KABUL, Afghanistan, Jan. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Roshan, Afghanistan's leading total communications provider, today announced that the company has been awarded the highest quality recognition of ISO 9001:2008 for its technology, network and sales operations.  ISO is gained by organizations that focus on improving company operations through utilizing performance principles such as strong customer focus, leadership, involvement of people, governance, factual approach to decision making and continual improvement.¹ Recognized in over 150 countries, the two certifications,—a first for any telecommunications operator in Afghanistan—were awarded to Roshan after a year-long rigorous evaluation process conducted by ISO certified auditors.

Over the last ten years, Roshan has been committed to bringing the best-in-class services to Afghanistan while focusing on quality and the overall customer experience. In September of 2011, the company's three time award-winning Customer Care Centre achieved ISO status—making it Afghanistan's first-ever ISO certification. The Customer Care Centre responds to over 30,000 calls per day in Dari, Pashto and English, and also offers a "Ladies Customer Centre" for Roshan's female subscribers.  

"The company's guiding principle has been to provide all Afghans with access to mobile telephony, as well as to play a key role in the country's economic development, reconstruction, and redevelopment process," Karim Khoja, Roshan Chief Executive Officer, said. "As we embark on our ten year anniversary, with over half a billion dollars invested in our network including upgrading it to provide 3G services Roshan continues to deliver on the promise of providing quality to ensure the highest level of service through all customer touch points.  Our customers tell us they consistently choose Roshan for the superior performance of our wide reaching network that, today, provides coverage to almost 65 percent of the population in all 34 provinces," Khoja added.

Roshan remains focused on delivering innovative products and services to meet the unique demands of the Afghan market. The company pioneered mobile data services in Afghanistan, becoming the first operator to introduce BlackBerry and data products. Roshan's data packages are differentiated to meet the varying needs of consumers, large corporate clients, and small business owners, alike.  And, for the growing youth market Roshan introduced Kahkahshaan, an interactive content portal with robust local music, video and news content as well as access to social media.

About Roshan

Roshan (Telecom Development Company Afghanistan Ltd) is Afghanistan's leading total communications provider with over six million active subscribers and a network that covers over 230 cities and towns in all of the country's 34 provinces.

Roshan is a true Afghanistan success story, serving as a catalyst for economic growth and actively contributing to the country's long-term development. Since its inception eight years ago, Roshan has invested over $550 million in Afghanistan and is the country's single largest investor and taxpayer, contributing approximately five percent of the Afghan government's overall domestic revenue. Roshan directly employs more than 1,300 people, 20 percent of whom are women, and provides indirect employment to more than 35,000 people.

Roshan is deeply committed to Afghanistan's reconstruction and development. The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), is a major shareholder of Roshan and promotes private initiatives and building economically sound enterprises in the developing world. Also owned in part by Monaco Telecom International (MTI) and TeliaSonera, Roshan brings international expertise to the country and is committed to the highest standards of network quality and coverage for the people of Afghanistan.

To learn more about Roshan visit www.roshan.af or http://www.facebook.com/RoshanConnects.

Footnote ¹: www.iso.org

Media Contacts:

Shaheen Shivji
Manager, Public Relations
Roshan
Office: +93 (0) 79 997 4845
E-mail: shaheen.shivji@roshan.af

Daniel Dean
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Office: +1 212 885 0477
E-mail: daniel.dean@hkstrategies.com

SOURCE Roshan