Motorola CIG Wins First CDMA Digital Mobile Network Contract in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Business Wire - July 01, 1998 10:17
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 1, 1998--Motorola, Inc.'s Cellular Infrastructure Group (CIG) today it has been awarded a contract to add Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA-- now called cdmaOne(TM)) digital cellular phone technology to an existing analog network in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Motorola CIG said the contract with Telecel Congo Sprl., an affiliate of Telecel International Ltd. -- a leading international cellular telephone operator -- is its first for cdmaOne technology in the DRC.
Motorola CIG will begin deployment of Telecel's cdmaOne network before the end of the year. Commercial service for as many as 15,000 subscribers in the city of Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, is scheduled for the first quarter of 1999.
"Our ten-year association with Motorola has been a major contributing factor in Telecel's dominance of the African wireless market," said Joseph Gatt, President and co-founder of Telecel. "We launched a Motorola-supplied cdmaOne network in Zambia -- the first in Africa -- last year, and Motorola has worked hard to provide the best possible service. The total cost of Telecel's cdmaOne expansion in Kinshasa will amount to roughly $20 million. This is a substantial investment for us but we are confident that with Motorola's support and expertise, this upgrade will prove to be painless and profitable."
As part of the expansion, CIG will install its state-of-the-art SC(TM) 9600 cdmaOne base station equipment in Kinshasa. Motorola CIG's high-capacity EMX(R) 2500 (Electronic Mobile Exchange) switch is an integral part of the network enhancement project.
"We applaud Telecel for demonstrating its progressive vision by choosing to bring cdmaOne service to its customers in the DRC," Gene O'Rourke, senior director and general manager of Motorola's Emerging Markets Cellular Infrastructure Division, said. "Telecel subscribers will be the first in the DRC to experience the many benefits of digital cdmaOne cellular service, including enhanced call quality and security, improved coverage and capacity, and longer battery life."
Telecel Congo SPRL, a subsidiary of Telecel International Ltd., is the Democratic Republic of Congo's leader in cellular telecommunications. The firm has been operational in Kinshasa for over ten years and serves subscribers in five Congolese cities.
Telecel International was the first cellular operator in Africa and is now the market leader among African wireless providers. The firm operates networks in eight countries: Congo (DRC), Burundi, Guinea, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Cote d'Ivoire, Zambia and Zimbabwe. These networks provide full-service cellular voice communication facilities and employ sophisticated systems enabling voice mail, on-demand fax distribution, internet access, world-wide "one-number service," and roaming.
Each of Telecel's operations are interconnected by a satellite network. This network is run by AfriLink, a wholly owned subsidiary. The AfriLink satellite network acts as a gateway through which the company can route traffic to, from, and between Telecel's cellular operations. Among the many termination points in AfriLink's network are cities that were heretofore unserved by any carrier.
All systems are installed, operated and maintained by Telecel personnel, the majority of whom are Africans.
Motorola deployed the world's first commercial CDMA system in 1995 in Hong Kong. Currently, the company has more than 100 agreements in 25 countries to provide commercial and trial CDMA and cdmaOne equipment across the globe.
Motorola CIG, part of the Cellular Network and Space Sector, is a pioneer in the development, manufacture and deployment of cellular networks worldwide. To date, CIG has networks deployed in more than 80 countries. CIG has more than 10,000 employees and major development and manufacturing facilities in Illinois, Texas, Brazil and the United Kingdom. Motorola, Inc. is one of the world's leading providers of wireless communications, semiconductors, and advanced electronic systems, components and services. Motorola's 1997 sales were $29.8 billion.
For more information on Motorola CIG, please visit our web site at |
