Category: World Service

Date: 25.04.2005
Printable version

The BBC World Service has teamed up with mCel, a leading mobile phone provider in Mozambique, to launch

m-ligado - the country's first mobile phone BBC News on-demand service.

mCel's 760,000 subscribers now have 24-hour access to BBC News, in Portuguese or English, by dialling 0821010200.

Joao van Dunen, Head of the BBC's Portuguese for Africa Service, said: "We are delighted to be on the mCel network, as Mozambique is an important market for us.

"We are constantly seeking new and better ways to serve our audience, and mobile phones are becoming increasingly essential to many people as a way of keeping up-to-date with global events."

Peter Correia, Executive Director of mCel, said: "The BBC's credibility and position of clear global news leadership, along with mCel's market leadership, will add unparalleled value to our subscribers' experience.

"Staying in touch through a credible news media is now virtually mandatory in a world where reliable information has become a vital decision-making currency for all walks of life."

m-ligado offers BBC bulletins in Portuguese, updated twice a day. BBC bulletins in English are updated every hour.

The World Service is an international radio and online broadcaster with 146 million listeners around the world. 

In Mozambique it is available on BBC FM frequencies: in Maputo 95.5 FM; Beira 88.5 FM; Nampula 88.3 FM; Quelimane 95.3 FM; and in Xai-Xai on 100.9 FM.

BBC programmes can also be heard on partner stations

Cidade FM in Maputo and Beira, and on Corridor Radio in Maputo.

Note to Editors

BBC Portuguese brings up-to-date news and information to Lusophone Africa including Angola, Mozambique, S.Tomé and Principe, Guiné Bissau and Cape Verde.

Further information and audio of programmes can be found at bbcparaafrica.com.

mCel is the leading mobile phone operator in Mozambique, with around 80% market share. It launched its GSM network in Mozambique in 1997, and has over half a million subscribers and roaming agreements with operators in more than 95 countries.

World Service broadcasts programmes around the world in 43 languages and is available on radio and online. It is available globally on short wave; on FM in 140 capital cities; and selected programmes are carried on around 2,000 FM and MW radio stations around the world.

The World Service websites receive around 280 million page impressions every month.