Celtel International was acquired by Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) of Kuwait in April 2005. MTC then changed its brand to Zain hence the rebranding of Celtel's entire operations spanning 15 countries in Africa.

Zain is an Arabic word meaning, ‘beautiful, good and wonderful.'

As part of the launch activities, Zain International announced its intention to inject Shs25 billion (US$37 million) into its Kenyan network. Dr Saad Hamad Al Barrack, the company president said this during consultations with President Kibaki at State House, Nairobi.

Dr Saad was accompanied by senior Company officials: Mr Rene Meza, Michael Okwiri and Mr Naushad Merali.

Further details from the Daily Nation

... Et le début de Zain. En effet, le Groupe Zain, proprietaire de "Celtel International" depuis Avril 2005 n'a pas dérogé à cette mode de "Branding" unique que toutes les multinationales appliquent depuis un certain temps. Adieu Celtel, vive Zain comme vu ici (Jeune Afrique).

On peut être tenter de se demander pourquoi un tel acharnement pour le Rebranding de la part de tout nouvel acquéreur. Diminuer les couts relatifs aux publicités? Quand on connait les sommes faramineuses que les entreprises mettent sur la table pour pouvoir être partenaires de grands évènements. Pour illustration, souvenez vous des dernières Coupes d'Afriques des Nations (CAN) avec MTN sans oublier la coupe du monde 2010.

Une deuxième motivation pourrait être le prestige dont bénéficie une entreprise à citer une dizaine de pays où il est implanté... Toujours est-il que ce mouvement se constate plus dans le secteur des télécommunications (mobiles).

C'est ainsi que,

• En Cote d'Ivoire
  • Ivoiris est devenu Orange
  • Telecel de Loteny est devenu MTN

• Au Ghana
  • Buzz est devenu Mobitel puis TIGO
  • Spacefon est devenu Areeba puis MTN

• Au Sénégal
  • Sentel est devenu TIGO
  • Alizé a rejoint Orange

• Au Mali
  • Ikatel s'est relooké en Orange

• ...

Ouf, resumons en disant qu' en général, Areeba est devenu MTN, Telecel (d'Atlantique Telecom) a pris (ou essaie de prendre !) le nom de Moov.

Et la seule Africaine dans tout ça? MTN... Et j'en vois plus. Celtel, bien que fondé par un Africain du Soudan (le Docteur Mo), est depuis devenu un jouet pour petroliers koweitiens (MTC puis Zain)!

Bof, chers Amis, pour ceux qui comme moi sont assez nostalgiques de ces choses là, soyez aux aguets des gadgets Rouge-Jaune,  Celtel, "La vie en mieux". (Tenez vous bien, j'ai toujours de petits choses de Telecel de Loteny et de Celtel, "A vous la parole", c'était pas un rebranding mais bon...).

Car dans les tous prochains jours, ce sera Zain. (J'ai pas encore trouvé pour vous le slogan!)

PS: Je connais pas Celtel ailleurs, mais Celtel Burkina sera certainement de celles qui auront le plus de mal à passer le cap du rebranding vu le déploiement qu'a connu le logo aux couleurs Rouge et Jaune...

Mr Rene Meza began work as the new CEO for Celtel Kenya, just weeks after a massive exodus of senior management, triggered by the firm's declining foothold in the lucrative mobile phone market. In the early years of this decade, Celtel then called Kencell, had a 50-50 share of the market with its rival Safaricom. Today, Safaricom commands 80% of the market with Celtel scrambling for the rest with Telkom Kenya. Mr Meza will be expected to reverse this decline and increase profitability.

While Safaricom makes hundreds of millions of dollars in annual profits, Celtel Kenya's accounts have been made public only twice in its eight year history. A couple of years ago, Celtel Kenya made a profit of Kshs1.2 billion (about US$18 million). The following year, profits tumbled to Kshs64 million (approx $1 million) and that was the last profit announcement by the firm.

Mr Meza, a Paraguayan, has been seconded by the Zain Group of Kuwait, which owns substantial shares in Celtel. Mr Meza previously headed Tanzanian mobile phone operator, Millicom Tigo. While introducing himself to the press, Mr Meza announced that Celtel will spend Shs25 billion ($385 million) on expanding its network in coming years. This, analysts say, will put Celtel in a better position to cope with the entry of two new mobile phone operators into the Kenyan market in coming months.

Econet Wireless plans to launch mobile phone services in the country before the end of the year. Telkom Kenya is also set to increase its investment in the mobile phone sector as its land line business succumbs to technological changes and rampant vandalism of cables.

Celtel Kenya's main shareholders are the Zain Group of Kuwait and Sameer Investments, a local holding company. The Zain Group intends to shift its Africa headquarters to Nairobi, proof that the Kenyan operation requires greater hands-on management.

This comes after a reorganization was just announced at Celtel Kenya as the company jostles to catch up with market leader, Safaricom in a landscape that has become fierce, competitive, fast changing, innovation-driven and the weakest feel pain.

Celtel Kenya head office in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi

This week, Celtel announced that its head of corporate and regulatory affairs, Dr Claire Ruto and the corporate affairs manager, Janet Kabue had, “left” the company. Chief Executive David Murray left a few months ago as did the Marketing Director, Anna Othoro. The departures come in the wake of the successful launch of an Initial Public Offering by Celtel's competitor, Safaricom that netted billions of shillings at the Nairobi Stock Exchange.

In eight years of fierce competition, Celtel has only managed to acquire 3 million mobile phone subscribers compared to 10 million for Safaricom. In the past year, Safaricom announced profits of close to US$300 million, the highest in East and Central Africa. Celtel has announced profits only twice since it began business in Kenya.

A couple of years ago, Celtel declared a profit of US$18 million, while Safaricom made $250 million the same year. The next year, Celtel declared profits of only $1 million and that was the last time Celtel made its finances public. It goes without saying that the CEO at the time was later fired!

Staff turnover at Celtel Kenya is so high that the media is never sure who the CEO is at any given time. This week, company said there will be a new CEO by early July.

Despite the management changes, Kenya's second largest mobile phone company isn't making headway in the market inspite of massive discounts in its calling rates.

But why has Celtel failed to capture the imagination of Kenya's mobile phone market inspite of a promising beginning in the year 2000?

Celtel began life as Kenya Cellular Communications Ltd, or Kencell. It was a joint venture between Vivendi of France and Sameer Investments of Kenya. Sameer is controlled by Mr Naushad N. Merali, one of Kenya's weathiest investors with links to top political figures. At the time, the shareholding in Kencell was 40% for Vivendi and 60% for Sameer, in line with regulations of the Communications Commission of Kenya.

Between 2000 and 2003, Kencell grew faster than Safaricom due to its high quality voice and data network. This was when Safaricom was experiencing teething problems due to its association with the bankrupt Telkom Kenya. The Safaricom network was congested and prone to breakdowns.

However, from around 2002, Safaricom began rebranding itself as a, “cheap” network. It began a billing system based on seconds rather than minutes. Strictly speaking, its cheaper for customers to pay for the minute rather than paying for each second. But Safaricom realized that Kenyans have, “peculiar” calling habits where the average phone call lasts only a few seconds. Kencell, with its full-minute billing lost the battle.

As one Safaricom advert put it, “Why pay for a whole minute when you can pay for only the seconds you talk?”

Kencell eventually changed its tariffs to per-second billing but the damage had been done.

In 2005, Vivendi of France sold its 40% stake in Kencell to Celtel International hence Kencell changed to Celtel Kenya. However, the entry of Celtel into the Kenyan market brought other complications.

Celtel adopted a Pan African marketing strategy of using the same advertising campaigns throughout the region. What Celtel failed to understand, is that Kenyans do not like to be associated with the rest of Africa! Kenyans are not Pan Africanists, instead, Kenyans prefer looking up to Europe and the United States. Celtel realized their mistake after two years of wasted advertising worth hundreds of millions of shillings. In the meantime, Safaricom was making localized advertisements that helped draw in millions of customers thus expanding its market share. Indeed, Safaricom adverts went ahead to win international awards.

In the past year, Celtel has lowered its tariffs, making it the cheapest network in Kenya. Unfortunately, most Kenyans are hooked to Safaricom, beleiving that Celtel is an “expensive” network. The early battles between per-minute and per-second billing are still fresh in the minds of many.

Rebecca Wanjiku article on CIO magazine

Zwar ist die Stromversorgung in Tansania nicht überall wirklich verlässlich und es mangelnd auch an anderen Versorgungsgrundlagen, aber Freiwillige/Praktikanten, die nicht auf den täglichen Kontakt zur Außenwelt verzichten können werden sich darüber freuen, dass man sich in Tansania nahezu flächendeckend über das Mobilfunknetzwerk ins Internet einwählen kann!

Dazu braucht man ein GPRS-fähiges Mobiltelefon oder einen Laptop mit GPRS-Karte. Die Geschwindigkeit ist nicht berauschend, aber ausreichend zum Emails empfangen und versenden sowie Standard-Webseite zu lesen.  Abgerechnet wird nach Datenvolumen. Die beiden Anbieter sind Celtel und Vodacom. Hier gibt's mehr darüber:

http://www.tz.celtel.com/en/phone-services/internet-access/index.html
http://www.vodacom.co.tz/docs/docredir.asp?docid=3435

Internetcafés gibt's übrigens auch in fast jeder Kleinstadt.

Network World

Wanjiru will be reporting directly to the company's CEO, Graham Gilmour.

In an announcement made yesterday, the CEO said, "I'm delighted to welcome Wanjiru to thebusinessphone executive team at this extremely exciting time in our corporate growth. With the wealth of experience and expertise that Wanjiru has to offer, I am confident that she will be highly successful in this pivotal role."

Wanjiru worked for 7 years at Celtel as the Corporate Sales Manager.

After a rash of hate-propagating SMS messages were sent via cell phones in Kenya following the aftermath of last year’s hotly contested elections in kenya, a new bill in parliament could require all users of cell phones in Kenya register their SIM card purchases with proof a valid ID or passport. Currently, no ID is required to purchase a SIM card in Kenya and parliament is trying to close this loophole through this bill.

More from Breaking News Kenya

CNN MONEY/AP

Je me suis donc intéressé aux offres de transport de données des différentes compagnies de téléphonies mobiles du Faso d'autant plus que le Burkina vit actuellement la 4e édition de la SNI (Semaine Nationale de l'Internet et des autres TIC).

Celtel: pionnier avec le couple GPRS/EDGE

Celtel a, depuis novembre 2007 lancé un réseau GPRS/EDGE qui permet l'accès a internet à partir de son téléphone mobile. On pourra aussi l'utiliser s'il le permet comme modem et le connecter à un ordinateur. A défaut, des cartes modems disponibles au prix de 115.000F peuvent faire l'affaire. La facturation se fait au volume de données au prix de 150F/Mo.

Mais le bémol pour nos celtelnautes c'est que le GPRS ne couvrent que nos deux capitales. Zut, j'oubliais, notez que Ziniaré est aussi couvert. Et comment? Le Blaiso veut aussi gouter aux joies de la mobilité!
Je signale au passage aux technophiles que désormais l'envoi de MMS est possible au cout de 100F l'unité.

Telecel: Une technologie bizarre

Remarquez, je dis bien Telecel, il semble que le rebranding en Moov soit compromis. Bref, si nous ne voulons plus compter, on ne veut pas non plus se contenter de parler! On a donc trouvé une belle parade: ici, vous devrez d'abord disposer d'un compte chez un fournisseur d'accès à internet. Puis vous passez a Telecel activer l'option de données contre un "tarif unique" de 5.000F.

Cependant, vous ne pourrez pas naviguez directement à partir de votre mobile, le telephone est à utiliser comme modem. Ou preferez vous l'acquisition d une carte modem?

La technologie chez Telo est en fait différente des renommées GPRS et EDGE, je ne saurai vous le dire concrètement, mais je soupçonne le CSD. De toute façon c'est une technologie de transport de données sur ligne téléphonique à l'image des traditionnelles connexions Dial up, la différence c'est que le support est le GSM qui a un débit binaire de 9,6 kbps. Comparez avec les 56 kbps du téléphone classique ou encore les 128 kbps de l'ADSL de base.

Preparez donc assez de café ou à defaut ouvrez le Solitaire dans une seconde fenêtre. Mais c'est pas tout, si vous draguiez la gérante du Télécentre à côté, soyez sûr d'accumuler les points, vous risquez en effet de devenir son plus gros client. ;)

Telmob: "Il est actuellement impossible d'accéder à Internet avec le téléphone portable au Burkina" dixit notre si belle conseillère

Ai je encore besoin d'ajouter quelque chose?

Onatel: Données CDMA ... bientôt

Si Telmob ne peut pas résoudre notre problème de mobilité, pourquoi ne pas nous tourner vers sa maison mère qui vient de mettre sur le marché son fameux fixe-mobile dont j'ai déjà parlé ici?

Le CDMA permet en effet le transport de données a une vitesse similaire à l'ADSL . Malheureusement, les techniciens du Leader des Telecoms au Burkina ne savent pas encore faire de l'Internet avec ce nouveau jouet. Ce qui est vraiment dommage quand on voit les prix qui ont été annoncé ici. Bof, espérons que ce sera chose faite d'ici là...

WIFI-F@soNet, une alternative qui a des alternatives gratos

FasoNet, le fournisseur de l'ONATEL propose un accès WIFI dans bon nombre de places de la ville de Ouaga (Hôtels, Aéroport, grands axes,...) Mais le prix est assez dissuadant: 1.000Fcs les 30 minutes quand il suffit de débourser 200 ou 300Fcs pour une heure de connexion dans un cyber.

Venons-en aux alternatives gratuites: une moto, de l'essence (oubliez un peu ce contexte de vie chère), un ordinateur portable (avec le WIFI) et en avant pour un Ouaga trotter à l'affut des réseaux WIFI ouverts.

Je ne citerai pas de lieux mais privilégiez les alentours de boites informatiques et télécoms, d'institutions, de grandes écoles et même de quelque banques :-o , et vous trouverez pour certain votre bonheur!

• Below is what cnn edition have to say about the growth of his company.

The company began life in 1989 as MSI Cellular Investments, a telecommunications consultancy company based and operating in Africa. It was founded by Dr Mo Ibrahim.

In January, 2004 the company changed its name to Celtel International.

In the early days, employees were rewarded with bonuses consisting of shares, so that by 2000, 30 percent of the company was owned by staff.

Although the shares were worthless until the company was listed on the stock exchange, they were given an estimated initial value of £0.14 ($0.28) each. When they were eventually bought out in 2005, they were worth £14 ($27.76).

Mr Mo Ibrahim, also   talked about what Africans have to do to make loads of money like him, this time he was interviewed, excerpt below

Benjamin: You're an immensely wealthy man now -- worth at least a billion dollars, maybe more -- and yet I've read where you've said that money's not important to you.

Ibrahim: I hope you or your audience will believe me. I never set out really to build a financial empire or to be a wealthy man. I just enjoy what I'm doing and money happened. It's a nice bi-product. It was an enabler. And I see the value of money really as an enabler to enable me to do the things I love to do. And I'm so grateful that I've made this money because I'm able to go back to Africa now and do something like the foundation.

Benjamin: For any entrepreneur, passion is the key. You can't be thinking about money. You have to be passionate about what you do.

Ibrahim: Absolutely. Absolutely. You need to love it. You need to breathe it. You need to sleep it. You need to wake it. It is your life and you and your project are one. Look at me. I feel so young. I'm 60 years old but I feel like 20 years old because I love what I do.

Benjamin: What do you want your legacy to be?

Ibrahim: A good African boy. That's all I want, just a good African boy who did not forget his people.

Nationality: Sudanese

Net Wealth: 0.5 to 1 billion dollars

Occupation: Entrepreneur

Field: Telecommunications

 Links
CNN Edition
World Business 
Wikipedia 
Mo Ibrahim Foundation 

Senegal will host a meeting of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in Dakar on March 13-14, at a time when many Middle East and North African  companies are making large investments in sub-Saharan Africa.

     Below are a list of some recent Arab investments by sector. 
   
   TELECOMS:
   Kuwait's Zain spent $3.4 billion to acquire Netherlands-based Celtel in 2005, and says it has spent $6 billion more expanding its network to 15 African countries, with a roaming-free service covering 400 million potential customers -- or roughly a third of the continent's population.
   Zain said in December it would launch a rights issue for more than $4 billion to pursue its aggressive growth strategy in the Middle East and Africa, where its operations stretch from Sierra Leone to Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar.
   Zain faces a challenge from Emirates Telecommunications Corp (Etisalat), the second largest Arab telecom company, which said in November it was mulling $5 billion of new investment in Africa. It has acquired stakes in operators in Tanzania, Sudan, Benin, and Nigeria -- the continent's most populous nation and a top target for telecoms firms. 
   Sudatel, partly owned by Etisalat, has paid $300 million to launch mobile phone operators in Mauritania and Senegal in recent months.
   Maroc Telecom, controlled by France's Vivendi, acquired 51 percent of Onatel Burkina Faso in December 2006 for 220 million euros and Gabon Telecom for 61 million euros in January 2007. It bought a controlling state in Mauritanian operator Mauritel in 2001.
   Libyan holding company Libyan African Portfolio (LAP) Greencom acquired Uganda Telecom in April 2007 and Rwandatel in October 2007. Investment figures were not made public.
   The United Arab Emirates' Warid Telecom launched services in January as Congo Republic's third mobile phone operator, after spending $79 million on launching a network, challenging market leader Celtel.
   
   BANKING, INVESTMENT FUNDS:
   In banking, Morocco's Attijariwafabank acquired operations in Senegal last year, building the biggest bank in the West African monetary zone and vying with domestic rival BMCE which is also expanding southward.
   Millennium Finance, a unit of Dubai Islamic Bank, is advising Ivory Coast's Groupe Atlantique on the sale of a stake in its Banque Atlantique unit and Atlantique Telecom, with Arab firms chasing the assets. 
   Millennium is also setting up a $1 billion fund complying with Islamic investment principles to focus on industries in Africa, including telecoms, real estate and mining. It plans a further six similar funds focused on Africa and the Middle East.
   A private equity fund whose biggest investor is Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal -- Pan-African Investment Partners II -- is raising funds to invest $500 million throughout Africa, citing unmet consumer demand and vibrant stock markets.
   
   MINERALS
   Qatar Steel, a unit of Industries Qatar, took a 50 percent stake last year in the $2.2 billion Guelb al Aouj iron ore project in Mauritania.
   The UAE's Ras Al Khaimah Minerals & Metals Investment Fund said in March it would invest up to $250 million to develop copper and cobalt production in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
   
   SHIPPING 
   DP World, the world's fourth-largest container port operator, wrestled a $455 million contract to expand Dakar port from France's Bollore, a conglomerate which flourished in Paris' former colonies.
   Dubai World's unit JAFZA has signed a $800 million deal to construct and operate a special economic zone outside the Senegalese capital, offering reduced tax rates and logistics services to companies looking to export to the U.S. and Europe.
   DP World already manages port terminals in Djibouti's strategically placed harbour which serves the Persian Gulf and Mozambique's port of Maputo.
   
   AIRLINES
   Qatar Airlines and Emirates, the largest Arab carrier, are muscling in on markets controlled by European and African airlines. Kenya Airways, 26 pct owned by Air France, said in October they were challenging its business.
   Dubai investment agency Istithmar in November agreed to buy Djibouti's Daallo Airlines and make it the national carrier of the east African state.
   Tunis Air launched Mauritania's new national carrier Mauritanie Airways late last year.
   Royal Air Maroc (RAM) has made several forays into sub-Saharan Africa. It agreed to take a 51 percent stake in Air Gabon International which was scheduled to start flights in 2006, but never got off the ground. It also took a majority stake in Air Senegal in 2000 but the Senegalese government stepped in to retake control in October 2007.
   
   TOURISM
   Dubai World was part of a consortium which bought Cape Town's V&A Waterfront, South Africa's top tourist spot, for nearly $1 billion. Saudi Arabia's Kingdom Holding Company also owns resorts in Kenya and Tanzania.
   Libya's state investment company also owns a number of luxury hotels in capitals across Africa, from N'Djamena to Ouagadougou.
   
   OIL
   In fuel retailing, OiLibya -- a unit of LAP Greencom -- acquired the service-station business of American oil giant Exxon Mobil last year.
   Middle East-based companies are also involved in oil and gas exploration in Tanzania, including Dodsal Resources and Ras Al Khaimah Gas Commission of United Arab Emirates.
   Venessia Petroleum, run by a member of Qatar's ruling family, will build a $150 million fuel storage facility in Malawi to boost the southern African country's reserves.
   Dubai-based refiner ENOC has storage facilities in Mozambique and Djibouti. 

Reste Moov, pardon Telecel, qui comme à son habitude entreprend les choses en grand. Pas de packs en promo (du moins je n'en ai pas vu), pas de loterie! 2 minutes de communications offertes par jour et ce jusqu'au 31 Mars. Il faut quand même communiquer après la Saint Valentin!

Et comme vous le voyez, Telo a reapparu! avec sa femme et... deux petits! C'était donc des jumeaux! Mais le plus étonnant dans tout ça c'est que Madame a accouché dans le silence le plus TO-TA-L. Contrairement à toutes les attentes. ;-)

Vous ne savez pas trop de quoi je parle? Imaginez votre numéro de téléphone préfixé +226 utilisable au Sénégal, en Cote d'Ivoire, au Gabon... Vous me direz que ça existe déjà avec le Roaming, mais la différence c'est qu'avec le concept One Network, vos appels reçus ne sont pas facturés et vous appelez au tarif local dans le pays d'accueil. C'est pas super ça!

Le panafricanisme des télécoms, comme quoi l'Afrique gagnerait à s'unir réellement, à aller en bloc face aux défis internationaux. Que dire quand c'est des multinationales Occidentales (ou presque) qui viennent nous montrer chez nous que "l'Union fait la force"?

Reste à savoir quelle sera l'issue de ces expériences? Que va faire MTN, la géante Sud-Africaine qui suite à ses récentes acquisitions (Areeba) couvre un grand nombre de pays d'Afrique?

Il y a aussi Moov (qui par ailleurs, connait pas mal de déboires dans certains pays: Burkina Faso, Benin, Gabon) d'Atlantique Télécom (détenu à 75% par le groupe émirati Etisalat).
Néanmoins, il faut souligner l'initiative de Telecel (le prédécesseur de Moov avant l'arrivée des pétroliers dans le capital d'Atlantique Télécom) avec la puce @SIM: une puce qui pouvait être utilisé indifféremment dans les différents pays couverts par le réseau. Mais là, l'opérateur d'accueil vous attribuait un numéro dans son réseau. Comme on le disais c'est une puce à ... 6 numéros  :-o  Je pense d'ailleurs, que ça existe encore!
Cependant, ils gagneraient à épouser la nouvelle donne!

Où mènera cette nouvelle dynamique? Est ce à dire qu'il n' y a plus de place dans les telecoms en Afrique que pour les groupes transfrontaliers?
L'avenir nous le dira...

Maintenant, pour ceux qui comme moi abusent des SMS, vous allez attendre un peu pour decouvrir le grand-frere, MMS. Et alors, c'est les photos, les sons à outrance!

According to the chief executive officer of Zain, Dr. Saad Al Barrak, Celtel was excited to enter the Ghanaian market which he said is one of Africa's most important markets. "We are very excited to enter Ghana, one of the most important markets in Africa. We look forward to offering Ghanaians the quality telecommunications services which we provide in all the countries in which we operate. Based on our Pan-African experience, we are confident that the increased competition in telecommunications will benefit the people of Ghana and support the already robust economy of the country." Dr Saad Al Barrak made this remark during the signing ceremony of an agreement for Celtel international, a subsidiary of Zain to acquire 75% of Western Telesystems Limited (Westel) from the government of Ghana for US$120 million.

According to the agreement, the government of Ghana remain minor shareholders in Westel with a 2.5% shareholding through the Ghana National Petroleum Commission. Ghana's Communications Minister Dr. Benjamin Aggrey Ntim said,"The government of Ghana is delighted to welcome a world class telecommunications operator such as Celtel to Ghana and we look forward to working together as partners." The Minister also announced that the parties have agreed to list a portion of the company's shares in the future in Ghana's public stock exchange for the benefit of Ghanaians. The release further states that Celtel is preparing to invest millions of dollars in a state of the art telecommunications network and associated services to offer its unparallel experience as a Pan-African operator, bringing telecommunications services to more than 24 million subscribers in 15 countries in Africa.

"The company hopes to include Ghana soon in its One Network which makes it possible for subscribers to use their phones across boarders withouth having to pay roaming charges", the release concludes.

allAfrica.com: Ghana: Celtel Mobile Company Storms Country (Page 1 of 1)

According to the chief executive officer of Zain, Dr. Saad Al Barrak, Celtel was excited to enter the Ghanaian market which he said is one of Africa's most important markets. "We are very excited to enter Ghana, one of the most important markets in Africa. We look forward to offering Ghanaians the quality telecommunications services which we provide in all the countries in which we operate. Based on our Pan-African experience, we are confident that the increased competition in telecommunications will benefit the people of Ghana and support the already robust economy of the country." Dr Saad Al Barrak made this remark during the signing ceremony of an agreement for Celtel international, a subsidiary of Zain to acquire 75% of Western Telesystems Limited (Westel) from the government of Ghana for US$120 million.

According to the agreement, the government of Ghana remain minor shareholders in Westel with a 2.5% shareholding through the Ghana National Petroleum Commission. Ghana's Communications Minister Dr. Benjamin Aggrey Ntim said,"The government of Ghana is delighted to welcome a world class telecommunications operator such as Celtel to Ghana and we look forward to working together as partners." The Minister also announced that the parties have agreed to list a portion of the company's shares in the future in Ghana's public stock exchange for the benefit of Ghanaians. The release further states that Celtel is preparing to invest millions of dollars in a state of the art telecommunications network and associated services to offer its unparallel experience as a Pan-African operator, bringing telecommunications services to more than 24 million subscribers in 15 countries in Africa.

"The company hopes to include Ghana soon in its One Network which makes it possible for subscribers to use their phones across boarders withouth having to pay roaming charges", the release concludes.

allAfrica.com: Ghana: Celtel Mobile Company Storms Country (Page 1 of 1)

Siempre, y como en todas las reuniones, no se pasaron por alto los temas de ley – Religión, Política, Futbol – y uno nuevo que notoriamente ha acaparado el mercado: Celtel A.K.A TIGO.

Tigo por aquí, tigo por allá…. Bueno, desde el primer celular que use hasta la última batería que compré. Tanto que se dijo de los celulares que hasta creo perdieron su identidad. Si les cuento que tocaron con recelo para no divulgarlo mucho el de que se podía enviar mensajitos gratis y con eso me bastó para comenzar a investigar en internet.

Revisé muchos Blogs esperando encontrar mi coca-cola en el desierto pero me ocurrieron decepciones tras decepciones ya que no salía de una opción que no funcionaba para caer en otro que tampoco lo permitía; probé desde hacer una llamada antes de mandar el mensajitos (que aún no me cae en qué momento puedo enviarlo gratis), intenté mandar un mensaje que es demasiado grande para que no me cobre al encontrar que es muy extenso pero de igual forma me fue imposible, para resumirles no lo logré y continúa la búsqueda………

La más aceptable de las versiones era de cambiarle el centro de servicio al teléfono, muy fácil de encontrar en los celulares Motorola, y colocándole un número de Mexico pero no salió. La otra fue que este mismo número de centro de servicio fuese cambiado para ponerle el de Megatel A.K.A. Claro (esto porque en la base de datos de Claro no estaba mi número y … bla bla…) mentiras también… si les confieso estos Blogs eran mas o menos viejos inclinándome a pensar que en algún momento funcionaron pero que en estos días ya se enteraron y lo corrigieron.. Lástima L

Por ese motivo, y apegándome a su buen ver valiéndome de la diversidad de opiniones del Internet requiero que de tener una forma para mandar mensajitos gratis en Tigo Honduras me la puedan facilitar para poder mantenerme comunicado con el mundo….. J

Esto de la “chateada” (palabra perfectamente traducida al español) me va a dejar pobre ya que aprovecha cualquier recarga de hasta Lps.10.00 para mandar mis comunicados comerciales…

Help!

Bien qu'on ne puisse négliger ces aspects, la force de Celtel Burkina réside surtout dans son service commercial et markéting. Pendant que chez les concurrents, les panneaux surgissent uniquement lors des promotions, les publicités de Celtel accompagnent le Burkinabè dans son quotidien.

Le Rouge et le Jaune habillent Ouaga et même les campagnes en toute saison. Les grands bâtiments arborent fièrement des portraits géants de femmes, d'hommes, de vieux, d'adolescents aux sourires radieux, aux regards confiants et crédibles nous interpelant en ces termes:
Partager. Notre Monde, S'épanouir. En Liberté, Planifier. Son Succès.

Avez vous remarquer le "Haut Fourneau" surplombant le rond-point des Nations Unies? Là, c'est des enfants, studieux, qui nous invitent à Bâtir. Notre Nation. Avec la Fondation Celtel.

Et remarquez ce langage avec des points entre les éléments comme pour donner à chaque mot tout son sens!

Ailleurs, au quartier, mon coiffeur travaille en mieux dirait-on avec son local tout en Rouge et Jaune! Marie, elle en plus des couleurs, a vu son kiosque décoré de nombres de petits fanions Celtel.

Bon tout cela ne vous convainc pas, alors appelez le service clientèle et tendez l'oreille: "Bienvenue sur le réseau que l'Afrique préfère,[...] tous nos conseillers sont actuellement en communication avec d'autres clients. Nous vous prions de bien vouloir patienter quelques instants, surtout ne quittez pas, votre appel est très important pour nous..."

Vous voulez voir plus clair, alors rendez vous au siège. Surprise! A quelques lieux du bâtiment, votre portable affiche WELCOME! Jouez au néophyte et passez la porte et attendez, jouez le jeu...
Voyez par exemple le message que j'ai reçu l'autre jour: "Avez vous fait la différence aujourd'hui? Passez un appel ou envoyez un SMS. Echangez plus qu'un sourire, avec Celtel. Celtel, la vie en mieux."

Ils y mettent du sérieux, dans leur com, n'est-ce pas? Mais c'est dommage, car finalement, le client n'a plus les yeux que pour ... admirer!

Lisez, par exemple, ce billet de QuophyBlogueur!

Mobile internet services will benefit a wide range of subscribers who may not have access to a personal computer (PC) at home. In Africa for example, the use of mobile phones is more widespread than PCs.

According to officials at Celtel's offices in Freetown, the Celtel mobile data from the Celtel mobile telecommunication will provide access to internet and exciting online downloads directly to Celtel subscribers on their mobile phones.

A senior official at Celtel said, the Celtel mobile data is on the way and subscribers will soon enjoy the facility from their mobile phones sooner than later.

"The mobile internet service is reliable, affordable and accessible to all subscribers using Celtel network all over the country", the senior official told Highway Africa News Agency (HANA). However, according to Mr. Andrew Johnson, a private IT expert, said that mobile internet services in the country were first offered by Tigo mobile.

"Every other mobile telecommunications network seems to be playing catch up with Tigo", he said adding that "this will make other mobile companies to come up with more improved facilities to boost up the communications industry in the country".

According to a few subscribers interviewed by HANA from various networks, Tigo so far offers the cheapest rate among the other networks especially during weekends for international calls.

It is no secret that Tigo had taken the leap into cyberspace by connecting its network to the World Wide Web.

Mr. Abu Kamara, one of the first Tigo mobile subscribers to start using Tigo network told HANA that Tigo subscribers from the convenience of their mobile phones can send and receive e-mails as well as search the web. He further went on to say that this is a good thing for journalists, students, researchers, sports fans and business people on the go who need up to date information on emerging global business trends.

Kamara also pointed out that Sierra Leone can today boast of having improved the flow of information, communication and technology after a long and bloody civil war that ended in 2002. He also said the setting up of the National Telecommunications Commission (NaTcom) by the Sierra Leone government has helped tremendously in the operation, regularizing of licenses and the smooth running of mobile companies in the country.

This latest development, he said, will change the face of the local media and communications industries.

Currently, a wireless communications company has provided online facilities for a few local newspapers in the capital Freetown to access internet from their various office computers during and after working hours, but has proved insufficient for those who want to access the internet anytime after working hours. An IT specialist told HANA in Freetown that the coming of mobile phones in the country has outnumbered the use of telephone landlines. The IT specialist said the majority of people prefer the use of mobile phones to telephone lines.

Mobile subscribers say the coming of Celtel's internet services will open up competition and probably drive down prices.

allAfrica.com: Sierra Leone: More Mobile Internet Services for Country (Page 1 of 1)

Ce Buzz profite également à quelques malins commerçants de la place: "C'est encombrant de devoir se promener avec 2 portables n'est ce pas? Nous vous proposons d'inserer vos 2 puces dans votre mobile habituel..." a martelé MAGIC SIM.

Par ailleurs, on assiste également à une adoption populaire des mobiles GSM acceptant nativement 2 cartes SIM...

C'est donc le temps de Telecel, ces vacances, un tour au niveau des agences Telecel suffira à vous convaincre. Mais attention à ces affluences soudaines, on a deja vu ça quelque part... Le Buzz Moov d'Abidjan. Encore que c'est le même Atlantique Telecom...
Wait And See...

Celtel Chief Executive Gerhard May also announced plans to role out another service that will allow subscribers to communicate through video conferencing.

While launching the new service, May said customers will be able to top up on the network using the local currencies without having to convert .

May however, said Celtel Kenya will only interconnect with internet service provider AccessKenya after further modifications on both services.

AccessKenya wants local mobile phone companies to facilitate an interconnection, a move that would see a reduction in the cost of calling.

Source- http://www.kbc.co.ke