Communication. It is key to doing business. The telephone is one of the most powerful tools in connecting people across distances. However, in most African countries, there are not nearly enough landlines, which are costly to lay down and maintain. That is where cheap wireless technology comes in, allowing people in cities, on farms, and even on fishing boats to have a phone. Leading the way in connecting Africa is MTN, Africa’s largest cell-phone company.
landline：地下通信線
costly：高価な
lay down：建造する
MTN started offering cell-phone services in South Africa, where the company is based, in 1994. Three years later, it began expanding to other African countries, starting with Uganda, Rwanda, and Swaziland. By 2004, MTN was serving more than 11 million people. Considering that the company started with a ten-year goal of signing up 500,000 customers, that level of success is out of this world.
be based：本拠地がある
be out of this world：とびきり素晴らしい
But MTN was just getting started. In 2005, it made its first moves into the Middle East, paying for a license to operate in Iran. Then, in May 2006, MTN made one of the biggest moves in the history of African business. For $5.53 billion, it bought Investcom, a Dubai-based cell-phone company that operated in three Middle Eastern and six African countries. That increased MTN’s customer base to 28 million people across 21 countries.
operate：操業する
This rapid growth in cell-phone use has had many positive effects. Of course, it is great for MTN’s bottom line. But it also changes people’s lives. Before heading back to port, fishermen can phone ahead to find the best place to bring their catch. Farmers can ask around to find the best price for their crops. And people can stay in touch with relatives in distant places.
bottom line：売上
head back to X：Xへ戻る
phone ahead：事前に電話を入れる
stay in touch with X：Xと連絡を維持する
relatives：親類の人、身内
But voice communication is just the beginning. MTN also offers Internet access, which will continue to grow as wireless technology improves. Considered a model company, MTN is regularly voted as one of the best companies to work for in South Africa. On its 10th birthday, MTN was praised by Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s former president, as a model African business. Indeed, the future looks bright for this cell-phone superstar.
model：模範的な
regularly：いつも
vote：認める、みなす