Vodacom Tanzania records 2 million subscribers

 
2006-03-31 10:28:49
By Guardian Reporter

	Vodacom Tanzania Managing Director Romeo Kumalo presents a cheque for 2m/- to the company`s two-millionth customer Deborah Magige in Dar es Salaam yesterday. (Photo: Mroki Mroki)

Mobile phone network provider Vodacom Tanzania yesterday announced that its subscriber base has crossed two million customers.

The company said in a statement that it achieved the milestone earlier this month, just over five years after launching commercial operations in Tanzania.

This is a historic achievement – the very first time in the Tanzanian market for any network to reach two million customers.

Vodacom would like to thank all our customers for continuing to make use of the network of their choice.

We take this opportunity to renew our commitment to our customers – existing and future – to continue to provide you with the best cellular services available,’ the statement quoted Vodacom Tanzania Managing Director Romeo Kumalo as saying.

The company’s two-millionth customer is 35-year-old Mwanza businesswoman Deborah Magige who connected to the Vodacom network on March 3.

Kumalo presented Magige with a cheque for 2m/-, a new phone and Vodacom gift hamper at a function in Dar es Salaam.

Thrilled at the unexpected honour, Magige thanks her husband who bought her the fully-connected handset from a Shivacom dealer shop on Station Road in Mwanza.

’It is an unbelievable honour to be Vodacom’s two-millionth customer. I really appreciate Vodacom’s services to its customers and the community,’ she said.

Kumalo said customers chose Vodacom because of the high quality of service that they received.

’This year, Vodacom has committed capital investment of over 150bn/- which will be directed into network and coverage roll-out as well as the installation of the path-breaking 3G HSDPA technology to offer data products to the market.

’With 3G HSDPA (High Speed Download Packet Access) customers would be able to make video calls, stream TV channels and even download video clips in minutes.

The investment will further create direct and indirect jobs related to the cellular industry, thereby facilitating the overall growth of the technology sector and the economy at large,’ he said.

Given that most of the investment will be in infrastructure and technological development, coverage will be extended into more rural areas to provide the nation with affordable communication.

’In addition to taking technology further than it has ever been, we are also committed to reaching rural districts and communities to enable more people to have access to cellular communication and the development opportunities it offers,’ Kumalo said.

Vodacom already covers all the major regions, towns and roads making it possible for people across the country, to keep in touch while on the move.

The core network and switching capacity has also been upgraded to accommodate the rapid customer growth experienced during 2005 and to maintain the quality of the service.

’Vodacom has always strived to reach out to the masses, which is demonstrated by our introduction of products that are relevant to Tanzanian consumers. I would like to thank all our customers for their continued loyalty and for making us Tanzania’s leading cellular network,’Kumalo added.

• SOURCE: Guardian