Vodafone sets its sights on Bangaldesh

UK-based telecommunications company Vodafone is setting its sights on Bangladesh.

There are currently six mobile phone operators in Bangladesh and number of mobile phone users has been growing rapidly in the last couple of years.

Taking last years increase of 58 percent into account it’s no surprise that experts expect the figure to rise from 34.37 users in 2007 to 50 million by 2009.

Vodafone are rumoured to be looking into buying a 30 percent stake in AKTEL, Bangladesh’s third largest mobile network, from the local owner A.K Khan and Co.

Gavin Darby, CEO of Vodafone in Africa, China and India said in an open meeting,

“I met Mr. Khan, chairman of A. K. Khan and Company, yesterday. Mr. Khan is considering selling his AKTEL’s shares. So in the short time, that is the opportunity that we are looking at in Bangladesh mobile market.”

Vodafone has a market value of about £100 billion and has equity interests in 25 countries and Partner Networks in a further 39 countries. Bangladesh is said to be the next step after the companies recent push into the Indian market.