Lagos — Nigeria's Second National Operator, Globacom, has expressed interest in acquiring 51 per cent controlling stake in the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), 100 per cent of its mobile subsidiary and Nigeria/NITEL's share of SAT 3.

In a letter addressed to Mrs. Irene Chigbue, the Director General of Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), dated January 4, 2006, and signed by Globacom Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga (Jr), the company stated that by so doing, "it will change the fortunes of the loss-making NITEL to profitability and use the synergies of investments by the two companies to bring world-class telecommunication services to Nigerians at affordable tariffs."

The bid letter reads: "We are pleased to inform you that following serious reflection and consideration of several important factors, we are prepared to buy 100 per cent of MTEL and 51 per cent of NITEL, including Nigeria/NITEL's share of SAT 3. We expect by so doing to become the First National Carrier of the country.

"Our inclination to have a stake in NITEL and to spearhead its transformation from a chronic loss-making entity to a leading telecommunication entity of which all Nigerians will be proud is based on several strategic economic and patriotic considerations, all of which are centered around the highly attractive environment which the Federal Government has established in the telecommunications and other vital sectors of the economy, under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, President Olusegun Obasanjo.

"Globacom has right from the launch of its operations barely two and half years ago sought to give due value to the laudatory efforts of the government by establishing a network of which the government and all Nigerians will be justifiably proud. Globacom has succeeded in attaining this objective by placing overriding premium on proffering the very best at highly affordable prices to all strata of the Nigerian population.

"A uniquely Nigerian entity, Globacom is now the fastest growing telecommunication network in the continent with a subscriber base that is over five million and impeccable coverage at a national level; as confirmed by the recent national networks survey carried out by the NCC (Nigerian Communications Commission) which scored the Globacom network first in overall voice quality of service.

"With the only 2.5G network in the country, Globacom has right from inception set the pace for innovation, service delivery and affordable pricing. Our historic introduction of per second billing has since been followed by such other firsts as Multimedia Messaging Service, WAP, GPRS and mobile enabled Emailing services. Our Fibre optic transmission system now interlinks urban and rural centers of the southern and northern states.

"In addition to the enabling environment that has been created by the government, Globacom's impressive achievement can be attributed to the pedigree of its founders who have over time demonstrated an uncanny ability to bring large and complex new/on-going businesses to successful fruition, based on rigorous commitment to excellence, strong managerial and financial capacities as well as extraordinary patriotic zeal.

"These attributes will all be brought to bear on the relentless drive that will be undertaken to revamp and reposition NITEL/MTEL in the event that it is bought by Globacom. Nigerians stand to gain immensely from the synergic ramifications of combining the fixed network infrastructure of NITEL with that of Globacom and providing state-of-the art fixed line data and voice services which will complement those being provided by Globacom's world class network. The gain will no doubt extend to further dramatic lowering of access and tariff charges which have fallen to their present levels by the relentless price reduction campaigns being championed by Globacom.

"In the light of the foregoing considerations, we believe that Globacom is best placed to give true value to the wise decision of the government to sell majority stake in NITEL to an entity that can exploit the potential of the company. As has been the case with Globacom, we can confidently assure you that Globacom has the financial, managerial and technical capabilities to acquire, revamp and take NITEL/MTEL to the highest level of the highly competitive telecommunications sector. Once again we stand ready to make Nigerians proud through our proposed involvement in the affairs of this vital asset of our beloved nation."

When contacted yesterday, the spokesman of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr. Joe Anichebe said he was not aware that Globacom had expressed interest for NITEL.

Anichebe who said he would be surprised if Globacom would contemplate anything of the sort said the telecommunications industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had made it clear that no operator would be allowed to have two mobile licences. What's more, according to him, the commission had written BPE to make the point that MTN could not be allowed to bid for NITEL since that would mean that it had more frequencies assigned to it than any of the other operators which would be unfair.