Jordan’s leading mobile operator Fastlink has passed the two-million subscriber milestone despite increased competitive pressure, surpassing projected targets set for the end of 2005. According to Fastlink’s CEO Mohammad Saqar, the Jordanian market is one of the most competitive in the region.
“In 2005, the rate of active mobile telecommunications subscribers has risen from 30 to 50 per cent of the total population,” says Saqar.
Some US$100 million has been invested in upgrading Fastlink’s network during 2004 and 2005, claims Saqar.
Marketing manager Raeo Haddadin says that the operator will be attempting to hold onto its majority 71% share of the Jordanian market through a number of promotions in the coming months, including reductions on call rates across various subscription types. While the operator has recently reduced the price for a new pre-paid subscriber line from JD20 to JD5, the new promotions will include student and family deals.
Fastlink, in which Kuwaiti mobile operator MTC holds a 96.5% stake, had a five-year monopoly in Jordan until MobileCom launched in late 2000. More recently, GSM operator Umniah and iDEN operator Xpress both entered the market in 2004.
According to research from Jordan-based consultancy Arab Advisors in September, the Jordan mobile market is the most competitive in the Arab cellular world. The report claimed that Jordan had overtaken Palestine at the top of the list.
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