Viettel confirms September 18 takeoff

TRB’s DG evaluated existing structures in Yaounde on August 26, to ascertain the mobile telephone company's ability to live up to expectations.

All things being equal, Cameroon will next September 18, 2014 witness an effective entry into the telecommunications market of a third mobile telephone operator with wide-ranging customer-friendly services on the offer.

The Director General of Viettel Cameroon, Vu Khanh Duy, whose company was awarded the exclusive rights to run a 3rd generationn (3G) telephone services in the country said all infrastructure are already in place and finishing works on course for the first call through Viettel’s network to be effective on or before September 18.

He made the disclosure yesterday August 26 during the visit of the General Manager of the Telecomunications Regulatory Board (TRB), Jean-Louis Beh Mengue to the company’s technical installations in Yaounde.

The visit to the company’s Yaounde head office and some installations in town allowed the official to evaluate existing structures of the third mobile telephone operator to see if they meet up with requirements of 3G technology as well as the path already covered ahead of the September 18 takeoff.

It emerged from the visit that all control equipment and teams are already in place and contracts have already been signed with other telephone operators on the inter-connection and that the 3G services are already activated in all regions of the country. Officials said they have acquired standby generators to take the relay in moments of electricity cuts.

“I can affirm that Viettel is ready for the September 18 official opening date and we could witness surprises that it begins before the date,” the TRB DG said.

He rejoiced that the notion of 3G which increases the speed of communication, provides various value added services like video calling, live streaming, mobile internet access, etc on the mobile phones will be available in the country when Viettel network goes operational.

A trial was undertaken on the spot and the image of the caller appeared on the phone. This is what subscribers will be noticing on or before September 18 when Viettel rumbles off.

“We are hopeful that this will open a new page for the sector. People continue to decry poor services and high cost. I hope your coming especially with 3G will solve the problem,” Mr Beh Mengue said.

He challenged the operator to redouble efforts to stand the test of time especially as it will be taking off on the eve of the migration of telephone numbers from eight to nine digits and a soon-to-be introduced number portability wherein customers could switch from one operator to the other without changing his or her telephone number.

The DG of TRB said a working group has been constituted to help Viettel meet up with expectations as well as propose solutions to regulatory problems that the company could face.

While the company consolidates the name Viettel Cameroon, officials said it will take off with “Nexttel” as its commercial name. There are also announced reductions of call cost by 15-20 per cent.