Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) today announced that it has signed a $50 million contract with Celtel Nigeria, part of Celtel International, to expand its GSM network within the South East and South South regions of the country. Under the turnkey agreement, Motorola will deploy its latest Motorola Reach GSM solutions and provide comprehensive services. The expansion will enable Celtel to increase its subscriber capacity, extend its coverage into new areas and improve the quality of its network.

This is a first time contract for Motorola with Celtel, although Motorola enjoys a long and successful relationship with the MTC Group, which owns Celtel International.

“We are excited to be working with Celtel Nigeria and we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with the operator. Deploying Motorola’s technology and its expert services solutions for this network expansion will enable Celtel to add on new subscribers easily and efficiently, and ensure that the company continues to provide its growing number of customers with high quality services,” said Ali Amer, vice president, Middle East, Africa and Pakistan, Motorola Networks & Enterprise.

As a cost-effective, upgradeable, rapid and cost-effective solution that offers new features and platforms, GSM is predicted to be a key technology for connecting the next billion subscribers across the world.

“We have selected Motorola to implement our network system expansion because of the company’s reliable and trusted technology leadership and its services expertise. Celtel has the utmost confidence and trust that Motorola will support its efforts and its commitment to providing its growing subscriber base, with the best and most advanced telecommunications systems, services and solutions,” said Celtel Nigeria CEO Adebayo Ligali.

A portion of revenue on this contract was recognized in the fourth quarter of 2006.