March 23, 2019 | 18:00 (GMT+7)
Viettel restores services in Mozambique after Cyclone Idai
PANO - Movitel, a brand of the Military Industry-Telecoms Group (Viettel) in Mozambique, has resumed its basic services in the country following Cyclone Idai, said Mr. Do Manh Hung, the General Director of Viettel Global, on March 22.
Idai, the worst weather-related disaster to hit the southern hemisphere last year, hit Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe on March 14. The cyclone has already damaged almost everything along its path, caused severe flooding, and claimed thousands of lives.
In Mozambique alone, the storm destroyed 273 base transceiver stations of Movitel and Viettel had to mobilize 30 technicians in other African markets, including Burundi and Tanzania, to collaborate with rescue teams from Vietnam to repair cable systems and the base transceiver stations affected by the cyclone.
Up to now, Movitel has recovered 75 percent of its base transceiver stations and the remaining stations are under repair. It has become the first and only telecommunications provider to generally recover its services in Mozambique following the devastating Intense Tropical Cyclone Idai. Movitel’s full services are expected to resume by 30 March, said Mr. Do.
Apart from helping the country to recover telecommunications services, Movitel has donated 50 tons of food and rebuilt houses for people in the affected areas. The company has also given 30 MT (around US$ 0.5) to customers in affected areas and offered at least 20,000 SIM cards for exchange. In the flooded areas, Movitel offered a US$ 3 discount on its2G devices and replaced batteries for its sold gadgets.
According to statistics, the number of Movitel subscribers who lost connections during the storm reached almost 290,000. However, with sales promotions and support, original consumption was restored to normal just days after the storm hit the country.
Translated by Trung Thanh