UK-based tower infrastructure company Eaton Telecom has signed its first deal with Vodafone Ghana. The 10-year contract will result in Eaton taking over the operations and co-location management of 750 of Vodafone Ghana’s base-stations.

The agreement also allows Eaton to sell co-location and shared infrastructure facilities to other mobile operators, which will provide it with the possibility of alternative revenue streams.

Eaton CEO and former Vodafone executive Alan Harper says the company plans to invest about US$80m upgrading the existing towers and improving Vodafone’s coverage in Ghana.

“This agreement is good for everyone involved. Our co-location offering ensures that Vodafone’s infrastructure will continually improve, while maintaining the lowest possible operating costs,” he says.

Upgrades to the existing sites will include new power generation equipment and advanced management systems aimed at reducing diesel consumption and other costs, he says.

Eaton will take the responsibility for all operational aspects of the passive infrastructure, including health and safety, security and power provision.

The tower-sharing group, founded by three top-level telecommunications industry executives, has had its sights set on the booming African mobile market for some time.

It recently opened an office in opened an office in Tanzania off the back of a booming East African telecoms industry.

Eaton is also understood to be one of the companies in talks with Cell C regarding the SA operator’s plan to sell its national network of base stations. — Staff reporter, TechCentral