almotamar.net -

SANA'A, April 03(Saba)- The GSM service operator Spacetel Yemen has announced its combination with the Mobile Telephone Network (MTN)to become MTN Yemen.

In a press conference held at Taj Sheba Hotel in Sana'a on Tuesday on the announcement, the executive director of MTN Yemen, Raed Ahmad, said that combination process is considered to be a unique economic success that reflects Yemen's successful steps in economic
development.

"It is an economic success for Spacetel and Yemen in general and it clearly indicates the success of mobile service in Yemen and the interest of the government to encourage giant companies to invest in Yemen," said Raed.

He said that Spacetel Yemen belongs to the Investcom group which was established in 1994 and has branches in 10 countries. He said that
the Investcom combined with MTN Yemen in July 2006.

Walid Okawi director general of Marketing in the MTN Yemen, said the number of subscribers to Spacetel Yemen reached 1.25 million by the end of 2006 covering 69% of Yemen.

The combination with MTN, to become MTN Yemen, will enable us to develop our services and extend the MTN Yemen coverage and to support Yemeni society through sponsoring sport, culture, environment and creative activities, said Okawi.

In the vision of MTN group strategy and according to the unlimited development activities it regards, MTN Yemen has signed sponsorship agreements with six Yemeni prominent soccer clubs for the current
sports season 2007-2008.

The MTN has 40 million subscribers in 21 countries, in Africa and Middle East. Its revenues has exceeded USD 7 billion and the amount of profit is $2.97 billion.

The Spacetel Yemen and Sabafon are the first GSM service operator in Yemen as they started in 2001.