MTC announces new MD

PORTUGUESE national Jose Antonio Rodrigues Ferreira (53) has been appointed the new Managing Director of Namibia’s sole operating mobile phone company, Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC).

Ferreira will take over the reins from Bengt Strenge on September 1. The news that a new MD would step into Strenge’s shoes was announced last month, when Namibian Post and Telecom Holdings Limited (NPTH) and Portugal Telecom (PT) finalised a share sale agreement.PT acquired 34 per cent of the share capital in MTC for N$1,02 billion.In terms of the shareholders’ agreement, Portugal Telecom has the prerogative to appoint the Managing Director and one non-executive board member to the new MTC board, as well as one of the General Managers at MTC.Until his latest appointment, Ferreira had been the Chief Executive Officer of Mascom Wireless in Botswana.Portugal Telecom, although not a shareholder of Mascom, also holds the management contract as a strategic and management partner of the Botswana operator.In an exclusive interview with The Namibian, Ferreira said his 26 years of experience in the international telecommunication industry would steer MTC to greater heights.”MTC will see greater benefits through synergies with the global operations of Portugal Telecom.Those synergies would be aimed at driving the operating costs down and offering consumers improved choice of solutions and technologies,” he said in an e-mail responding to questions from The Namibian.Asked how he would deal with competition from PowerCom – Namibia’s second cellphone operator, which is expected to start operating by year-end – Ferreira said competition was a good thing for the country, as the companies could grow the market and improve Namibia’s international standing in the telecommunications sector.”Our strategies are not necessarily driven by what PowerCom will do, but we will move forward on the basis of our own prerogatives as agreed by the shareholders,” Ferreira said.However, he could not be drawn into commenting on the possibility of a takeover by fellow parastatal and fixed-line operator Telecom.Ferreira said any change in ownership of MTC was a matter for the shareholders to determine.”These issues are not to be treated lightly and the due process will be followed,” he said.MTC, which has been running for the past 11 years, has been a profitable entity which paid Government a dividend of N$110 million last year, up from N$80 million in 2004.Ferreira worked for Portugal Telecom for more than 20 years.He is accredited for being responsible for the launch of prepaid and SMS service and several fixed and mobile areas for the operator in Portugal, Guinea Bissau and Botswana.Ferreira holds a degree in electronic engineering and telecommunications.The news that a new MD would step into Strenge’s shoes was announced last month, when Namibian Post and Telecom Holdings Limited (NPTH) and Portugal Telecom (PT) finalised a share sale agreement.PT acquired 34 per cent of the share capital in MTC for N$1,02 billion.In terms of the shareholders’ agreement, Portugal Telecom has the prerogative to appoint the Managing Director and one non-executive board member to the new MTC board, as well as one of the General Managers at MTC.Until his latest appointment, Ferreira had been the Chief Executive Officer of Mascom Wireless in Botswana.Portugal Telecom, although not a shareholder of Mascom, also holds the management contract as a strategic and management partner of the Botswana operator.In an exclusive interview with The Namibian, Ferreira said his 26 years of experience in the international telecommunication industry would steer MTC to greater heights.”MTC will see greater benefits through synergies with the global operations of Portugal Telecom.Those synergies would be aimed at driving the operating costs down and offering consumers improved choice of solutions and technologies,” he said in an e-mail responding to questions from The Namibian.Asked how he would deal with competition from PowerCom – Namibia’s second cellphone operator, which is expected to start operating by year-end – Ferreira said competition was a good thing for the country, as the companies could grow the market and improve Namibia’s international standing in the telecommunications sector.”Our strategies are not necessarily driven by what PowerCom will do, but we will move forward on the basis of our own prerogatives as agreed by the shareholders,” Ferreira said.However, he could not be drawn into commenting on the possibility of a takeover by fellow parastatal and fixed-line operator Telecom.Ferreira said any change in ownership of MTC was a matter for the shareholders to determine.”These issues are not to be treated lightly and the due process will be followed,” he said. MTC, which has been running for the past 11 years, has been a profitable entity which paid Government a dividend of N$110 million last year, up from N$80 million in 2004.Ferreira worked for Portugal Telecom for more than 20 years.He is accredited for being responsible for the launch of prepaid and SMS service and several fixed and mobile areas for the operator in Portugal, Guinea Bissau and Botswana.Ferreira holds a degree in electronic engineering and telecommunications.