Ericsson and AXIAN
Telecom have announced their partnership for the modernization of AXIAN
Telecom’s operations in Madagascar, Telma Madagascar’s radio access network (RAN),
microwave transport infrastructure, and core networks.
The
two firms signed a partnership deal at the just-ended Mobile World Congress
2023, Barcelona, Spain.
In a statement announcing the partnership, it noted that deploying future-proof
solutions for 4G and 5G deployment from the Ericsson Radio
Access Network (RAN) portfolio will provide faster and more reliable mobile
services throughout Madagascar while reducing network energy consumption
and enhancing the 5G ecosystem.
It said the Ericsson Microwave portfolio is a key
component in the modernization of Telma Madagascar’s network. With its
market-leading microwave family, MINI-LINK 6600, Ericsson will provide a
cost-efficient and versatile solution for the mobile transport network.
The modernization also
includes the expansion and upgrade of the existing IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), virtual User Data Consolidation (UDC), virtual charging, and virtual mediation.
The
two companies also announce the launch of 5G and the modernization and
expansion of the existing 4G network across Tanzania through AXIAN Telecom’s operations
in the country, Tigo Tanzania. 5G is now launched in Dar Es Salaam, Dodoma, and
Zanzibar and will be gradually rolled out across the country at strategic
locations.
Ericsson
is currently upgrading Tigo Tanzania’s existing 4G network with RAN products
and microwave solutions (MINI-LINK 6000). Leveraging the latest
energy-efficient products from the 5G Ericsson Radio System portfolio, Tigo’s
network is being expanded and upgraded to increase network capacity, providing
the benefits of a fast and reliable connection.
In
both Madagascar and Tanzania, AXIAN Telecom continues to roll out its Data4All
strategy, providing the best quality network experience for consumers and
businesses alike and aiming to reach 100% 4G coverage in those two countries in
the near future.
Chairman
of AXIAN Telecom, Hassanein Hiridjee says:
“Strengthening our partnership with
Ericsson is a step further in our commitment to providing top-notch network
experiences across our markets. Under our partnership, we will be boosting
digitalization across Madagascar and Tanzania, increasing network capacities,
and providing enhanced speeds to our customers. We are looking forward to the
deployment of more agile networks that will indeed bring about digital
inclusion across Africa.”
Fadi
Pharaon, President of Ericsson Middle East and Africa says: “We are pleased to strengthen our
partnership with AXIAN Telecom by deploying the latest network solutions jointly
with Telma Madagascar and Tigo Tanzania. We are also proud to witness the
launch of 5G in Tanzania. Our long-standing partnership will continue to
flourish with our commitment to provide scalable and sustainable technologies
to AXIAN Telecom to enhance user experiences and boost digitalization in its
operating countries.”
The
modernization also includes the implementation of the Ericsson Cognitive
Software Portfolio while expanding coverage and speed to ensure fast data
access across Madagascar and Tanzania. Ericsson will optimize the
networks by applying AI-powered technologies, evaluating future network demands
through active monitoring and predictive forecasting, and meeting increasingly
critical performance demands while elevating network performance and enhancing
user experiences.
In
order to stay ahead of the rising demand for mobile broadband services, AXIAN
Telecom is significantly investing in its network infrastructure aiming to
increase access to broadband internet, improve the delivery of connected
services and transform the daily lives of the communities it operates in.
