Breaking Newsss!!!, Bharti Promises affordable services, rural network coverage and superior brand!!

Bharti Airtel reaffirms its long term commitment to Tanzania

To contribute to the growth of telecom in the country

Thanks the Government for their overwhelming support

Promises affordable services, rural network coverage and superior brand experience

Bharti Airtel, one of the largest mobile companies in the world, which has recently acquired African operations of Zain including Tanzania, today reiterated its long term commitment to Tanzania and contribute to the growth of telecommunications sector in the country. The Company said it is committed to offering affordable services, deep network coverage and distribution backed by a superior brand experience to customers.

Mr. Manoj Kohli, CEO (International) & Jt. MD, Bharti Airtel said, “We are very delighted to be in Tanzania and at the outset like to express our deep gratitude and thank the government of Tanzania for their overwhelming support. We want to be a partner in Tanzania’s growth and will work with the government to take telecom networks deep into small towns & villages of the country to touch the common man.
Bharti will achieve affordability for masses through passing on the benefits of infrastructure sharing and lower interconnect rates to its customers."

We are here for the long run and want to be a partner in the growth story of Tanzania. We believe we have inherited well run operations in Tanzania and look forward to working with our team of highly talented professionals and take these operations to leadership.”

On his part, the Minister for Communication Science and Technology, Professor Peter Msolla said “We are pleased to have Bharti Airtel enter the Tanzania Telecom sector. We believe their affordability model which is extremely successful in emerging markets will be of great benefit to Tanzania consumer and will tremendously reduce the costs to customers. We welcome Bharti Airtel in Tanzania and trust their investments will bring positive changes and hope for the rural population. We still have areas that have no mobile communications today and believe Bharti Airtel strategy will focus on them”.



The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) Director General, Professor John Nkoma, added that “Considering the vibrant nature of the communications sector in Tanzania, TCRA notes the change of shareholding in the company and welcomes Bharti Airtel. We are expecting that Bharti Airtel will participate so as to promote effective competition, improved quality of service, extend availability of services and affordability for consumers.”

Bharti Airtel also said that it plans to bring its ecosystem of global partners to Tanzania and this will result in additional employment opportunities in the country. The Company also has plans to introduce its Corporate Social Responsibility program in Tanzania under which it will set up schools that offer free quality education to underprivileged children in rural areas.

Mr. Kohli also introduced the new Managing Director for the Tanzania operation Mr. Sam Elangalloor who is taking over from Mr. Khaled Muhtadi. Sam comes into Tanzania with vast experience in the telecom sector. “I’d like to officially introduce our new Managing Director in Tanzania, Sam Elangalloor, Sam has over 20 years of professional experience in all key areas of the telecom business from sales to products development and extensive, operational experience”. Said Kohli.

Prior to his appointment Mr Sam Elangalloor was the CEO for Telemedia handling Data, retail fixed line broadband and voice. He was the driving force behind the successful move of the business focusing from Voice to Data. Prior to this, for more than four years he was in the mobile business. He is known for his ability to maintain Leadership position in the most competitive and diverse markets; a true leader and team player. Telemedia is one of the Bharti Airtel strategic business units offering high speed broadband internet with a best in class network that provides broadband & telephone services in 94 cities and is foraying into the IPTV and DTH segments.

On his part Mr. Sam Elangalloor said “I’ve been very positively impressed by the people of Tanzania and the team at Zain has a collection of tremendous attributes and strengths, which I am confident will enable us to provide Tanzania with the most innovative, and affordable quality services. We remain committed to expanding what is already the most extensive network in the country and to making a deep and lasting positive contribution to the economic and social fabric of Tanzania.”

The countries in which Bharti has acquired the operations are - Burkina Faso, Chad, Congo Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Zain is the market leader in 10 of the 15 countries and second in 4 countries.

With the successful completion of Zain’s acquisition Bharti Airtel is now the fifth largest mobile company in the world with over 180 million customers.

About Bharti Airtel Limited

Bharti Airtel Limited is a leading global telecommunications company with operations in 18 countries across Asia and Africa. The company offers mobile voice & data services, fixed line, high speed broadband, IPTV, DTH, turnkey telecom solutions for enterprises and national & international long distance services to carriers. Bharti Airtel has been ranked among the six best performing technology companies in the world by BusinessWeek. Bharti Airtel had over 189 million customers across its operations at the end of June 2010. To know more visit http://www.airtel.in__/