U-COM Burundi

U-COM Burundi was a telecommunications company in Burundi that operated its consumer wireless business under the LEO brand. The company was established in 1985 and began providing mobile voice services in 1993 through an AMPS 800 network, making it one of the early mobile operators in the Burundian market. It subsequently expanded from an initial analog network into digital GSM services: U-COM received a GSM licence in 1999 and launched GSM operations in February 2000. Data services were introduced in 2007. The operator was associated with Orascom Telecom Holding, which was part of the wider VimpelCom group. During its operating period, LEO developed a substantial national network despite Burundi's infrastructure constraints. By the third quarter of 2011, it reportedly held more than 56% of the country's mobile market and had approximately 1.132 million subscribers. Its network included 245 telecommunications sites, both connected and off-grid. Because electricity supply was unreliable, the company used diesel generators at both types of site to maintain network availability. U-COM also participated in wider national connectivity initiatives. Following Burundi's entry into the East African Community in 2007, the country's incumbent fixed-line operator, Onatel Burundi, worked with several telecommunications companies—including U-COM Burundi, Africell, CBINET and Econet Wireless—on the Burundi Backbone System, a national fibre-optic network intended to improve broadband and interconnection infrastructure. In October 2014, Econet Wireless Group acquired U-Com Leo for a reported US$65 million. The transaction was followed by a legal and operational combination with Econet Wireless Burundi. That merger was completed on 7 July 2015, creating Econet Leo. The combined business was reported to have 2.6 million customers and 242 direct employees at formation. U-COM Burundi therefore no longer exists as a standalone operator, although its network, customers and operating history formed part of the successor Econet Leo business. Its principal competitive context included Lumitel, operated by Viettel, as well as Smart and Tempo Africell.

U-COM Burundi was founded in 1985 and became a mobile telecommunications operator in the early 1990s. In September 1993 it launched an AMPS 800 mobile network and began offering voice services under the LEO operating brand. This placed the company among Burundi's early wireless operators and established the foundation for its later national mobile business. The company moved toward digital mobile technology during the subsequent decade. It was awarded a GSM licence in 1999 and launched GSM services in February 2000. The transition allowed LEO to expand its subscriber base and develop a more scalable national network. In 2007, the company added data services, broadening its offer beyond traditional mobile voice. That same year, Burundi's membership in the East African Community helped encourage collaboration on national telecommunications infrastructure. Onatel Burundi, the fixed-line incumbent, formed a consortium with several operators and internet companies, including U-COM Burundi, to develop the Burundi Backbone System fibre-optic network. Ownership of U-COM Burundi was linked to Orascom Telecom Holding, which was a subsidiary of the VimpelCom group. During the early 2010s, LEO was one of Burundi's largest mobile operators. In the third quarter of 2011, it was reported to have more than 56% of the country's mobile market and approximately 1.132 million subscribers. Its infrastructure comprised 245 network sites. The operating environment was difficult because the national electricity supply was unreliable; both grid-connected and off-grid sites used diesel generators to support continuity of service. The company's independent history ended after Econet Wireless Group purchased U-Com Leo in October 2014 for a reported US$65 million. Econet subsequently combined the acquired business with Econet Wireless Burundi. The merger was completed on 7 July 2015 and produced Econet Leo. At the time of the combination, the successor was reported to have 2.6 million customers and 242 direct employees. U-COM Burundi is consequently a defunct standalone brand and company, with its operating assets and customer base absorbed into Econet Leo. Its former competitive environment included Lumitel, associated with Viettel, and the operators Smart and Tempo Africell.

• 2015

  Merged into Econet Leo

  [1]U-COM Burundien.wikipedia.org

  The merger with Econet Wireless Burundi was completed on 7 July, forming Econet Leo and ending U-COM Burundi's standalone existence.

• 2014

  Acquired by Econet Wireless Group

  [1]U-COM Burundien.wikipedia.org

  Econet Wireless Group acquired U-Com Leo in October in a transaction reported at US$65 million.

• 2011

  Reported leading market position

  [1]U-COM Burundien.wikipedia.org

  In the third quarter, LEO was reported to have more than 56% of Burundi's mobile market, about 1.132 million subscribers and 245 telecommunications sites.

• 2007

  Mobile data introduced

  [1]U-COM Burundien.wikipedia.org

  The operator began providing data services and participated in the consortium developing the Burundi Backbone System fibre network.

• 2000

  GSM services launched

  [1]U-COM Burundien.wikipedia.org

  LEO launched GSM mobile services in February.

• 1999

  GSM licence awarded

  [1]U-COM Burundien.wikipedia.org

  U-COM Burundi received a licence to operate GSM services.

• 1993

  AMPS mobile network launched

  [1]U-COM Burundien.wikipedia.org

  The company began mobile voice operations in September through an AMPS 800 network, operating under the LEO brand.

• 1985

  Company founded

  [1]U-COM Burundien.wikipedia.org

  U-COM Burundi was established in Burundi.

A national mobile telecommunications operator serving Burundi, with a broad wireless network and a historically strong position in the country's mobile market.

• Mobile voice · 1993

  LEO AMPS mobile service

  LEO's initial wireless service used an AMPS 800 network launched in 1993. It provided mobile voice connectivity during the company's first operating phase in Burundi and preceded the transition to GSM technology.

• Mobile telecommunications · 2000

  LEO GSM mobile service

  After receiving a GSM licence in 1999, U-COM Burundi launched GSM services in February 2000. The GSM network became the core platform for LEO's national mobile voice business and supported the operator's later subscriber growth.

• Mobile data · 2007

  LEO data services

  LEO added data services in 2007, extending its portfolio beyond voice and positioning the operator to participate in Burundi's developing mobile internet and data-connectivity market.

• 2015

  Completion of merger into Econet LeoM&A

  Background

  Following Econet Wireless Group's acquisition, the acquired LEO business had to be combined with Econet Wireless Burundi.

  Action taken

  The merger was completed on 7 July 2015, forming Econet Leo.

  Aftermath

  The combined operator was reported to have 2.6 million customers and 242 direct employees. U-COM Burundi ceased operating as a standalone entity.

  Source

• 2014

  Sale of U-Com Leo to Econet Wireless GroupM&A

  Background

  U-COM Burundi operated as LEO and was associated with Orascom Telecom Holding within the VimpelCom group.

  Action taken

  Econet Wireless Group acquired U-Com Leo in October 2014 for a reported US$65 million.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition led to a merger with Econet Wireless Burundi, completed in July 2015, and created Econet Leo.

  Reported acquisition price. US$65 million (October 2014 transaction)

  Source

• 2007

  Participation in the Burundi Backbone System consortiumStrategy

  Background

  Burundi's telecommunications companies needed improved national backbone infrastructure, particularly as regional economic integration increased connectivity requirements.

  Action taken

  U-COM Burundi joined a consortium with Onatel Burundi, Africell, CBINET and Econet Wireless to develop the Burundi Backbone System fibre-optic network.

  Aftermath

  The initiative represented a shift from reliance solely on individual mobile networks toward shared national telecommunications infrastructure.

  Source

1. 1U-COM Burundien.wikipedia.org