Globacom has its eyes set on a five million capacity network in the next few weeks to grow to 10 million in months even as Siemens rounds up on the first phase of its multi-million naira contract. The German equipment vendor was awarded contract last year to build two main mobile switching centers in Kano and Bauchi to interconnect about one million new subscribers in the northern part of the country.

Hundred of base stations are expected to be provided in 20 cities and along several main roads within the northeastern and middle belt zones spanning Kano, Zaria, Bauchi, Kaduna and Jos under the first phase of the project.

The second phase covers Sokoto, Maiduguri and nine other cities in the northwestern zone into the northeastern zone. This part, to be completed under the second phase, would push the load capacity of the second national operator (SNO) to over 10 million.

“We are keen on providing a world class communication service to Nigeria and we have immense confidence in the ability of Siemens to deliver,” said Mike Jituboh of Globacom.

The mobile operator already has about one million subscribers talking on its mobile network to make it about the fastest growing network but it is still trailing behind early starters MTN and Vmobile.

Siemen’s contract also include building a 2800 kilometre fibre optic ring running from Lagos to Benin, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Abuja, Minna, Ilorin and Ibadan. A backbone link is to run from Abuja to Kaduna while Zaria and Kano would also connect to the voice and data transportation involving the entire north and south of Nigeria’s landmass of about 927,000 square kilometres.

In assessing its position as the Nigeria’s second National

Operator, Globacom has again been partnering with Siemens, by awarding a contract for the elaborate extension of its telecommunication network.

“Inspired by its set goal to become number one mobile and fixed telecom network in Nigeria, Globacom signed a contract with Siemens, one of the worlds leading telecom equipment provides. Siemens accordingly accepted the onerous task as a challenge in terms of the tight implementation and other conditions,” said Mr. Klaus-Peter Gilbert, a senior official Siemens.

The equipment vendor has already shipped in tons of equipment for the Globacom contract and engaged 15 Nigerian sub-contractors at six different sites. Over 300 workers have been drafted in what is one of the biggest engagement for the vendor in Nigeria’s fledgling but competitive telecom market.

He furthered explained that, the project will be in two phases. The first phase, which is expected to be completed soon, we cover the main cities like Kano, Zaria, Bauchi, Kaduna and Jos. While the second phase covers Sokoto, Maiduguri and nine other cities which also will be completed in couple of months.

Buttressing his point, Mr. Peter Kahlert, the project manager added that, a fibre optic ring of about 2800 km length is currently on the run from Lagos to Benin, Port-Harcourt, Enugu, Abuja, Minna, Ilorin, Ibadan and Lagos. A powerful backbone link from Abuja to Kaduna, Zaria and Kano is to be provided and installed for transportation of data and voice traffic from the northern to southern part via a modern technology.

He also added that, an additional Digital microwave backbone is connecting main cities such as, Sokoto, Gusau, Funtua, Jos, Bauchi, Gombe,Yola, Jalingo, Potiskum, Damaturu, Maiduguri, Birnin kebbi and Katsina. The scope of work will also include the provision and installation and two metro rings.

Though harboring some facts, Mr. Mike Jituboh of Globacom assured that mobile subscribers will reach five million in some weeks “and before the next month it will go as far as ten million subscribers, building the biggest telecom in the continent”

The time frame remains undisclosed in order not to be the disadvantaged due to the high competition of the market in the telecom world. Specifications too are also avoided.

Speaking on the current status, Siemens has already shipped equipment with installation materials to the country.

Fifteen Nigeria sub-contractors which are not also disclosed have also been engaged and been supervised by Siemens staff. The total number of 300 work force have already been involved in the implementation of the project, the civil works for the backbone have also commenced in more than twenty locations.

The four main switches buildings have also reached a stage for the installation of equipment. The additional planning work will be completed as soon as approvals applied for from several government authorities are obtained.

The dignitaries that address the press briefing are chief Rufus Odusanya, General Manager fro Siemens, Mr. Klaus - Peter Gilbert, deputy managing director, Siemens, Mr. Bernhard Dilger, project manager, Mr. Peter Kahlert, project manager, Mr. Mike Jituboh, Globacom and Mr. Bode Opeiseitan.

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