Alex Little

Over the last few weeks Ethiopian Telecoms Co (ETC) have been releasing thousands of new mobile SIM cards causing chaotic queues for several days outside their offices in town.

Last Friday (3rd April), again, there were huge queues, but this time with a twist – ETC have eventually decided to halve the cost of a mobile SIM card, bringing the cost down to around USD 16.

I’ve not seen much evidence yet of any improvements to service, since the new cards began to be released, the service has got steadily worse. So hopefully the improvements will come soon.

From WaltaInfo:

Addis Ababa, April4 (WIC) – The Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC) announced that it has made price discounts on mobile SIM card costs.

The corporation is also undertaking 5.6 million mobile network expansion works.

ETC Corporate Communication Manager, Abdurahim Ahmed told WIC that the discount on mobile SIM card coast became effective as of April 2, 2009.

Accordingly, the previous 368.10 birr cost for the prepaid mobile phone SIM card was reduced to 169.10 birr, the manager said, adding the charge for replacement of lost or damaged SIM card was also lowered to 15 birr from 25 previously.

It has also reduced the postpaid mobile SIM card price to a uniform price of 414.40 birr.

The move was aimed at benefiting the public from the ever expanding telecom services in the country, Abdurahim said, adding ETC is undertaking the expansion of 5.6 million mobile networks in 766 towns. Currently, there are over three million mobile phone subscribers and ETC is hugely engaged in network expansion activities so that it can enhance the quality of mobile network services, he indicated.