Celltel expands coverage, 70% of GSM network completed

Celltel’s expansion programme which is the largest to date by any telecom operator is 70% completed, the company said.

Celltel CEO, Dumindra Ratnayaka said that 70% of the planned 750 towers are now in place resulting in a fourfold increase in GSM outstation towers, ensuring good quality connectivity islandwide. Ratnayaka said this would also include a new layer of 1800 MHz (dual band network) in Colombo and in key outstation towns to add capacity and connectivity to a growing subscriber base.”

“The balance towers that have been scheduled for completion by March will take the total number to 750,” Ratnayaka said in a press release.

As a result of this expansion, existing coverage in Colombo, suburbs and key towns has also substantially improved. Celltel has also commissioned its 3rd GSM switch with a capacity of 3 million subscribers. “This takes our total number of switches to 4, 1 Analogue and 3 GSM, while all the new base stations will be commissioned with high power transmitters giving extra coverage,” he said.

"Over the past 5 years Celltel has undertaken a series of GSM expansion projects and this island wide expansion programme, with an investment of over 100 million US$ underlines Celltel’s commitment to the country and the confidence placed on rising penetrations of telecom, especially in the rural areas," he said.

Celltel, Sri Lanka’s pioneer mobile phone operator will continue to offer a user friendly and affordable service to its customers, with continued investment in the network to keep abreast of evolving customer needs.