Alizé and Tigo launch GPRS pilots

Senegalese mobile network operators SENTEL.gsm (Tigo) and Sonatel Mobiles (Alizé) have each launched pilot trials of GPRS data services. The former is trialling the technology to 1,000 selected customers while Alizé has opted for a pay-as-you-go model to test its popularity. According to Mobile Africa, SENTEL.gsm is closing the gap on its larger rival Alizé. Tigo had over 750,000 subscribers at the end of December 2005 and is aiming for 800,000 by end-January (it has not yet compiled its official figures). Alizé meanwhile, had an estimated one million subscribers at the same date, up from 919,000 at 30 September 2005. Part of the Tigo brand’s success is attributed to its decision to offer per-second billion, which has proved popular with customers. Alizé has publicly announced it will not go down the same route, but given Tigo’s recent gains it could be forced to think again.