Warid targets 70% of population

Dec 18, 2007

WARID Telecom is prepared to compete with the existing firms. “The existing companies are so beautiful but we cannot get scared of them. We hope to provide a better service. We have big commitment to Africa and we need Ugandans’ support,” the head of sales, Shaulat Islam Khan, said.

By Chris Kiwawulo

WARID Telecom is prepared to compete with the existing firms. “The existing companies are so beautiful but we cannot get scared of them. We hope to provide a better service. We have big commitment to Africa and we need Ugandans’ support,” the head of sales, Shaulat Islam Khan, said.

He said they were targeting 70% of Uganda’s population. Khan said the $400m (sh680b) clear network they had built would win the majority of Ugandans to their network.

Uganda’s population is about 28.5 million people. If Warid captures 70% of this population, about 20 million people will be on their network.

He said in Bangladesh and Pakistan, the Abu Dhabi-based company had hooked one million clients in 69 and 80 days respectively.

Khan disclosed this at the Uganda Law Society’s (ULS) cocktail the ULS Secretariat on Acacia Avenue in Kampala.

He said although Warid was a new company, it believes in corporate social responsibility.

Khan said Warid recently acquired a code, 070, with which it would operate. The company is testing the code on all networks.

Hits Telecom also recently started testing its network using the 079 code.

The ULS president, Oscar John Kihika, commended Warid for its support to the association that is currently cash-strapped.

Kihika said 80% of the ULS budget was donor- funded.

He said they want to raise more funds among themselves to reduce donor dependency.

Kihika asked Khan to maintain the partnership with the law society.

Warid joins Hits Telecom as new entrants in the telecommunications industry.

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