Mobilink

History

Mobilink started operations in 1990 as the first GSM cellular mobile service in Pakistan with a joint venture by Saif Group and Motorola Inc., who later sold it to Orascom Telecom, an Egypt-based multinational company and then they also further sold it to Vimpelcom Group, a Russian Company.

The Orascom group, who formally owned Mobilink has a major share in TWA (Transworld Associates) which operates an undersea fiber-optic cable from Karachi, Pakistan, to Fujairah, UAE. As of June 2010, Mobilink had issued two listed bonds valued at PKR 30.2 billion and PKR 60 billion.

Re-branding

As part of Orascom-Vimplecom deal, all Orascom operations were bound to re-brand in all operating markets. Just like Orascom had announced to rebrand itself to become Global Telecom Holding in late 2012, in line with the outcome of the deal, Mobilink has reshaped itself along with changing the architecture of its brands.

Radio Frequency Summary

In April 2014, Mobilink participated in the Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) auction held by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Mobilink won the bid for the 2100 MHz 3G license. In July 2014, they announced that their 3G network would be the country's largest with over 9000 3G-ready cell sites.

In November 2015, Mobilink announced its merger with Warid Pakistan, the merger was completed in July 2016 and the companies were going to plan for integration and merging into a single brand in the future. In November 2016, Mobilink announced that Warid customers would be able to use their 3G network, and that soon Mobilink customers will be able to use Warid's LTE network, which is currently being tested in some areas of Pakistan, namely, Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Mobilink announced that their LTE network is ready for use in most areas of Pakistan in January 2017.

Subsidiaries, joint ventures, and holdings

Mobilink is a communications access provider offering customers access through different channels. The four key platforms Orange operates are:

1. Mobile Phone Telephony
2. Broadband access
3. Internet
4. Mobile Banking

Mobilink (PMCL) acquired and merged the different external or internal divisions managing each platform and now all operate under the different brands.

Jazz X (Haier Co-Branded) Mobile Phones

Mobilink along with Haier Mobile division has launched co-branded handsets including feature phone, smartphones, and tablets.

Jazzcash

Mobilink has partnered with Waseela Microfinance Bank to mark its entry into the branchless banking segment. With Mobicash, customers have access to the simplest way to conduct their financial transactions, related to paying bills, sending/receiving money within Pakistan, purchasing top-ups for their cell phones (Pre-paid).

LinkdotNet

LINkdotNET (an Orascom Subsidiary) commenced its operation in Pakistan by acquiring two already existing Internet Service Providers (ISPs) named as World Online (WOL) Telecom Limited and Dancom Online. LINKdotNET merged the resources of these two companies and by putting in more investment launched its operations officially on 2 February 2008. It was offering its services in more than 130 cities in Pakistan and in two years this company raised its customer base up to 35,000. LINKdotNET provided services for both home and commercial users and was the second largest broadband service provider in Pakistan after PTCL (Pakistan Telecommunication Limited).

Mobilink Infinity (WiMAX Division)

Under the brand name of Infinity, Mobilink had started its WiMAX services in major cities of Pakistan.

Orascom took over the management

Despite having the 26% of Mobilink GSM business share, in April 2001, Orascom (GTH) took over management control of the company. As the market leader, Mobilink serves approximately 38.1 million customers and has a 28% market share (as of March 31, 2014).

Orascom's acquisition of Mobilink

On March 30, 2000, Mobilink was 26% acquired by Orascom Telecom (now Global Telecom Holding), telecom company. Orascom has mobile telephony holdings in a number of countries in Africa and the Middle East.

President and CEO

Board of Directors

List of people in board of directors to whom Mobilink is governed.

Mobilink Foundation

The Mobilink Foundation is a registered non-profit organization, which provides support for the local community not only financially but also through dedicated volunteer hours. Being a philanthropic organization, it is purely based on employee volunteerism. No administrative costs or overheads are incurred age theorganization and therefore, every single penny that is donated to Mobilink Foundation goes directly into making a difference on the ground.

Torchbearers

The Mobilink Foundation Torchbearers clock an average of 4 to 5 dedicated hours per person per month during official working hours. On average the volunteers spent more than 4,500 hours in 2012 in community service initiatives.

Awards and recognition

Other Internet Free Services

Mobilink also provide free services like access to Wikimedia Foundation's Wikipedia Zero. Free Facebook is also available with no photos on Mobilink.

Merger with Warid

Mobilink previously announced its merger with Warid Tel in November 2015. The case was under review at Pakistan telecommunication authority. After scrutiny PTA finally approved the merger on 24 May 2016. In January 2017, Mobilink CEO, Aamir Ibrahim, stated that the Warid brand name would be history, and both companies would be re-launched under the 'Jazz' brand name.