Etisalat expands coverage

The fifth Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) operator in the country, Etisalat Nigeria, has expanded its coverage as part of its second phase of roll-out scheme in the country.

Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Steven Evans, told newsmen in Lagos that the operator is rolling out plans that will see it increase coverage to hundreds of cities, towns and villages across the country before the year runs out, even as it has commenced the process in the northern part of the country.

As said by him, beginning with a symbolic flag off in Kano, yesterday, he said Etisalat services are scheduled to be systematically turned on in cities and towns.

The roll out will be heralded by a series of flag off events, road shows and concerts to register the presence of the network in various parts of the nation as it continues to implement its visionary strategy across Nigeria.

He explained that beyond the scheduled 7 cities with which it commenced commercial operation in October 2008, Etisalat services are live in many more states and towns as well as villages across the federation.

“Some of the main cities where the network has gone live including Dutse, Jigawa, Minna and Jos,” he said, pointing out that these locations have complete coverage and work is constantly on-going to ensure full coverage in every nook and cranny of 36 states including the Federal Capital in its roll out plans.

“Our roll-out plan is not just aggressive but thorough as well as we are keen to ensure that our services are top notch in every location that we are. Proof of our qualitative service in the areas we operate at the moment is the recent Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) report that adjudged us Nigeria’s number one network in terms of quality of service,” he said.

Reiterating the resolve of the network to cover the entire country in good time, Evans said that their vision is clear and mission is sure coverage, which will offer better service s than Nigerians are used to.

Meanwhile, Etisalat has introduced a 3-in-1 game show tagged ‘9jillions’ promotion, which it said, is geared towards giving both old and new subscribers to the Etisalat network an opportunity to win big prizes.

The chief marketing officer, Mr. Wael Ammar, said the promos started with Win a Phone 24/7, which avails Nigerians to win two phones on the Etisalat network every hour of the day, seven days a week for 90 days.

Subsequently, he said, eight game shows will be held across the regions where subscribers on the network would have the opportunity to win various amounts of cash over a five-month period.

“Rounding up the ‘9ijillions’ promo will be the grand finale of the game show where one lucky subscriber will work away with $1,000,000 prize money,” he said.

Ammar pointed out that the way the promos have been structured, every Nigerian is eligible to participate in the promo simply by getting on the Etisalat network and texting their name and location to 5000.

“For multiple entries, subscribers can text enter to 5000, to increase their chance of winning a phone every hour. Texts cost N10 per message only,” he enlightened.

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