The second-largest cellular operator, now with over nine lakh (0.9 million) users, is set to hit the figure of one million users' mark by this year-end, a high company official hoped yesterday in Dhaka.

The Malaysia-Bangladesh joint venture company plans to invest $160 million in 2005 to achieve its ambition.

"We have invested $140 million this year. At the end of last year we had 4.5 lakh subscribers and now it is very close to one million. Given the growth trend, we are sure to rope in two million more subscribers in 2005," Jose Ravee, general manager (Marketing) of TMIB, said at an iftar party arranged by the company.

"We now cover 275 upazila in 61 districts and once the new investment is complete by 2005, all the upazila of Bangladesh will come under our network," he said.

Aktel is going to launch international roaming services soon in cooperation with 370 operators in 170 countries. "The testing for the launch is going on. Subscribers of those foreign countries will also get Aktel services when in Bangladesh, creating scope for revenue generation here, the GM said.

"The next will be a year of competition in mobile phone sector in Bangladesh. So, we are making more investment and planning to introduce many innovative products to become the market leader," he said.

Aktel puts emphasis on quality of call and aggressive marketing with new products and services, Ravee said.

Asked about any plan on call tariff cut, he said the company does not have plan to cut tariff drastically now. But it depends on situation because market is competitive.

TMIB is a joint venture between Telekom Malaysia Berhad and AK Khan & Company Ltd of Bangladesh. Incorporated in 1996, it launched its services in 1997 under Aktel brand.