http://odili.net/news/source/2008/jul/13/426.html
Subscribers stranded as Celtel network goes off air

Mobile phone users on Celtel Nigeria Network were cut off from communication on Saturday as the company‘s network apparently went off air. While the exact time that the network went off air was not known, many users however said that they woke up to find that the network had been off air.

The development represented the second time that the Celtel network would suffer such a major problem within the past two months. Last month, subscribers were cut off air for many hours before service was restored.

But the company only on Wednesday inaugurated its Mobile Soft Switch in Enugu, a development aimed at improving its services.

Other network operators said the development had impacted negatively on their services as they were forced to carry more traffic on the networks

According to the General Manager, Regulatory, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Wale Goodluck, the development caused “plenty congestion” on the MTN network

Network hitches had become prevalent among Nigerian operators, especially in the 2007. The development forced the industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission, to force operators to stop promotional campaigns aimed at increasing subscribers.

The NCC also forced MTN and Celtel to pay compensation to their subscribers, a development that is ongoing.