Nokia has signed a deal to deploy comprehensive network technologies such as its AirScale Single Radio Access Network (S-RAN) to Angola’s new mobile telecommunications operator, Africell. This collaboration would enable 2G, 3G, and 4G services in the capital city of Luanda and expand the footprint of both Nokia and Africell in Africa.
By deploying a brand-new network, Africell can take advantage of the latest cloud technologies to achieve not only cost efficiency gains from shared infrastructure but also improved control and flexibility to enable diversified services to individuals and businesses.
Younes Chaaban, chief technical officer at Africell, said, “Africell is a competitive and highly differentiated player in the African telecoms market. Our vision is to offer superior voice and data services in an expanding footprint across the continent. To achieve this, we need reliable technology partners whose network technologies and support services give us the best platform from which to serve our own customers. Nokia is the right partner for us in Angola and we are excited to work with them to build world-class mobile networks.”
To support 5G networks, Nokia’s AirScale platform can be seamlessly upgraded through a software update. In addition, the company will also deploy its AirFrame data center solution, microwave transmission network Wavence, NetAct network management system, and IP routers.
All of these would benefit Africell’s cloud-based applications, advanced packet networking, improved network monitoring and management, as well as scalable backhaul and fast, reliable service deployment. To respond to changing customer demands, Africell can also leverage Nokia’s cloud-native cloud packet core, 3G core, voice core, and registers for the voice and data core network software that will be part of the network rollout.
Rajiv Aggarwal, head of the CEWA market unit at Nokia, said, “Africell wants to ensure the best quality of services with high-performance network from day one. And it wants to launch services for both individual subscribers and enterprise customers with an option to deploy 5G services in the future. We are excited to provide our multi-standard Single RAN radio technology, along with cloud-native core and IP technologies to achieve Africell’s goals.”
