{"id":34847,"date":"2021-12-16T09:10:23","date_gmt":"2021-12-16T14:10:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nuranwireless.com\/?p=34847"},"modified":"2021-12-16T09:34:19","modified_gmt":"2021-12-16T14:34:19","slug":"nuran-signs-agreement-for-a-minimum-of-250-sites-with-mtn-in-the-republic-of-south-sudan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nuranwireless.com\/en\/news-nl\/nuran-signs-agreement-for-a-minimum-of-250-sites-with-mtn-in-the-republic-of-south-sudan\/","title":{"rendered":"NuRAN SIGNS AGREEMENT FOR A MINIMUM OF 250 SITES WITH MTN IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u2022 Minimum of 250 sites
\n\u2022 Over the next 24 months
\n\u2022 10-year NaaS agreement
\n\u2022 CAD $57 Million in revenues
\n\u2022 Potential for more sites<\/strong><\/p>\n

Quebec, QC, Canada, Thursday, December 16, 2021 \u2013 NuRAN Wireless Inc. (\u201cNuRAN Wireless\u201d)
\n(CSE: NUR) (OTC: NRRWF) (FSE: 1RN), specialist in rural telecommunications company,
\nannounces it has signed an agreement for a minimum of 250 sites with MTN Group Limited (JSE:
\nMTN) for the deployment of rural sites under the network-as-a-service model (\u201cNAAS\u201d) in
\nRepublic of South Sudan (\u201cSouth Sudan\u201d) for the deployment of sites through the build, own,
\noperate, and transfer (\u201cBOOT\u201d) revenue share model.<\/p>\n

The 10-year agreement is estimated to represent approximately CAD $1,800 of revenue per site
\nand per month or CAD $57 Million in revenues over the course of the contract, with the
\npotential for more sites to be added and the ability to leverage terrestrial backhaul networks to
\ndeliver inexpensive data capacity that is intended to drive higher ARPU and revenues. The
\nestimated revenues are subject to associated project expenses to generate over 65% gross
\nmargin including expenses associated with satellite bandwidth, site lease, network operation
\ncenter operational expenses, curative and preventative maintenance fees, project management
\nand monitoring fees, and insurance.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are extremely pleased to have concluded this Agreement with MTN, a leader in bringing
\nconnectivity to the African continent. We signed the initial MOU in July 2021 and having
\nconcluded this agreement within a few months is a testament to our growing relationship with
\nMTN. Adding South Sudan to the NuRAN portfolio is another important step towards achieving
\nour goal of 10,000 sites. Bringing connectivity to the unconnected is at the heart of our business
\nstrategy and the benefits extend beyond communication including e-commerce, education and
\nhealthcare\u201d stated Francis Letourneau, CEO at NuRAN Wireless Inc.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are excited to be partnering with NuRAN in this very important project. At MTN we believe
\nthat everyone deserves a connected life therefore our strategy is to bring connectivity to these
\nrural parts. We hope that this is the beginning of a growing relationship with NuRAN.\u201d said Diatile
\nZondo, CFO of MTN South Sudan.
\nPursuant to the terms of the agreement with MTN, the parties intend to install a minimum of
\n250 rural networking sites in the Republic of South Sudan within the next 24 months. An initial
\n50 sites will be launched from existing tower infrastructure owned by MTN and allowing for an
\nextremely accelerated project launch. Site surveys on these existing sites has already begun to
\nevaluate site conditions.<\/p>\n

NuRAN will partner with Tandem Solution LTD (\u201cTandem\u201d), a local partner and already familiar to
\nMTN. Tandem is fully licensed for infrastructure work in the country. Tandem was incorporated
\noriginally in Uganda and formed by dynamic professionals with vast engineering experiences
\ntotaling over 30 years whose expertise in project, network planning and optimization, contract
\nplanning, implementation, management, and administration is combined with expertise in a
\nnumber of sectors.<\/p>\n

The NuRAN NAAS model facilitates network expansion for mobile operators by managing and
\ncontrolling the build, operation, and maintenance of cellular sites along with associated capital
\nexpenditures. The sites are then monetized by providing connectivity on a paid for service basis.
\nLeveraging its carrier-grade mobile network infrastructure solutions as well as its extensive
\nexpertise in the building of cost-effective cellular infrastructure, NuRAN can setup network
\noperations from the ground up with an exceptional return on investment. While deployments
\nunder the NAAS model require the Company to make upfront investments, they generate
\nsignificant value whereby NuRAN benefits from long-term recurring revenues with compelling
\nreturns. The Company intends to fund such deployments mostly through asset-based project
\nfinancing or similar debt-oriented facilities. Such financing options and sources are being
\ninvestigated with a view of carrying out deployments in the most efficient manner.<\/p>\n

About MTN:<\/strong><\/p>\n

MTN is an emerging market mobile operator at the forefront of technological and digital
\nchanges. They provide a diverse range of voice, data, digital, fintech, wholesale and enterprise
\nservices to more than 280 million customers in 21 markets. Established in South Africa at the
\ndawn of democracy in 1994 as a leader in transformation, they offer services to communities
\nacross Africa and the Middle East. MTN South Sudan is a Mobile Operator in the country and
\nhas a strong focus on improving rural connectivity for the more than 10 million South Sudanese
\nliving outside of major urban areas.<\/p>\n

About the Republic of South Sudan:<\/strong><\/p>\n

South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan in 2011. The country is landlocked with
\nborders to Sudan, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of The Congo and Uganda. With one of the
\nyoungest populations in Africa, South Sudan has an estimated population of 11 million of which
\nover 500,000 live in Juba, the Capital of South Sudan. The country also hosts approximately
\n200,000 refugees from neighboring countries in various camps organized by the Office of the
\nUnited Nations High Commissioner (\u201cOHCHR\u201d).<\/p>\n

About NuRAN:<\/strong><\/p>\n

NuRAN Wireless is a specialist telecommunications company that meets the growing demand
\nfor wireless network coverage in remote and rural regions around the globe. With its affordable
\nand innovative scalable solutions of 2G, 3G, and 4G technologies, NuRAN Wireless offers a new
\npossibility for more than one billion people to communicate effectively over long distances
\nefficiently and affordably. \u201cBridging the Digital Divide, One Connection at a Time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Additional Information:<\/strong>
\nFor further information about NuRAN Wireless: www.nuranwireless.com<\/p>\n

Francis L\u00e9tourneau,
\nDirector and CEO
\nFrancis.letourneau@nuranwireless.com
\nTel: (418) 264-1337<\/p>\n

Frank Candido
\nInvestor relations
\nFrank.candido@nuranwireless.com
\nTel: (514) 969-5530<\/p>\n

Cautionary Statement: Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.<\/p>\n

Forward Looking Statements<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such<\/em>
\nas, “expects”, “is expected”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain<\/em>
\nactions, events or results “may” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements include those relating to the<\/em>
\nCompany’s NAAS agreements, proposed revenue under the NAAS agreements with MTN, the Company’s proposed build out of<\/em>
\nnetwork sites and ability to obtain project financing in relation to same. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of<\/em>
\nfuture performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results<\/em>
\nprojected, expressed or implied by these forward looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify<\/em>
\nimportant factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there<\/em>
\nmay be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such<\/em>
\ninformation will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such<\/em>
\nstatements, such as the uncertainties regarding include risks such as the uncertainties regarding the impact of the COVID-19<\/em>
\noutbreak, and measures to prevent its spread, risks relating to NuRAN’s business and the economy generally; NuRAN’s ability to<\/em>
\nrefinance its long term debt that is currently in default; NuRAN’s ability to adequately restructure its operations with respect to its<\/em>
\nnew model of NAAS service contracts; the capacity of the Company to deliver in a technical capacity and to import inventory to<\/em>
\nAfrica at a reasonable cost; NuRAN’s ability to obtain project financing for the proposed site build out under its NAAS<\/em>
\nagreements with Orange, MTN and other telecommunication providers, the loss of one or more significant suppliers or a<\/em>
\nreduction in significant volume from such suppliers; NuRAN’s ability to meet or exceed customers\u2019 demand and expectations;<\/em>
\nsignificant current competition and the introduction of new competitors or other disruptive entrants in the Company’s industry;<\/em>
\nNuRAN’s ability to retain key employees and protect its intellectual property; compliance with local laws and regulations and<\/em>
\nability to obtain all required permits for our operations, access to the credit and capital markets, changes in applicable<\/em>
\ntelecommunications laws or regulations or changes in license and regulatory fees, downturns in customers\u2019 business cycles; and<\/em>
\ninsurance prices and insurance coverage availability, the Company’s ability to effectively maintain or update information and<\/em>
\ntechnology systems; our ability to implement and maintain measures to protect against cyberattacks and comply with<\/em>
\napplicable privacy and data security requirements; the Company’s ability to successfully implement its business strategies or<\/em>
\nrealize expected cost savings and revenue enhancements; business development activities, including acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses; the Company’s expansion into markets outside of Canada and the operational, competitive and<\/em>
\nregulatory risks facing the Company’s non-Canadian based operations. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on<\/em>
\nforward looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the<\/em>
\nrisk factors in the Company’s most recent annual management’s discussion and analysis that is available on the Company’s<\/em>
\nprofile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.<\/em>
\nThe estimates included in this news release relating to the calculation of the gross revenue of the agreements with MTN are<\/em>
\nbased on multiplying an average population per site by the expected penetration rate which yields the number of mobile<\/em>
\ncustomers. This is then multiplied by the average revenue per customer per month (ARPU) to derive total revenue. MTN\u2019s direct<\/em>
\ncosts associated with this revenue are deducted and the resulting amount is shared by both parties. The revenue share only<\/em>
\napplies to revenue in excess of a guaranteed amount which is the minimum paid to NuRAN. A penetration rate reduction factor<\/em>
\nhas been used to mitigate risk. The base data used to calculate the total potential revenue of this agreement was provided by<\/em>
\nMTN based on average population, penetration rate and ARPU. Management of the Company believes that the estimates have<\/em>
\nbeen prepared on a reasonable basis, reflecting best estimates and judgments, and based on a number of assumptions<\/em>
\nmanagement believes are reasonable as well as information provided to the Company by MTN. However, because this<\/em>
\ninformation is highly subjective and subject to numerous risks, including the risks discussed above, it should not be relied on as<\/em>
\nnecessarily indicative of future results. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions<\/em>
\nunderlying the estimates prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned,<\/em>
\nanticipated, believed, estimated or expected.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u2022 Minimum of 250 sites \u2022 Over the next 24 months \u2022 10-year NaaS agreement \u2022 CAD $57 Million in revenues \u2022 Potential for more sites Quebec, QC, Canada, Thursday, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[50,29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34847","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-investors","category-news-nl"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nuranwireless.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34847","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nuranwireless.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nuranwireless.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nuranwireless.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nuranwireless.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34847"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/nuranwireless.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34847\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34855,"href":"https:\/\/nuranwireless.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34847\/revisions\/34855"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nuranwireless.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34847"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nuranwireless.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34847"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nuranwireless.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34847"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}