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Globacom activates 130 cell sites in Lagos
Globacom activates 130 cell sites in Lagos, Ibadan
Biodun Sonowo,
Associate Editor & Head, Business Champion
GLOBACOM, the
celebrated Second National Operator (SNO) has activated over 130 cell sites in
Lagos and Ibadan ahead of the planned roll out of its Global System of Mobile (GSM)
Services.
Indeed, Globacom GSM lines are already in active use in both cities by
subscribers who either bought them in Abuja where the services were rolled out
last week or by sharp businessmen who are selling the Globacom SIM cards at a
premium.
Our correspondent made and received calls yesterday from subscribers on the
0805- Globacom call sign and the reception was very sharp and clear.
Enquiries at the company’s headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos confirmed
that over 100 cell sites have already been activated in the Lagos area while 31
were completed in Ibadan, West Africa’s largest city and capital of Oyo State.
The major GSM networks have 17 and 15 cell sites each in Ibadan.
Besides, the palm tree symbol and radio mast of Globacom was commissioned in
Ibadan on Thursday, a sign that the SNO’s services are imminent in the
historic city.
Observers noted yesterday that the per second billing service of Globacom is
the magnet attracting subscribers who are discontented with the per minute
billing system of the older GSM networks.
Dr. Mike Adenuga, Chairman and CEO of Globacom speaking through spokesmen
yesterday promised that the firm had taken its time to perfect its technologies
to avail Nigerians of quality telecoms services of international standard.
He reiterated the firm’s plans to make three million phones available on
its network by December this year.
Also contacted on phone yesterday, Mr. Ayo Asagba, Head of Communications
said test-run of its facilities were on in Lagos, Ibadan and elsewhere to ensure
clarity on the network while all the facilities in the two cities were in
"101 per cent" readiness for roll-out.
Although he was not specific on the roll out date for Lagos, he reiterated
that Globacom’s chairman’s promise of roll outs in six designated cities
would be fulfilled.
He stressed that adequate cell sites were already servicing the Lagos-Ibadan
axis and network provision would be available all along the Lagos Ibadan
expressway unlike the current breaks in existing networks.
"Our 31 cell sites in Ibadan are fully operational and optimized while
the per second billing is a special by Globacom to reduce and control telephone
costs for Nigerians," he said.
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