From 200,000 subscribers in 1998 to over 83 million subscribers, Orascom Telecom (OTH) established itself as a global brand and is considered today to be one of the largest and most diversified telecom operators. Orascom Telecom is operating GSM networks in high growth markets in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, having a total population under license of approximately 415 million with an average mobile telephony penetration of approximately 51% as of June, 2012. Orascom Telecom operates GSM networks in Algeria ("Djezzy"), Pakistan ("Mobilink"), Bangladesh ("banglalink"), and has an indirect equity shareholding in Globalive Wireless Canada (“Wind Mobile”). In addition it has an indirect equity ownership in Telecel Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe) and through its subsidiary Telecel Globe, OTH also operates in Burundi and the Central African Republic.
In April 2011, Wind Telecom merged with Vimpelcom Ltd, creating the world's sixth largest mobile telecommunications provider by number of subscribers with operations in 21 countries serving 186 million customers.
OTH witnessed success as Orascom Telecom Algeria SPA (OTA) or "Djezzy" was launched in February 2002. It grew to become the market leader in terms of both subscriber numbers as well as the quality of telecommunications services provided. OTA serves over 17.7 million subscribers on its network and has a 56.7% market share (as of June 2012).
Pakistan Mobile Communications Ltd ("Mobilink") started its operations in Pakistan in 1994. In April 2001, OTH took over management control of the company. As the market leader, Mobilink has 30.1% market share and serves almost 36 million subscribers (as of June 2012).
In September 2004, OTH purchased 100% of Sheba Telecom (Pvt.) Limited in Bangladesh. OTH re-branded and launched its services as "banglalink" in February 2005. Immediately after the launch, OTH started its aggressive plans to develop banglalink into a leader in the mobile sector by rapidly expanding its GSM network to provide high quality communications services at affordable prices. banglalink serves over 25.4 million subscribers with 27.2% market share (as of June 2012).
OTH has 65% indirect equity ownership in WIND Mobile which has officially been granted its spectrum license from Industry Canada in 2008. "WIND Mobile" commenced its operations in Canada in December 2009 becoming the first national wireless provider in over a decade in the country and offering state of the art all-IP 3G network. WIND Mobile has launched its services in Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa and Vancouver with over 200 retail locations nationally and has succeeded in exceeding 100,000 subscriptions by early July 2010, only two quarters after the inauguration of its services. Since launching, WIND Mobile's presence in the market has worked to drive competition by cost reduction, the introduction of more handsets and more advanced technologies.
OTH is traded on the Cairo & Alexandria Stock Exchange under the symbol (ORTE.CA, ORAT EY), and on the London Stock Exchange its GDR is traded under the symbol (ORTEq.L, OTLD LI).