NTT DoCoMo buys 30% of Bangladesh’s Aktel for $425 million
By Dusan Belic on Saturday, June 7th, 2008 at 4:40 AM PST In DoCoMo
It’s not just the Chinese telecom industry that’s consolidating. Large operators constantly eye emerging markets for expansion. That being said, Japanese leading operator NTT DoCoMo (NYSE: DCM) has sealed a deal to buy the 30% stake of Bangladesh’s third largest mobile operator Aktel, which has 7.4 million subscribers as of end Q1 2008.
According to Reuters, DoCoMo has beaten competition from Vodafone (NYSE: VOD), and will pay about $425 million for the 30% stake. The remaining 70% of Aktel is owned by Telekom Malaysia International. Bangladesh is the sixth fastest-growing market in Asia Pacific region, with a year-on-year connections growth rate of 60% as of end of the first quarter of this year.
Earlier in 2008, DoCoMo has raised its stake in Philippine Long Distance Telephone and bought a stake in U Mobile, an unlisted firm partly owned by Malaysian tycoon Vincent Tan.
UPDATE: DoCoMo ended up paying $350 million, 18% less than anticipated, for Aktel stake. (Bloomberg)
[Via: Reuters]
I am very much happy to know, NTT is going to business with AKTEL. My undergraduate final project was “NTT’S (Nippon Telegraph & Telephone corporation) investment (technology) options analysis in telecom market (Voice/ data) of Bangladesh”. I communicated with NTT in Japan and inspire them to join in Bangladesh. After 2 years later, I am going to success. I promised myself, Until, NTT invest in our telecom sector, I will not join in any Telecom…….
Right Now , I am thinking………..
Thank you……….. I am also happy to know. Last time I have seen that you were worked so hard in your project and so much reported written for investing in Bangladesh. I was always used to see communicating with BTRC about NTT. I knew you will be successful. I also very much surprised to know that you didn’t get a job in telecommunication sector even though you know lot of things (technical, Business) . I remembered, once, Dr Awal (North South University) told in class…….. Mamun is a strong man and He can manage every thing. He is dynamic, intelligent and creative person as well. As you know …. Now no matter how you know …………. You need someone (Uncle) in GP, AKTEL, BanglaLink for a job… otherwise as a creative person (Business & technical) your priority would be first. I hope Now At least you are happy …….. You inspired NTT to join in Bangladesh
I appreciate your creativity….
Rifat
I am also happy to know NTT is investing in Bangladesh. I heard AKTEL was going to business with Vodaphone…. Now they change their decision and join with NTT. I think its good decision. I have just seen these comments. I know Mamun from my university. He might be told me about NTT when we are student in last semester at NSU. He worked hard ( 499 project). He was very serious. Now I understand …It’s a result of his project for investing NTT in Bangladesh. Thank you DR. Awal and his creative student Mamun
I am grateful for everyone who is working. Thank you NTT and AKTEL
Kothakar bocachoda mamun r ek bocachoda rifat r ek bolod nishu ei 3 jon mile bole NTT r AKTEL re ek korse. Tora jodi eto boro kutub hos taile kemne cholbe? chaabazi korar jaiga pas na, shala shob chapabaz er dol.
PS Mamun no matter how much u beg cry or have putki mara by ppl you will never be able to join any telco, trust me send ur profile to guinnese book of records to claim bokachoda of the universe award.
Is DoCoMo coming to revive AKTEL?
i m a aktel user.but last few years our aktel has not give their best in their uswrs.so i want to say that aktel should take ist position in BANGLADESH with NTT docomo.i think that they should open a new cell phone connection for teen agers and young people like djuice(grameenphone) R O N Y student of AIUB
Thank you NTT Docomo