In the near future, SierraTel plans to provide fibre optic connectivity within the Freetown municipality junction network. The diagram below shows the network fibre ducts (in blue) required. 4-3-3 International Gateway Sierra Leone is connected to the rest of the world via an Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) satellite Earth station that is operated by SierraTel. SierraTel currently solely manages the international gateway according to a two years statutory right. This mandate expired in August 2008, and the national regulator (NATCOM) is set to review the exclusivity status. However, efforts are being made to facilitate submarine optical fibre landing and several applications have been received from prospective providers. The process of approving landing rights is currently underway. It is believed that the cost of international communications will be drastically reduced if Sierra Leone acquires fibre landing in the nearest future. 4-3-4 GSM Mobiles Operators and Frequency Spectrum Usage • They are four active mobile operators: Mobile Network Technology & Frequency Africell / Lintel GSM 900 & 1800 Zain (ex-Celtel) GSM 900 & 1800 Comium GSM 900 & 1800 Tigo / Millicom GSM 900 & 1800 (SierraTel operates on a CDMA 850 frequency.) The combined total Mobile Subscriber base is approximately: - 1,200,000 (with 72% annual growth rate) in June 2007; and - 1,545,000 (with 39% annual growth rate) in 4th quarter 2008. The Mobile Penetration is 25% by June 2008; and the Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) is $8.00. ICT Policy of Sierra Leone Page 19 / 63