Vodacom to Open Network in Mozambique.

South Africa's Vodacom says that it is to build a GSM network in Mozambique within the next eight months. The company has been in discussions for the past year with the local landline monopoly operator, TDM and the GSM provider, mCel to secure the necessary interconnection agreements. mCel has been seperated from TDM in preparation for privatisation and the advent of competition from Vodacom.

Vodacom has awarded the network rollout contract to Siemens and is aiming for a 40% market share within two years. Vodacom has set aside some US$260 million for the network rollout.

The local network will be a joint venture between Vodacom and the local company, Emotel. Vodafone was awarded its license to operate in Mozambique last year and had planned to begin operations in April.

Vodacom is 50% owned by South Africa's Telekom and 35% owned by Vodafone."

Posted to the site on 26th August 2003