Eaton Telecom launches in Tanzania

The new entity will have its headquarters in Dar Es Salaam, led by mobile veteran David Hunter.

Eaton is an African-focused tower company that owns, builds, manages and maintains telecom towers for mobile operators. Eaton Tanzania will build and manage towers to support mobile operators in a market set to double subscribers to 33 million in the next four years, it said.

Hunter boasts more than 15 years experience of building successful mobile operations across Africa. Prior to Eaton, he ran Celtel's operations in Malawi and Sierra Leone and was MD of Telcel in Zambia.

"This is a very exciting time for the mobile industry in Tanzania, which is set for rapid growth. We are open for business now and ready with our extensive expertise and local experience to partner with mobile operators," Hunter said.

"We'll manage their towers and help them rapidly roll-out new sites so that they can focus on their customers whilst reaping the compelling economic benefits of tower sharing without having to make any additional capital expenditure."

Alan Harper, chief executive of Eaton said: "With a population of 43 million and a vibrant mobile market with 17 million subscribers and eight competing mobile operators, Tanzania is one of the most attractive markets in Africa for a tower sharing business. We are delighted to have established the country's first independent towers company.

"Mobile operators across Africa are seeking to reduce the cost of a network roll-out. Tower sharing can help them to reduce their asset base, CAPEX and operating costs, allowing them to focus on increasing their coverage and the roll-out of new services to customers," he concluded.