Orascom Telecom announced that its mobile network in North Korea, Koryolink, has grown by 63%, from 184,000 to more than 301,000 users, in the three months to the end of September. The reason for such a solid quarter is obvious – they are the only operator in the country and have expanded recently to more cities. As a matter of fact, it is said that subscribers living outside of the capital Pyongyang now account for 50% of gross additions.
At the same time, Koryolink has introduced lower-end tariffs which killed the ARPU, taking it to about $5 a month level.
Orascom has also reported that video calling is gaining in popularity, especially among the youth segment.
In terms of network coverage, the carrier has spread rapidly during the third quarter from 60% to 75% of the country’s population with the goal to reach more than 90% coverage by the end of the year.
Koryolink is the only mobile operator in North Korea and is 75% owned by Orascom Telecom.
[Via: MobileBusinessBriefing, image from nkeconwatch]