Cell C plans upgrade splurge

Johannesburg - Cellular services provider Cell C said on Wednesday it plans to spend R5bn upgrading its network over the next year.

CEO Lars Reichelt said the expansion will include extending network coverage and implementing 3G broadband technologies - enabling data download speeds of up to 21Mbps.

"We will invest in building coverage where we don't already have... and in broadband," said Reichelt. "By the end of next year [2010] we will have substantial coverage."

Reichelt added that data would be provided using HPSPA+ technology and that Cell C would continue to spend after 2010, although he could not confirm what the total spend would be.

"It's a huge number. The good news is that we're in a phase right now where there's very few people around the world building networks and we're getting very good prices," he said.

Reichelt could not confirm who Cell C's infrastructure partner would be for the rollout, and said the company was still in negotiations with potential providers.

He said Cell C would also investigate infrastructure sharing opportunities with other providers.

Reichelt added that the expenditure will be financed by Cell C shareholders, and that the company is restructuring its debt.

- Fin24.com