Etisalat Unveils Mobile Phone Network in Nigeria
IBADAN, Nigeria -(Dow Jones)- Etisalat, Nigeria's fifth mobile phone company, has unveiled its new network.
Hakeem Bello-Osagie, chairman of Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services, or EMTS, owners of the license operated by Etisalat, said at the ceremony Friday that Etisalat is expected to use a marketing strategy of reduced tariffs to take market share from established operators in Nigeria.
EMTS, a Nigerian firm, entered into partnership with Mubadala Development Co. of the United Arab Emirates following Mubadala`s acquisition of a Unified Access License that includes a mobile phone license from the Nigerian government in January 2007 for $400 million. Etisalat has acquired a 40% stake in EMTS and operates the license in Nigeria.
Saoud Al Shamsi, Etisalat`s chief executive officer, said the company has built a network that spans the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Nigeria has more than 40 million mobile phone subscribers. Operators include MTN, Globacom, Celtel and Visafone.
-By Obafemi Oredein; Dow Jones Newswires; 234 2 7510489
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
Posted to the site on 15th March 2008