Telecom Lead Asia: TeliaSonera will increase its equity
stake in Ncell, Nepal by 12.43 percent. In January, 2012, Ncell celebrated its
7 million user mark all over the country from Mechi to Mahakali. Ncell announced
cash reward of Rupees 70 lacs for its customers.
Ncell is the number one mobile operator in Nepal, and
today’s agreement gives TeliaSonera the possibility to further increase its
ownership in this successful operation when local regulations allow for
increased foreign ownership in Nepal.
TeliaSonera has also sold its 18.6 percent stake in Smart
Mobile, Cambodia.
The transaction underlines TeliaSonera’s strategy to be a
strong majority owner in core holdings such as Ncell, and divest non-core minority
interests such as Smart Mobile in Cambodia.
Our interest in Smart Mobile in the Cambodian market has
for some time been considered non-core for TeliaSonera, and therefore we have
decided to divest our interest in the company,” said Tero Kivisaari, president,
Business Area Eurasia.
TeliaSonera made the initial investment in Nepal and
Cambodia in September 2008.
In 2010, TeliaSonera increased its ownership in Ncell to
the present indirect ownership level of 60.4 percent. At the same time, TeliaSonera
participated in an in-market consolidation in the Cambodian market which
reduced its ownership in Smart Mobile to 18.6 percent.
The parties have agreed not to disclose financial details
of the agreement, but the transactions will have no effect on TeliaSonera’s
profit and loss statement.
TeliaSonera buys 49 percent stake in GSM Kazakhstan (Kcell)
Recently, TeliaSonera bought 49 percent stake in GSM
Kazakhstan (Kcell), from Kazakhtelecom, for $1.519 billion. Last year, TeliaSonera and
Kazakhtelecom signed a binding memorandum of understanding regarding
Kazakhtelecom’s intention to conduct an IPO of GSM Kazakhstan.
In January, 2012, Ncell celebrated its 7 million user
mark all over the country from Mechi to Mahakali. Ncell announced cash reward
of Rupees 70 lacs for its customers. 7 lucky SIM cards selected on a random
basis will be announced as Golden SIM Cards and be awarded with cash prize of
Rupees 10 lacs each.
“It is a matter of great pride that the customer base has grown steadily,
and today we have 7 million users in our family. Being a part of the daily
lives of over 7 million customers, Ncell takes much pride that every day, over
7 million people trust the Ncell Network to connect, express and communicate
with each other,” said Pasi Koistinen, CEO of Ncell.
editor@telecomlead.com