Seventy million more Africans now connected to GSM networks

Notes and media contacts

Supporting quotes:

'With capital expenditure investment levels reaching over $2bn in 2007, MTN is one of the most significant investors in many markets in which it operates. Approved capital expenditure investment for 2008 is almost twice that amount,' said Phuthuma Nhleko, MTN Group President and CEO.

'We have created a new subsidiary 'Telecel Globe' which will reinvest in Africa's smaller countries. Telecel Globe will be fully staffed on its own. Orascom Telecom will only support its procurement power and commercial know how. We call on African governments to reduce the taxation and regulatory burden on mobile users so we can maximise the positive impact of this investment,' said Naguib Sawiris, Chairman and CEO, Orascom Telecom.

'Around 75% of the population is covered in most African countries where Orange operates and we intend to reach 90% coverage with the same level of quality by 2010 to serve untapped areas,' said Marc Rennard, Executive Vice President, Orange - France Telecom Group.

'In 2007 alone, our capital expenditure additions in our Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique and Lesotho operations totalled R1.6bn. This investment includes building high-speed data networks in most of these countries,' said Alan Knott-Craig, CEO of Vodacom Group.

'Zain will build its own fibre capacity backbones, where necessary, to speed up delivery and increase affordability of telecom services. Zain believes that such investments across sub-Saharan Africa will also have a positive economic and social impact,' said Dr. Saad Al Barrak, CEO of Zain Group.

About the GSMA:

The GSM Association (GSMA) is the global trade association representing more than 750 GSM mobile phone operators across 218 countries and territories of the world. The Association's members represent more than 3 billion GSM and 3GSM connections - over 86% of the world's mobile phone connections. In addition, more than 200 manufacturers and suppliers support the Association's initiatives as key partners.

The primary goals of the GSMA are to ensure mobile phones and wireless services work globally and are easily accessible, enhancing their value to individual customers and national economies, while creating new business opportunities for operators and their suppliers.

For further information contact:

Mark Smith / David Pringle
GSM Association