GSM, Mobiles, Nigeria, MENA: Motorola has signed a US$75 million GSM network expansion contract with Nigerian Mobile Telecommunications Limited (M-tel), one of Nigeria’s mobile communications operators.

The expansion will enable M-tel to extend its coverage across Nigeria, and comes at a time when M-tel is currently re-grouping its business to prepare a drive for greater growth and penetration in the Nigerian market. Motorola implemented M-tel's original radio network in 2003.

The scope of the expansion covers installation, commissioning and site upgrading in the cities of Benin, Ikorodu and Yola. With this full turnkey project, Motorola’s aim is to offer M-tel its network integration services to enable rapid and seamless deployment of all network elements.

Motorola foresees substantial growth potential within Nigeria. In 1999 there were 500,000 fixed customers while today there are more than 20 million mobile customers - and there are still many regions that are without coverage. Most network traffic in Nigeria is voice-centric and the expansion will provide much needed data services such as e-mail and Internet. The agreement with M-tel reinforces Motorola’s continuing commitment not only to Nigeria but to the whole of sub-Saharan Africa. Mobile services are seen by Motorola as being in line with its aim to play a full part in connecting the next billion mobile subscribers by 2010.

* M-tel, established in 1996, provides mobile cellular services throughout Nigeria. It currently has an authorised share capital of US$2 million, though the actual equity funding it has enjoyed is in excess of US$311 million. Some M-tel milestones include transmission links in Yola - Maiduguri (720 km, with Motorola equipment), first GSM operator to install and commission eleven mobile switching centres (MSCs) in Nigeria, first to deploy a Mobile Base Transceiver Station (MBTS), and first to deploy service in 36 states capital and the federal capital area.

• more info: www.mtelnigeria.com