UGANDA’S former state telecommunications monopoly, now mostly owned by Germany’s Datecon, has launched the country’s third mobile phone network. UTL (Uganda Telecom Limited) Telecel’s network will initially cover Kampala and Entebbe, and plans to cover the entire country by the end of the year using facilities supplied by the French company Alcatel. Two mobile networks – MTN of South Africa and Celtel – currently provide some 150_000 lines, against 60_000 land lines provided for the most part by UTL. – AFP
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