Wireless Federation

Omnitel start handset recycling with Greenfone (Lithuania)

On 06.07.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Omnitel which operates in Lithuania, in cooperation with the company Greenfone, has introduced the ‘Handset For Other’ project.

The project allows customers to sell unused handsets online, using a special portal. The handsets will either be repaired and sold in third countries, or recycled.

The collected phones will travel to Nigeria, Togo, Ghana, Ethiopia, Pakistan, China and Singapore, as well as t other Eastern European countries. Omnitel and Greenfone “project” to another phone will ensure that none of the collected phones from entering the landfill.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: China • Ethiopia • Ghana • Lithuania • Niger • Nigeria • operator • Pakistan • Singapore • Togo

GreenNet launch delayed (Libya)

On 05.09.11, In Mobile, By Editor

If reports are to be believed, the planned launch of GreenNet Sierra Leone,has been delayed by the ongoing crisis in Libya.

According to Sierra Leone’s minister of information and communication, Ibrahim Kargbo, GreenNet, which is 100 percent owned by Libyan government-owned investment vehicle Libyan Africa Portfolio (LAP), has temporarily suspended its operations due to the unrest in Libya.

The company had planned to launch GSM services in Sierra Leone by 27 April, having made the first official call over its GSM network in February.

LAP holds telecoms licences in six other African countries, including Rwanda, Uganda, Niger, Cote D’Ivoire and Togo.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Libya • Mobile • Niger • Rwanda • Sierra Leone • Togo • Uganda

Etisalat offers regional roaming rate (Nigeria)

On 04.05.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Etisalat Nigeria has introduced special roaming rates for other West African countries.

The Easy Pass service enables subscribers who roam in countries where Moov networks are available to make and receive calls, as well as send and receive SMS, at a uniform discounted rate.

The Easy Pass service will also give subscribers a low call rate to call Nigeria, at US$0.52 per minute. Currently accessible in six countries, including Benin Republic, Togo, Niger, Gabon, Central African Republic and Cote D’Ivoire, the Easy Pass is available to prepaid and postpaid subscribers on the Etisalat Network. Customers can also recharge while roaming in the six countries by using their normal Etisalat recharge cards.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Benin • Central African Republic • Gabon • Niger • Nigeria • operator • Togo

Telecom Namibia Deploys Fiber-Optic Cable for High-Speed Broadband Connectivity

On 02.28.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Telecom Namibia is set to link the southern African country to the consortium submarine system called West African Cable System (WACS) that links Africa to Europe.

The undersea fiber-optic cable, which was installed along the West African coast, delivered higher broadband connectivity for Namibia and its neighboring cities.

The WACS consortium includes 12 companies. They are Vodacom, Togo Telecom, Telkom SA, Telecom Namibia, Tata Communications/Neotel, Portugal Telecom/Cabo Verde Telecom, Office Congolais des Postes et Telecommunications, MTN, Congo Telecom, Cable & Wireless, Broadband Infraco and Angola Cables.

It is anticipated that the high-speed fiber-optic cable will help in reducing the cost for internet users. The cable will also be expanded to Botswana. According to media reports, Telecom Namibia has installed the required infrastructure to connect its Swakopmund’s landing station to the domestic network. The cable, which is installed in Swakopmund beach, was developed by Alcatel-Lucent Submarine Networks and Telecom Namibia.

Telecom Namibia anticipates that the commercial operation will be initiated in the Q2 of 2011 and hopes that the country will benefit from direct access to worldwide network cable network.

Telecom Namibia’s Managing Director, Frans Ndoroma stated that the 14,900 km WACS will provide direct connectivity between the UK, West Africa and Namibia.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Africa • Angola • Angola Cables • Botswana • Broadband Infraco • Cable & Wireless • Congo Telecom • Europe • Mobile • MTN • Namibia • Office Congolais des Postes et Telecommunications • Portugal • Portugal Telecom/Cabo Verde Telecom • Tata Communications/Neotel • Telecom Namibia • Telkom SA • Togo • Togo Telecom • UK • Vodacom • West African Cable System (WACS)

Togo Network selects Alcatel-Lucent for network expansion

On 02.17.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Alcatel-Lucent has announced that it has been selected by Togo Cellulaire for an expansion and upgrade of its 2G/3G wireless network.

This network extension is a new phase of the multimillion Euro wireless broadband network transformation deal awarded last year by Alcatel-Lucent to extend Togo Cellulaire network capacity in GSM and to build the first 3G network in the country.

Alcatel-Lucent will be the sole supplier transforming Togo Cellulaire network with its end-to-end solution that will radically increase the operator GSM/EDGE network capacity and coverage and raise its 3G network to HPSA+ wireless capability, as well as provide new microwaves links to address the growing demand for advanced mobile high broadband services through an all-IP broadband network.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 2G • 3G • Alcatel-Lucent • EDGE • GSM • HPSA+ • Mobile • Togo • Togo Cellulaire • wireless broadband network

Telecom Namibia ready for WACS

On 02.03.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Telecom Namibia is ready to connect the country to the West African Cable System (WACS), a consortium high speed submarine system linking Africa to Europe, which it hopes will lead to higher-bandwidth, cheaper data and voice services for all end-users.

The US$600 million fibre-optic cable has reached the shores of Namibia, while Telecom has already deployed infrastructure to link its landing station at Swakopmund to its domestic network and expects that commercial services could be launched by the second quarter of this year. The project will give Namibia its first direct access to global submarine cable networks.

The WACS consortium consists of twelve companies: Angola Cables, Broadband Infraco, Cable & Wireless, Congo Telecom, MTN, Office Congolais des Postes et Telecommunications, Portugal Telecom/Cabo Verde Telecom, Tata Communications/Neotel, Telecom Namibia, Telkom SA, Togo Telecom and Vodacom.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Africa • Angola • Angola Cables • Broadband Infraco • Cable & Wireless • Congo Telecom • Europe • Mobile • MTN • Namibia • Office Congolais des Postes et Telecommunications • Portugal • Portugal Telecom/Cabo Verde Telecom • Tata Communications/Neotel • Telecom Namibia • Telkom SA • Togo • Togo Telecom • Vodacom • West African Cable System (WACS)

LAP grabs 51% of Sonitel (Niger)

On 01.21.11, In Mobile, By Editor

If reports are to be believed, LAP Green Networks has agreed to acquire 51% of Niger’s state-owned telco Sonitel for US$63.6 million.

According to LAP CEO Abdul Basit Al Azzabi, over the next five years the Libyan company plans to invest US$146 million in Sonitel and its wireless arm SahelCom. Niger has become something of a telecoms hotspot in recent years, with Bharti Airtel, France Telecom and Atlantique Telecom all operating there.

LAP also owns operators in Rwanda, Uganda, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Chad and Togo.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Atlantique Telecom • Bharti Airtel • CEO Abdul Basit Al Azzabi • Chad • France • France Telecom • Ivory Coast • LAP Green Networks • Libya • Libyan company • Mobile • Niger • Rwanda • SahelCom • Sierra Leone • Sonitel • Sudan • Togo • Uganda

Togo Telecom contracts Xtera for fibre-optic network (Africa)

On 02.26.10, In Mobile, By Editor

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Xtera Communications, a global provider of optical and IP networking solutions has been contracted by Togo Telecom to deploy a high capacity fibre-optic network across Togo. Phase I of the work was completed in January 2010.

After completion, Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) long-distance domestic network will be migrated to a new optical layer relying on advanced broadband optical amplification technology for higher capacity. This will provide enhanced network resilience and availability.

A high-capacity, reliable backhaul system, and connecting landlocked countries in the west sub-Saharan area to international submarine cable systems will also be created by new network.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Africa • Contract • Togo • Togo Telecom • Xtera

Etisalat’s stake in Atlantic Telecom rises to 100%

On 02.02.10, In Mobile, By Editor

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: With an investment of USD 75 million, 18% stake in Atlantique Telecom has been acquired by UAE-based operator Etisalat, thus increasing its shareholding to 100 percent.

82 percent in the African company Atlantique Telecom has already been held by Etisalat while the former holds controlling stakes in telecom operators in Ivory Coast, Benin, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Niger, Togo and Central Africa Republic.

Atlantique Telecom has been operated by Etisalat under the 10-year management contract ending in April 2015.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Africa • Atlantique Telecom • Benin • Burkina Faso • Etisalat • Gabon • Ivory Coast • Niger • operator • Togo • UAE

Togo set to get its first 3G network (Africa)

On 01.28.10, In Mobile, By Editor

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Togo Cellulaire, the leading mobile operator in South African country of Togo is set to provide the country with its first wireless 3G network by contracting Alcatel-Lucent for 22 million euro to extend its network capacity in GSM and build the first 3G wireless broadband network.

Advanced mobile broadband services to over 2.2 million subscribers and businesses throughout the country would be offered by Togo through this new network. The service may start by the end of the year.

An end-to-end turnkey solution will also build by Alcatel-Lucent, including a converged radio access network portfolio to support both 2G- and 3G-based services.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 2G • 3G • Alcatel-Lucent • Cellulaire • GSM • operator • South Africa • Togo