MSI Cellular's Celtel Links Up Two Congos

Direct interconnect enables Celtel subscribers to call each other across the Congo river border at local rates.

Celtel DRC and Celtel Congo, subsidiaries of MSI Cellular, have pushed back the boundaries of pan African telecommunications by enabling Celtel subscribers to call each other at local rates across the Congo river border. Calls, which previously were routed through satellite connections via Europe at international long distance rates, can now by made though a direct microwave link at the cost of a local call.

Celtel DRC and Celtel Congo's 400,000 subscribers will see significant benefits as cross-border call rates are effectively reduced by around 75% per minute. Celtel subscribers can now make calls at local rates to Brazzaville, Lubumbashi, Madingou, Ouesso, Kinkala, Mbuji Mayi, Nkayi, Oyo, Kasumbalesa, Mouyonzi, Matadi, Olombo, Pointe Noire, Kinshasa, Dolisie et Kipushi. Furthermore, Celtel is providing cross border capacity free to the two state-owned telecommunications companies in Congo Kinshasa (DRC) and Congo Brazzaville (Republic of Congo).

Omari Issa, Chief Operating Officer of MSI Cellular, commented:

"This is an important milestone for MSI Cellular in its efforts to build a pan African network. It demonstrates Celtel's commitment to its customers, extending the range of affordable call destinations. It is also significant development in African telecommunications regulation, in terms of the leading cross border policies adopted.

"Celtel remains at the forefront of African telecommunications in consistently delivering new customer-focused benefits to meet customer expectations. We continue to plan further network expansion and to bring new benefits to our customers."

For more details, please contact: Martin de Koning, Celtel Corporate Communications Director, +31 23 554 2671 or +31 6558 22409, deKoning.M@celtel.com