1. Introduction
Somtel GSM FZCO is Telecommunication Company currently operating in Somaliland. Somtel GSM FZCO is registered in British Virgin Islands and having office branches in Sharjah Airport Free Zone, Sharjah, U. A. E. And Djibouti Free Zone Company. The registered office of the company is at the offices of Ansbacher (BVI) limited P. O. Box 659, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. The company Headquarters is Hargeisa, Somaliland.

The company focuses on telecommunication development in Somaliland and Somalia territories. Critical needs for telecommunications result from the collapse of the Somali state and subsequent destruction of infrastructure including telecommunication followed by total breakdown of authority forced many Somalis to migrate to distant world regions. These migrants need to communicate with their loved ones left behind as well as with extended family members now residing in many parts of the globe.

2. Technology
Somtel GSM network operations recently commissioned in major urban and rural areas of Somaliland meet these needs by applying appropriate technologies at an affordable cost with clear objective of developing state of art technologies in all over Somalia and beyond. Somtel vision is to build competitive and reliable gateway for international and local connectivity.

Somtel GSM core network and access are supplied by Alcatel-lucent, France, world leader in GSM equipment technology. Our GSM network is state of art technology with 3G video calling facilities which means quick data and voice services access.

3. Organization Structure
Somtel is registered in the United Kingdom (BVI) and operates from Head Office in Hargeisa, Somaliland. The company also has branch offices in Sharjah Airport Free Zone and Djibouti Free Zone to facilitate international banking and overseas purchases. The company is run by Board of Directors which represent the shareholders and Board appoints a chairman who effectively oversees the operations of Somtel as whole. The chairman appoints chief Executive officer of the company and CEO is responsible for running and managing day to-day operations of the company with help of key officers such as Deputy CEO, CTO, CFO and others.

4. Ownership
The present owners of Somtel are Mohamed Said Duale, Ethiopian and owner of world renown Dahabshiil Money Remittance and Exchange Services. Mohamed Said Duale is the major share holder of the company owning more than 90% of the company. Other investors include Albashair Telecom who is also major shareholder in MTN operations in the Middle East.