Starcomms, MTN, Etisalat to spend N297.9billion on network

Following the demands for quality service delivery in 2013, three of the GSM Service providers in the Country namely; MTN, Etisalat, and Starcomms have taken proactive steps to improve on their network through immediate upgrade.
The Three Telcos in total estimation, plan to invest about $1.9 billion(N297.9 billion) on mobile Network in order to boost the capacity, service delivery, reach and accessibility to subscribers in the Country.
From the breakdown, Etisalat will spend $400 million to improve and boost network service, while Capcom, owners of Starcomms will provide about $210 million to upgrade current facilities of the network, while the South African based MTN will spend about $1.3 billion.
Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Mr Brett Goshen said last year that the company will improve on its investment in Network service delivery, because it was key and vital to unlocking the numerous potentials in the mobile technology Industry.

 Mr Goshen said “We invested $1.3bn in the network in 2012 alone. This covers the extensive network optimisation and swap out exercise, which we embarked on in June 2012, and which is now at an advanced stage. And by 2013, we hope to double the investment by putting in another $1.3bn for infrastructure expansion.”

The CEO believed the investment was worthwhile and also confirmed the interest of the Company in not only making profit from the Nigerian Mobile space market, but also providing a platform for the development of relevant technology, that will boost Network and provide quality service delivery in the Country.
Mr Steve Evans, CEO of Etisalat while speaking on his Company’s Investment said “We plan to increase our cell sites by an additional 1,000 in 2013.” As part of its drive to improve its Network distribution in the Country, while Mr Dem Elesho CEO of Starcomms said “As part of the deal, we will merge the spectrum licence of MTS and the CDMA mobile telecoms business of MultiLinks with Starcomms.”