KEY TO BAKCELL'S SUCCESS - THE TRUST AND SUPPORT OF OUR SUBSCRIBERS

 

Bakcell was established as a Joint Venture in 1994, and became the first mobile telephone company in Azerbaijan. Since the very beginning of its operations Bakcell has invested much into the economy of Azerbaijan, thus becoming an example of successful foreign investment into the Republic.

The Company started its activity in 1994, offering ETACS analogue communication services. Since December 1998 Bakcell has introduced GSM technology that provides cellular communication in accordance with modern international standards.

The state-owned stake in Bakcell was privatized in December 2003, and from January 2004 Bakcell continued its operations as a 100% privately owned company.

Over the past years this customer-oriented Company has offered a wide range of products and services of mobile communications, aimed at attracting and retaining clients with various needs.

 We talked to the Chief Executive Officer of Bakcell Ltd., Mr. Martin Quirke, who provided us with more detailed information about the Company's new direction and recent achievements.

 

Caspian Energy (CE): What achievements have Bakcell enjoyed over recent years? How much has the Company's client base expanded?

Martin Quirke, Chief Executive Officer, Bakcell Ltd: Taking this opportunity I would like to welcome all readers of Caspian Energy magazine, and to say that as someone who has visited many countries of the world I have been impressed with the warm hospitality of the people of Azerbaijan.

 As you know, over the past year we have experienced noticeable success, enjoying the trust and support of our loyal subscribers. As a result, the Bakcell "family" has grown more than three times, and now extends to 1 million subscribers. At present the Company is undergoing a total upgrade process, throughout all areas of operations. For Bakcell the year 2007 is proving to be a year of great changes. The Company is making big investments in its overall development. This year we will be offering new, improved and high-quality services to meet, and hopefully exceed, all the expectations of our customers.

 

CE: What plans do you have on improvement of the services' quality, including opening of new service centers?

Martin Quirke: In April 2007, as promised, we opened our second-largest (after Nakhchivan) regional service center in Ganja. As you know, Ganja plays a very important role in the economic progress of our country. The program currently implemented, to develop this region, is evidence of  commitment to improve this key area of Azerbaijan. To participate in this development process is a great honour for Bakcell.

Speaking about our plans, I want to say that Bakcell will continue to invest in the development of the regions in 2007, and during the following years, until the whole population of Azerbaijan has access to Bakcell's services. Very soon we intend to open service centers in Sumgayit, then on the territory of the Shaki-Zagatala and Lankaran-Astara regions.

 

CE: What works are being carried out to expand the coverage area?

Martin Quirke: Currently, Bakcell continues successfully improving the possibilities of cellular communication inside and outside of Azerbaijan.

Recently we have finished the project that enables us to completely cover all 20 stations of Baku Metro. We also continue installation of new base stations both in Baku, and in the regions of the country. 

As for roaming services, I would like to stress that with the conclusion of the agreement with Areeba Ltd (Syria), Bakcell now offers roaming services in 127 states around the globe, whereas the total number of roaming agreements concluded with the operators of these countries totals 226. I also want to add that Syria is a new country on the roaming map of our Company.

CE: What is the secret of Gin Card's success as one of the most popular brands of Bakcell Company?

Martin Quirke: The point is that we are a market-led company. It means the quality of rendered services, as well as our tariff policy, are of high priority for us. Throughout recent years we have carried out various campaigns in this direction.

As a result, quite recently, Gin Card was awarded the title of   ‘People's Brand'. At the moment we continue offering new products for Gin Card subscribers. One of the newly introduced campaigns is the Spring Campaign that enables Gin Card subscribers who load any contour card to have the line open up to 6 months. Another benefit is for Gin Card subscribers with a two-way closed line. Throughout the campaign these subscribers, having loaded any of the contour cards, enjoy an open line for 6 months plus 500 contours. Furthermore, Bakcell offers additional possibilities for new Gin Card subscribers. In the frame of the campaign new subscribers, purchasing a number, receive the benefit of a 6-month open line and 1,000 contours, as a present.

 

CE: We would like to sum up our interview on the information about new social projects of Bakcell...

Martin Quirke: Bakcell is very conscious about Corporate Social Responsibility, and constantly strives to take an active role in improving the social welfare of the community. The company pays a lot of attention to assisting disabled children and orphans. In addition, Bakcell helps families of refugees, and the elderly and infirmed.

We have recently completed the next stage of our social project - "Student Internship - 2007". Within this project, four sophomore and junior students with majors in Business Administration of the "Khazar" university have successfully passed an internship in Bakcell in May, 2007. During the internship, the students had the opportunity to get acquainted with the activities of the company, received training, and took part in a research project analyzing the dealer network of our company.

In summary, as Bakcell continues to grow, our contribution to the Community will also increase, as we strive to be an exemplary, socially-responsible company, thereby justifying the continuing trust and support of our subscribers.