Celtel (S.L.) Limited, the pioneer Mobile (GSM) Telephone Company in Sierra Leone, achieved another mile-stone in the growth of its network, on Friday 2nd May 2003, when the active subscribers in service crossed the 50,000 barrier. This figure represents some 80% of the total subscribers connected to the network.

Celtel (S.L.) Limited launched it's network in the Capital City of Freetown on 24th September 2000, with a commitment to cover the entire country (population 4.5M) in the shortest possible time, depending on the safety factor, following 10 years of Rebel Activity in the country. In May 2002, after satisfactorily covering Freetown and its environs, the Company ventured into the interior and extended its network to cover two major Provincial Towns, namely, Bo and Kenema. In the process, several other smaller townships were also covered enroute. Plans are now well advanced to launch the network in the Northern Province Headquarters town of Makeni and Kono the diamond mining town. Several of the settlements surrounding these towns as well as townships enroute will also be covered.

Celtel's investment in Sierra Leone already runs into millions of dollars (over $16M) and the Company intends to continue its investment because of the faith it has in the future economic viability of the nation and the scope for reasonable returns.

The potential for subscriber growth in Sierra Leone is good, as virtually all the telecommunications infrastructure outside Freetown were destroyed during the rebel war; with the advent of peace, the entire country has an urgent need for fast and efficient communications at reasonable cost. Celtel is dedicated to meet that need.

Enquiries:

MSI Cellular

Emmanuel M. Kolade, Director External Affairs Tel: +31 (0) 23 554 2637 Mobile:+31 612 970 413 Kolade.m@msi-cellular.com