Mascom, the leading cellular operator in Botswana, has awarded Ericsson a US$1.4 million contract to add 1800MHz spectrum to its network as part of its strategy to improve the quality of its service and provide a platform for future growth. This follows hard on the heels of a deal in 2005 through which Mascom awarded Ericsson a contract for the supply of equipment and software needed to expand its network and the addition of services such as high-speed data and Multimedia Messaging (MMS).
Says Jose Ferreira, CEO at Mascom: "With the deal we signed with Ericsson last year, we entered into a phase of expanding our network and range of services. That project was extremely successful and we're now moving into the next stage of our development: boosting the quality, redundancy and capacity of our network to ensure that we remain the number one operator in Botswana.
Mascom, with nearly 500,000 subscribers is the largest mobile network in Botswana. The operator's rapid growth, particularly in the urban areas, demands that the operator moves towards a dual-band network that caters for both the 900 and 1800MHz spectrum. The Botswana telecom regulator - BTA - granted Mascom access to 1800MHz spectrum in December last year.
"As part of the agreement Ericsson will supply equipment and services for the set up of 30 new 1800 MHz base stations for Mascom, starting in Gaborone and Francistown, and spreading to other parts of the country later in the year. The first base stations are expected to go live in May," says Pieter Goosen, key account manager for Mascom at Ericsson market unit sub-Saharan Africa.
"The addition of 1800MHz capacity to the network will not only improve quality of service and alleviate congestion, but will also allow for the more rapid rollout of additional high-speed data services."
Posted to the site on 5th April 2006
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/16835.php