Telecel targets 200 new base stations

between US$30 million and US$40 million.
Chief executive Mr Francis Mawindi told a media briefing yesterday that Telecel was on an expansion drive that would increase coverage to 90 percent of the country over the next 12 months.
“By the end of the year, we expect to have completed the installation of base stations at more than 200 new sites, bringing to more than 575 the number of base station sites we have,” he said.
“This should mean by the end of the year about 85 percent of the country’s population will have access to Telecel’s network. Next year we hope to push the coverage up to 90 percent.”
Network and capacity expansion would increase Telecel’s subscriber base to 2,67 million from 2,2 million by December.
As it invests in infrastructure and capacity expansion, the firm is locating new base stations close to the power grid which would be equipped with back-up batteries and generators.
The approach is meant to minimise disruption of service resulting from load-shedding.
“We are also putting in back-up transmission links, so that, if a link fails, the standby link can be used, minimising any downtime and facilitating continuous network availability,” he said.
Telecel has also installed and commissioned new intelligent network management systems to provide customers with more advanced value-added services.
The platform will enable contract customers to check their bills the same way pre-paid customers check their airtime balance.
Subscribers will also be able to set a limit on their accounts and when they reach the limit, will be able to buy and load airtime in the same way that the pre-paid customers do.
The country’s second largest mobile operator, after Econet, has also invested heavily in data services, which are accessible through most of the telecomms firm’s 2G base stations.
Marketing and public relations director Mr Obert Mandimika said data services have grown exponentially since introduction and now account for 4,2 percent of revenue.
Looking into future expansion, Telecel says it would consider listing on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange as an option to raise funds.
This will be one among several other options that include shareholders, vendor financing and buyer’s creditor facilities.
But a listing on the ZSE would help the firm resolve its longstanding irregularity regarding the lopsided shareholding.
On licensing, Telecel said it was committed to restructuring the shareholding to a 40-50 percent arrangement in favour of locals.
While the shareholders have not addressed the anomaly 15 years later, Mr Mawindi said there was sufficient commitment from owners to comply with the laws of the country.
The firm says part of its social corporate responsibility was to enhance universal access to mobile telecommunication services.
Telecel is credited with the drastic fall in the price of sim cards in the country with its mobile lines selling for just 50 cents.
Russian telecomms giant Vimpelcom now indirectly controls Telecel Zimbabwe after it acquired the majority stake in Orascom of Egypt, which wholly owns the local company.