etisalat starts service in Afghanistan

etisalat starts service in Afghanistan Staff Report/GULF NEWS Published: August 29, 2007, 23:46

Dubai: etisalat's Afghan subsidiary yesterday launched its GSM service across Afghanistan, where mobile penetration has reached just eight per cent.

Afghanistan is etisalat's 14th market and third with the etisalat brand after UAE and Saudi Arabia.

etisalat Afghanistan's coverage and wide range of services are now available in Kabul, Herat, Mazar i Sherif, Kunduz and Jalalabad.

The cities and areas of Kandahar, Ghazni, Poli Khumri, Baghlan and Paghman will have coverage before Ramadan.

Minister of Communication and Information Technology for Afghanistan, Amirzai Sangin, said: "I am pleased to see etisalat as a new entrant in the telecom market, launching in Afghanistan in accordance with the laws and policies established by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. I wish etisalat Afghanistan success in competing to provide necessary services for the Afghan people."

etisalat Afghanistan's aim is to provide coverage in every province within the country.

The company said as a new entrant in Afghanistan, its network will be based on quality, innovative services and competitive pricing.

Long term

Mohammad Hassan Omran, etisalat chairman, said in a statement: "Our investment in Afghanistan is for the long term, which is the reason we bring to the country our values of openness; caring - both for our customers and staff; and innovation that come with it.

"We see a good opportunity in Afghanistan as mobile penetration is only 8 per cent, leaving significant room for growth and development. The country also records higher Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) than its neighbouring countries.

"This means that there is existing demand for new technologies and services. Our operation in Afghanistan will also help us to better service the large Afghan communities in our other markets such as Pakistan, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. etisalat is committed to supporting the community of Afghanistan and to working with the authorities and industry to help develop the infrastructure of the country, to help businesses, individuals and the government to extend their reach."

etisalat's services will be available through over 1,000 retailers across the country and through its own outlets.

The chief executive officer of etisalat's Afghanistan operation, Salem Al Kendi, said: "We are here to build a modern network for the Afghan people and offer world class services. etisalat looks forward to helping Afghanistan become a telecommunications hub for Central Asia."

etisalat Afghanistan will offer a wide range of services including GPRS & MMS services, ring back tones, missed call notification and a discounted "family & friends" package.