Turnkey contract includes comprehensive services
to further enhance Celtel network quality
BARCELONA, Spain – 3GSM World Congress 2007 – 14 February 2007 –
Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) today announced that it has signed a $50 million
contract with Celtel Nigeria, part of Celtel International, to expand its GSM
network within the South East and South South regions of the country. Under the
turnkey agreement, Motorola will deploy its latest Motorola Reach GSM solutions
and provide comprehensive services. The expansion will enable Celtel to
increase its subscriber capacity, extend its coverage into new areas and
improve the quality of its network.
This is a first time contract for Motorola with Celtel, although Motorola
enjoys a long and successful relationship with the MTC Group, which owns Celtel
International.
“We are excited to be working with Celtel Nigeria and we look forward to a long
and fruitful relationship with the operator. Deploying Motorola’s technology
and its expert services solutions for this network expansion will enable Celtel
to add on new subscribers easily and efficiently, and ensure that the company
continues to provide its growing number of customers with high quality
services,” said Ali Amer, vice president, Middle East, Africa and Pakistan,
Motorola Networks & Enterprise.
As a cost-effective, upgradeable, rapid and cost-effective solution that offers
new features and platforms, GSM is predicted to be a key technology for
connecting the next billion subscribers across the world.
“We have selected Motorola to implement our network system expansion because of
the company’s reliable and trusted technology leadership and its services
expertise. Celtel has the utmost confidence and trust that Motorola will
support its efforts and its commitment to providing its growing subscriber
base, with the best and most advanced telecommunications systems, services and
solutions,” said Celtel Nigeria CEO Adebayo Ligali.
A portion of revenue on this contract was recognized in the fourth quarter of
2006.
About Celtel International
Celtel is the most successful pan-African mobile network, offering
telecommunications services in more countries than any other on the continent and
with more than 15 million customers. The company is one of the best-known
branded businesses in Africa with mobile licenses covering more than 400
million people, close to half of Africa’s population. Under the brand promise
of ‘Making Life Better’, the company is committed to achieving sustainable
development of telecommunications in Africa. Celtel operates mobile cellular
operations in 14 countries - Burkina Faso, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo,
Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Sierra
Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. The company is also present in Sudan, under
the brand name ‘Mobitel’. For more information please visit www.celtel.com
Source: Motorola press release
