Hits Telecom Uganda makes first mobile call

"Only three months after the selection of Alcatel-Lucent as its strategic partner, Hits Telecom has put the GSM network on air and on time," said a statement issued by the company on Tuesday at a press conference in Kampala.

The statement said the first call was made by President Yoweri Museveni from State House to the information communication technology (ICT) Minister Dr. Ham Mulira.

The president is said to have told Mulira that he hoped the new operator would contribute to the country's development.

"I am convinced that the new operators will contribute immensely to the development of our telecom infrastructure by deploying the latest technology and innovative features and the resultant competition will trigger lower and competitive prices for the benefit of Uganda consumers," said the President.

Museveni also said the government would take measures to encourage fair competition between operators such as low interconnect rates and mobile number portability.

The statement said the new network enhances Uganda's overall telecommunications infrastructure, making t it one of the many African countries investing in new solutions.

"This in turn enhances the continent's communications capabilities to better serve the people in these countries, particularly in the rural areas where there is a critical need for wireless connectivity," the statement said.

The company plans to expand its GSM network throughout Africa and position itself as a best in-class telecom service provider focusing on quality services.

"Hits Telecom is proud to be in a position to initiate the very last phase of actions before the launch of the commercial services that will renew the face of telecommunication services in Uganda," said the company's Board Chairman Ahmed Darweesh Bin Dagher Al Marar.

He said the company would provide excellent voice quality and provide attractive broadband services so as to bring communication services to all Ugandans.

"Alcatel-Lucent is a valued partner who was able to deliver a full turnkey network that will be easy to evolve to broadband wireless," he said.

Hits Telecom is a new operator in Uganda whose major shareholders are based in Abu Dhabi and when it becomes operational Uganda would have four national mobile telecommunications operators.

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