Warid phone company launched

Jan 10, 2008

Mobile telephone fares are likely to drop as WARID Telecom has officially launched its operations in Uganda.

By Emmy Olaki

Mobile telephone fares are likely to drop as WARID Telecom has officially launched its operations in Uganda.

WARID Telecom, based in the United Arab Emirates, is one of two telecom companies licensed last year, when the Government opened the sector to full competition following the end of the duopoly of MTN and uganda telecom.

“We shall have a telecommunications operation comparable to anywhere in the world, which will enable us make services accessible to all Ugandans at fair prices,” said Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al-Nahayan at the inauguration at Speke Resort Munyonyo on Wednesday evening.

Nahayan, a member of the royal family of Abu Dhabi, flew into the country aboard a private jet to launch the company.

Although commercial operations have not yet started, Nahayan said the company has already set up 380 service sites, covering at least 75% of the population as well as the major highways.

The company will also launch an extensive portfolio of services, including wireless broadband, provided through Wimax technology.

“We are deploying the latest technology to serve Uganda’s priorities and needs. Our plan is to put up an establishment that will be the future model of all investments in telecommunications and banking,” he explained.

He said the company would employ 300 people directly, and thousands indirectly and announced plans to invest in hiring and training local workers.

President Yoweri Museveni, who was the chief guest at the inauguration, said an estimated sh240b was invested in the telecommunications sector in the past year alone.

The sector’s contribution to gross national product rose to 9%, he noted, with direct and indirect job creation standing at 300,000, compared to 3,000 in 1998.

“With the opening up of the telecommunications sector to full competition, new technologies have been introduced, resulting into wider variety and better quality services,” Museveni said.

“With the new players becoming operational, we expect much more competition and reduction in cost of access to telecom facilities.”

The president announced plans to address challenges in the sector, including the cost of taxes on services, especially airtime, which he said the government would address appropriately.

Uganda currently has 4.5 million mobile phone subscribers and at least five operators.

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