Intelsat today announced that it has signed a long-term contract with Millicom International Cellular S.A. (Millicom), Chad`s newest mobile operator, to provide cellular backhaul services to multiple locations within the country. Services have already been launched in the capital city of N`Djam'ena and will be available to six other major cities in Chad over the next few months. In addition to providing Millicom with domestic cellular backhaul, Intelsat is carrying its international link. Intelsat now provides satellite-based cellular backhaul services to more than 60 mobile operators worldwide.
Millicom was awarded a 10-year license to operate a GSM 900 wireless telephony network in Chad within the past year and is utilizing Intelsat`s 702 satellite, which hosts a growing community of mobile operators, to provide its domestic service. The international link is provided with Intelsat`s GlobalConnexSM Internet Trunking Service, using the company`s European facilities, which enables carriers to interconnect through IP protocols at major telecommunication houses worldwide.
"Taking advantage of satellite technology, and specifically Intelsat`s network, we are able to extend our coverage into multiple new areas domestically and internationally with very little capital investment," said Mr. Abdourahmane Seck, Chief Technology Officer at Millicom. "The capacity they offer over Africa and the Middle East is ideal to support our needs cost-effectively and with significant flexibility to allow for maximum growth potential."
Ramu Potarazu, Chief Operating Officer of Intelsat, stated, "Research has shown that an increase in the number of mobile subscribers generates an increase in a country`s gross domestic product; Intelsat has been a significant contributor to the development and growth of mobile operators in Africa, which we believe very positively benefits the region. Mobile telecommunications is exploding in many areas of the world and Intelsat is committed and well positioned to serve this growing market segment."
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