WTU Country General Manager Zul Javaid and the Minister for ICT Ham-Mukasa Mulira make a mobile-to-mobile test call

Transforming telecom sector
Warid TELECOM

Uganda’s telecommunications sector has until recently had three major telecom providers. In November last year, the government of Uganda completely liberalized the country’s telecom infrastructure and services arena, opening up the market to full competition. Warid Telecom Uganda (WTU) was awarded a Public Infrastructure Provider license on 26th of March this year.

To date, the telecommunications landscape is characterized by low penetration and inconsistent service quality. Network disruptions are prevalent and the existing operators have fallen short of the growing expectations of the corporate and consumer customer base. This resonates with Warid Telecom’s experience in Pakistan, its first country of operation; the incumbent players were hesitant to invest in their networks and customer focus was poor. Warid entered the market in May 2005 with a service and quality proposition that has since led to the acquisition of nearly 12 million subscribers.

WTU’s rollout is progressing at a rapid pace. On 13th September this year, WTU made test calls on its network, exactly 50 days after the equipment was delivered into the country. The rollout of BTS sites and the billing solution is also progressing well.

The company plans to invest US$400 million in its operations in Uganda, with $150 million so far injected. At the time of launch, the company expects to employ over 400 Ugandans directly and many thousands indirectly. The advent of WTU has triggered investments in the sector by all players in an effort to defend their market position.

WTU has selected its initial technology platforms as GSM and WiMAX on a converged IMS core network. These wireless technologies support its strategy for a quick rollout, in order to expedite the availability of its services to the people of Uganda.

WTU is owned by Warid Telecom International, a part of the Abu Dhabi Group chaired by His Highness Sheikh Nahayanca Mabarak Al Nahayan. Warid Telecom International has begun the expansion of its footprint in Africa with new licenses in Uganda and the Republic of Congo and it is actively seeking operating licenses in the CIS, South Asia and other parts of Africa.