Webtorial

Release date:7/13/2010

Kampala, Uganda: MTN Uganda today received an enhanced data network from Huawei Technologies to complement its existing infrastructure, aimed at increasing data connectivity in Uganda at lower prices.

At a ceremony held at the Serena Kampala International Conference Centre this morning, MTN Uganda CEO Themba Khumalo and Huawei Technologies Managing Director Samuel Chen signed an acceptance agreement officially handing over the network over to MTN Uganda for use.

In October last year, MTN Uganda secured a landmark USD100million financing facility from eleven commercial banks in Uganda, which was used for no network investments which amounted to USD125 million. MTN Uganda has since inception invested USD680million towards its extensive network.

“This is of supreme significance to Uganda as a nation, and specifically to our customers. This network will complement the existing network to provide enhanced data services for our customers.

Khumalo said MTN had invested heavily across the continent in underwater cables for better data connectivity to benefit its customers all over Africa. MTN is utilising capacity on the TEAMS (The East African Marine System) cable, and has invested heavily in the EASSy (The East African Submarine Cable System).

“With this level of investment, MTN is well positioned to be the leading player in the data market and make data more affordable and accessible for the common man in Uganda”, he said.

Huawei Technologies Vice President David Duan said he was proud of having accomplished the handover in only seven months.

“At Huawei globally we pride ourselves on the quality of our work, and we are always proud to work with equally reputable partners such as MTN. Part of our deliverable was capacity transfer, which we believe we have achieved in working together with MTN here in Uganda,” he said.

The improved network will support better data speeds and connectivity and provide benefits to large, small and medium enterprises in Uganda.

Khumalo said providing the best possible data network was part of MTN Uganda’s responsibility as a good corporate citizen.

About Huawei

Huawei is a leading global provider of commercial telecom networks and it is currently serving 45 of the world’s top 50 telecom operators. Through continuous customer-centric innovation, Huawei responds quickly to customers’ needs with a comprehensive, customized set of offerings. Huawei’s products and solutions are deployed in over 100 countries and are supporting the communication needs of one-third of the world’s population. As of December 2009, Huawei employed over 95,000 employees, 27,000 of whom are based outside of China. Huawei’s international operations have an average localization rate of 65 percent. Visit: www.huawei.com

About the MTN GROUP

Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a multinational telecommunications group, operating in 21 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code: “MTN”. As at 30 September 2009, MTN recorded 108,4 million subscribers across its operations in Afghanistan, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Iran, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia. The MTN Group is a global sponsor of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ and has exclusive mobile content rights for Africa and the Middle East. Please visit www.mtn.com and www.mtnfootball.com