Steve Evans, Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, said that the company would be investing more in 2G networks in rural areas and in 3G networks in urban centres in 2013. With about 3,500 base stations across Nigeria, Etisalat is targeting 20 million active subscribers by the end of 2013. According to NCC figures, Etisalat had 14.4m subscribers in September 2012.
In an interview with local newspaper The Guardian, Evans also pointed out the challenges posed by interruptions in power supply, suggesting that powering base stations in Nigeria cost 15-20% more than in countries where there was more stable grid power.
Evans