GSM Coverage to Expand to New Maldives Islands

The Maldives based GSM network, Dhiraagu has announced that a US$4.4 million contract had been signed with Alcatel to expand the DhiMobile service. The contract was signed by Mr. Ismail Waheed, the CEO of Dhiraagu and Mr. Denis Bouzac, the Area Sales Manager of Alcatel.

This contract is part of the US$8.6 million Dhiraagu will be investing this year to expand mobile services. Under this contract, DhiMobile coverage will be provided to 16 new islands in 7 Atolls, extending mobile coverage from the current 54% to 73% of the population by the end of the year. The contract also includes enhancements to the mobile exchange and base stations to further improve the quality of service offered to customers, and to meet the forecast demand during the year.

Dhiraagu CEO, Mr. Ismail Waheed said, "Our policy is to invest strategically to extend and enhance DhiMobile coverage across the country, whilst at the same time providing our customers with a high quality, reliable and affordable service. This project alone will provide the benefit of mobile coverage to an additional 19% of the population, thereby increasing coverage to nearly three quarters of the population."

Posted to the site on 17th March 2003