Mobile communications group MTN SA said it is to invest a further six billion rand into its network in 2009 to improve the capacity, quality and coverage, and 8 billion rand in total, excluding acquisitions.<\/p>\n
Speaking at an MTN SA media briefing, chief technology officer Sameer Dave said the bulk of that money would go towards radio (26%), core radio (13%), transmission (24%) and core (11%), while infrastructure would get 9% of the budget.<\/p>\n
“During 2009, at least 280 new 2G sites and 450 new 3G sites will be rolled out, at a cost of between 1.4-1.6 billion rand,” Dave said.<\/p>\n
Last year saw 483 new 2G sites and 419 new 3G sites rolled out, at a cost of 2 billion rand, bringing the total to more than 7.700 nationwide.<\/p>\n
Dave said that in Gauteng, 195km of fibre, representing six switching centres, would be connected, with 145km trenched to date and a planned light up in September.<\/p>\n
“The aim would be for a reduced dependency on Telkom, along with improved speed to market for capacity between switches and high capacity BTS sites,” he said.<\/p>\n
Looking further afield, MTN SA MD Tim Lowry told I-Net Bridge that 2009 would see a consolidation of the market for MTN SA.<\/p>\n
“We will continue to look for opportunities in Africa. Zimbabwe is one country we have seen an opportunity and we are confident that we will play a monster role in the economic recovery of that country.<\/p>\n
“There are also other licenses available in Africa, which we will look to explore,” he said.<\/p>\n
Last month, MTN declared an interest in taking control of the existing mobile operator in Zimbabwe, Telecel.<\/p>\n
Lowry also told the briefing that the group would not entertain the idea of mobile TV as a provider, competing with M-Net for content.<\/p>\n
“We are happy to be a service provider for that content. We feel that’s the right position for us to take,” he said.<\/p>\n