'We have to bear huge costs to provide connectivity'

How has been the response of subscribers of 3G in the island?

The response of 3G in Maldives has been overwhelming. Currently, Dhiraagu is covering 55% of the population of Maldives for 3G services. Of late, we have added twenty-four additional islands. We had commercially launched 3G services in March 2010. From that time, there has been no looking back. Customers have been quite receptive and also we, as a company, have been innovating fast to adapt to the changing tastes of people.

Which VAS services are finding a huge intake?

Maldivian population is quite tech-savvy. A variety of value added services are popular with the population. For instance, mobile broadband packages, both for prepaid and postpaid, are being availed by all age groups. Downloading videos are also a rage here. We have been trying to bring innovative services within the reach of the masses.

What are the reasons behind intra-saarc call rates being so high?

The companies here, unlike in countries like India, do not have the advantage of economies of scale. We have to bear with huge costs to provide connectivity across dispersed islands. Geography is a unique challenge for Maldives. Connecting the islands separated by water is a mammoth task. However, I do not agree that call charges are too high, they are reasonable. We as the biggest operator are also working towards making more substantial changes in bringing the tariffs down.

How has been the growth of fixed lines?

There is hardly any growth for fixed lines. It has been fairly static. Wireless has grown phenomenally, but fixed line has not been able to clock impressive numbers.

What makes Dhiraagu have a wider reach in the island?

We have always focused on the quality-of-service(QoS). Our superior customer service also makes us distinct. Customer satisfaction has and always will be a top priority for us. Dhiraagu's customer base is more than the population of all the islands. We have set high standards for the company and are motivated enough to achieve those. Market dynamics have been changing fast. We are expanding our broadband and data services rapidly. We see a huge revenue base lying there. Next wave of growth will come from this segment. Also, we have connected 100% of all the resorts. We have got roaming agreements with more than 150 companies internationally. Internet resorts are connected to provide the best of services. We have also focused on giving quick services to tourists. An aggressive approach to cater to the market needs is what makes us a leader.

Archana Singh
archanasi@cybermedia.co.in