Speaking at meeting that brought together federal and regional transport and communication offices held in Jimma town ETC Corporate Communication manager, Abdurahim Ahmed said that the stated number of towns and villages, in seven regional states, got the service with more than 1.1 billion Birr budget.

The towns and villages are among the 237 towns and villages the corporation listed to get access to mobile telephone service during the current budget year.

The Manager said that the Corporation has enabled more than 608, 700 new subscribers, and got access to mobile telephone service during the past half year.

Expansion of mobile telephone lines, with the capacity of serving over 140,000 subscribers has been carried out in the stated locations, Abdurahim said.

Accordingly, the number of new subscribers who got mobile telephone service over the past six months is equivalent to half the number of customers who enjoyed telephone service over the past decade.

Close to 662,000 clients got mobile, fixed line telephone or internet services, while 12 schools have been interlinked via internet, Abdurahim said.

Meanwhile, the Corporation is undertaking installation of facilities and expansion of telephone lines with a view to easing network congestion customers are facing.

R--10:12-10:50 Am

E--10:50- 11:11

---END---