Telecom Lead Africa: Bharti Airtel has received approvals from the Uganda Communications Commission for buying Warid Telecom
The strategic acquisition enables Airtel to have a mobile customer base of over 7.2 million and market share of over 39 percent in Uganda.
Bharti Airtel will continue to make investments and offer affordable mobile services to customers in the country.
The company will invest more in key areas such as technological innovation and customer service.
Bharti Airtel has invested Rs 39,405 million as Capex in Africa in FY 2013 against Rs 71,659 million in FY 2012. In Africa, 1,822 new 2G sites and 2,471 new 3G sites were rolled out. Airtel invested $2,486 million as Capex in FY 2013 in both Africa, India and South East Asia. The dip in Capex was marginal as compared with FY 2012. Out of this, Airtel’s Capex in Q3 was $438 million against $651 million in Q4. India has received substantial increase in Capex.
The second largest mobile operator in Uganda says Warid Telecom mobile customers will be able to retain their existing mobile numbers and enjoy benefits such as remaining balance in their SIM and Warid Pesa services and Airtel’s 3G services.
In addition, Warid customers will benefit from Airtel’s One Network across 20 countries and get access to innovative products and roaming benefits on successful completion of integration.
Airtel Uganda Managing Director VG Somasekhar said the acquisition will create a wider network.
