Ethiotelecom and Ericsson started deployment of the Ericsson Radio System for 4G expansion in the South West region of Ethiopia at the beginning of June 2021. Ethiotelecom is upgrading its systems to Ericsson Network Manager and Network Functions Virtualization Infrastructure with a virtualized packet core and as part of the modernization effort.
Ethiotelecom is partnering with Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) to expand its 4G services into the South West region of Ethiopia during 2021. The service provider will use Ericsson Radio System products and solutions for this deployment. The core expansion will take place in Ethiotelecom’s regional data centers and the data centers in Addis Ababa.
Through this partnership, Ethiotelecom will modernize its network by transitioning from the current Operations Support Systems (OSS) systems to the more advanced and high-capacity Ericsson Network Manager (ENM). Ethiotelecom will also introduce Ericsson Cloud Packet Core and Ericsson NFVI (Network Functions Virtualization Infrastructure) as part of the modernization effort. The 4G network will also use Ericsson Radio System products.
Ethiotelecom’s expansion of 4G comes at a time when the demand for 4G is growing exponentially. According to the latest Ericsson’s Mobility Report, 4G subscriptions increased by approximately 100 million worldwide during the first quarter of 2021. The expansion project confirms Ethiotelecom’s commitment to modernize its network and bring enhanced data services to its customers.
Frehiwot Tamiru, CEO of Ethiotelecom, says: “We are excited to collaborate with Ericsson in expanding our 4G/LTE Advanced service. This will bring high-speed internet to the South West region, which will be vital for achieving Ethiopia’s digitalization ambitions while improving the reach of telebirr, our mobile money service. We understand that digitalization has the potential to boost the livelihoods of Ethiopians while improving access to financial, healthcare, education, and services and we believe our collaboration with Ericsson will take us one step closer to a digital Ethiopia.”
Todd Ashton, Vice President and Head of Ericsson South and East Africa, says: “Ericsson began the partnership with Ethiopia and Ethiotelecom in 1894. Fast forward nearly 130 years later and we have together launched one of the most advanced 5G ready networks in the region. As the world enters a digital age with 5G technology gradually rolling out across the world, we are reiterating our commitment to Ethiopia and Ethiotelecom to support with our technology leadership and global expertise.”
Source: Ericsson