( 3 minutes read)
· Ethiopia is incrementally switching over to 4G. its sole telecom services provider
· Ethiopia is in the process of inducting private sector in the telecom sector, which till recently was in the exclusive realm of the State, as a part of its plans to expand the coverage of 4G, liberalize the sector and introduce value added services
· Ethio Telecom described its push to deliver 4G to regional towns as one of its “major strategic initiatives”
· The move comes as the Ethiopian Communications Authority prepares to issue two new mobile operating licenses to boost competition in a market that Ethio Telecom has long monopolized
Ethiopia is incrementally switching over to 4G. its sole telecom services provider. Ethio Telecom -has launched its LTE Advanced 4G mobile network in cities/towns like Wolaita Sodo, Wolkite, Jinka, Arbaminch, Butajira, and Hosaena towns in the southern region of Ethiopia. The nationally owned Ethio Telecom had earlier launched the service in the towns of Jigjiga, Gode, Fik, Degehabur, Wardeir, and Kebridehar in Ethiopia’s eastern Somali region.
It may be noted that during February this year, the towns of Adama, Awash Melkasa, Bishoftu, Dukem, Gelan and Mojo received 4G coverage.Ethio Tele com’s vendor partner ZTE stated that additional urban hubswould be connected within the next three months. Earlier to that, 4G was available only in the capital city of Addis Ababa.
Ethiopia is in the process of inducting private sector in the telecom sector, which till recently was in the exclusive realm of the State, as a part of its plans to expand the coverage of 4G, liberalize the sector and introduce value added services. It will enlist support of two private sector players, which will be selected through auctioning.
Ethio Telecom described its push to deliver 4G to regional towns as one of its “major strategic initiatives”. The move comes as the Ethiopian Communications Authority prepares to issue two new mobile operating licenses to boost competition in a market that Ethio Telecom has long monopolized.
