Mobilink reaches landmark figure of 30 Million Customers
Mobilink Foundation set up to support education and healthcare initiatives in Pakistan
Islamabad: December 26, 2007 - Mobilink, Pakistan's leader in cellular communication and part of Orascom Telecom today announced achieving the figure of 30 million customers - a regional milestone; and at the same time also formalized the set-up of the Mobilink Foundation as its enduring commitment to supporting the social development of Pakistan.
The company's commitment towards network expansion with aggressive investments, state of the art technology and infrastructure and quality services is a manifestation of its maintaining a leadership position in a six operator market. In 13 years of operation, Mobilink has played a pioneering role in initiating the unprecedented growth of the telecommunication sector in Pakistan.
Zouhair A. Khaliq, President & CEO, Mobilink under whose leadership the company has progressed from just over 1 million customers in 2003 to a staggering 30 million today, was determined in saying, "We have come full circle to become a shining example of a very successful multi-national organization whose achievements both on the national and international fronts have been recognized by numerous world bodies. The formation of the Mobilink Foundation is a testimony to our belief of giving back to the community."
The Mobilink Foundation will focus its efforts in the areas of education and health with the vision of reshaping education and primary healthcare system in Pakistan. It will support initiatives aimed at reducing illiteracy, improving primary education and access to healthcare in Pakistan as well as supporting underprivileged talents through vocational training and scholarship programs. The Foundation will begin its operations with an initial funding of Rs. 30 million, received as donation from Naguib Sawiris, Chairman Orascom Telecom.
According to a recent 'quality of service' survey conducted by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, PTA, Mobilink topped the averages to attain the 'Best Quality Service' accolade on the overall count with 97.08% success. With coverage in more than 7,000 cities, towns, villages and remote locations the company has the farthest mobility in terms of service accessibility.
"Our success in having reached this significant milestone is not just about large-scale investments, infrastructure and world-class services alone but being a 5000-people organization, where every family member has played their role. This success is attributed to the unwavering contributions made by our very young, qualified and quality human resource and the unwavering support of our parent company Orascom Telecom, whose conviction has made it possible for us to reach where we are today." He added.
Mobilink's 6,500 km optic fiber backbone, which runs across Pakistan, has further enabled the company to become a total communications solution provider with high speed data connectivity products soon in the offing. By providing last mile connectivity the company is positioned as a one-stop shop for meeting communication requirements of any enterprise and individual. The Optic fiber network will increase to cover another 2000 kilometers very soon.
The company has injected more than US$ 2.5 billion in the telecommunication sector of Pakistan, with an additional US$ 500 million earmarked for 2008; it is a clear indication of the commitment and resolve of the organization to change the telecom landscape by connecting the unconnected.
