MTN Staff Induction Network Introduction Presentation

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The Wireless Revolution and Opportunities for
Africa Patrice Aliakai MTN Uganda
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Welcome note

• On behalf of MTN Uganda I would like to once
  again warmly welcome all the delegates to this
  workshop.
• MTN would like to thank the Uganda Communications
  Commission for fostering this kind of interaction
  as we believe it builds avenues for regional
  cooperation and development in the information
  and communications sector.
• In todays global village this kind of solidarity
  is critical to ensuring that Africa is able to
  actively participate in and even take a lead in
  the wireless revolution especially regarding
  developing solutions that are appropriate for
  Africa.
• Patrice Aliakai, Wireless Infrastructure Planning
  Manager MTN Uganda, Responsible for all wireless
  planning and optimisation in MTN Uganda i.e. GSM,
  WLL and Microwave. Five years working in the
  network planning and optimisation area in MTN
  Uganda.

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Agenda

• What is the wireless revolution?
• Why wireless is right for Africa
• Examples of wireless technology
• Opportunities
• The role of and challenges facing regulators and
  governments
• Case study
• The future

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What is the wireless revolution?

• An explosion in the use of wireless technology to
  exchange information between people, systems and
  devices.
• It is a revolution because it has resulted in
  businesses, governments, nations, communities and
  individuals undergoing rapid and far reaching
  change in the way they communicate.
• The wireless revolution is sweeping Africa
  because it is a win-win scenario for investors,
  governments and consumers.

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Why wireless is right for Africa

• Difficult environment to develop information and
  communication technology due to lack of
  infrastructure, political and economic
  instability, remote areas and natural disasters.
  By using wireless these challenges can be
  surmounted.
• Tremendous suppressed demand for services
• Fast and cost effective deployment
• Anywhere, anytime
• Relatively cheap to set up
• Countless applications

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Examples of wireless technology

• Communications (GSM, Microwave, Mobile Radio,
  Satellite)
• Audio broadcasting
• TV Broadcasting
• Fleet management
• Vehicle tracking
• WLAN

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Development Opportunities

• Universal access to basic communications services
  is no longer just a dream but is becoming a
  reality.
• Fosters economic growth directly (improved
  communications, employment etc) and indirectly
  (taxes).
• E-Learning over the internet.
• Mass education campaign avenues through TV and
  radio media.
• By plugging our educational institutions into the
  global village we are creating a new generation
  of leaders.

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Business opportunities

• Investment opportunities e.g. GSM, Satellite,
  Media companies, Security.
• Easy access to reliable Communications enhances
  efficiency and effectiveness of businesses
  tremendously.
• Wide variety of advertising channels enabling
  businesses to market products and services to a
  large population.

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The role of and challenges facing regulators and
governments

• Government should foster the right economic
  environment by providing a clear vision regarding
  access to information and communications
  technology and putting in place long term fiscal
  and developmental policies and programs to
  support achievement of that vision.
• Regulation is critical to ensure fair
  competition, protection of consumers, fair access
  to and efficient use of wireless spectrum which
  is a limited resource.
• Keeping up with the rapid pace of change is
  essential and governments need to update
  legislation and spearhead liberalisation of the
  economy.
• For regulators to keeping up with the pace of
  technological change is a major challenge.
• Measuring success or failure of ICT programs and
  policies and acting upon results is essential for
  lasting success. A framework for continuous
  improvement is needed.

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Case study Uganda

• The wireless revolution is here in Uganda due to
  deliberate effort on the part of government to
  foster development in the information and
  communications sector.
• From less than 5,000 mobile subscribers in 1996
  to over 600,000 in 2003.
• Nearly nationwide coverage and easy access to
  public phone facilities.
• Focus on rural development
• Internet access through over 15 ISPs
• Over 100 radio stations
• Over 20 TV stations

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MTN Uganda

• The leading communications company in Uganda with
  over 400,00 customers.
• Delivers a wide range of services including
  voice, data, fax, ISDN Internet, value added
  services.
• Over 300 direct employees, over a thousand jobs
  indirectly created.
• 2nd largest tax payer
• Changed the way businesses and individuals
  communicate.
• Nationwide access to communications, conventional
  coverage and village phone rural communications
  project.
• Rapid growth due to deployment of cutting edge
  wireless technologies.

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Coverage Map
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MTN Village Phone
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MTN Village phone
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MTN Public Payphone
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The future

• The ideal of Africans having near universal
  access to communications and information services
  is becoming a reality in our everyday lives.
• Despite tremendous advances Africa still lags
  very far behind developed world. Big challenge
  for governments and investors if Africa is to
  catch up.
• Governments must redouble their efforts to create
  an environment that will encourage long term
  stability and economic growth.
• Investors must take the lead in delivering
  universal access to information and
  communications solutions that are innovative yet
  appropriate and affordable for the markets that
  they serve.
• Investors face big challenges of satisfying the
  tremendous demand for basic communications in
  Africa and the wireless revolution is providing
  them with an opportunity to overcome them.

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Thank you

• Thank you for your attention.
• ?
• Patrice Aliakai
• aliakap_at_mtn.co.ug
• 256 77 212400