Business
Dialog launches 4,000th network tower, strengthens coverage of its network
Records an investment of Rs.50 billion during the pandemic
Reiterating its commitment to expanding connectivity to every corner of the nation, Dialog Axiata PLC launched its 4,000th network tower in Thihawa village, Kurunegala, to further expand coverage to rural communities in the area.
In its continued efforts to expand coverage and support customers during these unprecedented times, Dialog has added 515 new towers to the network during the pandemic period reaching 4000 mobile 4G sites in its network, the highest ever tower count recorded in Sri Lanka. Dialog made use of Green Field towers in rapidly expanding its coverage to reach deep rural communities and the Lamp pole solutions to cater to urgent capacity requirements in dense areas. Dialog will continue to enhance coverage to deep rural communities through another 450 towers, including TRCSL’s “Gamata Sanniwedanaya” project, in the next 6 months, targeting more than 95% population coverage by end of 2021.
Dialog’s network accommodated more than 100% growth in mobile data traffic & more than 200% growth in fixed data traffic during the pandemic period, where the network carries more than 60% of the total mobile data usage of Sri Lanka. To meet the surge in demand, Dialog upgraded the capacity of 2,831 mobile 4G towers and 1,816 fixed broadband towers during the pandemic period and are targeting to enhance the capacity of more than 75% of the sites in the network by the end of the year.
Dialog also made more than twofold enhancements to the spectrum assigned to mobile 4G network by investing in 40MHz spectrum in the 2,600MHz band and re-allocating 13 MHz of frequency previously used for 2G and 3G to 4G broadband with the approval of TRCSL. This is a significant enhancement to Dialog’s spectrum assignment for 4G Broadband, which will enable the network to deliver superior performance, despite catering to a larger customer base and traffic growth.
Dialog is the nation’s largest foreign direct investor with a total investment of USD 2.8 Billion to date and infrastructure investments of USD 207 Million planned for 2021. The ongoing investments are part of the USD 254.1 million investment committed with the Board of Investments in February 2020.
Speaking at the occasion, Oshada Senanayake, Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka said, “We are pleased to be present here today at Dialog’s latest network site launch in Thihawa, Kurunegala. This new tower facilitates 20 villages with both fixed and mobile 4G coverage, and not only enables students to engage in meaningful e-learning, but also changes the way the communities can now utilise the power of connectivity to possibly transform their work and businesses digitally.”
Commenting, Supun Weerasinghe, Group Chief Executive of Dialog Axiata PLC said, ” We appreciate the support extended by our partners to fast-track deployments despite challenges caused by the pandemic. Dialog remains committed to continuing its efforts in increasing bandwidth and strengthening the resilience and coverage of our network.”
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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