumers in Dhaka Metro Areas, Savar, Munshiganj, Mymensingh, Netrokona, Gazipur, Ashuganj, Bhairab, Narshindi, Narayanganj, Manikganj, Sherpur, Jamalpur and surrounding areas. In the initial launch, TGTDCL consumers will enjoy easy access to convenient locations, open at 9 am to 10 pm everyday. Consumers with mobile phone will get an immediate confirmation of bills being paid correctly from Titas Gas. They will also be able to query present and past bill status instantly via SMS or receive assistance from the GP’s modern, dedicated BillPay helpdesk.TGTDCL will enjoy fully automated reconciliation processes, reduced time between bill receipt and posting – resulting in faster available funds as well as improved cash-flows and reduction of manual processing costs and errors.BillPay is a practical demonstration of how the private and public sector can work together with a common goal to serve the people of Bangladesh efficiently and effectively. Initiatives like this are likely to drive a positive social change in the country.
Grameenphone Board Approves Initial Public Offer
Grameenphone Board Approves Initial Public Offer
The Grameenphone Board of Directors, at a meeting held on July 21, 2008, has approved a proposal for floating an initial public offering (IPO) of its shares, subject to necessary approvals and market conditions.
A formal application for the IPO with expected gross proceeds of up to US$150 million and subsequent listing on the Dhaka Stock Exchange and the Chittagong Stock Exchange is expected to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Bangladesh and other concerned authorities by the end of July 2008. Grameenphone also intends to conduct a pre-public offer of its shares with expected gross proceeds of up to US$150 million prior to the IPO.
“We are hopeful that Grameenphone’s inclusion in the country’s bourses will further highlight the potential of capital markets as an important engine of economic growth,” said Mr. Anders Jensen, CEO of Grameenphone. “It will also enable the people of Bangladesh to share the success of the company.”
Citigroup Global Markets Bangladesh Private Limited has been appointed as the Global Coordinator, Issue Manager [and Lead Underwriter] for the IPO.
This press release is not for distribution in the United States. This press release and the information contained herein is not an offer to sell securities in the United States. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States unless registered pursuant to the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or exempt from such registration requirement. Any public offering of securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that will contain detailed information about our company and management, as well as financial statements. No money, securities or other consideration is being solicited by this press release or the information contained herein and, if sent in response to this press release or the information contained herein, will not be accepted.
The Grameenphone Board of Directors, at a meeting held on July 21, 2008, has approved a proposal for floating an initial public offering (IPO) of its shares, subject to necessary approvals and market conditions.
A formal application for the IPO with expected gross proceeds of up to US$150 million and subsequent listing on the Dhaka Stock Exchange and the Chittagong Stock Exchange is expected to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Bangladesh and other concerned authorities by the end of July 2008. Grameenphone also intends to conduct a pre-public offer of its shares with expected gross proceeds of up to US$150 million prior to the IPO.
“We are hopeful that Grameenphone’s inclusion in the country’s bourses will further highlight the potential of capital markets as an important engine of economic growth,” said Mr. Anders Jensen, CEO of Grameenphone. “It will also enable the people of Bangladesh to share the success of the company.”
Citigroup Global Markets Bangladesh Private Limited has been appointed as the Global Coordinator, Issue Manager [and Lead Underwriter] for the IPO.
This press release is not for distribution in the United States. This press release and the information contained herein is not an offer to sell securities in the United States. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States unless registered pursuant to the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or exempt from such registration requirement. Any public offering of securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that will contain detailed information about our company and management, as well as financial statements. No money, securities or other consideration is being solicited by this press release or the information contained herein and, if sent in response to this press release or the information contained herein, will not be accepted.
Grameenphone Board Approves Initial Public Offer
Grameenphone Board Approves Initial Public Offer
The Grameenphone Board of Directors, at a meeting held on July 21, 2008, has approved a proposal for floating an initial public offering (IPO) of its shares, subject to necessary approvals and market conditions.
A formal application for the IPO with expected gross proceeds of up to US$150 million and subsequent listing on the Dhaka Stock Exchange and the Chittagong Stock Exchange is expected to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Bangladesh and other concerned authorities by the end of July 2008. Grameenphone also intends to conduct a pre-public offer of its shares with expected gross proceeds of up to US$150 million prior to the IPO.
“We are hopeful that Grameenphone’s inclusion in the country’s bourses will further highlight the potential of capital markets as an important engine of economic growth,” said Mr. Anders Jensen, CEO of Grameenphone. “It will also enable the people of Bangladesh to share the success of the company.”
Citigroup Global Markets Bangladesh Private Limited has been appointed as the Global Coordinator, Issue Manager [and Lead Underwriter] for the IPO.
This press release is not for distribution in the United States. This press release and the information contained herein is not an offer to sell securities in the United States. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States unless registered pursuant to the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or exempt from such registration requirement. Any public offering of securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that will contain detailed information about our company and management, as well as financial statements. No money, securities or other consideration is being solicited by this press release or the information contained herein and, if sent in response to this press release or the information contained herein, will not be accepted.
The Grameenphone Board of Directors, at a meeting held on July 21, 2008, has approved a proposal for floating an initial public offering (IPO) of its shares, subject to necessary approvals and market conditions.
A formal application for the IPO with expected gross proceeds of up to US$150 million and subsequent listing on the Dhaka Stock Exchange and the Chittagong Stock Exchange is expected to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Bangladesh and other concerned authorities by the end of July 2008. Grameenphone also intends to conduct a pre-public offer of its shares with expected gross proceeds of up to US$150 million prior to the IPO.
“We are hopeful that Grameenphone’s inclusion in the country’s bourses will further highlight the potential of capital markets as an important engine of economic growth,” said Mr. Anders Jensen, CEO of Grameenphone. “It will also enable the people of Bangladesh to share the success of the company.”
Citigroup Global Markets Bangladesh Private Limited has been appointed as the Global Coordinator, Issue Manager [and Lead Underwriter] for the IPO.
This press release is not for distribution in the United States. This press release and the information contained herein is not an offer to sell securities in the United States. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States unless registered pursuant to the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or exempt from such registration requirement. Any public offering of securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that will contain detailed information about our company and management, as well as financial statements. No money, securities or other consideration is being solicited by this press release or the information contained herein and, if sent in response to this press release or the information contained herein, will not be accepted.
Grameenphone to pay fine of BDT 2500 million
Grameenphone to pay fine of BDT 2500 million
Grameenphone Ltd. has agreed to pay an administrative fine of BDT 2500 million to Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC) for providing E1 connectivity to third parties, enabling the use of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) technology which is unlawful and illegal.
“We deeply regret that such unlawful practices were carried out and not disclosed earlier by Grameenphone,” said Anders Jensen, CEO of Grameenphone. “We have cooperated with BTRC in the investigations and the Grameenphone Board also mandated an investigation by an external auditor to look into all aspects of our operations to ensure that we fully comply with all laws and regulations.”
The allegations mention
ed in the BTRC case dates back prior to February 2007. International call termination to Bangladesh is a licensed service and only the Government-owned landline operator was authorized to generate and terminate international VOIP calls.
Grameenphone Ltd. has agreed to pay an administrative fine of BDT 2500 million to Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC) for providing E1 connectivity to third parties, enabling the use of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) technology which is unlawful and illegal.
“We deeply regret that such unlawful practices were carried out and not disclosed earlier by Grameenphone,” said Anders Jensen, CEO of Grameenphone. “We have cooperated with BTRC in the investigations and the Grameenphone Board also mandated an investigation by an external auditor to look into all aspects of our operations to ensure that we fully comply with all laws and regulations.”
The allegations mention
ed in the BTRC case dates back prior to February 2007. International call termination to Bangladesh is a licensed service and only the Government-owned landline operator was authorized to generate and terminate international VOIP calls.
Grameenphone shareholders committed to IPO process
Grameenphone shareholders committed to IPO process
Both the shareholders of Grameenphone, Telenor and Grameen Telecom, in a joint statement today have reiterated their continued commitment to the success of Grameenphone and to the ongoing IPO process. "We remain committed to our joint collaboration and our priority remains the continued success of Grameenphone as the benchmark corporate in Bangladesh,” said Dipal C. Barua, Deputy Managing Director of Grameen Bank and a Board member of Grameenphone, and Per-Erik Hylland, Senior Vice President of Telenor and also a Board member of GP, in a joint statement.
“Our commitment also extends to our stated objective of ensuring the seamless execution of the Grameenphone IPO by 2008 and in meaningfully contributing to the development of Bangladesh capital market and its positive profiling across the globe," they added in the joint statement.
Grameenphone recently formalized its intention to list its shares in the Bangladesh capital market through the filing of an IPO application with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Bangladesh. The proposed transaction structure includes a pre-public offer to global and local institutional investors followed by a public offer to the retail investors of Bangladesh.
Corporate CommunicationsGrameenphone Ltd.Phone: 9882990email: info@grameenphone.com
Both the shareholders of Grameenphone, Telenor and Grameen Telecom, in a joint statement today have reiterated their continued commitment to the success of Grameenphone and to the ongoing IPO process. "We remain committed to our joint collaboration and our priority remains the continued success of Grameenphone as the benchmark corporate in Bangladesh,” said Dipal C. Barua, Deputy Managing Director of Grameen Bank and a Board member of Grameenphone, and Per-Erik Hylland, Senior Vice President of Telenor and also a Board member of GP, in a joint statement.
“Our commitment also extends to our stated objective of ensuring the seamless execution of the Grameenphone IPO by 2008 and in meaningfully contributing to the development of Bangladesh capital market and its positive profiling across the globe," they added in the joint statement.
Grameenphone recently formalized its intention to list its shares in the Bangladesh capital market through the filing of an IPO application with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Bangladesh. The proposed transaction structure includes a pre-public offer to global and local institutional investors followed by a public offer to the retail investors of Bangladesh.
Corporate CommunicationsGrameenphone Ltd.Phone: 9882990email: info@grameenphone.com
Grameenphone to continue partnership with Sightsavers
Grameenphone to continue partnership with Sightsavers
Grameenphone Ltd. has renewed its partnership with Sightsavers International to provide free eye-care support to the economically disadvantaged people of the rural Bangladesh. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed in this regard between Grameenphone and Sightsavers International on 27th August, 2008.
The agreement was signed at the conclusion of the earlier partnership agreement between the two organizations, prevailing for last one year. Under the contract, GP and Sightsavers International will continue to jointly organize free eye-care camps in different parts of the country where eye-care services are not readily available.
Ahmed Raihan Shamsi, Director, Financial Management & Company Secretary, Grameenphone and Rifat Shapar Khan, Programme Manager, Sightsavers International signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations. Iqbal Mahmood, Secretary, Ministry of Post & Telecommunication was present as the chief guest at the signing ceremony.
Khalid Hasan, Director, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, Emad Ul Ameen, Director, Human Resources of Grameenphone and other officials of Sightsavers International and Grameenphone were also present on the occasion.
Grameenphone, jointly with Sight Savers International, organizes the eye camps and provides associated actual cost for organizing the camps and also provide surgery costs which includes transportation and follow-up visit cost of patients.
All patients registering for these camps are given routine examinations. Prescriptions for refractive error are given and Intra Ocular Lens (IOL) or cataract surgeries are administered to those who require it.
Till date, around 13,000 patients have received free eye-care support and over 1,500 cataract surgeries have been performed through nine eye-care camps conducted in different parts of Bangladesh since last year.
Bangladesh has the highest number of blind people compared to its population. There are about 750,000 blind adults and 40,000 blind children, among which cataract accounts for 80% of the blindness. The major challenge in eliminating blindness in Bangladesh is reaching the rural and underserved population as the vast majority of eye-care facilities are based in the big cities.
Sightsavers International, an organization committed to combating blindness in developing countries, has been working in Bangladesh since 1973.
Corporate Communications DepartmentGrameenphone Ltd.Telephone: 9882990email: info@grameenphone.com
Grameenphone Ltd. has renewed its partnership with Sightsavers International to provide free eye-care support to the economically disadvantaged people of the rural Bangladesh. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed in this regard between Grameenphone and Sightsavers International on 27th August, 2008.
The agreement was signed at the conclusion of the earlier partnership agreement between the two organizations, prevailing for last one year. Under the contract, GP and Sightsavers International will continue to jointly organize free eye-care camps in different parts of the country where eye-care services are not readily available.
Ahmed Raihan Shamsi, Director, Financial Management & Company Secretary, Grameenphone and Rifat Shapar Khan, Programme Manager, Sightsavers International signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations. Iqbal Mahmood, Secretary, Ministry of Post & Telecommunication was present as the chief guest at the signing ceremony.
Khalid Hasan, Director, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, Emad Ul Ameen, Director, Human Resources of Grameenphone and other officials of Sightsavers International and Grameenphone were also present on the occasion.
Grameenphone, jointly with Sight Savers International, organizes the eye camps and provides associated actual cost for organizing the camps and also provide surgery costs which includes transportation and follow-up visit cost of patients.
All patients registering for these camps are given routine examinations. Prescriptions for refractive error are given and Intra Ocular Lens (IOL) or cataract surgeries are administered to those who require it.
Till date, around 13,000 patients have received free eye-care support and over 1,500 cataract surgeries have been performed through nine eye-care camps conducted in different parts of Bangladesh since last year.
Bangladesh has the highest number of blind people compared to its population. There are about 750,000 blind adults and 40,000 blind children, among which cataract accounts for 80% of the blindness. The major challenge in eliminating blindness in Bangladesh is reaching the rural and underserved population as the vast majority of eye-care facilities are based in the big cities.
Sightsavers International, an organization committed to combating blindness in developing countries, has been working in Bangladesh since 1973.
Corporate Communications DepartmentGrameenphone Ltd.Telephone: 9882990email: info@grameenphone.com
Illustrated Book on Liberation War published
Illustrated Book on Liberation War published
The publication ceremony "Tagra" - an illustrated book on the Liberation War - was held on 21st October, 2008.
‘Tagra' is the first book of a series of publications, a joint initiative by Centre for Bangladesh Liberation War Studies and Grameenphone Ltd. Grameenphone is sponsoring the publication and distribution of these books on the Liberation War. The targeted beneficiaries are school children, from class iv to class viii, who will be provided with copies free of cost.
Mr. Mostafa Monwar, renowned artist, Prof. Anisuzzaman, eminent educationist, and Mr. Aly Zaker, celebrated cultural personality graced the event with their kind presence. Syed Yamin Bakht, Director, Public Relations, Grameenphone delivered the welcome speech, while Major Kamrul Hassan Bhuiyan (Retd.), Chairman and Chief Researcher of Centre for Bangladesh Liberation War Studies presented the keynote describing the aim and purpose of the project.
The Liberation War is the central component of Bangladesh's history. This series of publications aims to present the untold heroics of the Freedom Fighters, essentially during frontal battles fought in the fields of Bangladesh, to the current generation.
While "Tagra" will be distributed only among the students of Dhaka division, the other books of the series will subsequently be distributed among students in the other divisions of the country. Some of the gallantry award winner freedom-fighters of the country's liberation war inaugurated the distribution program with presentation of books among the school students
The publication ceremony "Tagra" - an illustrated book on the Liberation War - was held on 21st October, 2008.
‘Tagra' is the first book of a series of publications, a joint initiative by Centre for Bangladesh Liberation War Studies and Grameenphone Ltd. Grameenphone is sponsoring the publication and distribution of these books on the Liberation War. The targeted beneficiaries are school children, from class iv to class viii, who will be provided with copies free of cost.
Mr. Mostafa Monwar, renowned artist, Prof. Anisuzzaman, eminent educationist, and Mr. Aly Zaker, celebrated cultural personality graced the event with their kind presence. Syed Yamin Bakht, Director, Public Relations, Grameenphone delivered the welcome speech, while Major Kamrul Hassan Bhuiyan (Retd.), Chairman and Chief Researcher of Centre for Bangladesh Liberation War Studies presented the keynote describing the aim and purpose of the project.
The Liberation War is the central component of Bangladesh's history. This series of publications aims to present the untold heroics of the Freedom Fighters, essentially during frontal battles fought in the fields of Bangladesh, to the current generation.
While "Tagra" will be distributed only among the students of Dhaka division, the other books of the series will subsequently be distributed among students in the other divisions of the country. Some of the gallantry award winner freedom-fighters of the country's liberation war inaugurated the distribution program with presentation of books among the school students
Anders Jensen to leave Grameenphone
Anders Jensen to leave Grameenphone
Anders Jensen has recently decided to shorten his tenure as the CEO of Grameenphone primarily due to family reasons.
The 39-year-old Swede is leaving Grameenphone after one year at the helm."I am leaving a bit earlier than originally planned. This is my own decision. The reason is predominantly family related," says Jensen who is married and has four children."This decision has been very hard to make, given my commitment to Grameenphone and all the good progress we are making, even in tough times. But, at the end of the day the family concerns and the well-being of my family is the foundation for my decision. The Board will appoint my successor in good time. In the meantime I will be fully committed to Grameenphone and the GP team," Jensen assures."I fully respect and understand Anders' decision. I am very grateful for the way in which he has run Grameenphone during the past year and for his valuable contributions," says Sigve Brekke, Executive Vice President and Head of the Telenor Asia operations.Anders Jensen will leave Grameenphone at the end of this year, at the latest.
Anders Jensen has recently decided to shorten his tenure as the CEO of Grameenphone primarily due to family reasons.
The 39-year-old Swede is leaving Grameenphone after one year at the helm."I am leaving a bit earlier than originally planned. This is my own decision. The reason is predominantly family related," says Jensen who is married and has four children."This decision has been very hard to make, given my commitment to Grameenphone and all the good progress we are making, even in tough times. But, at the end of the day the family concerns and the well-being of my family is the foundation for my decision. The Board will appoint my successor in good time. In the meantime I will be fully committed to Grameenphone and the GP team," Jensen assures."I fully respect and understand Anders' decision. I am very grateful for the way in which he has run Grameenphone during the past year and for his valuable contributions," says Sigve Brekke, Executive Vice President and Head of the Telenor Asia operations.Anders Jensen will leave Grameenphone at the end of this year, at the latest.
Grameenphone submits final IPO application
Grameenphone submits final IPO application
Grameenphone Ltd. has filed its final application for an initial public offering (IPO) of US$65 million (BDT 449 crore) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) today (December 11, 2008).
Grameenphone's Board of Directors had earlier approved a proposal for an IPO of its shares, subject to necessary approvals and market conditions. The price for the IPO has been proposed at BDT 7.00, subject to SEC approval.
The final prospectus was handed over by Grameenphone CEO Oddver Hesjedal to SEC Chairman Faruq Ahmad Siddiqi. SEC Executive Director Farhad Ahmed, Grameenphone Board Members Dipal Barua from Grameen Telecom, Per Erik Hyland from Telenor and Grameenphone CFO Arif Al Islam were also present on the occasion.
Grameenphone Ltd. has also successfully closed the marketing of a pre-IPO private placement of its shares amounting to US$60 million (BDT 413 crore) to local institutional investors on December 4, 2008. The pre-IPO placement offer was over-subscribed by three times due to strong support from more than 50 local institutional investors. In the pre-IPO offer, the company raised a total of USD 60 million at BDT 7.4 per share, which was increased from earlier size due to the strong demand.
"We are proud of our achievement in having reached this milestone. We remain committed to contributing to the development of the capital markets of Bangladesh and look forward to a successful completion of the largest IPO in the country" said Oddvar Hesjedal, CEO of Grameenphone.
Citigroup Global Markets Bangladesh Private Ltd. acted as the placement agent for the pre-IPO placement and has been appointed as the Issue manager for the IPO.
This press release is not for distribution in the United States. This press release and the information contained herein is not an offer to sell securities in the United States. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States unless registered pursuant to the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or exempt from such registration requirement. Any public offering of securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that will contain detailed information about our company and management, as well as financial statements. No money, securities or other consideration is being solicited by this press release or the information contained herein and, if sent in response to this press release or the information contained herein, will not be accepted.
Grameenphone Ltd. has filed its final application for an initial public offering (IPO) of US$65 million (BDT 449 crore) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) today (December 11, 2008).
Grameenphone's Board of Directors had earlier approved a proposal for an IPO of its shares, subject to necessary approvals and market conditions. The price for the IPO has been proposed at BDT 7.00, subject to SEC approval.
The final prospectus was handed over by Grameenphone CEO Oddver Hesjedal to SEC Chairman Faruq Ahmad Siddiqi. SEC Executive Director Farhad Ahmed, Grameenphone Board Members Dipal Barua from Grameen Telecom, Per Erik Hyland from Telenor and Grameenphone CFO Arif Al Islam were also present on the occasion.
Grameenphone Ltd. has also successfully closed the marketing of a pre-IPO private placement of its shares amounting to US$60 million (BDT 413 crore) to local institutional investors on December 4, 2008. The pre-IPO placement offer was over-subscribed by three times due to strong support from more than 50 local institutional investors. In the pre-IPO offer, the company raised a total of USD 60 million at BDT 7.4 per share, which was increased from earlier size due to the strong demand.
"We are proud of our achievement in having reached this milestone. We remain committed to contributing to the development of the capital markets of Bangladesh and look forward to a successful completion of the largest IPO in the country" said Oddvar Hesjedal, CEO of Grameenphone.
Citigroup Global Markets Bangladesh Private Ltd. acted as the placement agent for the pre-IPO placement and has been appointed as the Issue manager for the IPO.
This press release is not for distribution in the United States. This press release and the information contained herein is not an offer to sell securities in the United States. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States unless registered pursuant to the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or exempt from such registration requirement. Any public offering of securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that will contain detailed information about our company and management, as well as financial statements. No money, securities or other consideration is being solicited by this press release or the information contained herein and, if sent in response to this press release or the information contained herein, will not be accepted.
Grameenphone's revenue up by 11% in 9 months
Grameenphone's revenue up by 11% in 9 months
Grameenphone posted revenues of about BDT 4500 crore for the first nine months of the current year, up 11 percent from the corresponding period of last year.
Grameenphone's revenue grew by around 7 percent to about BDT 1500 crore during the third quarter of this year, compared with the corresponding period of last year.
Meanwhile, Grameenphone's IPO process remains on track albeit delayed due to the ongoing global financial crisis and other challenges. Grameenphone is now planning to make the final submission to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) by Q4'08.
"Grameenphone missed the SEC deadline during its first IPO application mainly due to the ongoing global financial crisis and its direct impact on the pre-IPO process," explained Anders Jensen, CEO of Grameenphone. "The shareholders remain committed to listing Grameenphone shares in the local capital market. We are now preparing to submit a fresh application, carefully following the global financial development with a focus on avoiding volatility in the local capital market given the size of the Grameenphone IPO."
During the third quarter of the current year, the average tariff rates were further reduced resulting in a decline in ARPU by 25 percent, compared with the corresponding period of last year, while the subscription growth was also offset due to the ongoing churning of barred non-registered SIMs during Q3'08.
The total revenue increased by a healthy 7 percent compared with the corresponding period of last year mainly due to subscription growth, which was partially offset by the declining average revenue per user (ARPU). The number of subscriptions increased by 0.5 million from second quarter and by more than 5 million compared to third quarter of last year. EBITDA margin in the third quarter of 2008 increased to 49 % compared with corresponding period of last year mainly due to lower costs of subscriber acquisition due to lower market growth and lower interconnection and advertising costs.
"The overall subscriber growth has slowed down primarily due to the existing high SIM tax, which is limiting the affordability for the customers with limited income. However, as the telephone penetration rate is still low at around 30 percent even compared with other regional countries,
there is major potential for growth going forward," observed Ander Jensen. "With the withdrawal or reduction of the SIM tax, a much larger number of people mainly in the rural areas will be able to enjoy the benefits of modern mobile technology."
Grameenphone has so far invested over BDT 1400 crore in 2008 along with fresh investments of BDT 330 crore during the third quarter, the cumulative investments now stand at over BDT 12600 crore including the largest single-year capital expenditure of BDT 3580 crore last year.
The Grameenphone network presently covers almost the entire population with more than 11300 base stations located in over 6500 sites in operation around the country. The network is also fully EDGE/GPRS enabled, allowing the customers to access high-speed internet from anywhere within its coverage area.
Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has recently decided to allocate an additional spectrum of 7.4 MHz to Grameenphone at a cost of BDT 80 crore per MHz. "The additional allocation of frequency will enable Grameenphone to further improve its network quality through a more cost-effective and efficient deployment of different network elements," the Grameenphone CEO pointed out.
Grameenphone CEO, Anders Jensen, Chief Financial Officer, Arif Al Islam and Director Public Relations, Syed Yamin Bakht attended the press briefing.
Corporate Communications DepartmentGrameenphone Ltd.Phone: 9882990email: info@grameenphone.com
Grameenphone posted revenues of about BDT 4500 crore for the first nine months of the current year, up 11 percent from the corresponding period of last year.
Grameenphone's revenue grew by around 7 percent to about BDT 1500 crore during the third quarter of this year, compared with the corresponding period of last year.
Meanwhile, Grameenphone's IPO process remains on track albeit delayed due to the ongoing global financial crisis and other challenges. Grameenphone is now planning to make the final submission to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) by Q4'08.
"Grameenphone missed the SEC deadline during its first IPO application mainly due to the ongoing global financial crisis and its direct impact on the pre-IPO process," explained Anders Jensen, CEO of Grameenphone. "The shareholders remain committed to listing Grameenphone shares in the local capital market. We are now preparing to submit a fresh application, carefully following the global financial development with a focus on avoiding volatility in the local capital market given the size of the Grameenphone IPO."
During the third quarter of the current year, the average tariff rates were further reduced resulting in a decline in ARPU by 25 percent, compared with the corresponding period of last year, while the subscription growth was also offset due to the ongoing churning of barred non-registered SIMs during Q3'08.
The total revenue increased by a healthy 7 percent compared with the corresponding period of last year mainly due to subscription growth, which was partially offset by the declining average revenue per user (ARPU). The number of subscriptions increased by 0.5 million from second quarter and by more than 5 million compared to third quarter of last year. EBITDA margin in the third quarter of 2008 increased to 49 % compared with corresponding period of last year mainly due to lower costs of subscriber acquisition due to lower market growth and lower interconnection and advertising costs.
"The overall subscriber growth has slowed down primarily due to the existing high SIM tax, which is limiting the affordability for the customers with limited income. However, as the telephone penetration rate is still low at around 30 percent even compared with other regional countries,
there is major potential for growth going forward," observed Ander Jensen. "With the withdrawal or reduction of the SIM tax, a much larger number of people mainly in the rural areas will be able to enjoy the benefits of modern mobile technology."
Grameenphone has so far invested over BDT 1400 crore in 2008 along with fresh investments of BDT 330 crore during the third quarter, the cumulative investments now stand at over BDT 12600 crore including the largest single-year capital expenditure of BDT 3580 crore last year.
The Grameenphone network presently covers almost the entire population with more than 11300 base stations located in over 6500 sites in operation around the country. The network is also fully EDGE/GPRS enabled, allowing the customers to access high-speed internet from anywhere within its coverage area.
Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has recently decided to allocate an additional spectrum of 7.4 MHz to Grameenphone at a cost of BDT 80 crore per MHz. "The additional allocation of frequency will enable Grameenphone to further improve its network quality through a more cost-effective and efficient deployment of different network elements," the Grameenphone CEO pointed out.
Grameenphone CEO, Anders Jensen, Chief Financial Officer, Arif Al Islam and Director Public Relations, Syed Yamin Bakht attended the press briefing.
Corporate Communications DepartmentGrameenphone Ltd.Phone: 9882990email: info@grameenphone.com
Grameenphone issues BDT 4,250 million bonds in private placements
Grameenphone issues BDT 4,250 million bonds in private placements
Grameenphone Ltd. today signed agreements with ten institutions for raising BDT 4,250 million from the local capital market through issuance of coupon bearing bonds on a private placement basis.
Grameenphone will be issuing 425 bonds, denominated in BDT 10 million each. The bonds will be issued in two tranches, one with a 540 day term and the other with a 720 day term. All the bonds will carry an interest rate of 14.5% per annum. The bonds will be unsecured and non-convertible. The bonds will not be listed in any of the bourses but a free transferability structure will mean the instruments can easily be bought and sold over the counter.
The bonds are the first of their kind in the Bangladesh capital market. Grameenphone and the bonds have both been rated as “AAA” by the Credit Rating Agency of Bangladesh (CRAB), which is the highest credit rating given by CRAB. Citibank N.A. Bangladesh is the Arranger and Placement Agent for the transaction.
Grameenphone has taken the initiative to look beyond the conventional bank loan structure and into the capital market in the form of issuing a debt instrument to meet its funding needs. Grameenphone will invest the proceeds of the bonds in capital expenditure to improve the infrastructure of the company and will also use the proceeds to prepay a portion of the company’s short term debt. In addition to raising capital, the move will help reduce the liquidity risk and better match the asset liability maturity profile of the company.
“Grameenphone is proud to be able to contribute to a meaningful development of the Bangladesh capital market by introducing new debt instruments and creating more awareness in the domestic market,” said Grameenphone CEO Anders Jensen. “A placement of this kind will provide the bond market of the country a much needed boost and pave the way for other companies to explore this new avenue of financing.”
Grameenphone Ltd. today signed agreements with ten institutions for raising BDT 4,250 million from the local capital market through issuance of coupon bearing bonds on a private placement basis.
Grameenphone will be issuing 425 bonds, denominated in BDT 10 million each. The bonds will be issued in two tranches, one with a 540 day term and the other with a 720 day term. All the bonds will carry an interest rate of 14.5% per annum. The bonds will be unsecured and non-convertible. The bonds will not be listed in any of the bourses but a free transferability structure will mean the instruments can easily be bought and sold over the counter.
The bonds are the first of their kind in the Bangladesh capital market. Grameenphone and the bonds have both been rated as “AAA” by the Credit Rating Agency of Bangladesh (CRAB), which is the highest credit rating given by CRAB. Citibank N.A. Bangladesh is the Arranger and Placement Agent for the transaction.
Grameenphone has taken the initiative to look beyond the conventional bank loan structure and into the capital market in the form of issuing a debt instrument to meet its funding needs. Grameenphone will invest the proceeds of the bonds in capital expenditure to improve the infrastructure of the company and will also use the proceeds to prepay a portion of the company’s short term debt. In addition to raising capital, the move will help reduce the liquidity risk and better match the asset liability maturity profile of the company.
“Grameenphone is proud to be able to contribute to a meaningful development of the Bangladesh capital market by introducing new debt instruments and creating more awareness in the domestic market,” said Grameenphone CEO Anders Jensen. “A placement of this kind will provide the bond market of the country a much needed boost and pave the way for other companies to explore this new avenue of financing.”
Grameenphone submits final IPO application
Grameenphone submits final IPO application
Grameenphone Ltd. has filed its final application for an initial public offering (IPO) of US$65 million (BDT 449 crore) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) today (December 11, 2008).
Grameenphone's Board of Directors had earlier approved a proposal for an IPO of its shares, subject to necessary approvals and market conditions. The price for the IPO has been proposed at BDT 7.00, subject to SEC approval.
The final prospectus was handed over by Grameenphone CEO Oddver Hesjedal to SEC Chairman Faruq Ahmad Siddiqi. SEC Executive Director Farhad Ahmed, Grameenphone Board Members Dipal Barua from Grameen Telecom, Per Erik Hyland from Telenor and Grameenphone CFO Arif Al Islam were also present on the occasion.
Grameenphone Ltd. has also successfully closed the marketing of a pre-IPO private placement of its shares amounting to US$60 million (BDT 413 crore) to local institutional investors on December 4, 2008. The pre-IPO placement offer was over-subscribed by three times due to strong support from more than 50 local institutional investors. In the pre-IPO offer, the company raised a total of USD 60 million at BDT 7.4 per share, which was increased from earlier size due to the strong demand.
"We are proud of our achievement in having reached this milestone. We remain committed to contributing to the development of the capital markets of Bangladesh and look forward to a successful completion of the largest IPO in the country" said Oddvar Hesjedal, CEO of Grameenphone.
Citigroup Global Markets Bangladesh Private Ltd. acted as the placement agent for the pre-IPO placement and has been appointed as the Issue manager for the IPO.
This press release is not for distribution in the United States. This press release and the information contained herein is not an offer to sell securities in the United States. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States unless registered pursuant to the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or exempt from such registration requirement. Any public offering of securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that will contain detailed information about our company and management, as well as financial statements. No money, securities or other consideration is being solicited by this press release or the information contained herein and, if sent in response to this press release or the information contained herein, will not be accepted.
Grameenphone Ltd. has filed its final application for an initial public offering (IPO) of US$65 million (BDT 449 crore) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) today (December 11, 2008).
Grameenphone's Board of Directors had earlier approved a proposal for an IPO of its shares, subject to necessary approvals and market conditions. The price for the IPO has been proposed at BDT 7.00, subject to SEC approval.
The final prospectus was handed over by Grameenphone CEO Oddver Hesjedal to SEC Chairman Faruq Ahmad Siddiqi. SEC Executive Director Farhad Ahmed, Grameenphone Board Members Dipal Barua from Grameen Telecom, Per Erik Hyland from Telenor and Grameenphone CFO Arif Al Islam were also present on the occasion.
Grameenphone Ltd. has also successfully closed the marketing of a pre-IPO private placement of its shares amounting to US$60 million (BDT 413 crore) to local institutional investors on December 4, 2008. The pre-IPO placement offer was over-subscribed by three times due to strong support from more than 50 local institutional investors. In the pre-IPO offer, the company raised a total of USD 60 million at BDT 7.4 per share, which was increased from earlier size due to the strong demand.
"We are proud of our achievement in having reached this milestone. We remain committed to contributing to the development of the capital markets of Bangladesh and look forward to a successful completion of the largest IPO in the country" said Oddvar Hesjedal, CEO of Grameenphone.
Citigroup Global Markets Bangladesh Private Ltd. acted as the placement agent for the pre-IPO placement and has been appointed as the Issue manager for the IPO.
This press release is not for distribution in the United States. This press release and the information contained herein is not an offer to sell securities in the United States. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States unless registered pursuant to the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or exempt from such registration requirement. Any public offering of securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that will contain detailed information about our company and management, as well as financial statements. No money, securities or other consideration is being solicited by this press release or the information contained herein and, if sent in response to this press release or the information contained herein, will not be accepted.
Grameenphone Pre-Public Offer receives strong support
Grameenphone Pre-Public Offer receives strong support
The Grameenphone Pre-Public Offer was over-subscribed by three times due to strong support from more than 50 local institutional investors. On November 11, 2008, following the submission of its preliminary Initial Public Offer (IPO) application to Securities and Exchange Commission, Grameenphone launched the marketing of the Pre-Public Offer (PPO) of its shares to local institutional investors. This three-week long event, which concluded on December 3, 2008, included an informal "price discovery" process between BDT 7-9 per share and gave local institutional investors an opportunity to bid for their desired amount within this marketed range.Commenting on the strong response received from over 50 local institutional investors to the Pre-Public Offer, Grameenphone CEO, Oddvar Hesjedal said, "We are humbled by the response received from institutional investors to participate in the Pre-Public Offer of our shares. We remain committed to serve each and every one of our existing and new shareholders to the best of our abilities to maximize their shareholder value". On November 30, 2008, based on the conclusion from the "price discovery" process, the Board of Directors of Grameenphone, approved the final Price, Size and Allocation of Pre-Public Offer (PPO) and Initial Public Offer (IPO) of its shares, subject to necessary approvals and market conditions.The total issue size is expected to be up to USD 125 million for PPO and IPO combined. In the Pre-Public Offer, the company will raise up to a total of USD 60 million at BDT 7.4 per share, which was increased from earlier size due to strong demand. The allocation of shares in the PPO will be distributed in three tranches, namely to institutional investors, Grameenphone employees and Grameen Bank borrowers. Grameenphone also intends to complete all formalities with the Securities and Exchange Commission for their Initial Public Offering at BDT 7.00 per share (a 5.4% discount to the Pre-Public offering).
This press release is not for distribution in the United States. This press release and the information contained herein is not an offer to sell securities in the United States. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States unless registered pursuant to the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or exempt from such registration requirement. Any public offering of securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that will contain detailed information about our company and management, as well as financial statements. No money, securities or other consideration is being solicited by this press release or the information contained herein and, if sent in response to this press release or the information contained herein, will not be accepted.
Corporate Communications DepartmentGrameenphone Ltd.Phone: 9882990email: info@grameenphone.com
The Grameenphone Pre-Public Offer was over-subscribed by three times due to strong support from more than 50 local institutional investors. On November 11, 2008, following the submission of its preliminary Initial Public Offer (IPO) application to Securities and Exchange Commission, Grameenphone launched the marketing of the Pre-Public Offer (PPO) of its shares to local institutional investors. This three-week long event, which concluded on December 3, 2008, included an informal "price discovery" process between BDT 7-9 per share and gave local institutional investors an opportunity to bid for their desired amount within this marketed range.Commenting on the strong response received from over 50 local institutional investors to the Pre-Public Offer, Grameenphone CEO, Oddvar Hesjedal said, "We are humbled by the response received from institutional investors to participate in the Pre-Public Offer of our shares. We remain committed to serve each and every one of our existing and new shareholders to the best of our abilities to maximize their shareholder value". On November 30, 2008, based on the conclusion from the "price discovery" process, the Board of Directors of Grameenphone, approved the final Price, Size and Allocation of Pre-Public Offer (PPO) and Initial Public Offer (IPO) of its shares, subject to necessary approvals and market conditions.The total issue size is expected to be up to USD 125 million for PPO and IPO combined. In the Pre-Public Offer, the company will raise up to a total of USD 60 million at BDT 7.4 per share, which was increased from earlier size due to strong demand. The allocation of shares in the PPO will be distributed in three tranches, namely to institutional investors, Grameenphone employees and Grameen Bank borrowers. Grameenphone also intends to complete all formalities with the Securities and Exchange Commission for their Initial Public Offering at BDT 7.00 per share (a 5.4% discount to the Pre-Public offering).
This press release is not for distribution in the United States. This press release and the information contained herein is not an offer to sell securities in the United States. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States unless registered pursuant to the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or exempt from such registration requirement. Any public offering of securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that will contain detailed information about our company and management, as well as financial statements. No money, securities or other consideration is being solicited by this press release or the information contained herein and, if sent in response to this press release or the information contained herein, will not be accepted.
Corporate Communications DepartmentGrameenphone Ltd.Phone: 9882990email: info@grameenphone.com
Grameenphone Files Fresh Initial Public Offering Application
Grameenphone Files Fresh Initial Public Offering Application
Grameenphone Ltd. has resubmitted its preliminary application for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) of its shares with expected gross proceeds of up to US$75 million with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Bangladesh on November 11, 2008.
Grameenphone’s Board of Directors approved the proposal for an IPO of its shares on November 10, 2008, subject to necessary approvals and market conditions. Grameenphone also intends to conduct a pre-public offer (PPO) of its shares with expected gross proceeds of up to US$50 million prior to the IPO. However the final size will depend on the demand coming from the investors and also the result of ongoing dialog with Government on the eligibility of the tax incentive.
Earlier on September 24, 2008, Grameenphone had formally extended the transaction timetable in light of the challenging global financial market conditions and PPO investors time requirement for their internal decision making.
“The shareholders of Grameenphone remain committed to the IPO, to develop the Bangladesh capital market and to share Grameenphone’s success with its future shareholders,” said the Grameenphone CEO Oddvar Hesjedal.
This press release is not for distribution in the United States. This press release and the information contained herein is not an offer to sell securities in the United States. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States unless registered pursuant to the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or exempt from such registration requirement. Any public offering of securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that will contain detailed information about our company and management, as well as financial statements. No money, securities or other consideration is being solicited by this press release or the information contained herein and, if sent in response to this press release or the information contained herein, will not be accepted.
Corporate Communications DepartmentGrameenphone Ltd.Phone: 9882990email: info@grameenphone.com
Grameenphone Ltd. has resubmitted its preliminary application for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) of its shares with expected gross proceeds of up to US$75 million with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Bangladesh on November 11, 2008.
Grameenphone’s Board of Directors approved the proposal for an IPO of its shares on November 10, 2008, subject to necessary approvals and market conditions. Grameenphone also intends to conduct a pre-public offer (PPO) of its shares with expected gross proceeds of up to US$50 million prior to the IPO. However the final size will depend on the demand coming from the investors and also the result of ongoing dialog with Government on the eligibility of the tax incentive.
Earlier on September 24, 2008, Grameenphone had formally extended the transaction timetable in light of the challenging global financial market conditions and PPO investors time requirement for their internal decision making.
“The shareholders of Grameenphone remain committed to the IPO, to develop the Bangladesh capital market and to share Grameenphone’s success with its future shareholders,” said the Grameenphone CEO Oddvar Hesjedal.
This press release is not for distribution in the United States. This press release and the information contained herein is not an offer to sell securities in the United States. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States unless registered pursuant to the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or exempt from such registration requirement. Any public offering of securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that will contain detailed information about our company and management, as well as financial statements. No money, securities or other consideration is being solicited by this press release or the information contained herein and, if sent in response to this press release or the information contained herein, will not be accepted.
Corporate Communications DepartmentGrameenphone Ltd.Phone: 9882990email: info@grameenphone.com
Grameenphone Ltd
Grameenphone Ltd
and Research In Motion (RIM) today announced the launch of the BlackBerry® wireless solution in Bangladesh. The BlackBerry solution will be provided through Grameenphone’s Business Solutions, which is focused on meeting the special needs of businesses.Available for the first time in Bangladesh, BlackBerry smartphones will provide Grameenphone’s customers with access to a wide range of mobile applications, including email, browsing, messaging, phone, organizer, multimedia and a wide range of other business and lifestyle applications.Grameenphone CEO Anders Jensen said: “The BlackBerry platform is the gold standard in mobility for business users around the world. We are proud to be the first mobile operator to launch the BlackBerry wireless solution in Bangladesh, bringing in the next level of global connectivity for businesses.”Norm Lo, Vice President of Asia Pacific at Research In Motion said, “The BlackBerry platform, together with Grameenphone’s network, will offer an innovative and powerful mobile solution that enables users to be more productive, flexible and successful in both work and life.”Grameenphone will initially offer the BlackBerry® 8700g and the BlackBerry® Pearl™ smartphones in conjunction with BlackBerry® Enterprise Server and BlackBerry® Internet Service. The BlackBerry 8700g and the BlackBerry Pearl will operate on Gramee! nphone&r squo;s EDGE/GPRS enabled GSM network.The BlackBerry 8700g comes with a full QWERTY keyboard and delivers fast performance for wireless email (with support for attachment viewing), web browsing and other mobile applications. It features a bright, high resolution LCD display that delivers vivid graphics and incorporates an intelligent light-sensing technology that automatically adjusts the screen and keyboard lighting to provide optimal lighting for indoor, outdoor, and dark environments. The BlackBerry 8700g also supports messaging (SMS and MMS), instant messaging and comes with premium phone features such as smart dialing, conference calling, speed dialing, call forwarding, speakerphone and Bluetooth® support for hands-free use with car kits and wireless headsets.The BlackBerry Pearl smartphone is packed with powerful communication and multimedia capabilities and yet it is incredibly sleek and stylish. The BlackBerry Pearl incorporates RIM’s innovative SureType® keyboard technology, which merges a phone keypad with a familiar QWERTY keyboard to enable a narrower design while allowing users to type messages and dial phone numbers quickly and accurately. It also features a 1.3 mega-pixel camera with built-in flash and 5x digital zoom, a media player, expandable memory slot and a trackball navigation system.For corporate customers who use solutions such as MS Exchange Server, the BlackBerry Enterprise Service will best suit their needs, as the software tightly integrates with IBM Lotus® Domino®, Microsoft® Exchange and Novell® GroupWise® environments and features IT policy controls for managing smartphone features and usage. Individuals and smaller businesses can use the BlackBerry Internet Service that allows users to manage up to ten supported corporate and personal email accounts, including most popular ISP email accounts, from a single device.The BlackBerry 8700g and the BlackBerry Pearl smartphones will be available from Grameenphone in January 2008. For more information on the BlackBerry solution from Grameenphone, please visit www.grameenphone.com, selected Grameenphone Centers across the country or call 121. Existing Business Solutions clients may also contact their Key Account Managers for more details.
and Research In Motion (RIM) today announced the launch of the BlackBerry® wireless solution in Bangladesh. The BlackBerry solution will be provided through Grameenphone’s Business Solutions, which is focused on meeting the special needs of businesses.Available for the first time in Bangladesh, BlackBerry smartphones will provide Grameenphone’s customers with access to a wide range of mobile applications, including email, browsing, messaging, phone, organizer, multimedia and a wide range of other business and lifestyle applications.Grameenphone CEO Anders Jensen said: “The BlackBerry platform is the gold standard in mobility for business users around the world. We are proud to be the first mobile operator to launch the BlackBerry wireless solution in Bangladesh, bringing in the next level of global connectivity for businesses.”Norm Lo, Vice President of Asia Pacific at Research In Motion said, “The BlackBerry platform, together with Grameenphone’s network, will offer an innovative and powerful mobile solution that enables users to be more productive, flexible and successful in both work and life.”Grameenphone will initially offer the BlackBerry® 8700g and the BlackBerry® Pearl™ smartphones in conjunction with BlackBerry® Enterprise Server and BlackBerry® Internet Service. The BlackBerry 8700g and the BlackBerry Pearl will operate on Gramee! nphone&r squo;s EDGE/GPRS enabled GSM network.The BlackBerry 8700g comes with a full QWERTY keyboard and delivers fast performance for wireless email (with support for attachment viewing), web browsing and other mobile applications. It features a bright, high resolution LCD display that delivers vivid graphics and incorporates an intelligent light-sensing technology that automatically adjusts the screen and keyboard lighting to provide optimal lighting for indoor, outdoor, and dark environments. The BlackBerry 8700g also supports messaging (SMS and MMS), instant messaging and comes with premium phone features such as smart dialing, conference calling, speed dialing, call forwarding, speakerphone and Bluetooth® support for hands-free use with car kits and wireless headsets.The BlackBerry Pearl smartphone is packed with powerful communication and multimedia capabilities and yet it is incredibly sleek and stylish. The BlackBerry Pearl incorporates RIM’s innovative SureType® keyboard technology, which merges a phone keypad with a familiar QWERTY keyboard to enable a narrower design while allowing users to type messages and dial phone numbers quickly and accurately. It also features a 1.3 mega-pixel camera with built-in flash and 5x digital zoom, a media player, expandable memory slot and a trackball navigation system.For corporate customers who use solutions such as MS Exchange Server, the BlackBerry Enterprise Service will best suit their needs, as the software tightly integrates with IBM Lotus® Domino®, Microsoft® Exchange and Novell® GroupWise® environments and features IT policy controls for managing smartphone features and usage. Individuals and smaller businesses can use the BlackBerry Internet Service that allows users to manage up to ten supported corporate and personal email accounts, including most popular ISP email accounts, from a single device.The BlackBerry 8700g and the BlackBerry Pearl smartphones will be available from Grameenphone in January 2008. For more information on the BlackBerry solution from Grameenphone, please visit www.grameenphone.com, selected Grameenphone Centers across the country or call 121. Existing Business Solutions clients may also contact their Key Account Managers for more details.
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Alphonzzo Softphone - FREE! Windows XP and Vista tested!
FREE!
OR
USE THIS WITH NO DOWNLOADING
CHOOSE ALPHONZZO...ENTER USERNAME AND PASSWORD...MAKE CALLS
Alphonzzo® is a VoIP softphone that allows you to speak with any PC, Mobile or Landline Phone in the World. From anywhere in the World.
All you need is your username and password from Alphonzzo to start making calls.
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33 Minutes FREE to 44 Countries when you setup a FREE account. (Landlines only).
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea South, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, Venezuela, USA.
All calls to the 44 countries are only 90 paisa a minute after you use your free minutes.
Tell a friend, and after the first time they top up their account you will receive 33 free minutes. Make sure they send us your username.
Dialing Instructions:
To call the USA and Canada, just dial 1 + Area Code + Number. eg. 12125551212 (New York, USA).
To call any other International Destination, dial 011 or 00 + Country Code + City Code + Number. eg. 00442081149545 (London, UK).
To call other Alphonzzo users just dial their Username. All calls to Alphonzzo users are FREE...UNLIMITED USAGE! No matter what country each of you are in.
To call Customer Service 24/7, just click on the Red (Number 5) button.
Setup Instructions:
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Cisco Linksys Phone Adapter PAP2
Rs. 3,000/-
The Linksys Phone Adapter enables use of our high-quality feature-rich telephone service through your cable or DSL Internet connection. Just plug it into your home Router or Gateway and use the two standard telephone jacks to connect your existing phones. Each phone jack operates independently, with separate phone service and phone numbers -- like having two phone lines. With Alphonzzo, you'll get clear telephone reception, even while using the Internet at the same time for normal data operations.
Setup Instructions
Take all your buddies mobile with fring™, call and chat with them for free and see who’s online before dialling!
WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT OUR SERVICE IS CLEARER THAN SKYPE OR MSN, SO YOU BE THE JUDGE!
fring™ is a mobile internet service & community that enables you to access & interact with your social networks on-the-go, make free calls and live chat with all your fring, ALPHONZZO, Skype®, MSN® Messenger, Google Talk™, ICQ, SIP, Twitter, Yahoo!™ and AIM®* friends using your handset’s internet connection rather than costly cellular airtime minutes.What’s more, fring does all the work for you, automatically logging you into your favorite WiFi hotspots so you save time and hassle without having to configure your WiFi access points each time.
Log into "MY ACCOUNT" update Mobile Number and Device and click on "JOIN FRING"
or
Please Call ...
COPYRIGHT 2006 ALPHONZZO.COM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
LEGAL CONTACT US CAREERS
This web site has been created solely for our Licensed/Channel Partners reference in India. Our services are not for sale to the general public and or end user in India. Our Services include Internet phone with free Internet calling and unlimited US and Canada plans. We also offer prepaid phone service using our voice over IP system and an analog telephone adaptor. The solutions are designed for home phone service, business phone service, call shops and cyber cafes. Alphonzzo is proud to support Internet telephony equipment including Sipura 2000 and Sipura 3000, Cisco 186, Linksys PAP2 and
FREE!
OR
USE THIS WITH NO DOWNLOADING
CHOOSE ALPHONZZO...ENTER USERNAME AND PASSWORD...MAKE CALLS
Alphonzzo® is a VoIP softphone that allows you to speak with any PC, Mobile or Landline Phone in the World. From anywhere in the World.
All you need is your username and password from Alphonzzo to start making calls.
Click here to email us for a FREE username and password.
33 Minutes FREE to 44 Countries when you setup a FREE account. (Landlines only).
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea South, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, Venezuela, USA.
All calls to the 44 countries are only 90 paisa a minute after you use your free minutes.
Tell a friend, and after the first time they top up their account you will receive 33 free minutes. Make sure they send us your username.
Dialing Instructions:
To call the USA and Canada, just dial 1 + Area Code + Number. eg. 12125551212 (New York, USA).
To call any other International Destination, dial 011 or 00 + Country Code + City Code + Number. eg. 00442081149545 (London, UK).
To call other Alphonzzo users just dial their Username. All calls to Alphonzzo users are FREE...UNLIMITED USAGE! No matter what country each of you are in.
To call Customer Service 24/7, just click on the Red (Number 5) button.
Setup Instructions:
1. Click here to Download
2. Click on Run
3. Follow the Setup Wizard
4. Enter Username and Password 5. Start making calls
Cisco Linksys Phone Adapter PAP2
Rs. 3,000/-
The Linksys Phone Adapter enables use of our high-quality feature-rich telephone service through your cable or DSL Internet connection. Just plug it into your home Router or Gateway and use the two standard telephone jacks to connect your existing phones. Each phone jack operates independently, with separate phone service and phone numbers -- like having two phone lines. With Alphonzzo, you'll get clear telephone reception, even while using the Internet at the same time for normal data operations.
Setup Instructions
Take all your buddies mobile with fring™, call and chat with them for free and see who’s online before dialling!
WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT OUR SERVICE IS CLEARER THAN SKYPE OR MSN, SO YOU BE THE JUDGE!
fring™ is a mobile internet service & community that enables you to access & interact with your social networks on-the-go, make free calls and live chat with all your fring, ALPHONZZO, Skype®, MSN® Messenger, Google Talk™, ICQ, SIP, Twitter, Yahoo!™ and AIM®* friends using your handset’s internet connection rather than costly cellular airtime minutes.What’s more, fring does all the work for you, automatically logging you into your favorite WiFi hotspots so you save time and hassle without having to configure your WiFi access points each time.
Log into "MY ACCOUNT" update Mobile Number and Device and click on "JOIN FRING"
or
Please Call ...
COPYRIGHT 2006 ALPHONZZO.COM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
LEGAL CONTACT US CAREERS
This web site has been created solely for our Licensed/Channel Partners reference in India. Our services are not for sale to the general public and or end user in India. Our Services include Internet phone with free Internet calling and unlimited US and Canada plans. We also offer prepaid phone service using our voice over IP system and an analog telephone adaptor. The solutions are designed for home phone service, business phone service, call shops and cyber cafes. Alphonzzo is proud to support Internet telephony equipment including Sipura 2000 and Sipura 3000, Cisco 186, Linksys PAP2 and
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http://www.localphone.com/promotionsLocalPhone is a leading international cheap VOIP phone call provider to the world and VoIP Guides terms this their best favorite cheap to free international unlimited call provider, Chinese New Year {CNY} is here and to make a VOIP free call this festive season LocalPhone is promoting free VOIP calls to China: year of Ox is here and that is why Localphone have to offer absolutely 100% free calls daily during this 2009 Chinese New Year festival. The first 20 minutes of VOIP free call to the China landlines phones or any mobile phones numbers, per day are absolutely free of cost, unbelievable na : ) but true, so feel free to call free China to greet your family, friends, near & dears there this Chinese New Ox Year! I love freebies and everybody too : ) The free call to china promotions starts at 00:00 China Standard Time (GMT +8) from January 26, 2009, till 23:59:59 , February 9, 2009, But here is a little tweak or a CATCH, the site depicts as: "calls to China during this period will be charged at the standard rate of 0.8p per minute and after the promotion has completed you will receive a rebate in the form of Localphone credit for the first twenty minutes of call time used each day."Happy Chinese New Year, Gong Xi Fa Cai Kung Hei Fat Choi…Call Free: Canada-HK-China-Malay-Taiwan-S’Pore-UnlimitedFree Calls: China, Hong Kong, Singapore, PhilippinesRef.:http://voipguides.blogspot.com/2009/01/free-calls-to-china.html
0 comments Links to this post
US President Barack Obama’s: Blackberry
President Barack Obama > White House > His super security Wireless PDA high tech BlackBerry 8700 Device (hack proof) > US Security ConcernBarack Obama is the Very First USA President to keep a Blackberry Mobile, He is making history as first Afro-American to be the US President, now his wonder gadget is making the news headlines all over the world : ) Fox news revealed that it is official that The US President Barack Obama who is rather a techy too and loves his Blackberry 8700 mobile phone can use the Blackberry handheld mobile gadget as cleared by the US Presidential security agencies / NSA, Barack Obama can use this blackberry as its 'security enhanced’ and it comes all for whopping $3,350 (two years warranty), made by General Dynamics C4 (Sectera Edge), this will be exclusive to the President and not come to general public, this unique high tech secured PDA is unclassified PDA which goes classified PDA at one touch of button, this wonder gadget is much better and for real than that of 007 James Bond : ) it is not a fiction or Sci-Fi Hollywood movie either : ) This is the Blackberry that Barack Obama as a US President is allowed by security agencies to use as a US President.President can securely and seamlessly access TOP secret emails and secret website with this unclassified to classified Blackberry PDA handheld high tech device, he could now always be in touch with a close group of his family & friends! In Canada RIM or research in motion the Blackberry makers, encrypts the device Blackberry but in US, for the President, to make the tech device more secure and fruitful, and to avoid hacking etc, as hacking could be one big concern for Presidents Blackberry and General Dynamics is pretty sure that if NSA (US national security agency) will pass / approve this Blackberry than it is pretty sure that this handheld or wireless Presidential Blackberry PDA is HACKING PROOF : ) Long live the technology, its great : ) Free Call North AmericaRef.: http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2009/01/obama_will_get_his_blackberry.phphttp://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-262060.htmlhttp://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,481450,00.htmlhttp://www.textually.org/textually/archives/2009/01/022460.htmhttp://www.gdc4s.com/http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barack-obama-super-blackberry
http://www.localphone.com/promotionsLocalPhone is a leading international cheap VOIP phone call provider to the world and VoIP Guides terms this their best favorite cheap to free international unlimited call provider, Chinese New Year {CNY} is here and to make a VOIP free call this festive season LocalPhone is promoting free VOIP calls to China: year of Ox is here and that is why Localphone have to offer absolutely 100% free calls daily during this 2009 Chinese New Year festival. The first 20 minutes of VOIP free call to the China landlines phones or any mobile phones numbers, per day are absolutely free of cost, unbelievable na : ) but true, so feel free to call free China to greet your family, friends, near & dears there this Chinese New Ox Year! I love freebies and everybody too : ) The free call to china promotions starts at 00:00 China Standard Time (GMT +8) from January 26, 2009, till 23:59:59 , February 9, 2009, But here is a little tweak or a CATCH, the site depicts as: "calls to China during this period will be charged at the standard rate of 0.8p per minute and after the promotion has completed you will receive a rebate in the form of Localphone credit for the first twenty minutes of call time used each day."Happy Chinese New Year, Gong Xi Fa Cai Kung Hei Fat Choi…Call Free: Canada-HK-China-Malay-Taiwan-S’Pore-UnlimitedFree Calls: China, Hong Kong, Singapore, PhilippinesRef.:http://voipguides.blogspot.com/2009/01/free-calls-to-china.html
0 comments Links to this post
US President Barack Obama’s: Blackberry
President Barack Obama > White House > His super security Wireless PDA high tech BlackBerry 8700 Device (hack proof) > US Security ConcernBarack Obama is the Very First USA President to keep a Blackberry Mobile, He is making history as first Afro-American to be the US President, now his wonder gadget is making the news headlines all over the world : ) Fox news revealed that it is official that The US President Barack Obama who is rather a techy too and loves his Blackberry 8700 mobile phone can use the Blackberry handheld mobile gadget as cleared by the US Presidential security agencies / NSA, Barack Obama can use this blackberry as its 'security enhanced’ and it comes all for whopping $3,350 (two years warranty), made by General Dynamics C4 (Sectera Edge), this will be exclusive to the President and not come to general public, this unique high tech secured PDA is unclassified PDA which goes classified PDA at one touch of button, this wonder gadget is much better and for real than that of 007 James Bond : ) it is not a fiction or Sci-Fi Hollywood movie either : ) This is the Blackberry that Barack Obama as a US President is allowed by security agencies to use as a US President.President can securely and seamlessly access TOP secret emails and secret website with this unclassified to classified Blackberry PDA handheld high tech device, he could now always be in touch with a close group of his family & friends! In Canada RIM or research in motion the Blackberry makers, encrypts the device Blackberry but in US, for the President, to make the tech device more secure and fruitful, and to avoid hacking etc, as hacking could be one big concern for Presidents Blackberry and General Dynamics is pretty sure that if NSA (US national security agency) will pass / approve this Blackberry than it is pretty sure that this handheld or wireless Presidential Blackberry PDA is HACKING PROOF : ) Long live the technology, its great : ) Free Call North AmericaRef.: http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2009/01/obama_will_get_his_blackberry.phphttp://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-262060.htmlhttp://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,481450,00.htmlhttp://www.textually.org/textually/archives/2009/01/022460.htmhttp://www.gdc4s.com/http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barack-obama-super-blackberry
have you usedthepremium dai-up internet service
have you usedthepremium dai-up internet service
You may have known by now that Bangladesh Tar and Telephone Board (BTTB) has changed its name to Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Ltd. (BTCL). Moreover, it has started to offer a new range of communication services. Its Premium Dial-Up Service is perhaps the first of its kind in Bangladesh.Premium Dial-Up service has a number of cool features that enable an internet user to browse more freely. One doesn’t need to register with any ISP by purchasing (1) a registration card and (2) a recharge card. All one needs is to have a land phone line and a modem.According to BTCL, any of its telephone user can avail internet service by dialing the access code 0101234 (Multimetering) through his/her computer. The username is "bttb" and the password is "bttb".The pricing is a bit ambiguous to me. According to BTCL’s website, “The internet usage charge will be automatically added with the telephone bill. The tariff for the internet use through this service is equivalent to the local telephone call charge.”
.
An user of this service blogged:
Their download speed is average 5 Kilobyte/sec, I noticed this speed in Dhaka. For each 150 seconds or it's fractional usage you will be charged Tk 1.50. Simply I explain, the premium bill is 1 paisa per second, 60 paisa per minute and 36 Tk per hour. This is very expensive comparing rates of private ISPs. Because they offer 5 paisa to 30 paisa per minute usage depending on various plans. I know dialup internet is free in Italy for landline phone subscribers. But we in Bangladesh pay more and more to our service providers. In returns they give us dissatisfactory service in most cases.
.
Nevertheless, it’s really good to see that the Government has started to rollover many of its policies these days. Let’s support them in their endeavours.
You may have known by now that Bangladesh Tar and Telephone Board (BTTB) has changed its name to Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Ltd. (BTCL). Moreover, it has started to offer a new range of communication services. Its Premium Dial-Up Service is perhaps the first of its kind in Bangladesh.Premium Dial-Up service has a number of cool features that enable an internet user to browse more freely. One doesn’t need to register with any ISP by purchasing (1) a registration card and (2) a recharge card. All one needs is to have a land phone line and a modem.According to BTCL, any of its telephone user can avail internet service by dialing the access code 0101234 (Multimetering) through his/her computer. The username is "bttb" and the password is "bttb".The pricing is a bit ambiguous to me. According to BTCL’s website, “The internet usage charge will be automatically added with the telephone bill. The tariff for the internet use through this service is equivalent to the local telephone call charge.”
.
An user of this service blogged:
Their download speed is average 5 Kilobyte/sec, I noticed this speed in Dhaka. For each 150 seconds or it's fractional usage you will be charged Tk 1.50. Simply I explain, the premium bill is 1 paisa per second, 60 paisa per minute and 36 Tk per hour. This is very expensive comparing rates of private ISPs. Because they offer 5 paisa to 30 paisa per minute usage depending on various plans. I know dialup internet is free in Italy for landline phone subscribers. But we in Bangladesh pay more and more to our service providers. In returns they give us dissatisfactory service in most cases.
.
Nevertheless, it’s really good to see that the Government has started to rollover many of its policies these days. Let’s support them in their endeavours.
One-to-one business meetings between
One-to-one business meetings between the local business entrepreneurs and visiting 50-member Chinese economic and trade delegation will be held today (Sunday) in the city's Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre. Assistant Minister of Chinese Ministry of Commerce Wang Chao, Chinese Ambassador in Bangladesh Zheng Qingdian, Ministry of Commerce Secretary Feroz Ahmed and DCCI President Hossain Khaled will also remain present on the occasion.Bangladesh-China business dialogue will be followed by purchase contacts signing ceremony between 11 Chinese importers and 11 Bangladeshi exporters for export of raw jute, leather, sea-food, herbal and pharmaceuticals medicines, textile, ready-made garments, chemicals etc from Bangladesh to China. Chinese conglomerates -- Sinochem Corporation, Chinatex Group, China National Light Industrial Products Import and Export Corporation, China Grains and Oils Group Corp, China Mecho Corporation, China Textile Resources Corporation (CTRC), China National Native Produce and By-Product I/E Corporation, COFCO Grains and Oils Imp and Exp Co, China National Service Corporation for Chinese Personal Working Abroad, China National Complete Plant Import and Export Corporation Limited, and China National Machinery and Equipment Import and Export Corporation (CMEC) -- with interest in items like jute, leather, sea-food, herbal and pharmaceuticals medicines, textile, ready-made garments, chemicals, fuel oil and petroleum, gas, fertiliser, hotel, real estate, rubber etc will remain present in the one-to-one business meetings.
A friend of mine enrolled in Chinese language course in Confucius Institute at North South University was describing how her Chinese teacher was lamenting of the 'Bangla Peoples' lack of enthusiasm about learning Chinese. According to her, 20 years from now, the land of the 2 billion red dragons will be the center of world's trade and commerce. So it is high time that 'Bangla People' learn Chinese and make the most of their business opportunities. Some of the Bangladeshi students did argue that our base of basic English is very poor in the first place, let alone learning such a difficult langauge such as Chinese. However, some students also mentioned there are a few, who are learning French, mostly because French has got a different sort of appeal associated with it, its 'cool' if you are learning French....but learning Chinese? You must be a nutter! So the frustrated Chinese professor was advised by a few sympathised enthusiastic Bangladeshi students to better promote the Confucius Institute. One idea was if the Chinese embassy makes available the list of Chinese companies in Bangladesh, the Institute could forward its students to those companies for jobs, as those students will be well equipped with Bangla, English and ofcourse Chinese. Say big names like ZTE and Huawei are only a few to mention, there are many others. The professor also mentioned that 'so many Bangla People have business relations with China....I wonder why they don't want to learn the language, even if they get enrolled, they don't continue, I understand that everyone is busy, but you have to make time for achieving something worthwhile in the end'.
So as China comes to town, I think we need a rethinking of our USPs, the language itself is a good starting point, that is the proposition.
A friend of mine enrolled in Chinese language course in Confucius Institute at North South University was describing how her Chinese teacher was lamenting of the 'Bangla Peoples' lack of enthusiasm about learning Chinese. According to her, 20 years from now, the land of the 2 billion red dragons will be the center of world's trade and commerce. So it is high time that 'Bangla People' learn Chinese and make the most of their business opportunities. Some of the Bangladeshi students did argue that our base of basic English is very poor in the first place, let alone learning such a difficult langauge such as Chinese. However, some students also mentioned there are a few, who are learning French, mostly because French has got a different sort of appeal associated with it, its 'cool' if you are learning French....but learning Chinese? You must be a nutter! So the frustrated Chinese professor was advised by a few sympathised enthusiastic Bangladeshi students to better promote the Confucius Institute. One idea was if the Chinese embassy makes available the list of Chinese companies in Bangladesh, the Institute could forward its students to those companies for jobs, as those students will be well equipped with Bangla, English and ofcourse Chinese. Say big names like ZTE and Huawei are only a few to mention, there are many others. The professor also mentioned that 'so many Bangla People have business relations with China....I wonder why they don't want to learn the language, even if they get enrolled, they don't continue, I understand that everyone is busy, but you have to make time for achieving something worthwhile in the end'.
So as China comes to town, I think we need a rethinking of our USPs, the language itself is a good starting point, that is the proposition.
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