Wireless Federation

Bharti Airtel contemplates mobile service launch in South Africa and Cameroon (Africa)

On 01.02.12, In Mobile, By Editor

India’s leading telecommunications operator Bharti Airtel may be planning to expand its network in South Africa and Cameroon, as learned through industry sources. Airtel is a dominant player in the mobile industry with operations in 19 countries across Asia and Africa.

Mobile penetration has steadily been increasing in African countries, and with most of the global markets being saturated, emerging markets such as Africa provide mobile operators with new opportunities to increase their subscriber base and enhance their revenue.

Currently Airtel offers services in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Congo Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Madagascar, Niger, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. By adding South Africa and Cameroon, two of Africa’s fastest growing mobile economies to the list, Airtel aims to strengthen its position in Africa.

Airtel is the leading mobile operator in India and is well known for its innovative and competitive tariff pricing. The operator’s entry into these new markets is expected to take the mobile industry by storm and introduce an unprecedented level of competition.

Airtel presently offers services in 15 cities in India and with the population of one Indian city being similar to that of one African country, South Africa and Cameroon have the potential to be extremely lucrative for Bharti Airtel.

Further, sources claim that rival operators currently offering services in these economies such as MTN, Vodacom and Orange are already working on strategies to maintain their market share and offer stiff competition to Airtel.

Bharti Airtel signs deal with Nokia to expand 3G services in Africa

On 10.13.11, In Mobile, Mobile Operators, By Editor

Bharti Airtel, a leading telecom operator has signed a contract reportedly worth $ 700 million with Nokia Siemens Networks to expand its 2G network and deploy and manage 3G services in Africa.

As per the agreement, Nokia Siemens Networks will manage all network operations as well as provide energy-efficient base stations for Airtel in seven African countries including Madagascar, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Congo Brazzaville. In an attempt to increase its subscriber base, Airtel has been expanding its presence in Africa’s rural regions.

According to reports, Manoj Kohli Airtel’s CEO (International) and Joint Managing Director said that this partnership will further enable them to rapidly expand their network coverage and provide high-speed wireless internet connectivity to their customers. Further, Nokia Siemens Networks, Chief Executive Officer, Rajeev Suri said that they look forward to working closely with Airtel to expand its network rapidly and deliver the right innovative products and services to help meet user demands.

Filed under:Mobile,Mobile Operators Tagged with: 3G • Africa • Bharti Airtel • Congo Brazzaville • Kenya • Madagascar • Malawi • Monaj Kohli • Nokia • Tanzania • Uganda • Zambia

Regulator gives green signal to Helios Towers operating tower network independently (Tanzania)

On 08.05.11, In Mobile, By Editor

heliostowers

The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority gives the green signal to Helios Towers Africa to grant the first license to operate a network of telecom towers across the country independently.

Apparently, this move has also substantiates the completion of Tanzania’s first tower sharing leaseback deal. In December 2010, Tigo Tanzania had sold 1,180 telecoms towers to Helios Towers Africa.

$80 million worth of cash would be paid to Tigo Tanzania upfront whilst retaining a noteworthy minority interest in the company. In addition, Helios Towers had acquired 729 towers in the Democratic Republic of Congo from Millicom which is the parent company of Tigo.

According to Charles Green, CEO of Helios Towers Africa, they are very pleased to be at the forefront of such an exciting and important new phase in Tanzania’s telecoms industry. Helios Towers pioneered independent tower sharing in Africa – this model is the best way to ensure accessibility, affordability and the highest quality of communications service through increased efficiency and competition. Also, they have seen significant success with their operations in Nigeria and Ghana while they look forward to bringing the same experience and benefits to Tanzania.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Ghana • Niger • Nigeria • operator • Tanzania

WiMAX networks names its new chief executive officer

On 06.30.11, In Mobile, By Editor

WiMAX networks are managed by Augere Holdings under the umbrella of the Qubee brand. Former Vodafone Ghana CEO, David Venn has been named its new chief executive officer. Previously, Sanjiv Ahuja was the CEO of the operator.

Sanjiv Ahuja keeps the executive chairman of Augere position. His primary role will now be chairman and CEO LightSquared, the LTE network based in the USA though.

David had also carried out responsibilities as CEO of Celtel Zambia prior to being appointed CEO of Vodafone Ghana.

Harbinger Capital, France Telecom, New Silk Route and Vedanta Opportunity Fund as well as its founder, Sanjiv Ahuja constitute the principal shareholders of Augere.

At the moment Augere holds spectrum access in Pakistan, Bangladesh, the states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in India, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania while aggressively going after spectrum in Africa and Asia.

Under the Qubee brand, Augere had launched its first commercial wireless network in Pakistan in July 2009. Then the Bangladesh network had followed in October 2009. As of mid 2011, Augere operates widely reaching wireless networks. Its network is powered by more than 650 radio base stations and serves more than 100,000 broadband customers.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Bangladesh • France • Ghana • India • operator • Pakistan • Rwanda • Tanzania • Uganda • USA • Zambia

Vodafone extends World Calling Club promotion (Qatar)

On 05.31.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Vodafone Qatar has extended its World Calling Club international call rates to more than 180 countries for just US$17.69 a minute until June 30.

All of the most popular calling destinations are included in this promotion, which included Bahrain, Bangladesh, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Iran, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America and Yemen.

Vodafone is also extending until 30 June its International Calling Card 25 offer that gives customers 51 minutes of talk time at a rate of US$0.13 a minute. The countries included in this are India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Thailand, Syria, Sudan, Turkey, Bahrain, UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Bahrain • Bangladesh • Canada • China • Egypt • France • Germany • Ghana • India • Indonesia • Iran • Italy • Japan • Jordan • Kenya • Kuwait • Lebanon • Malaysia • Nepal • Niger • Nigeria • Oman • operator • Pakistan • Philippines • Qatar • Saudi Arabia • South Africa • Spain • Sri Lanka • Sudan • Syria • Tanzania • Thailand • Turkey • United Arab Emirates • United Kingdom • Yemen

Zantel launches Highlife Card for high value customers (Tanzania)

On 05.20.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Zantel, that operates in Tanzania has ushered in the Highlife Card for high spending customers as a part of its lifestyle value package .

The Highlife Value bundle is a subscription that consist of three components- voice, data (internet) and a loyalty programme that awards customers for their voice usage. This bundle provides a flat rate of TSH 3 per second worldwide with key 25 foreign countries.

Zantel has collaborated with several service providers like hotels, restaurants, clothing stores, salons and spas and entertainment spots where they get discounts ranging between 5-20 percent to ensure Highlife customers get the value for money.

The customers will earn points for every TSH 1,000 spends at any time that can be redeemed for various prizes from airtime, internet access, high-end phones like Blackberry as well as internet modems.

Highlife customers also earn 20 points for joining the bundle and an additional 25 points yearly for staying on the service.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: operator • Tanzania • USA

Samsung to open regional headquarters in Kenya

On 05.16.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Samsung is planning to set up its regional headquarters in Nairobi before the end of August as it seeks to capture this market and grow its revenues.

Once in place, the regional headquarters will serve East and Central Africa. The firm has an office in Kenya that oversees operations in Uganda and Tanzania but it is not autonomous and still has to get its budget and targets from the global headquarters.

This will change with the setting up of a full subsidiary headquarters with the mandate to set targets and raise its own budgets. The move is also expected to reduce decision-making time and build closer ties by providing faster support services to partners in the region, to culminate with a new assembly plant in the near future.

Currently, Samsung operations in East and Central Africa are worth USD 250 million but the company wants to increase this to USD 2 billion by 2015.

According to Robert Ngeru, Samsung’s East Africa business leader, the company will increase its workforce by 30 percent to a total of 100 employees when it puts up the regional headquarters.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Kenya • Mobile • Tanzania • Uganda

Tigo Rwanda introduces mobile money payment service

On 05.16.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Tigo Rwanda has introduced mobile money services, targeting subscribers with limited or no access to banking services.

Tigo Rwanda is the second operator to launch mobile money services in the country following the local unit of MTN in February 2010, which had around 260,000 customers as of March 2011.

Tigo has similar services in Ghana and Tanzania. With about 3.3 million mobile subscribers shared between MTN and Tigo as of January 2011, Rwandan mobile users can use the technology to deposit and withdraw money and can pay electricity bills and school fees via text messages.

According to CEO Tom Gutjah, Tigo Cash is basically a wallet on your mobile phone. Tigo Cash can send between USD1 and USD 550.

MTN Rwanda states that it has transferred more than USD 22 million in mobile payments since February 2010 and is targeting 300,000 subscribers by end-2011.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Ghana • operator • Rwanda • Tanzania

Vodacom Tanzania introduces mobile TV service

On 05.11.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Vodacom Tanzania has introduced a wireless TV service in partnership with DSTV to enable users to access news and entertainment channels using their mobiles.

Five channels are available to Vodacom Tanzania customers: TBC1, Euronews, B4U, Sawsee and Super Sport Blitz.

The service will be accessible for customers with 3G handsets and it is free for three months. The service is accessible through the browser on the phone.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: operator • Tanzania

Vodafone Qatar launches international calls at $0.17

On 05.05.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Vodafone Qatar’s World Calling Club is offering international call rates to more than 190 countries for US$0.17 a minute.

Calling destinations included in this promotion are Bahrain, Bangladesh, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Iran, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, UK, US and Yemen.

Vodafone is also running a promotion on its International Calling Card 25 that gives customers 46 minutes of talk time to 15 popular destinations at a rate of QAR 0.14 a minute. Both promotions run until the end of May.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 1 • Bahrain • Bangladesh • Canada • China • Egypt • France • Germany • Ghana • India • Indonesia • Iran • Italy • Japan • Jordan • Kenya • Kuwait • Lebanon • Malaysia • Nepal • Niger • Nigeria • Oman • Pakistan • Philippines • Qatar • Saudi Arabia • South Africa • Spain • Sri Lanka • Sudan • Syria • Tanzania • Thailand • Turkey • Yemen