September 27th, 2006, Celtel launches One Network: The world’s first borderless mobile phone network

Celtel International, the leading pan-African mobile telecommunications group, today announced the launch of One Network, the first ever borderless mobile network in the world. This allows customers to move freely across geographic borders without roaming call surcharges and without having to pay to receive incoming calls.

From today, all Celtel’s East African customers, both prepaid and postpaid, will be able to use this service. They can make calls at local rates, receive incoming calls free of charge and top-up their pre-paid phones with locally-bought airtime cards. Alternatively, Celtel’s prepaid customers may top up their accounts with airtime cards they have brought from their home networks, whether in Kenya, Tanzania or Uganda. The One Network service is automatically activated upon crossing the geographic border into another of the three countries, with no prior registration required or sign-up fee charged.

In addition, Celtel’s postpaid customers who previously only had access to national calling will be able to place calls across all three East African countries, without restriction.

Speaking about One Network, Celtel International Chief Executive Officer Marten Pieters commented, “I made a promise to all Celtel customers in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda that becoming the only network to have a regional presence in all three markets was just the beginning of our mission to make life better in East Africa. The launch of One Network confirms Celtel’s position as the most innovative mobile phone network in Africa enabling us to deliver an even better level of service to our customers.”

Tito Alai, Chief Commercial Officer at Celtel International commented, “This major initiative will bring the people of East Africa closer together. One Network truly showcases African innovation at its best and confirms Celtel as the fastest growing brand in the fastest-growing mobile telephone market in the world. In a region historically dependent on freedom of movement across borders, we are now offering a communications solution that fits the needs of our customers, breaking down barriers and making life better for businesses, families and individuals.”

The launch of the One Network has been welcomed by leaders in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

The President of Tanzania H. E. Jakaya Kikwete said: “We in East Africa have so much in common in our shared heritage, our cultures and languages. I congratulate Celtel on launching One Network which will enable millions to people across East Africa to keep in touch more easily.”

Uganda’s President H. E. Yoweri Museveni said; “"We in Uganda warmly welcome and applaud Celtel's mobile phone innovation of One Network for East Africa because it is in line with our own vision of fast-tracking the political federation of the region."

Kenya’s Minister for Information and Communications Technology Hon Mutahi Kagwe said: “All East Africans can benefit from Celtel’s One Network. It will enable our people to talk to each other easier because where ever they are in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania it will be as if they are at home. This will facilitate East African trade and I welcome this new product.”