- To revamp and upgrade its network to fifth-generation (5G) mobile internet services, Airtel Kenya has signed a three-year agreement with telecom equipment maker Nokia
- The deployment of 5G-ready networks is expected to help Airtel to capitalise on the burgeoning mobile Internet use in the country and also join the race with Safaricom who is the inaugural operator to offer commercial and superfast services in the region.
To revamp and upgrade its network to fifth-generation (5G) mobile internet services, Airtel Kenya has signed a three-year agreement with telecom equipment maker Nokia. It will modernize Airtel’s telecom network in Kenya, with high-speed 4G gear and deployment of 5G-ready mobile internet services equipment as it seeks to strengthen its network after recording sharp growth in subscriber numbers over the past three years. The deployment of 5G-ready networks is expected to help Airtel to capitalize on the burgeoning mobile Internet use in the country and also join the race with Safaricom who is the inaugural operator to offer commercial and superfast services in the region.
Safarico plans to launch Kenya’s first 5G mobile internet services this year. According to its statement, the firm had completed testing and trials for the upgraded network. The Airtel upgrade started in June and will cover hundreds of sites across the country. Airtel Kenya chief executive Prasanta Das Sarma said that the company has reached halfway in the rolling out of network to enhance coverage. Mr Sarma added that the agreement with Nokia will facilitate upgrading of its existing 2G, 3G, and 4G radio access networks (RAN) in urban and semi-urban areas, highways, tourist spots, and central business districts. Under the contract, Nokia will supply Airtel Kenya with telecom gear for both indoor and outdoor coverage, including base stations and radio access products leading to higher data speeds.
The efforts of Airtel and Safaricom to rev up their data business has come when growth in mobile calls became sluggish due to saturation.
