Orange Uganda signs partnership with Eaton Towers

The 15 year deal is focused on both the outsourcing of the operation and maintenance of existing sites and providing build-to-suit for new sites with a view to reducing both operating costs and capital expenditure.

The large coverage of Orange Uganda's tower portfolio combined with the ability and know-how of Eaton Towers to provide Orange with the best network quality will create a solid platform for future growth and will allow Orange Uganda to focus on providing innovative services, customer care and data services.

"We are pleased to announce our agreement with Eaton Towers," said Philippe Luxcey, CEO of Orange Uganda. "The partnership will enable us to expand our network and develop new multimedia services, in particular in rural areas, helping us achieve our ambition to provide the Ugandan population with the best network coverage and high-quality services.

Through this agreement, we will be able to reduce our operational costs and, at the same time, prevent the proliferation of masts thereby reducing the environmental and visual impact of our network, especially in urban and ecologically-sensitive areas."

Marc Rennard, executive vice president in Africa, Middle East and Asia for France Telecom-Orange, described the agreement as an important milestone in the group's efforts to control operating costs across its footprint in the region.

"Orange Uganda's towers initiative is the first of its kind and will be closely watched by Orange subsidiaries in other markets across Africa," he said.

Alan Harper, chief executive of Eaton Towers, said "We are excited to be working in partnership with Orange Uganda. This agreement brings significant benefits to all parties. Eaton Towers' expertise in tower management and commitment to top quality service will allow Orange Uganda to focus on providing innovative mobile services and expanding its subscriber base. At the same time, our ownership and management of the telecoms network infrastructure will ensure that Orange Uganda's network is continually enhanced and expanded, whilst maintaining low operating costs for the mobile operator."