Nigerian CDMA 3G mobile network operator Starcomms plans to invest at least $125 million in expanding and upgrading its existing CDMA network.
Starcomms operates on a CDMA2000 platform, which is dynamic in that it allows efficient technological upgrades, explains CEO Maher Qubain.
"The evolution of broadband technology on the CDMA platform offers huge potential for growth."
Some areas of Nigeria will receive fresh CDMA transmission, while regions with more established CDMA infrastructure will receive broadband upgrades, explains Qubain.
The network upgrade will be done in 10 states and 12 cities, namely Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Aba, Onitsha, Asaba, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Zaria and Maiduguri. Starcomms is already operational in these areas.
The company plans to introduce fresh CDMA technology in the city of Benin and other Eastern states. The service will be launched in Benin in December, he says.
Starcomms has more than 700 000 subscribers, and intends to reach a million subscribers by the end of 2007. The company aims to further increase subscriber numbers to 1.67 million by 2008 and three million by year-end 2009.
Going next-generation
Last year, Starcomms, in conjunction with Huawei Technologies, rolled out West Africa's first CDMA2000 1xEV-DO technology over the existing CDMA platform in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt.
"Next-generation network environments are something we are aiming to roll-out in other business-oriented centres of Nigeria," explains Qubain.
Starcomms is set to deploy EV-DO Release A in Abuja by the end of September, he adds. "We are planning to bring broadband to Benin and other Eastern states in the second quarter of 2008."
EV-DO technology, coupled with CDMA-based voice-centric networks, enables high-speed broadband services, notes Qubain. NGN environments are beneficial for the economic development of any region, he says.
Starcomms is looking to upgrade its mobile services to 3.5G services countrywide, within the next few months. "We are still testing certain aspects of the technology and are making progress."
The company has operating frequencies in the 3G spectrum and was recently awarded a universal access licence. This allows it to provide nationwide mobile and roaming services in addition to international gateway rights.
Qubain believes the telecommunications regulatory environment is progressive in many aspects, but the regulatory body still has a long way to go to create a completely independent body beyond political influence.
Share