KASAPA SIGNS CONTRACT FOR NATIONAL DIGITAL NETWORK
2005-06-22 06:44:00 | Viewed 1055 times
Kasapa Telecom Limited has signed a contract with ZTE Corporation of China to supply, build and manage a digital network for the company. At a news conference in Accra yesterday, Kasapa Telecom Managing Director Robert Palitz said that with this new nationwide digital network, Kasapa will provide affordable voice and data telecommunications solutions for mobile, home, and business.
Kasapa expects the first shipment of network equipment to arrive in Ghana this week and anticipates it will launch digital service in its present coverage areas of Accra, Tema, and Kumasi in less than three months, followed immediately by a program of nationwide expansion.
Kasapa will deploy CDMA2000 1X, one of the 3rd generation family of cellular technologies. This digital cellular technology, developed in the United States, is used by over 256 million customers in 78 countries worldwide. Leading networks in the USA have received accolades for the quality of service and features that CDMA has enabled them to provide.
Mr. Palitz added that when the digital service is launched, the present analogue system will be shut down but noted that “Kasapa pledges not to leave any active customer behind.”
Throwing more light on this commitment, Kasapa Marketing Manager Clement Asante stated that almost all active customers are using dual mode handsets that will switch automatically to CDMA as soon as the new network is launched. Those handsets will then sport new features and much improved battery life. Active Kasapa customers will be able to exchange their functioning analogue handsets for new CDMA models of similar type. All Kasapa customers will be offered trade-in discounts on new models, if they so desire.
Mr. Asante continued, “CDMA2000 1X phones are available in all shapes and sizes, with basic phones at affordable prices as well as highly advanced and fashionable models. And only Kasapa will give you the choice of phones using Kasapa chips or phones that require no chips at all.”
In explaining Kasapa’s choice of CDMA technology, Mr. Palitz pointed out that the key in a market such as Ghana is to shop and choose wisely to support a business plan that permits a company to offer affordable prices. “Integrated services delivered on a single CDMA2000 1X network give us an efficiency nobody can match. Our parent company Hutchison’s worldwide experience and support helps to ensure our success. And every Kasapa customer knows our policy is to share efficiencies with the customers. Kasapa and ZTE will make wonderful things happen in Ghana.”
Mr. Asante pledged to keep Kasapa customers and the market informed of the project’s progress.
Kasapa is a subsidiary of Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited, which in turn is controlled by Fortune 500 Company Hutchison Whampoa Limited. HWL is a Hong Kong-based leading international corporation committed to innovation and technology with businesses spanning 52 countries and 200,000 employees, and 2004 consolidated turnover of over US$23 Billion. It operates in 5 core areas; Ports and related services (world’s number 1 Container Port Operator), retail and manufacturing (over 6,000 shops worldwide, and world’s number one health and beauty retailer), property and hotels, energy & infrastructure and telecommunications (21.4 million customers at end 2004).
Hutchison is the first company to roll out commercial third generation (3G) services in Europe. Currently, Hutchison has 3G licences in 10 markets: Australia, Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Norway, Sweden and the UK.
Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited (Hutchison Telecom) is a leading global provider of telecommunications services, currently serving nine markets around the world.
Hutchison Telecom currently operates mobile and fixed telecommunications services in Hong Kong and mobile services also in Macau, India, Israel, Thailand, Paraguay, Sri Lanka and Ghana, with Vietnam intending to commence service in late 2005. It was the first provider of 3G mobile services in Hong Kong, where it also provides broadband and fixed-line telecommunications services. It is a listed company whose American Depositary Shares are quoted on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker HTX and shares are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code 2332.
A subsidiary of the Hong Kong-based Hutchison Whampoa Group, Hutchison Telecom is dedicated to providing superior telecommunications services in markets with high growth potential. See www.htil.com.
ZTE Corporation is China's largest listed telecommunications equipment provider specializing in offering customized network solutions for telecom operators worldwide. ZTE develops and manufactures telecommunications equipment for fixed, mobile, data and optical networks, intelligent networks and next generation networks as well as mobile phones. It has deployed CDMA networks in over 40 countries.
|
 |
|
|
 |
