Nigerian Operator Plans US$2 Billion Network Expansion Plan

Nigeria's Vmobile has selected Ericsson as a strategic partner for its 'Roll Out Service Everywhere' (ROSE) project estimated at US$2 billion over the next 2 years. This initiative will see the Nigerian operator add 3,000 base station sites to its existing network and increase network capacity to 10 million subscribers.As part of the five-year frame agreement with Ericsson, Vmobile will be supplied with a complete range of core network, access, service layer solutions and services to support the rollout of the new infrastructure.

Vmobile has already signed the first contracts worth over USD$200 million, for the delivery of core network expansions, a new charging system, base station system expansions and turnkey implementation services. The rollout of the new base station sites is scheduled for completion in June 2007, with sites including 900 MHz and an 1800 MHz base station.

Says Vmobile's chief executive officer, Willem Swart: "Vmobile operates in more than 5000 communities, and have more than three million subscribers. Vmobile continues to expand and improve on its network, thereby meeting its goal of delivering first-class telecom services to the people of Nigeria, and at the same time offering mobile communications to a wider segment of the population."

"Through the introduction of the ROSE project, Vmobile will be able to address the needs of the rural communities as well. We are investing $2 billion over the next 24 months to build 3000 base stations and increase capacity to 10 million subscribers. The selection of Ericsson as a strategic partner in this project is due to its leading position in the African and global GSM market. We have had a good experience with Ericsson in the past four years. The company has a complete services portfolio, including the consulting and systems integration offerings needed to deliver complex turnkey solutions."

Posted to the site on 30th September 2005