*** ----> Zain Bahrain gets 1million customer base | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Zain Bahrain gets 1million customer base

ManamaZain Bahrain, a telecom innovator posted a net profit of BD3.05 million (US$8.07 million) for the first nine-months of 2016. 

For the three months to September 2016, the net profit amounted to BD1.20 million (US$3.17 million), as Zain Bahrain’s customer base edged closer to the one million milestone number. 

This third quarter net profit is a  30pc jump from the BD926,000 (US$2.45 million) earned in the second quarter of 2016 due to an increase in revenue. The company’s EBITDA margin was relatively stable at a healthy 37.4pc.

Revenues for the three months to September 2016 amounted to BD16.95, a surge  by 7pc from the second quarter of 2016. as a result of the increase in the customer base. 

Year-to-date, the operator’s revenues were down by 9pc from BD53.63 million (US$141.88 million) to BD48.82 million (US$129.15 million). 

Commenting on the financials, Zain Bahrain Chairman, His Excellency Shaikh Ahmed bin Ali Al Khalifa said: “Our continuous investment in Zain Bahrain’s infrastructure will increase our network capacity and coverage while customers continue to switch to the Kingdom’s most advanced network.” 

He added: “We recorded a total of 969,000 customers at the close of the third quarter, a 19pc surge from 814,000 at the same time last year, on the back of continued investment in our 4G LTE network,
the most technically advanced in Bahrain, and the bringing to market of innovative new products.”

Recently, the midnight launch event of iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus saw hundreds of customers descend on Zain Bahrain outlets throughout the country. 

The operator also signed a new agreement with Booking.com, which enables customers to receive free data bundles for their mobile phones when booking accommodations through a Zain Bahrain platform powered by Booking.com. 

Further strengthening its strategic alliance with the UN, Zain Bahrain will collaborate on up to four projects with AISEC, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). 

At the group level, Zain Group, was recognised as the ‘Best Telecom Brand’ at the Telecom World Middle East Awards 2016 for the third consecutive year.

 They also clinched an unprecedented five prizes at the Global Telecoms Business Innovation Awards in London for its pioneering deal
with UBER and the development of two apps by Zain in Lebanon. 

The Group published the fifth edition of its annual sustainability report, ‘Sustainability Report 2015: Building the Future’, making it one of the most consistently transparent mobile operators in the MENA region. 

The Group has also announced a collaboration with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and Facebook to provide free high speed internet connectivity to more than 724.000 refugees in Jordan for the next five years.