Alcatel-Lucent has won the contract to deploy a turnkey GSM network in Nigeria for Emerging Market Telecom Services (EMTS). Alcatel-Lucent will also provide network deployment and integration services, as well as related infrastructure such as towers, masts and power systems.
The contract was secured through Alcatel-LucentÃ's Chinese subsidiary -
Alcatel Shanghai Bell, and valued at "several million Euros".
EMTS, a Nigerian firm, entered into partnership with UAE based Mubadala Development Co 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.
"This agreement further confirms EMTS/Etisalat's confidence in Alcatel-LucentÃ's industry-leading solutions and service support capabilities, and highlights our strong partnership for a variety of fixed and wireless communications projects in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, West Africa and now Nigeria," said Vincenzo Nesci, President of Alcatel-Lucent for Middle East and Africa. "We have devoted all our efforts to delivering the best-in-class, turnkey solution to EMTS/Etisalat to help it establish the high quality of service it is committed to providing its subscribers."
The new network will initially cover the western region of Nigeria, including the main city of Lagos.
Nigeria's mobile population reached just over 55.8 million by the end of September, according to stats from the Mobile World database - representing a population penetration level of 40.1%.
Posted to the site on 19th November 2008
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/34712.php