B-Tel ready for switch-on

Johannesburg, 17 Jun 2005

The Lejweleputswa District in the Free State is today set to experience telecommunications facilities for the first time, when an underserviced area licensee (USAL) switches on its operations.

The Bokamoso Consortium, trading as B-Tel, is due to switch its network on at 1pm today, and the people of the district are eagerly anticipating the new service.

B-Tel recently announced it had signed a mobile virtual network operator deal with Vodacom, which would enable its customers to roam on the Vodacom GSM network in the Lejweleputswa area, allowing the USAL to provide products and services that are tailored for customers of this rural area.

"Roaming on the Vodacom network will enable us to roll-out services in a relatively short space of time with minimal capital outlay," says Dominic Mokheti, CEO of B-Tel.

"This will enable our company to focus immediately on the business of building a strong customer base and establishing an effective retail distribution network."

In this regard, Mokheti claims the company is thrilled with the number of customer orders it has already received, without even being 'switched on` yet.

"The people of the Lejweleputswa District are very upbeat about this project, and we have already received orders that have exceeded our initial expectations by about 50%," he says.

"By the end of the weekend we anticipate having well over 600 customers on board, and estimate that we should have between 5 000 and 6 000 customers by year-end."

Asked how he feels about finally being able to switch the B-Tel network on, Mokheti says: "It is fantastic to finally be doing this. It is a really nice feeling and I know the people of the district are just as eager for this to happen."

The awarding of USALs forms part of the Department of Communications` drive to promote access to ICT in rural areas, in order to bridge the digital divide, with the initial call for bidders taking place at the end of 2002.

"Things are coming together even better than we expected, although it has taken a long time to get to where we are. Nonetheless, we are really happy that it is finally happening," says Mokheti.