Cellular network operator Cell C expects to sign its millionth customer before the end of its first financial year in December, far in excess of the ambitious 800 000 target it set a year ago, says chairman and CEO Talaat Laham.
"This is an exceptional achievement for a new entrant into a highly competitive market characterised by discerning customers who, during the past seven years, have become adept - and demanding - in their use of mobile technology."
Laham told the parliamentary portfolio committee on communications in Cape Town today (Tuesday, November 5) that Cell C's remarkable growth is based on its market differentiator of innovative products and high-quality service at competitive prices.
The young company has also taken significant strides in becoming a truly national mobile operator by establishing - in less than a year - a distribution channel of 6 000 points of presence, and has brought an impressive choice of products to market.
"Cell C has every reason to be proud of its efficient response to customers in a dynamic and expanding environment," Laham says.
"We would like to roll out our top-quality services faster to meet the demands and expectations of our customers but our pace is being hindered by inconsistencies in the approval process for the deployment of base stations.
Cell C is the only South Africa cellular network operator licensed to use both the 1 800 MHz spectrum in addition to the 900 MHz spectrum, used by the two other cellular network operators.
"If the 1 800 MHz band could be cleared for use by cellular network operators the quality of service would dramatically improve," said La ham.
He expressed disappointment that Cell C had lagged behind its target of establishing 1000 base stations within its first year of operation and appealed to the parliamentary portfolio committee to help facilitate the process of resolving the inconsistencies in municipal, provincial and national regulations, which inhibit this approval process.
"There is also lack of clarity on the type, validity and significance of objections that may be lodged within the public participatory process".
"The faster we can roll-out our base stations in urban areas where there is growing demand for the high-volume traffic for which the 1 800 MHz spectrum is best suited, the faster we will be able to deliver the best possible quality that South African cellular phone users are demanding."
Ends
For more information, please contact:
Cell C Press Office at Sefin Marketing
Dominique Brooks
Tel: (011)8861575
Cellphone: 084 335 8786
E-mail: [email protected]