Millicom

History

Millicom originated as a company set up by Jan Stenbeck to operate voice and data distribution networks via cellular radio. In Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. it received one of three of the first cellular development licenses awarded by the FCC.

After two years of planning, the company began operations when the founders completed a $131,000 share purchase in May 1982. The firm took over paging company, Meta Systems in October 1982 and then raised $9 million in its first round of financing, managed by Chief Executive Officer, Orhan Sadik-Khan and Kevin Kimberlin.

Since 92% of the world population had no phone service at the time, Millicom promoted mobile technology on a global basis. To do this, Millicom created joint-ventures with local and strategic partners.

On December 13, 1982, a joint-venture with Racal Electronics was awarded a cellular license for Great Britain. To enable Millicom to earn its 10% royalty from Racal-Millicom, a controlling shareholder, Stenbeck commissioned a start up with two employees, Technophone, to develop the world’s first pocket-sized mobile phone. Highlighting its plans to offer the Voice and Data phone (predecessor to the smart phone), his Racal-Millicom joint-venture was renamed Vodafone.

On October 12, 1983, Millicom Inc. created China Telecom Systems (HK), a joint-venture with partners China Resources Ltd. and Comvik, a Swedish mobile firm also controlled by Jan Stenbeck. China Telecom held the first cellular telephone contract in China, making its service available to the public on May 20, 1985.

In December 1989, Millicom set up Microtel Communications Ltd. by teaming up with Pacific Telesis and British Aerospace (later bought out by Hutchinson Telecom.) Microtel was awarded a personal communication network (PCN) license to compete with Vodafone in Great Britain, a service launched in April 28, 1994 under its brand name, Orange. This venture was acquired in October 1999, at which time Orange and its new parent, Mannesmann, were in turn both taken over by Vodafone. At a value of $202 billion, the takeover of Mannesmann by Vodafone was the largest transaction in corporate history. Orange (formerly Microtel) was then sold to France Telecom, which subsequently changed its corporate name to Orange.

To better manage their respective mobile interests, Millicom Inc. combined with Comvik’s international cellular operations to become Millicom International Cellular SA in 1990, which now operates under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

Guatemala

Tigo launched in 2004, replacing former national brands COMCEL and Amigo de COMCEL to become the country's largest mobile operator with more than eight million users and market share of 52.3 per cent (2014). Mobile penetration is estimated at 95.8 per cent (Millicom data) with internet penetration at 16 per cent (World Bank 2012). Tigo also provides mobile financial services through Tigo Money, broadband & cable and business solutions. Millicom equity holding 55 per cent. (Q1 2014)

El Salvador

Tigo launched in 2004 to replace the former national brand Telemovil and is now the country’s largest mobile operator with more than 2.6 million users and a market share of 36.4 per cent. Tigo is also El Salvador’s largest broadband and cable service provider and offers newly launched satellite DTH services, mobile financial services under the brand Tigo Money, as well as corporate and business solutions. Millicom equity holding is 100 per cent. (Q1 2014)

Honduras

Tigo launched in 2004 to replace the former national brand CELTEL. It is now the leading mobile service provider in a country of eight million, with an estimated 4.6 million customers. Its mobile market share is placed at more than 66 per cent. Tigo also offers broadband, cable, business, mobile health insurance and financial services. Satellite DTH services are soon to launch (May 2014). Millicom equity holding is 66.7 per cent.

Paraguay

Tigo launched in 2004 and is now the largest mobile operator with 3.8 million subscribers from a population of 6.7 million (World Bank 2012). Tigo's sub-brand Tigo Star is also market leader for payTV and fixed broadband services. Tigo Star was first launched in Paraguay along with Millicom’s first satellite DTH service, both in 2014. Tigo's mobile market share is 56.4 per cent. Other key services and products fall under the Tigo Money and Tigo Business brands. Millicom equity holding is 100 per cent.

Nicaragua

Tigo operates in Nicaragua - formed from the merger of Navega & Amnet in 2013 and compete with three other corporate network operators that combine mobile voice, 3G, 4G Networks and cable broadband.

Costa Rica

Tigostar operates in Costa RIca- more than 30 years in operation under different brand names: the latest prior to Tigostar was Tigo, and before Amnet.

Unicanal

Genre: News, Entertainment, Realities, Health, Magazines,

Broadcasting: 24 Hours

Description: Launched of December 15, 1989 at 05:45 am (local time as TV Cinema)

Programs: Noticieros Unicanal (Monday to Friday at 05:30 am, 01:00 pm, 08:00 pm and 12:30 pm), Mina en Domingo (Sunday at 09:00 pm), El Ritmo de la Mañana (Monday to Friday at 08:30

Tigo Sports

Genre: Sports Broadcast: 24 Hours

Sportive Events of Tigo Sports

Tigo Max

Is a Pay Per View or PPV channel. Are broadcast live main games of Paraguayan Soccer in exclusive. Matches of Paraguayan Basketball League are broadcast live Monday at 8:15 pm (K.O 8:30 pm) on Tigo Max and Thursday at 8:00 pm (K.O 8:15 pm) with broadcast live on Tigo Sports, Tigo Sports 2 or Tigo Sports 3

Events

LET TV

Is a Paraguayan pay televisión channel launched in February 22, 2016 at 05:00 am (local time)

Bolivia

Tigo launched in 2005 by a merger with TELECEL (a native Bolivian brand) and is now the second largest mobile operator in Bolivia (population 10.5 million – World Bank 2012) with more than 3.4 million customers. Branded services include Tigo Money, Tigo Star and Tigo Sports, Tigo Business and Tigo Smart. In 2014, Bolivia launched Millicom’s first satellite DTH service. Millicom equity holding is 100 per cent.

Colombia

Tigo Colombia launched in 2006 and is Colombia’s third largest mobile service provider with more than seven million customers. Its services include Tigo Money and UNE internet and broadband, with significant further market penetration anticipated in 2014 following a Merger Framework Agreement signed in 2013 with UNE EPM Telecomunicaciones, of the Empresas Publicas de Medellin group. Millicom also has a growing portfolio online in retail and services. Equity holding is 50 per cent plus one share.

Exclusive Channels of TigoStar Colombia:

Genre: Sports

Broadcasting: 24 Hours

Launched: April 7, 2014 at 05:00 Description: The Colombian Second Sports Channel with sports broadcasting rights including: Categoria Primera C (seven games per match day), Copa Colombia (three matches per round), Premier League (up to six games per match day), Greek Super League (four games per match day)

Chad

Tigo launched in 2007 and is now the country’s leading mobile service provider with 2.65 million customers from a population of 12.4 million (World Bank 2014). While mobile penetration is estimated at 40.2 per cent (Millicom 2014), Mobile Financial Services have launched strongly. Tigo's mobile market share of the market is estimated at 53.8 per cent. Millicom equity holding is 100 per cent.

Congo DRC

Tigo DRC launched in 2007 and is the country’s second-largest mobile service provider. In Q1 2014 it reported more than four million customers. In 2013 it returned to the troubled eastern Kivu region, and is expanding further into neighbouring Katanga province. Tigo Cash Mobile Financial Services were launched in 2012. Mobile penetration DRC is estimated at 49.1 per cent. Tigo DRC holds 30.4 per cent of market share. Millicom equity holding is 100 per cent.

On 8 February 2016 it was announced that Orange were acquiring Tigo DRC subject to regulatory approval.

Ghana

Tigo is one of six leading mobile service providers competing in Ghana (population 25.4 million). It numbers 3.7 million customers (Q2 2014) – more than 17 per cent of market share. Mobile penetration is estimated at 81.2 per cent (Millicom 2014). Tigo Ghana’s mobile financial services team has won notable recognition and awards for products and deployment. Millicom equity holding is 100 per cent.

In March 2017 it was announced that Millicom and Airtel had signed an agreement to combine operations in Ghana subject to regulatory approval.

Rwanda

Tigo is Rwanda’s second largest mobile service provider and the first to offer 3G internet (in 2013). In 2014 Millicom opened a tech incubator in the capital Kigali to develop new digital solutions for Africa. Q2 2014 reported more 2.2 million customers (population 11.5 million - World Bank 2014) and a mobile market share of 40.5 per cent. Mobile penetration is estimated at 49.7 per cent. Millicom equity holding is 87.5 per cent.

Senegal

Tigo Senegal launched in 2006 and is the second largest mobile service provider, with 3.2 million customers (population 13.7 million – WB 2014). Mobile penetration is estimated at 73.1 per cent with Tigo's mobile market share placed at 31.3 per cent (Q2 2014). Heavy investment through 2013/2014 has led to expanded and improved networks and the licence granted in 2014 to pilot 4G technology. Millicom has presence in online and mobile financial services. Millicom equity holding is 100 per cent.

In February 2017 it was announced that Wari Group were acquiring Tigo Senegal subject to regulatory approval.

Tanzania

Tigo Tanzania is Tanzania’s second largest mobile services provider, with more than 7 million customers. More than 46 per cent of tigo Tanzania customers use MFS. Tigo Tanzania was also the first service provider in East Africa to offer free Facebook data downloading. Its mobile market share is placed at 29.8 per cent (Q2 2014). Mobile penetration in Tanzania is estimated to be 47.3 per cent. In 2015, Millicom completed the acquisition of an 85% stake in Zanzibar Telecom (Zantel)

Tigo Cash

Tigo Cash is a mobile phone–based money transfer service offered with Tigo phones in eleven countries including Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ghana.