Telco SA

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  Telma Comoros (“Telma” or the “company”) plans to install up to 50 new mobile telecommunications base stations and associated cable and microwave equipment by 2018 on the islands of Comoros (the “project”), in order to expand Telma’s existing network of 66 base stations.  The project consists of the implementation of Phases 2 and 3 of the network (essentially a densification of towers on the islands for improved coverage), which will see an additional 21 and 29 towers for each phase respectively.  For this purpose, and for refinancing existing shareholder bridge loans, IFC is considering the provision of a $16 million loan to Telma.  Telma is headquartered in Moroni the capital of the Comoros and linked by the EASSY undersea cable to Antananarivo, Madagascar, where it maintains its Network Operations Centre (NOC).  The company currently has 66 sites on air (masts and rooftop installations) including one at their headquarters, providing 2G, 3G and 4G data services to the three islands.  Telma’s operating model is one of contracting Camusat (an international implementer of telecom infrastructure) to design, install and maintain the base stations and Huawei for the implementation and maintenance of the telecommunications equipment, while Telma itself maintains the passive infrastructure (fence, access control, power supply, lighting and security).  Each tower site has hybrid generators (e-power generators), and access to grid power (provided on the islands by diesel generators).