Djezzy, Algeria’s second largest mobile operator by subscribers, plans to invest DZD100 billion (USD878 million) over the next five years, according to its director general Mathieu Galvani who was addressing a conference in Algiers on Sunday. As reported by Maghrebemergent.info, Galvani added that so far in 2017 the cellco has invested DZD15 billion in projects including extending 3G and 4G network coverage to roughly three-quarters and one quarter of the population respectively, as well as strengthening IT and other infrastructure. Around half of all Djezzy users now had smartphones, the executive also highlighted, whilst flagging up the cellco’s launch of an ‘unprecedented’ pre-paid pricing offer called ‘BAYNA’, with call charges of DZD1 per five seconds, unique to the Algerian market.
Djezzy (registered as Optimum Telecom Algerie) is 51%-owned by the Algerian government but managed by Egypt-based Global Telecom Holding (GTH, itself part of the VEON [formerly VimpelCom] group) which owns a 45.6% stake.