Direct On PC (DOPC) Transfers 4G Business To Swift Networks

SWIFT Networks Limited,a leading provider of wireless and fibre-based broadband services to business and residential users, recently announced that it has completed the acquisition of the 4G business of Direct On PC. With this transaction, SWIFT will acquire all the wireless/ 4G infrastructure and co-related customers of Direct On PC in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. The satellite and enterprise business of DOPC remain unaffected by this transaction.

L- R – The Vice Chairman, Direct on PC Mr. Mahesh Sadhwani; the Managing Director SWIFT Networks Limited, Mr. Charles Anudu and the Chief Operating Officer, SWIFT Networks Limited, Mr. Chuma Okoye at a Press Briefing on the acquisition of Direct on PC by SWIFT Networks Limited held at the Eko Hotel, Lagos

“This acquisition is a significant milestone in our journey to advance our competitive position in the high quality broadband segment and footprint in the Nigerian market. It will improve our customers’ broadband experience and overall operating results as the cost efficiencies arising from the economies of scale of the streamlined operation will accrue to our various stakeholders,” commented Charles Anudu, Managing Director of SWIFT Networks. “The ultimate beneficiaries will be our current, future and DOPC’s erstwhile customers who will now be served by a network with a larger coverage and  exceptional focus on customer relationships.   We will continue to invest in new technologies and processes that deliver values that make sense to them.”

“SWIFT and DOPC are a perfect fit as we share a common passion for innovation and customer satisfaction. I am happy that we found the SWIFT home for our 4G WiMAX customers as they will join an operator that has become the undisputed leader in both network quality and customer service in its category”, enthused Mahesh Sadhwani, the Vice Chairman of the BhojrajChanrai Group and Owner of Direct On PC.

While the financing for this transaction was provided by Union Bank and FCMB, the financial terms were not disclosed. This transaction has received the full approval of Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC).

SWIFT Networks  also  announced that it has contracted a consortium of equipment vendors and service providers led by Huawei, IHS, Helios, SWAP and Porta One to rollout a new superfast broadband network in the cities of Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, based on the new 4^th Generation Long Term Evolution (4G LTE) technology. This will run alongside our current 4G WiMAX and fibre networks, using some of the assets from the DOPC acquisition. LTE is an initial for Long Term Evolution, marketed as 4G LTE, a standard for wireless communication of high-speed data for mobile phones and data terminals. It is designed to increase the capacity and speed using a different radio interface together with core network improvements. SWIFT’s LTE networks will go live from the third quarter of this year.

“We’re going to ramp up our access speed offering with this 4G LTE rollout to further improve the availability and penetration of high quality broadband services to more homes and businesses”according to Mr. Chukwuma Okoye, the Chief Operating Officer of SWIFT Networks. “With our 4G LTE services, more businesses and homes will become more productive and competitive as they are able to do more at real 4G speeds. Workers in the same office and members of the same family will also be able to share the same 4G connection, make and receive clear voice calls and stream high definition video and music content at affordable prices.”