MTN Nigeria partners to upgrade 3G network

MTN Nigeria, the largest domestic telecom operator with over 47 million subscribers, has signed a new contract with Cambridge Broadband Networks (CBNL) to upgrade and expand its 3G network facilities in order to meet up with consumer’s demand.

Under the terms of the contract, CBNL will undertake the supply, installation and commissioning of the new VectaStar backhaul equipment to improve the telecom giant’s services. It would also offer programme management, deployment, and support services to ensure efficient, cost effective and timely delivery of the upgraded network.

CNBL is a world leader in the development and deployment of next generation microwave backhaul and access solutions. Its VectaStar platform, one of the most diverse multipoint microwave backhaul platforms utilized in over 41 countries, will be deployed for MTN Nigeria.

CBNL Vice President for Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigel Webb, explained that: “The Nigeria upgrade requires both product expertise and local knowledge to ensure effective transition, with minimal downtime and disruption to MTN’s customers.”

“Our significant local presence enabled us to work closely with MTN planners to model detailed scenarios, prior to deployment. This will deliver a smarter, more efficient and resourceful network to support the traffic needs of today and for future capacity and coverage requirements,” 

source: www. ventures-africa.com

Africa can take advantage of LTE leapfrog

Zameer was speaking after AfricaCom 2013, held in Cape Town earlier this month, and he said depending on how well telecommunications regulators use spectrum, the high-speed mobile data technology could be rolled out quickly and effectively, despite Africa’s LTE penetration rate currently only standing at 0.003 per cent.

“Africa is largely unrestricted by legacy platforms and onerous regulations, and so has the capacity to leapfrog standard 3G migrations, to embrace LTE and all the benefits of better quality service and content possibilities that the next generation platform provides,” Zameer said.

“Africa has a track record of innovation and being first to market in many instances (e.g. M-Pesa and dynamic tariffing) and I expect that the implementation of 4G LTE will be no different.”

HumanIPO reported in July Huawei alone had already built 44 LTE networks across the continent, although the majority were yet to go live as network operators wait for the opportune moment for it to be economically viable.

Many operators point to the unavailability of affordable LTE-enabled devices in the African market, meaning even if the infrastructure and technology is deployed, very few people will be able to access the services.

Dave Geary, president of wireless at Alcatel-Lucent, told HumanIPO earlier this month they were focussing their attention on deploying LTE networks with plans already announced for data-only networks with partners in Ghana and Cameroon.

MTC Namibia have already launched its LTE network in the country, while Smile Communications is already live in Uganda and Tanzania, with a network in Nigeria expected in the next few months.

MTN Nigeria should also be going live with LTE in the West African country during the first quarter of 2014.

source: humanipo.com

MTN Nigeria partners CBNL to upgrade 3G network

 MTN Nigeria, the largest domestic telecom operator with over 47 million subscribers, has signed a new contract with Cambridge Broadband Networks (CBNL) to upgrade and expand its 3G network facilities in order to meet up with consumer’s demand.

Under the terms of the contract, CBNL will undertake the supply, installation and commissioning of the new VectaStar backhaul equipment to improve the telecom giant’s services. It would also offer programme management, deployment, and support services to ensure efficient, cost effective and timely delivery of the upgraded network.

CNBL is a world leader in the development and deployment of next generation microwave backhaul and access solutions. Its VectaStar platform, one of the most diverse multipoint microwave backhaul platforms utilized in over 41 countries, will be deployed for MTN Nigeria.

CBNL Vice President for Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigel Webb, explained that: “The Nigeria upgrade requires both product expertise and local knowledge to ensure effective transition, with minimal downtime and disruption to MTN’s customers.”

“Our significant local presence enabled us to work closely with MTN planners to model detailed scenarios, prior to deployment. This will deliver a smarter, more efficient and resourceful network to support the traffic needs of today and for future capacity and coverage requirements,”