mcel launches 3G HSDPA in Mozambique

With 3G, mcel now offers high speed internet connectivity with new opportunities for more services and benefits. mcel believes this is an important step in keeping at par with the global trends of evolution of mobile telephony networks and ensuring the sustainable growth of its business.

Among the services provided are mobile broadband internet, mobile TV, access to email and other applications at high speed, mobile banking, 3D games, download of music and videos and others.

In comparison, it takes around 18 minutes to download a song on Second Generation Mobile Technology (2G), while it takes only one minute to do the same in 3G, at an average speed of 4,8 megabits per second and up to 14,4 megabits per minute.

The introduction of Third Generation Technology represented for mcel an investment of around 12 million US Dollars, to ensure a high quality service in the capital city of Maputo and its' surroundings, where the first phase of coverage was implemented. mcel plans to expand 3G coverage to the main cities of Centre and North Regions in 2009.

Besides the investment in the technology itself, mcel is also investing strongly in the supply of access equipment such as laptops and modems, either free or heavily subsidised.

This equipment will allow the mass usage of internet and reduction of the digital divide in the country, accelerating the development towards the fulfillment of the millennium goals.

Besides the investment in the 3G network, mcel also made an investment of around 70 million US Dollars in the improvement of its current infrastructure and expansion of coverage, having recently surpassed the three million subscribers mark.