Cooled from the Ministry of Information and Communications Intergroup Telecom is planning to bring world-class service to Sierra Leone’s telecom sector. It will be the first telecom services provider in the sub-region to offer third generation (3G) and other value added services, and it has ambitious growth plans. Wassim Dabbous, CEO, explains, “We came to Sierra Leone when we obtained a license to offer telecom services here, and we see ourselves as becoming one of the country’s market leaders.” New Telecom Provider Aims To Offer 3G Services Intergroup’s competitive edge will be in its cutting-edge services, including high speed Internet connections, and in its attention to its customers. “When we launch our offering, which we aim to coincide with Sierra Leone’s 50th anniversary early next year, customers will see the difference in the quality of our services compared to those of our competitors. It’s the customers’ era and we are customer oriented. We will definitely not take our customers for granted,” Wassim Dabbous says confidently. Intergroup is establishing a productive working relationship with the government, which is allowing for duty free imports of the telecom equipment that the company needs to set up its operations in Sierra Leone. Wassim Dabbous points out that while the local telecom sector is not fully liberalised, much improvement has already been made. However, the presence of the regulator NATCOM does facilitate doing business, they are the first interface with the government. A challenge for Intergroup and for any telecom services provider in Sierra Leone is the need for better telecom infrastructure, but this is improving. Developing a brand name Intergroup operates in other countries with different brand names but aims to brand its services with a single name (it is considering Smart Mobile), develop brand recognition, and expand into other countries under the new brand. Reaching customers directly will be a big part of the company’s brand identity. Wassim Dabbous explains, “I want the local community to actually touch and feel what our company can do for them, and then they will be the judge.” Intergroup plans to get involved in corporate social responsibility projects as part of its long-term commitment to Sierra Leone. Wassim Dabbous concludes, “Some international investors are afraid to come to Sierra Leone, but we have not had any security related problems and the government has been very helpful. This country is emerging from war but it is stable and on the road to development. I hope our example will help other future investment projects in the country.”
Posted on: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 15:25:32 +0000
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