Etisalat, Nigeria’s fifth Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications operator, is to launch commercial operations in two weeks, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek investigations can now reveal.
Further investigations revealed that the company will cover about 30 per cent of the country in this first phase including Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Ibadan, among others; while other cities will follow subsequently in second, third and fourth phases. It has since begun suspense advert campaign ahead of the launch.
It was also gathered that the initial plan by the operator to cover 60 percent of the country was frustrated by uncompromising attitude of some GSM operators that refused to share their infrastructure.
Emerging Market Telecom Services (EMTS) is a Nigerian company duly incorporated under the laws of Nigeria in partnership with Mubadala Development Company and Etisalat of the United Arab Emirates. Mubadala acquired the Unified Access License from the Federal Government in January 2007. The License includes a mobile license and spectrum in the GSM 1800 and 900 MHz bands at a price of $400million.
Etisalat has acquired a 40percent stake in EMTS and will operate the license; Mubadala holds 30per cent stake while Nigerians hold 30percent as well. Etisalat is a renowned telecommunications services provider and was a natural choice as operator based on its outstanding performance in the Middle East and various parts of Africa.
Etisalat has pioneered technology in different markets, leading its customers and partners into the future. Recent examples include a 3.75G network which Etisalat rolled out in Egypt, the most advanced in that market. It holds majority share in Thuraya, a leading provider of satellite phones.
