Alcatel Picks Up Ghana Contract

Alcatel has signed a US$80 million dollar contract with Ghana Telecom (GT), the biggest telecom operator in Ghana, to upgrade and expand its telecom network across the nation. The contract was won through Alcatel Shanghai Bell, Alcatel's Chinese division.

Under the contract, Alcatel will provide and install 250,000 switching lines in Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi, the "gold triangle" area of Ghana. Alcatel will also help to expand mobile network capacity to 630,000 subscribers, with its advanced GSM solution. In addition, GT's transmission network will be optimized with Alcatel's Metro Solution and fiber optical ring in Accra.

Overall, Alcatel's solution will create a ninefold increase in the country's mobile capacity, and a threefold increase in fixed network capacity, contributing to the nation's economic development. The contract is part of a larger, three-year exclusive agreement between Alcatel and Ghana Telecom spanning further fixed and mobile infrastructure expansion.

Yuan Xin, Chairman of Alcatel Shanghai Bell, commented, "We are pleased to be chosen as the sole vendor for this project. We will make this project a showcase, and help pave the way for the economic development of Ghana."

Ghana Telecom, a state-owned company , is the biggest telecom operator in Ghana's fixed and mobile sectors serving a nation of 20 million people. It ranks among the top five of Ghanaian enterprises."

Posted to the site on 12th August 2003