AAPT's pre-paid customer base shifted

In a statement issued today, Commoditel said the acquisition - funded through debt and vendor finance - would bring with it -significant revenues" and a customer base of about 22,000.

-When combined with the [Commoditel] base of in excess of 45,000, [the acquisition] creates a [mobile network virtual operator] of real substance," Commoditel said.

-AAPT customers will be able to access and recharge their service in exactly the same way they have been able to do in the past and there will be no increases or changes in their tariff.

"Calls will continue to be carried on the Vodafone network and there is no need for any changes in SIM cards".

Commoditel managing director George Gelavis said the business had the structure and capacity to absorb the influx of new customers without a significant expansion of overheads.

"The board anticipates that the combined revenues for CMO will be in excess of $1 million per quarter moving forward, once the integration has happened in the first quarter of 2006," the company said.

AAPT general manager consumer Paul McFadden said the organisation's focus on providing bundled services to customers meant it had been -looking for a good home" for its -loyal pre-paid mobile base".