Mobilink only Pakistani operator in top 100 Global Operator Brands

ISLAMABAD: January 16, 2009 - Mobilink, the country’s market leader in cellular communication with more than 30 million customers and part of the Orascom Telecom Group, is the only Pakistani operator to have been ranked amongst the Top 100 Mobile Operator Brands in the World by Information Telecoms & Media.

According to the survey by Mobile Communications International, which evaluated the Top 100 cellular brands in the world on various criterion of quality, service and perceptions, Mobilink has been ranked 3rd among the “Brands Punching Above Their Weight” category ahead of Airtel, Tata Indicom and Reliance which stand 4th, 5th and 6th respectively. Overall, Mobilink is ranked 68th Top Global Mobile Operator Brand among the leading cellular companies across the globe.

Commenting on this achievement, Bilal Munir Sheikh, Vice President Marketing, Mobilink said, “We are truly honored to have been recognized by the international fraternity. This accolade is a reflection of Mobilink’s consistency in driving brand recall and motivation to continue delivering the very best to our consumers and stakeholders. I am thankful to Orascom for their tremendous support and every member of the Mobilink family for their selfless dedication that has made this possible.”

Falling under the Mobilink umbrella are Mobilink Jazz, the pioneer in prepaid category of telephony and one of the top brands in the country and Mobilink Indigo, the most recognized and well-established postpaid brand in the industry. With a consumer base covering millions across Pakistan, Mobilink Jazz provides customers the highest levels of affordability combined with unmatched quality whereas Mobilink Indigo is the best choice to communicate through a power packed suite of applications tailor made for business and personal needs. Together, these brands make Mobilink Pakistan’s favorite cellular service.

The research was commissioned by the sister-publication of Telecoms.com, “Mobile Communications International” and conducted by brand valuation specialists “Intangible Business”. The research was produced in conjunction with “Informa Telecoms” and “Media's World Cellular Information Service”.

The methodology, analysis and criterion of the survey were based on the brands’ ability to generate future income and evaluated by analyzing historic performance, future predictions and activity plans, thus estimating a realistic brand royalty, compound annual growth rate (CAGR) and long term ability for growth. The research forecasted sales for 500 of the world's biggest mobile operator brands and the top 100 brands were given indefinite “lives” as they are all market leaders, with heritage and financially robust owners.