ETISALAT-LED Kanartel poised for early start on Sudan’s SNO network

Dec 9, 2004 (LiquidAfrica) — Kanartel, the consortium led by Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat), last week announced that it is poised to begin work to develop the infrastructure for Sudan’s second nationwide fixed line phone service.

Kanartel won the Sudan contract just weeks ago with a euros45million bid. Mohammad H. Omran, Etisalat’s Chief Executive Officer, said: ‘The Corporation is focused on delivering its commitments to develop Sudan’s telecommunications infrastructure.

The National Telecommunication Commission (NTC), Sudan’s regulatory authority, confirmed that the Corporation-led Kanartel would begin operations within a year.

The scale of its activities will be gradually extended until it eventually covers the entire country.

Etisalat will manage, operate and maintain the Kanartel network while the Dubai-based Etisalat Academy will train and help develop Sudanese manpower so it rapidly becomes a resource that will contribute significantly to the business’s staffing.

Mohammed Omran said Kanartel (40% owned by Etisalat) would provide cutting-edge services based on the latest wireless, wired, satellite and radio technologies.

The new company is committed to providing 500,000 fixed lines in its first year of operation.