Market leader of GSM networks in Africa, Siemens Information and Communications Group (I and C), announced today it has won a R55 million ($6.7 million) contract for a GSM network in Gambia from Africell, a subsidiary of Lebanon's Lintel. The project will create 100 direct and indirect long-term jobs.
This is the first time that Siemens - already an aggressive player in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) - has won a contract in that country, spearheading mobile business growth in the West African market.
Gambia has both a single fixed and mobile network, operated by Gamtel, the state-owned telecommunications utility. The country, which borders on Senegal, has a teledensity of 3.3 lines per 100 inhabitants. The number of mobile subscribers in Africa is rapidly overtaking fixed-line subscriptions.
SA has a mobile teledensity of 12.9%, per every 100 inhabitants, compared to a West African nation like Burkina Faso, with a mobile teledensity of 0.38%, per 100 inhabitants.
Pete da Silva, the chief operating officer of Siemens I and C Group, said roll-out, which has already begun, should be completed within three months.
This is the first phase of the project. Further phases are planned immediately following the commercial service launch in September this year.
The network will comprise a switch, 24 base stations, transmission equipment, shelters, a billing system and prepaid voicemail short message platform.
The network, which will cover the capital Banjul, and other major nodes, will operate on 900MHz band only. It will have 15 000 subscribers in the initial stages and this is expected to increase up to 50 000 subscribers in the first three year.
Da Silva said: "The Siemens model has proven an enormous success in providing end-to-end solutions and can be extended to other African countries rolling out GSM networks."
Siemens provides the entire solution, from planning and design to roll-out, support and ongoing maintenance.
As the largest supplier of cellular infrastructure in Africa, enabling mobile communication for over 31 networks in Africa, Siemens remains committed to the country's economic development and its communication needs.
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Siemens I and C comprises the three Groups: Information and Communication Networks (51 5000 employees, EUR 9.9 billion in sales), Information and Communication Mobile (20 000 employees, EUR 5 billion in sales), and Siemens Business Services (34 000 employees, EUR 5 billion in sales).
Siemens I and C Group (Siemens Telecommunications Pty Ltd) Siemens Information and Communications Group (I and C) in SA is a leading provider of voice and data networks with a comprehensive portfolio of IP-based products and solutions for enterprises, carriers and service providers. It is an integral part of the Information and Communications (I and C) business segment of Siemens AG, which also comprises Information and Communication Mobile and Siemens Business Services.
The I and C Group
divided into Carrier and Enterprise Solutions which focus on providing customised solutions, including the integration of products, systems and technology, to suit both business and individual needs. With a strong foundation in the mobile networks arena, which includes established GSM infrastructure, products, solutions and services for the Next Generation Internet, and electronic business solutions, Siemens provides the full spectrum of mobile business solutions, allowing users to communicate and be connected to information and services any time and any place
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