Dialog

17-Aug-2008

Dialog Telekom, Sri Lanka's premier telecoms service provider was honoured with three awards at the Asia Pacific (AP) GCCRM Customer Management Awards ceremony held in Shanghai recently.

Following on from success at the Customer Relationship Excellence (CRE awards) in 2007, Dialog's Service Delivery excellence secured international recognition on an AP wide stage winning the awards for Customer Management Strategy, Customer Management Technology and Excellence in Retail Customer Experience.

Dialog Group Chief Executive Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya said: "Our focus on excellence in service delivery is inherent to our corporate vision of enriching customers' lives. The desire and commitment to make each and every customer interaction a pleasurable experience is embedded in the work ethic of our service delivery team. I am proud that their efforts and dedication to service have been recognized at international level. I am confident that these awards would motivate our team to continue to innovate along multiple dimensions of service delivery with a view to delighting our customers who in turn are the nerve centre of our business."

15-Aug-2008

1H PAT down by 66%; revenue up at Rs.18.27 bn

Dialog Telekom yesterday recorded a dip in profits by 66% for the first half of this year resulting in the stock market shake-up being the largest listed Company on the Colombo Stock Exchange in terms of Market Capitalisation.

Profits after tax of Rs.1.64 billion represented a negative growth of 66% relative to six months ended June 30, 2007.

The Group’s revenue increased by 13% to Rs.18.27 billion vis-à-vis revenue recorded for the six months ended 30 June 2007.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) was recorded at Rs. 5.33 Bn for the six months ended 30 June 2008 representing a decline of 26 per cent relative to the figure of Rs.7.24 Bn recorded for the six months ended 30 June 2007.

4-Aug-2008
By Ravi LADDUWAHETTY

Sri Lanka’s largest telephone operator Dialog Telekom PLC has planned to reach the magical 5 million-subscriber base before the end of 2008 making one out of every four Sri Lankans being a Dialog mobile subscriber.

“We are now at a slight excess of over 4.5 million subscribers of which 80% are prepaid customers and we have planned this landmark before end 2008 following our aggressive marketing campaigns, technological and coverage expansions and the latest discounted package on Friday night, Dialog Telekom’s Group Chief Marketing Officer (GCMO) Nushad Perera told Daily News Business yesterday.

30-Jul-2008

In its continuous efforts to uplift the ICT industry in the country, Dialog Enterprise Solutions, an integrated business division of Dialog Broadband Networks (DBN), has come forward to sponsor the National Best Quality Software Awards 2008, (NBQSA) the only national competition of its type in Sri Lanka.

The event is organized by the British Computer Society, Sri Lanka section.

The competition which marks its tenth anniversary this year, has made a remarkable contribution to the ICT industry in Sri Lanka by recognising and promoting exceptional local ICT achievements, since its inception in 1998.

29-Jul-2008

Demonstrating its commitment to add value to the Information Communication Technology (ICT) industry in the country, DialogTelekom, has come forward to sponsor Infotel 2008 as the strategic partner- Communications and Broadband. Infotel 2008 is one of the biggest ICT showcases in Sri Lanka.

The week long ICT event commencing on October 27, will bring together various segments of the IT industry including industry experts, professionals, academics and the user community on to a single platform.

Group Chief Commercial Officer, Dialog Telekom Thivanka Rangala, said, “As front-runners in technological advancements in Sri Lanka, we’re extremely glad to partner Infotel 2008 as strategic partner- Communications and Broadband.

18-Jul-2008

Dialog Telekom, Sri Lanka’s leading mobile communications service provider announced the launch of its 3G/HSPA service in Mannipai Jaffna following the setting up of the 530th 3G Base Station in Mannipai, Jaffna.

Dialog Telekom earns the distinction of being the first mobile service provider to provide 3G services in Jaffna.

Dialog 3G will deliver the unique communication channel of video calling to customers in Jaffna who will now be able to have face to face conversations with their loved ones locally and internationally.

The launch of Dialog 3G/HSPA services in Mannipai, Jaffna opens up a world of possibilities offering a range of consumer benefits and a multitude of services and applications such as Mobile TV, high speed internet access and a variety of video based value added services.

16-Jul-2008

By Rohan MATHES

Dialog Telekom grabbed the number one slot of the ‘Business Top Ten Awards’, selected by “Business Today” magazine, presided by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Temple Trees yesterday.

These accolades to celebrate Corporate excellence were awarded to the business fraternity in recognition of their outstanding contribution for the well-being of the nation, for the years 2006/2007 were granted, following in a transparent and an open process.

The Venerable Galeboda Gnaneswara Thera of Gangaramaya addressing the ceremony urged the business community, the ‘Top 10 awardees’ in particular, to assist the country’s universal policy of uplifting who are less privileged in their requirements and needs, especially in an era where the Government was unable to engage in social development work, due to its other commitments and priorities.

26-Jun-2008

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and Dialog Telekom PLC have joined forces to help strengthen the business skills of Dialog Telekom’s retail distributors in Sri Lanka. This will help them build a track record of creditworthiness by using the IFC SME Toolkit, an advisory product implemented in more than 25 countries worldwide.
IFC will provide $250,000 to support Dialog Telekom’s Distributor-Retailer Community Network project, which looks at strengthening the skills of the Company retail and distributor network. This follows an IFC investment in September 2007 to help the company expand its network and build new telecommunications infrastructure. The $100 million financing package included long-term debt and equity.

23-Jun-2008

Dialog Telekom, Sri Lanka’s premier Telecommunications service provider was honoured with three awards at the Asia Pacific GCCRM Customer Management Awards ceremony held in Shanghai, China. Following on from success at the Customer Relationship Excellence (CRE awards) in 2007, Dialog Telekom’s Service Delivery excellence secured international recognition on an Asia Pacific wide stage - winning the awards for Customer Management Strategy, Customer Management Technology and Excellence in Retail Customer Experience.

“Our focus on excellence in service delivery is inherent to our corporate vision of enriching the lives of our customers. The desire and commitment to make each and every customer interaction a pleasurable experience is strongly embedded in the work ethic of our service delivery team. I am very proud that their efforts and dedication to service have been recognized at an international level. I am confident that these awards would motivate our team to continue to innovate along multiple dimensions of service delivery with a view to delighting our customers who in turn are the nerve centre of our business” said Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Group Chief Executive of Dialog Telekom PLC.

22-Jun-2008

Dialog Telekom, Sri Lanka’s premier Telecommunications service provider was honoured with three awards at the Asia Pacific GCCRM Customer Management Awards ceremony held in Shanghai China. Following the success at the Customer Relationship Excellence (CRE awards) in 2007, Dialog Telekom’s Service Delivery excellence secured international recognition on an Asia Pacific wide stage - winning the awards for Customer Management Strategy, Customer Management Technology and Excellence in Retail Customer Experience.

“Our focus on excellence in service delivery is inherent to our corporate vision of enriching the lives of our customers.

13-May-2008

Dialog Broadband Networks recently introduced an integrated communication solution to local enterprises through the launch of ‘Box Office’. This is the first time that such an integrated solution has been launched in Sri Lanka. ‘Box Office’ is an all in one

communication solution which integrates Broadband Internet, Voice, Email and Private Branch Exchange (PBX) communication facility. This is designed to connect phone systems, fax, PBX services and Local Area Network (LAN) to the internet using WiMAX technology. “Box Office” will offer four, six or eight telephone connections as per the requirements of the customer.

7-May-2008

Dialog Telekom, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider emerged at the pinnacle of Sri Lanka’s Top 100 Brand Index, for the second year in succession. Brand rankings for the Year 2007 were disclosed by Brand Finance (Lanka) together with its in-depth performance analysis and rating of Sri Lanka’s top brands.
The Dialog brand reached a valuation of SLR 12,401 million, recording a value enhancement relative to its prior year value of SLR 12,324 million.

Since the initial introduction of the brand league table in 2005, the list of brands being reviewed by Brand Finance has increased steadily to reach a total of 100 brands at the 2007 evaluation. The overall analysis conducted by brand finance uses publicly available data along with an extensive market study which comprised of 1,600 respondents. Brand Finance continues to espouse the importance of recognizing and growing brand equity with an emphasis on par with that applied to tangible assets of a business.

6-May-2008

Fitch Sri Lanka has confirmed the AAA(lka) national rating of Dialog Telekom with a stable outlook, but said the telco’s credit metrics are likely to weaken due to higher debt, competition and economic pressures.

Head of Corporate Finance Dialog Telekom, Thivanka Ranagala said this is a result of managing the companies’ liquidity efficiently.

Asked to comment on the future he said that it seems very challenging and they were confidant of meeting these challenges efficiently.

Fitch has also confirmed the rating on Dialog’s outstanding preference shares of Rs. 5 billion at ‘AA+(lka)’.

2-May-2008

Dialog Telekom PLC in partnership with IWS Geographical Information Systems (Private) Limited (IWS GIS) launched the country's first ever Mobile Navigation System. Dialog SatNav a fully featured GPS based mobile navigation system incorporates a digital street directory of Colombo which includes Class A, B, C and D roads in the Colombo Municipal Council area and suburbs.

Dialog SatNav also covers Class A and B roads across Sri Lanka. The Dialog SatNav device enables users to navigate Sri Lanka's road network using satellite positioning.

The digital maps which form the heart of the navigation system support a range of advanced features such as the identification of "places of interest" and "optimum routes".

1-May-2008

Spends US$ 328 m for telecommunications:

Dialog Telekom PLC Sri Lanka's premier telecommunications service provider was recognised as the single largest investor in Sri Lanka at the Invest Sri Lanka felicitation event hosted by the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BoI).

The BoI reviewed foreign direct investment performance during 2007 with a special emphasis on investments realised by investing companies during the year. The BoI recognised Dialog Telekom as the company with the highest level of realised investment in 2007 totaling US$ 328 million in 2007.

Dialog Telekom PLC secured the top slot in investment rankings for the third year in succession having being recognised as Sri Lanka's largest investor in 2005 and 2006 with investments of US$ 90 million and US$ 150 million respectively.

16-Apr-2008

From business magazine LMD’s April edition, it is apparent that Dialog is still perceived as the No. 1 brand in Sri Lanka today. So it was of some interest to discover how the brand is perceived by Dialog Telekom itself. On a recent edition of BENCHMARK, the Group Chief Marketing Officer of the nation’s largest listed company provided some insights into this, as well as on branding.
“We see the brand as the empowerment of Sri Lanka. Today, Dialog is probably Sri Lanka’s brand closest to the customer – both physically and emotionally. It’s in the homes of everybody, it’s in the hands of everybody, it’s in the pockets of everybody – and it’s gone to the grass-roots level. Today, Dialog has touched 4.5 million people, which is one in five Sri Lankans. So when we say ‘brand Dialog’, we don’t actually mean the brand architecture, brand logo, colour or theme, but how much it has become connected with the Sri Lanka population,” Nushad Perera explained.

30-Mar-2008

How many of society’s real problems can technology solve? For many of the people outside the perimeters of Colombo city, life revolves more around how to manage food expenses or educate children than which new phone to buy or how to increase the number of channels on your satellite TV.

“We wanted to provide connectivity to children through Broadband,” says Michael De Silva, Senior Manager, Public Policy and Corporate Responsibility of Dialog Telekom PLC, speaking of Dialog’s CSR initiative which attempts to bridge the digital divide. The project for which Dialog has set apart Rs.100 million for its first phase will involve Dialog Broadcasting educational programmes via satellite to the more remote regions of the country.

9-Mar-2008

The banking sector still has a long way to go towards inclusion. Director and Chief Executive of Dialog Telekom, Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya stressed the importance of inclusiveness of investments, strategies, ideas and vision in making banking and semi banking products and services available and accessible to as many people as possible.

Delivering the memorial oration on levering the mobile revolution to drive banking inclusion at the 5th Annual Awards ceremony of The K. Sivagananathan Memorial Trust this week, Wijayasuriya said there is 40 percent per capita penetration in the mobile phone sector and within the next two years, he expects half of all Sri Lankans to use mobile phones. In line with the same thinking, banks should also assess if the per capita usage of their products is at an acceptable level.

4-MAr-2008

Dinesh Arunatileka (General Manager - Marketing, Dialog Broadband Networks)

The popularisation of Internet has intensified the push for internet services. The ever increasing bandwidth requirements for software products, better quality images and online games apart from many other services have pushed the telecommunication companies to offer higher bandwidths to their internet subscribers.

There seems to be some misconceptions about broadband technology in general among the public.

This article is aimed at clarifying such confusions in order to make people understand what exactly "broadband "is and what it could deliver.

19-Feb-2008

Dialog Telekom PLC announced an overview of its financial performance for the Financial Year ended December 31, 2007. The company recorded a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs. 10.13 bln up one per cent relative to the year ended December 31, 2006, the company said yesterday.

The company's mobile business exhibited strong growth with mobile revenues growing by 24 per cent YoY and totalling Rs. 31.13 billion.

The company's international business segment continued to exhibit aggressive growth with Revenue Growth of 51 per cent YoY and contributions of 12 per cent and six per cent to the company's revenue and bottom lines respectively.

13-Feb-2008

Dialog Telekom, in its ongoing endeavour to empower the differently abled through inclusive technologies, gifted a Digital Listening Library and Therapeutic Centre to Ranaviru Sevana in Ragama, recently.
The handing over of the state-of-the-art centre took place under the patronage of the Chief-of-Staff of the Sri Lanka Army Major General Lawrence Fernando.

The Listening Library and Therapeutic Centre is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka. Constructed on the Ranaviru Sevana premises, the Centre provides audio based knowledge and learning services for the soldiers of Ranaviru Sevana.

9-Feb-2008

Dialog Telekom has entered into a US$30million financing agreement backed by EKN (Exportkreditnamnden) for tele-infrastructure procurement from Sweden which is part of an US$85million agreement mandated in 2007. The agreement will enable Dialog improve public access to affordable and reliable telecommunication services in order to increase capacity and extended coverage, particularly in the rural and underserved areas.
The facility was arranged by Standard Chartered Bank Colombo, to facilitate Dialog’s telecommunication infrastructure expansion plans in the near future. Dialog Telekom intends to utilize the local currently equivalent of US$30 million in the preliminary tranche participated by Standard Chartered Bank and Deutsche Bank AG in equal proportions by mid February this year.

4-Dec-2007

Dialog Telekom PLC, Sri Lanka's premier Telecommunications Company announced today, the introduction of further enhancements to broadband offerings marketed by the company and its subsidiary Dialog Broadband Networks.

The company's High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) based broadband service delivered via USB and PCMCIA High Speed Wireless modems, will now support download speeds of up to 7.2 MBps in selected coverage areas.

7.2 MBps coverage is set to expand rapidly over the next weeks. Dialog's HSDPA service currently supports download speeds upto 1.8MBps across the entirety of the company's 3G network spanning Greater Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Nuwara Eliya and over 100 other towns in Sri Lanka.

22-Nov-2007
By Hiran H.Senewiratne

Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), Southeast Asia’s second-largest telecommunications company, continued its stellar performance in international revenue growth by recording a 17.3 per cent increase in the nine months ended September 2007, rising to RM3.52 billion (USD1 = RM3.36) from RM3 billion during the same period last year. Setting aside the effects of the stronger Ringgit which eroded the translated numbers by seven per cent, the underlying growth pattern remains healthy.

The increase in revenue was realized on the back of a regional mobile subscriber base of 35.7 million as at end-September 2007, up 34.7 per cent from 26.5 million the same period a year earlier.

18-Nov-2007

While industry analysts say Dialog Telekom needs to pull up their socks in the face of a seven percent decline in profits in its third quarter with Bharti Airtel entering the market, company officials remain unfazed.

“The group profits are down by 7 % to Rs. 2.4 billion and the cumulative profits for the 9 months decreased by 3% to Rs. 7.3 billion. Dialog TV (DTV) is one reason for this decline, because Dialog lost Rs.500 million on DTV,” an industry analyst noted adding that DTV is not catching up as expected.

Nushad Perera, CEO, DTV refuted this, saying that the company is only nine months old and already has a 45,000 subscriber base. “We are building capacity now and we will do so in order to be in a better position in the market,” he said.