Djezzy’s CEO: 4th generation mobile technology will cost one billion dollars in Algeria

Acquiring the 4th generation (4G) mobile technology is a big opportunity for Algeria to be the first Arab country which benefit from this very important technique, according to CEO of Orascom Telecom Algerie – Djezzy Tamer Mahdi.

• “The 4^th generation is the best way to increase the number of high-speed internet subscribers. Djezzy is ready to provide the Algerian market with its experience in this field,” Tamer Mahdi told Echorouk.
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• “Algeria has a big opportunity to catch up the delay in fix internet by going directly to the 4^th generation,” he added.
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• The 4^th generation services will offer a real technological and technical base meant to expand internet use for individuals and companies.
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• Djezzy’s CEO said the 4^th generation will not replace the 3d generation for mobile users. The price of 4th generation mobile phones is still very high.
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• “In the past, there was a lack in content services of the 3^rd and 4^th generation in the world. By time, those services have become one of the largest employment mines in the world.”
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• Tamer Mahdi believes that there is a need to develop the current network in order to turn to the 3^rd and 4^th generation. “A new network worth about $1 billion will have to be built. That would create new jobs and transfer a new technology to Algeria.”
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• The 4^th generation enables to get new industries and applications, to develop new services and products in the Algerian market.
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• “The Algerian market is among the most competitive markets in the world in terms of services price,” said Djezzy’s CEO.
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• He added that the 4^th generation enables Algeria to develop a local industry. “Djezzy will help people who want to set up companies for this purpose.”
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• He also said the company created 7 call centres by $20 million investment. “That created about 2,000 new jobs.”
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• Speaking about the problem between Djezzy and the Algerian taxes department, Tamer Mahdi said the company paid the entire sum demanded by the taxes department. “About $1 billion was paid for the period between 2004 and 2009.”
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• Djezzy has invested $3.1 billion in Algeria since it entered the market, ten years ago. “Djezzy made efforts in creating a complementary system of economic and services activities relating to communication sector. Of them, advertisement and construction companies, mobile phone networks installation and even call centres.”
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• “Orascom Telecom is one of the biggest companies in the Middle East and North Africa in terms of clients and infrastructure, and communication stations.”