Aktel

The Company : Aktel is a dynamic and leading countrywide GSM communication solutions provider. It is a joint venture company between Axiata and NTT DoCoMo, Japan. Aktel was officially commenced its operations in 1997 among the pioneers GSM mobile telecommunications provider in Bangladesh.

Covering all 64 districts of the country, Aktel has become the first mobile operator to connect Tetulia and Teknaf, the northern and southern most points of Bangladesh and the first to provide seamless coverage along the Dhaka-Chittagong highway. Aktel supports 2G voice, CAMEL phase 2 and GPRS/EDGE service with high speed internet connectivity. It has the widest International Roaming coverage in Bangladesh connecting 440 operators across 203 countries.

Aktel’s GSM service is based on a robust network architecture and cutting edge technology such as Intelligent Network (IN), which provides peace-of-mind solutions in terms of voice clarity, extensive nationwide network coverage, and multiple global partners for international roaming. Aktel customer centric solution includes value added services (VAS), quality customer care, easy access call centers, digital network security, and flexible tariff rates.

With its strengths and competencies developed over the years, Aktel aims to provide the best quality service experience in terms of coverage and connectivity to its customers all over Bangladesh.

Stake Holders/Owner : Aktel was incorporated on 15 November 1997 as a Joint Venture company between Axiata (70%) and AK Khan & Co. (30%). The AK Khan Group recently completed the sale of its entire shareholding of 30% in Aktel to NTT DoCoMo. The company operates GSM 900 and 1800 cellular services under a 15-year license granted in November 1996.

Axiata Group Berhad

Axiata is an emerging leader in Asian telecommunications with significant presence in Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Cambodia. In addition, the Malaysian grown holding company has strategic mobile and non-mobile telecommunications operations and investments in India, Singapore, Iran, Pakistan and Thailand. Axiata Group Berhad, including its subsidiaries and associates, has approximately 50 million mobile subscribers in Asia, and is listed on Malaysia’s stock exchange (Bursa Malaysia).

NTT DoCoMo

NTT DoCoMo is the world's leading mobile communications company and the largest mobile communications company in Japan. DoCoMo serves over 53 million customers, including 44 million people subscribing to FOMA™, launched as the world's first 3G mobile service based on W-CDMA in 2001. DoCoMo also offers a wide variety of leading-edge mobile multimedia services, including i-mode™, the world's most popular mobile e-mail/Internet service, used by 48 million people. With the addition of credit-card and other e-wallet functions, DoCoMo mobile phones have become highly versatile tools for daily life. With cutting edge technology and innovative services, DoCoMo is fast becoming a preferred lifestyle choice, continuously expanding its role in its users’ lives, growing globally throughout Asia, Europe and North America. NTT DoCoMo is listed on the Tokyo (9437), London (NDCM) and New York (DCM) stock exchanges.

Launch : 15th November, 1997 in Dhaka and in March 26, 1998 in Chittagong

Strategy : To be exciting as we strive to employ the best resources and latest technology in offering many more innovative and exciting products and services.

Vision : To be a leader as a Telecommunication Service Provider in Bangladesh.

Mission : Aktel aims to achieve its vision through being number ‘one’ not only in terms of market share, but also by being an employer of choice with up-to-date knowledge and products geared to address the ever changing needs of our budding nation.

Theme : Aktel always strives to uphold the dictum ‘Customer First’.

Quality Policy : Aktel is committed to achieving leadership in customer satisfaction by continually improving its processes, products and services to ensure they consistently exceed customers’ requirements. We will develop and implement technology and infrastructure that enable us to be clearly ahead in Bangladesh and to enhance the mobility experience of our customers.

Subscribers Base : 10.56 millions (at the end of September 2009)

Technology Used : GSM [ Global System for Mobile communication ]

Network Coverage : Covering all 64 districts of the country, Aktel has become the first mobile operator to connect Tetulia and Teknaf, the northern and southern most points of Bangladesh and the first to provide seamless coverage along the Dhaka-Chittagong highway. Aktel supports 2G voice, CAMEL phase 2 and GPRS/EDGE service with high speed internet connectivity. It has the widest International Roaming coverage in Bangladesh connecting 440 operators across 203 countries.

Customer Service Points :

Need some help with your AKTEL connection? Want to know more about AKTEL’s latest products and promotions?

Contact any of the AKTEL Customer Service Points for instant support and assistance.

For your convenience, we have established more than 200 Customer Service Points in 61 allowable districts all over the country.

Through 19 AKTEL Customer Care Centers, 24/7 Support Helpline and 200+ AKTEL Touch Points, contacting AKTEL has never been easier. Our competent customer service staff will guide you through the services and will ensure that your needs are met.

Customer Care Centers : AKTEL Customer Care Centers have been established to meet all your needs and demands, under one roof. Staffed with professionals, these Centers cater to any queries that you may have regarding AKTEL and its products / services. Any support regarding your AKTEL connection, be it as simple as paying your bills or activating any of AKTEL’s innovative value-added services, is available at these Centers. Our vibrant and experienced customer service team aim to provide you with a unique quality experience that will make your realize how important you are to us. You are most welcome to visit us at any one of the 19 AKTEL Customer Care Centers that are currently operational in select cities, with many more to open shortly.

Hot Line :

24 Hour Customer Assistance..

· Call 123 [from any Aktel number] for Automated & Direct Assistance through Customer Service Executive*

* Tk. 2.30 per minute, including VAT, for ALL customers [10 sec. pulse for Postpaid customers and 30 sec. pulse for Prepaid customers]

· SMS 8123 for queries and complaints* (Standard SMS charge & VAT applicable)

· Call +88 01819 400400 [from any number]

Fax:

· +88 01819 234329 – 333, +88 02 8832503

E-mail: 123@Aktel.com

Pioneer In : AKTEL is the first operator in the country, who introduce GPRS to its subscribers.

Large In : AKTEL boast the widest International Roaming service in the market.

Award Winning :

· TeleLink Telecommunication Award 2007 TeleLink Telecommunication Award 2007" for its excellence in service, corporate social responsibilities and dealership management for the year 2006 in commemoration of WORLD Telecommunication Day 2007.

· TeleLink Telecommunication Award 2005 TeleLink Telecommunication Award 2005 for its excellence in service for the year 2005.

· Arthakantha Business Award Given by the national fortnightly business magazine of Bangladesh for its excellence in service in telecom sector.

· Financial Mirror Businessmen Award Given by the national weekly Tabloid business magazine.

· Deshbandhu C. R. Das Gold Medal For contribution to telecom sector in Bangladesh.

· Beatification Award for exceptional contribution to the Dhaka Metropolitan city from Prime Minister Office on 13^th SAARC Summit.

· Standard Chartered - Financial Express Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Awards 2006 For contribution in Education, Primary Health, poverty alleviation and ecological impact.

· Arthokontho Business Award 2006 For better telecom service provider in Bangladesh.

· Financial Mirror & Robintex Business award 2006 For its excellence in service, corporate social responsibilities activities throughout Bangladesh.

· Desher Kagoj Business Award 2006 For Corporate Social Responsibilities activities.

Corporate Social Responsibility [CSR] : Aktel is always committed to the society. In fact, 2005 & 2006 were a year of exploration into Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for Aktel. To actively identify and start establishing Aktel as a concerned entity devoted to the development of many social interests throughout greater Bangladesh based on four core values. These are enlightened through education, Assure better health, Protect environment and Fight with poverty. In recognition of its CSR effort, Aktel is the first among all mobile phone operators to win prestigious “Standard Chartered-Financial Express Corporate Social Responsibility Award-2006”.

Aktel believes education platform remains the main focus to develop a nation. To ensure an early jump into technology and intellectual transfer, Aktel has established a tradition of providing scholarships every year to three promising individuals to complete their higher studies in Multimedia University in Cyberjaya, Malaysia. To provide a world-class teaching and learning resources for Bangladeshi professionals Aktel joined hand with Chittagong Skills Development Centre (CSDC), Underprivileged Children's Educational Programs (UCEP-Bangladesh), etc. Aktel also aims to identify and supports indeed those in need of basic infrastructure to practice the fundamentals of Islam. This contribution goes in building orphanages and renovations of mosques all across the Bangladesh. To improve living condition of distressed people; Aktel has always been providing support to them. As a shared concern with the society at large, Aktel also focused towards the roaming street children found throughout Bangladesh.

Not only will Aktel continue its thrust towards identifying & involving itself with more avenues for CSR activities, we encourage the fellow enterprise of Bangladesh to participate in such activities on a regular basis. By becoming more aware of living & social community, Aktel can certainly see so many areas to be involved in. Only through concerted efforts of the private sector, there will be emerged a socially responsible collective consciousness.

CSR Highlights

· Aktel –Daily Star EIS (English in School) launched

Aktel & The Daily Star have jointly initiated English in Schools ( EIS), a language learning program to promote English language learning at secondary schools across the country. Mr. Nurul Islam Nahid, Hon’ble Minister for primary & mass education has inaugurated the project at Spectra Convention Center, Gulshan on 4^th February, 2009.

Under the three-year programme, three complimentary copies of The Daily Star will be distributed to around 1,000 schools each in 64 districts five days a week. Every week, there will be a special page containing materials on English language useful for teachers and students in and outside the school. The teaching materials on this page will follow the books prescribed by the education ministry.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Mr. Mahfuz Anam, Editor & Publisher of The Daily Star and Mr. Jefri Ahmad Tambi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Aktel at a simple ceremony.

· Aktel stands besides cold affected underprivileged people of the city

Aktel, one of the largest cellular phone operators in Bangladesh has joined hands with Anjuman-Mufidul-Islam, a hundred year's old civic organization in distributing blankets to the underprivileged people of the city. As part of CSR initiative, Mr. Jefri Ahamd Tambi, Managing Director & CEO of Aktel distributed blankets among slum dwellers & orphanages at old Dhaka. Mr. Javed Tariq, Head of Corporate Affairs & other functionaries of Aktel were also present. Aktel is very much committed to the society. Aktel's corporate philosophy is to provide best services to our valuable subscribers as well as to stand beside the underprivileged group of the society. Aktel believes this support would facilitate the vulnerable families to carry on in this cold spell. Not only will Aktel continue its thrust towards identifying & involving itself with more avenues for CSR activities, it encourages the fellow enterprise of Bangladesh to participate in such activities on a regular basis. Only through a concerted effort of the private sector, there will emerge a socially responsible collective consciousness.

· Aktel stands besides SOMA

Aktel commenced for SMS campaign in raising funds for the treatment of Ms. Soma Akter (17), who was suffering from terminal illness of thalasimia (blood cancer).

Aktel's corporate philosophy is to provide best services to our valuable subscribers as well as to stand beside the underprivileged group of the society. Aktel believes this financial contribution would facilitate the necessary medical assistance to Soma.

· Aktel in Bishwa Estema 2008

Aktel had taken initiative of executing various activities in Bishwa Estema, the 2^nd largest Muslim gathering in the world after Holy Hajj in which millions of people came from different parts of the world to participate in this pilgrimage. Among the initiatives, are to provide instant primary aids to the pilgrims through free medical check-up by a team of certified doctors' at the Aktel voluntary medical service point from morning to night. Aktel also served free pure drinking water for the pilgrims of Bishwa Estema.

Apart from that in Aktel Sheba Kendra Customer Care Staffs conducted re-registration activity. Local ATPs (Muskan Corporation and SIM Telecom) ensured the availability of products and RV at both stalls. PCO service was also provided by the ATP from the stalls. Also to provide unparallel network coverage to the huge pilgrims of Bishwa Estema, Aktel has taken initiatives.

As Aktel is committed to stand by and touch the heart of millions of people of the country, these activities were taken under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes. Aktel hopes to do the same kind of activities more in the near future.

· Aktel-Debate Championship ‘08

The 'Aktel Debate Championship ‘08' was organized by Drishty Chittagong. In the week long program, 7^th inter school English debate competition and 1^st Inter university English debate competition were held.

Nine best English medium schools of the port city Chittagong took part in this competition including William Carey Academy, Summerfield School, Bay View School, Cider International School, Radiant School, Green Vale School, Chittagong Sunshine School, Oxbridge School and Gems English Medium School, Mr. Javed Tariq, Head of Corporate Affairs, TM international (Bangladesh) Ltd., Mr. Masud Bakul, President Dist, Chittagong and Mr. Saif Chy. General Secretary, Drishty, Chittagong were present the prize giving ceremony.

Professor Sikander Khan, President, Bangladesh Economics Society Chittagong chapter, was present as Chief Guest at the award giving ceremony. Mr. Farid Ahmed Chy. Chief Advisor of Drishty Chittagong presided over the program. Mr. Abul Momen, Resident Editor of Prothom Alo were also present.

· Aktel joined hands with SEID trust

To rehabilitate children with disabilities especially intellectual and multiple disabilities into mainstream society and to facilitate activities directed towards ensuring the rights of such children, Aktel, country’s largest telecom service provider joined its hands with SEID (Special Education for Intellectually Disabled) Trust, a non- governmental voluntary organization.

Mr. Javed Tariq, Head of Corporate Affairs of Aktel handed over a cheque to Ms. Dilara Satter Mitu, Director of SEID Trust at a simple occasion.

Aktel has always been providing support to the distress group of the society in improving their living conditions. In this regard, Mr. Tariq said “We value the development of the underprivileged children of Bangladesh particularly in their basic education and development of the young minds of the country. Thus, Aktel believes these disable children could able to contribute to the society in near future.”

SEID Trust has been carrying out their activities since 2003 and their activities for the distressed & uncared disable children is praise worthy. In conjunction with some internationally acclaimed NGOs like Action Aid Bangladesh & Lodge Scotia Penang, Malaysia etc. also got involved in sustaining their activities for disable children of Bangladesh. Under Corporate Social Responsibility, Aktel is always committed to the society and devoted to the development of many social interests throughout greater Bangladesh.

· Aktel’s contribution for BRAC’s education programme

Aktel, country’s one of the largest cell phone operators assisted in publishing the book titled ‘Nana Desher Nana Manush’ under the nonformal and continuing education program conducted by Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC). The cheque was handed over to The Book Group, the authorized publisher, Mr. Syed Nazmul Abdal, Executive Director of The Book Group. With this financial aid, about 10000 copies of informative children books will be published for non-formal schools run by BRAC.

Aktel intends to be associated with the contributions toward sustainable development of the community through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. This contribution ensures Aktel’s active participation in education program, which is one of the core values of Aktel’s CSR.