Bharti Airtel Launches 3G Services in African Nation of Chad

Telecom major Bharti Airtel Friday announced the launch of its 3G service in African country Chad following recent award of license for high speed Internet services by the Chadian government.

The company announced the launch at an event which was attended by Chadian President Idriss Deby, the Mauritanian Head of State, Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz and Goodluck Jonathan, the President of the Republic of Nigeria, Airtel said in a statement released in New Delhi.

"The launch of the 3G network in the country goes in line with the Government commitment to Chadians to make the country become a technology hub in Africa. The private sector contributes a lot to the access of Internet and we wish Airtel success with its new 3G network project," Chadian President Idriss Deby said.

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With this launch, Chad has become 16th 3G market of Airtel in Africa. The company operates in 17 African countries.

The company is left with Nigeria where it has to launch its 3G service.

"With a license already granted in Niger, services will also be launched within the fiscal year," the statement said.

"Our 3G platform will allow our customers to combine the enormous potential of the Internet with the convenience of cellular phones and other mobile devices," Airtel Chad, Managing Director Salia Gbane said.

According to data from McKinsey & Co, there are currently about 400 million mobile subscribers in Africa.