MTN goes 3G in Benin, Ivory Coast

MTN WOULD roll out high-speed data services in Benin and the Ivory Coast afterwards it was awarded licences to operate third-generation networks in both countries last week, Africa’s largest cellphone operator said yesterday.

Universal licence in Benin

MTN has received a universal licence in Benin, which will allow it to operate using any research to provide cellular telecommunications including 3G, fourth-generation long-term evolution, WiMax and WiFi outdoor services as so then as using Voice over Internet Protocol without paying additional fees.

In Benin there was however room for growth as cellphone penetration was thought to be about 55 percent for both voice and data services, she said, during the penetration in Ivory Coast was estimated at 75 percent.

“(The licences) mean that MTN can now play in both fixed and mobile. In the Ivory Coast they had bought an ISP and are running WiMax networks.”

MTN Benin chief executive Eric Tronel said the licence in that country “presents a great possibility to improve business communication solutions and other services to our clients, both in the consumer and the corporate sectors”.

Ivory Coast Minister of Post and Information Communication Technologies Bruno Koné delivered the news of the awarding of the 3G licence to MTN Cote d’Ivoire last Thursday at MTN’s offices in Abidjan. The announcement came while a press conference to inform the media of MTN’s subscriber registration process and equipment for the undersea West African Cable System.