Bharti Airtel Launches 3G Network in African Nation Tchad

New Delhi: Telecom major Bharti Airtel on Friday announced the launch of its 3G service in Tchad, an African country, following a recent award of licence for high speed internet services by the nation's government.

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

With this launch, Tchad 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 licence 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 Tchad managing director Salia Gbane said.

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