Sensitivity analysis conducted by ethio telecom projected that the ongoing war in the north and destruction of telecom infrastructure in different parts of the country might cause the loss of 5.1 billion birr, CEO of ethio telecom, Frehiwot Tamru stated during a publicity session on August 20, 2021 at Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Aimed at publicizing a new business plan, new products and services of the company and its targeted revenue of collecting 70 billion birr, the publicity session saw Frehiwot project 5.1 billion birr could be deducted from the targeted revenue due to the destruction of infrastructure in different parts of the country.
While the competition, which emanates from the liberalization and partial privatization of the sector, is inevitable, the company aspires and works to become a preferred telecom operator, Frehiwot said.
Despite efforts of the company to expand the telecom service to all corners of the country, Frehiwot underscored, destruction of infrastructure remains a challenge as the finance allotted for maintenance of such infrastructure could have been allocated to expand the services to inaccessible areas and introduce other new services.
The company indicated that it has developed a three-year strategic plan to meet the market dynamism and reshape and lead the company with a competitive mindset.
Frehiwot stressed that to ensure competitiveness and sustainable growth of the company, a new strategy that takes into consideration relevant government policies, international best practices and industry trends, has been developed.
Various important analyses have also been conducted, which include internal and external stakeholders’ interest and expectation, previous performance of the company, organizational resources and capacities, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in the external environment and the market dynamics.
Concerning the improvement of network coverage and capacity, more than 3.88 million additional mobile network capacities will be installed in Addis Ababa and the regions. Furthermore, the company is also finalizing its preparations to launch the 5G mobile technology as a pilot project, which will be implemented this fiscal year.
The first private mobile operator run by a consortium of Vodafone, Vodacom, Safaricom, Sumitomo Corporation, and the CDC Group, has won the bid and moved a step closer and is expected to launch its service at the beginning of 2022.
Source: The Reporter
