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| Sunday, 8 February 2004 |
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Suntel plans country-wide expansion by HIRAN H. SENEWIRATNE Sri Lanka's premier wireless fixed phone service operator Suntel, is planning to instal 300,000 fixed lines within the next three to five years. Currently, Suntel has more than 80,000 subscribers and it is now widely expanding its coverage to reach the set target, said Managing Director Lillemor Larsson. She said the company would invest US $ 20 million in the near future to facilitate the company's islandwide expansion programme. The slow decision-making process of the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) has affected the operational activities of the company and it has retarded the company's expansions to a great extent, she added. "We need to get frequency for expansion, for which the TRC is not working very fast", she emphasised. According to Larsson, the company had already installed the required telecommunication equipment in Jaffna to provide 10,000 lines before the end of this year. The company had invested a sum of more than US $ 500,000 in to achieve this goal. "Penetrating into Jaffna is also a part of the company's strategic plan to expand its services islandwide", Larsson reiterated . She said that Suntel had planned and researched for the selection of services options that would ideally suit the present requirements of the people of Jaffna. "Several meaningful products would be offered and it would transform communication requirements in the area in a big way. At the outset Suntel will cover Jaffna town, Chundikuli, Colombthurai, Ariali, Nallur, Thiruneveli, Arunthirei, Kokuvil, Suthumalai and Inuvil. Suntel is doing a satellite transmission to link Jaffna and Colombo at present. "The company will introduce latest innovative products such as International Direct Dialling (IDD) and Internet facility for every fixed phone line,she said. "The company will also provide some excellent services and product offers to Jaffna, as in Colombo and other parts of the island. "Very soon we would be extending our network to the East as well", said Larsson confidently. "North and East of the country with a lot of scope for business, are yet to be exploited. However, the company is willing to take a risk to pursue business activities in these highly sensitive areas", she added. Suntel has 10 branches islandwide covering major cities in the country with a well trained workforce of 480. The company is also exploring the possibilities of being listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange in the future, raise capital to pursue its targets", Larsson hinted. |
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| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
