Maravi

(NYASATIMES) Zain’s future unclear over sale talks, loyalty programme revised

Zain’s future unclear over sale talks, loyalty programme revised
By Nyasa Times
Published: September 10, 2009

Questions linger over the future of mobile service provider, Zain after an Indian-Malaysian consortium announced its intentions to acquire a controlling stake in the company.

The telecommunications giant operates in over 16 countries in Africa worth over $10 billion with 41 million users including Malawi.

Zain Malawi management has also not made any comment following report that India’s Vavasi Group, joined by the Malaysian billionaire Syed al Bukhary will buy out Zain stakes. Agreements with other consortium members are reportedly to be under way.

Earlier this week, media reports said that top shareholders are looking to offload a 46% stake in Zain for about $14 billion.

Zain, which has invested more than $12 billion in its African operations since 2005, reported first-quarter losses in seven of its markets in the continent.

Meanwhile, Zain Malawi has announced that it has revised its Loyalty Program (LP) following suggestions from customers on how they felt the leading mobile phone company could be awarding the bonus air time.

Zain Marketing Director Enwell Kadango said the feedback the company received from the customers was so overwhelming saying the loyalty program had been a success.

“From the suggestions, our customers want to be recognized for every unit they use. While in the past bonus units were awarded for every 500 units used, this time around our customers want to be rewarded for every unit used,” said Kadango.

For the August usage, bonus airtime will be paid from September 5, 2009,” said Kadango.

He added that for every 1 unit used, a customer will receive 0.1 free unit or 10 percent of airtime used. He said this means if one uses 10 units, will gets 1 unit as bonus.

Kadango said the bonus units will be used for voice, SMS, Internet access and will be used anytime of the day on net only.

Loyalty Program has been operational for two years since 2007

Labels: ZAIN

posted by MrK @ 5:02 PM