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| Sunday, 12 October 2003 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Celltel unveils fourth phase of expansion Celltel's fourth phase of expansion was unveiled last week by its CEO Dumindra Ratnayaka to coincide with the actual commencement of the fourth phase of GSM expansion. The four million US dollar investment will result in an 80 per cent increase in capacity and outstation coverage. "This will involve a 100 per cent increase in switch capacity levels in GSM while 100 new ring tones as well as picture messages for customers to choose from and the ability to personalise your phone in the language of your choice, which incidentally is another first from Celltel, will also be launched," said Ratnayaka. To date Celltel, Sri Lanka's first cellular phone operator, has invested US$ 72 million in its operations. Celltel is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Millicom International Cellular SA, the global telecommunications investor with operations in Asia, Latin America and Africa. It currently has 16 cellular operations and licences in 15 countries. Celltel has successfully focused its strategy on prepay, resulting in a customer base of over 400,000. Prepay is the largest segment in the mobile market, with the highest growth rate. Celltel was the first mobile phone operator to come out with the prepay card in 1997 and continues to be the leader in this segment. It has international roaming facilities in 70 countries and 148 networks. Celltel's fourth Phase of GSM expansion will be completed when the final GSM site is commissioned on December 15 in Ampara. The fifth phase of expansion is due to commence early next year. Ratnayaka said that it would involve expansion of GSM coverage and increasing outstation coverage by 250 per cent, which would match customer requirements and expectations and would include the North and East. |
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