ETHIOPIA – Telecommunication company Ethio Telecom has partnered with Ericsson to expand its 4G services into the South West region of Ethiopia.
According to a press release from the Swedish multinational networking and telecommunications company, the Ethiopian service provider will use Ericsson Radio System products for this deployment of which the core expansion will be carried out in Ethio Telecom’s regional data centres and those in Addis Ababa.
“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 digitalisation ambitions while improving the reach of telebirr, our mobile money service,” said Frehiwot Tamru, CEO of Ethio telecom.
“We understand that digitalisation 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.”
Leveraging Ericsson solutions, Ethio Telecom will modernise its network by transitioning from its current operations support systems to the more advanced and high-capacity Ericsson Network Manager.
In addition, the telco will also introduce Ericsson Cloud Packet Core, Ericsson Network Functions Virtualization Infrastructure (NFVI) and Ericsson Radio System products as part of its network upgrade.
“As the world enters a digital age with 5G technology gradually rolling out across the world, we are reiterating our commitment to Ethiopia and Ethio telecom to support with our technology leadership and global expertise”
Todd Ashton – Vice President & Head of Ericsson South and East Africa
“Ericsson began the partnership with Ethiopia and Ethio telecom in 1894. Fast forward nearly 130 years later and we have together launched one of the most advanced 5G ready networks in the region,” said Todd Ashton, vice president and head of Ericsson South and East Africa.
“As the world enters a digital age with 5G technology gradually rolling out across the world, we are reiterating our commitment to Ethiopia and Ethio telecom to support with our technology leadership and global expertise,” he added.
The news comes at a time when the global demand for 4G is growing exponentially. According to Ericsson’s latest Mobility Report, 4G subscriptions increased by approximately 100 million globally during the first quarter of 2021.
In May 2021, the World Bank announced plans to invest US$200 million in Ethiopia’s telecommunications industry but wants the country’s government to open this market up to competition which the country has done by awarding a consortium led by Kenya’s Safaricom a license to operate in the country.
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