Emtel

Emtel is a telecommunications operator based in Ebene City, Mauritius. It began operations on 29 May 1989 through a collaboration between the Currimjee Jeewanjee Group and Millicom International Cellular S.A., becoming the first mobile-telephony operator in the Southern Hemisphere according to the company’s historical account. Its early development positioned it as a technology pioneer in Mauritius, although the company later faced a competitive setback when a rival operator received exclusive rights to deploy GSM technology. Emtel introduced GSM services in 1999, after Cellplus had held exclusive GSM operating rights in Mauritius. The delay contributed to a substantial decline in Emtel’s market share during the late 1990s. The dispute eventually became the subject of prolonged litigation involving Emtel, the Information and Communication Technologies Authority, the relevant ministry and Cellplus. In August 2017, the Supreme Court of Mauritius ruled that the exclusivity arrangement constituted unfair competition and ordered compensation of Rs 554.19 million, according to the cited reference material. The company expanded its portfolio progressively from mobile voice into messaging, prepaid services, international roaming, mobile internet, enterprise connectivity, fixed voice, broadband, data-centre services and international fibre connectivity. It introduced prepaid service in the late 1990s, added SMS and other mobile communications features around the turn of the century, and launched mobile internet and multimedia services during the 2000s. In November 2004, Emtel launched 3G/UMTS services, described in the reference material as the first such launch in Africa. It subsequently added HSDPA, WiMAX and other wireless-data technologies. In 2012, Emtel launched commercial 4G LTE service, becoming the first fully operational LTE provider in Mauritius according to the reference material. The operator also developed fixed wireless services, enterprise voice and data products, data centres and fibre-based connectivity. In 2015 it introduced Fibre Through The Air, or FTTA, and launched Airbox, a residential high-speed internet product. Its network history includes GSM, GPRS, 3G/UMTS, 3.5G/HSDPA, 4G/LTE and WiMAX technologies. Emtel’s reach extends beyond Mauritius’s main island. It expanded service to Rodrigues in 2006 and to Agalega in 2009, where its network rollout received an AfricaCom “Changing Lives” award. The operator has also offered services for businesses, including PRI fixed telephony, connectivity, cloud-oriented digital services, international submarine-fibre access and data-centre facilities. The company has maintained a strong innovation-oriented market position, emphasizing network development and early adoption of mobile and broadband technologies. A rebrand in 2012 introduced the “Emtel – You. First” slogan. In 2015, Emtel became Manchester United’s official triple-play partner in Mauritius and launched a digital-services portal offering website creation, business email and cloud backup. Publicly available material in the supplied references does not identify Emtel’s current chief executive, detailed current ownership structure or a standalone corporate website.

Emtel was launched in Mauritius on 29 May 1989 through a partnership between the Currimjee Jeewanjee Group and Millicom International Cellular S.A. Its launch is identified in the supplied reference material as the first mobile-telephony operation in the Southern Hemisphere. The business initially established itself as a mobile operator and later broadened its activities into fixed telecommunications, broadband, enterprise connectivity, internet access and data-centre services. During the 1990s, Emtel developed several important customer features, including international roaming in 1996 and prepaid service in 1998. It introduced GSM in 1999, later than its principal competitor because Cellplus had been granted exclusive rights to operate GSM technology in Mauritius. Emtel’s delayed GSM entry contributed to a significant loss of market share. The company subsequently introduced SMS, mobile email, conferencing and mobile information services, helping to expand the role of the mobile handset beyond voice calls. Emtel moved into mobile internet and multimedia in the early 2000s. It launched an SMS-based information service and a mobile internet portal in 2002, followed by music-oriented services and prepaid roaming in 2003. In 2004 it introduced MMS and launched a 3G/UMTS network. The reference material describes this as the first 3G network in Africa, enabling services such as video telephony and remote video monitoring. Caller Tunes followed in 2005. Network coverage and service breadth continued to expand. Emtel extended its network to Rodrigues in 2006 and launched Emtel TV. In 2007 it introduced WiMAX and HSDPA services, including mobile broadband through a USB modem. In 2008 it added Gift and Collect SMS, allowing customers with insufficient credit to continue sending messages. The company received ISO 9001:2008 certification in 2009 and marked its twentieth anniversary that year. It also began an underground optical-fibre project and connected Agalega to its mobile network, an initiative that won a Changing Lives AfricaCom Award. In 2010, Emtel introduced arrangements allowing customers to move between prepaid and postpaid service while retaining their number and SIM card. It also launched mobile payments and SOS Refill, an emergency-credit facility. The company became the first Mauritian operator to offer Facebook mobile in 2011. In 2012 it opened a data centre at Arsenal, launched fixed wireless telephony and introduced 4G LTE. LTE was soft-launched in May and commercially offered from July, with advertised speeds of up to 150 Mbit/s. A corporate rebrand that year adopted the “Emtel – You. First” slogan. From 2013 onward, Emtel expanded fixed voice and data services and invested in international submarine-fibre connectivity and network modernization. It introduced PRI fixed telephony for businesses in 2014 and became the first Mauritian mobile operator described in the supplied material as IPv6-ready. In 2015 it became Manchester United’s official triple-play partner in Mauritius, launched the 1010.mu digital-services portal, introduced Airbox residential wireless broadband and launched Fibre Through The Air. Bharti Enterprises acquired a 25% stake in Emtel in April 2015. The company’s GSM exclusivity dispute continued through the courts for many years. In August 2017, the Supreme Court of Mauritius held that the exclusive GSM rights granted to Cellplus constituted unfair competition and ordered the defendants to compensate Emtel Rs 554.19 million. Emtel’s later public profile remains that of an active Mauritian operator offering mobile, fixed, broadband, enterprise and data-related services. The supplied sources do not establish its current executive leadership, precise ownership structure or current standalone website.

1. 2017Supreme Court resolves GSM competition dispute

   The Supreme Court of Mauritius rules that the GSM exclusivity arrangement was unfair competition and orders compensation for Emtel.

   Source
2. 2015Bharti Enterprises takes a minority stake

   Bharti Enterprises acquires a 25% stake through Indian Continent Investment Limited.

   Source
3. 2015FTTA and Airbox introduced

   Emtel launches Fibre Through The Air and Airbox residential high-speed internet services.

   Source
4. 2012Commercial 4G LTE launch

   Emtel commercially launches 4G LTE in Mauritius and rebrands with the “Emtel – You. First” identity.

   Source
5. 2009Agalega network receives recognition

   Emtel connects Agalega to its network and receives the Changing Lives AfricaCom Award.

   Source
6. 2007WiMAX and HSDPA introduced

   The company adds WiMAX and HSDPA-based mobile broadband services.

   Source
7. 2006Coverage extended to Rodrigues

   Emtel extends its network to the island of Rodrigues and launches Emtel TV.

   Source
8. 20043G/UMTS network launched

   Emtel launches 3G/UMTS services, described in the reference material as Africa’s first 3G network launch.

   Source
9. 1999GSM service launched

   Emtel introduces GSM after a delay associated with exclusive GSM rights held by Cellplus.

   Source
10. 1998Prepaid service launched

    The operator becomes an early Mauritian provider of prepaid mobile service.

    Source
11. 1996International roaming introduced

    Emtel introduces international roaming for customers in Mauritius.

    Source
12. 1989Emtel begins mobile operations

    Emtel launches on 29 May through the Currimjee Jeewanjee Group and Millicom International Cellular, becoming the first mobile-telephony operator in the Southern Hemisphere according to the supplied reference.

    Source

A Mauritian connectivity provider positioned around network innovation, broad telecommunications coverage and early adoption of mobile, wireless and fibre technologies.

• Mobile voice and messagingMobile telecommunications1989

  Emtel’s core mobile portfolio includes voice calling, SMS, MMS, international roaming and related communication features. The operator has supported both prepaid and postpaid customers and introduced services such as mobile email, group conferencing, Caller Tunes, Gift and Collect SMS and emergency prepaid credit. Its mobile network history spans GSM, GPRS, 3G/UMTS, HSDPA and 4G/LTE.

• 4G LTEMobile broadband2012

  Emtel introduced a 4G LTE service in 2012, with a soft launch in May and commercial availability from July. The service was positioned as Mauritius’s first fully operational LTE offering in the supplied reference material and extended the company’s earlier 3G and HSDPA mobile-data capabilities.

• Airbox by EmtelFixed wireless broadband2015

  Airbox by Emtel is a residential wireless-internet offering launched in 2015. It was presented as providing unlimited high-speed internet to home users, using Emtel’s wireless network rather than a conventional fixed last-mile connection.

• Fixed voice and data servicesFixed telecommunications2012

  Emtel expanded beyond mobile service into fixed voice and data connectivity for homes and businesses. Its enterprise portfolio includes fixed telephony, internet access and PRI services, while its wider infrastructure activities include fibre connectivity and network modernization.

• Data-centre and connectivity servicesEnterprise telecommunications2012

  The company operates data-related infrastructure including a contingency data centre at Arsenal, international connectivity via undersea optical fibre and enterprise-oriented services. Its 1010.mu portal also offered website creation, business-class email and automated cloud backup.

• 2015Manchester United triple-play partnership

  Mauritius

  Emtel became Manchester United’s official triple-play partner in Mauritius, linking the operator’s telecommunications offering with the football club’s local fan base.

  Outcome. The partnership strengthened Emtel’s consumer-facing sports and entertainment marketing presence in Mauritius.

  Source
• 2012Emtel – You. First

  Mauritius

  Emtel introduced a new logo and the “Emtel – You. First” slogan as part of a corporate rebrand following the company’s 23rd anniversary and 4G LTE launch.

  Outcome. The rebrand established a customer-first positioning for the next phase of Emtel’s mobile and broadband expansion.

  Source

• 2015Bharti Enterprises acquires a minority interestM&A

  Bharti Enterprises entered Emtel’s ownership structure during the operator’s expansion in mobile data, fixed connectivity and digital services.

  What changed. Bharti acquired 25% of Emtel through Indian Continent Investment Limited.

  Aftermath. The transaction added a major Indian telecommunications group as a minority stakeholder. The supplied sources do not establish the subsequent ownership structure.

  Source
• 2015Airbox and Fibre Through The AirProduct launch

  Emtel expanded its broadband portfolio for residential users and sought alternatives to conventional fixed-line access.

  What changed. The company launched Airbox for residential high-speed internet and introduced Fibre Through The Air in the region.

  Aftermath. These launches broadened Emtel’s positioning from a mobile operator toward a wider fixed-wireless and broadband provider.

  Source
• 2012Commercial 4G LTE deploymentProduct launch

  Emtel sought to extend its mobile-data capabilities beyond 3G and HSDPA and strengthen its competitive position in Mauritius.

  What changed. The operator soft-launched LTE in May and commercially launched the service in July.

  Aftermath. Emtel became the first fully operational LTE provider in Mauritius according to the supplied reference material.

  Source

• 2017GSM exclusivity and unfair-competition rulingControversy

  After a lengthy legal dispute involving Emtel, the ICTA, the responsible ministry and Cellplus, the Supreme Court of Mauritius ruled that Cellplus’s exclusive GSM operating rights amounted to unfair competition. The court ordered compensation of Rs 554.19 million for Emtel.

  Source

• 2015Bharti Enterprises acquires a 25% stake in Emtel

  Bharti Enterprises acquired a 25% interest in Emtel through its subsidiary Indian Continent Investment Limited.

  M&A
  Source

1. Emtel