MTN selects partners to expand OpenRAN
02 July 2021
South African operator MTN has picked five partners to launch an open radio access network (OpenRAN) in Africa to expand 4G and 5G services more quickly and cheaply.
The network provider said it aimed to roll out OpenRAN by the end of 2021 with its partners, Voyage, India’s Tech Mahindra and US-based firms Altiostar, Mavenir and Parallel Wireless.
A radio access network (RAN) connects individual devices to other parts of a network through radio connections. Previously, network equipment provided by Nokia, Ericsson, Huawei and other firms was largely proprietary, making it difficult to mix.
Find out more Juniper Networks and NEC build new network for SA FWA provider
01 July 2021
Juniper Networks and NEC have built the first commercial network in South Africa to be driven by segment routing, the companies said.
Built for Herotel, the country’s largest fixed wireless service provider, the project was part of a significant network upgrade initiative.
Herotel chose to build its new IP network based on segment routing principles, augmenting traditional MPLS (multi-protocol label switching) techniques. Segment routing means fewer network elements are involved, avoiding slow response to sudden network changes. It also supports the application QoS (Quality of Service), mapping specific applications and end users to preferential network service paths.
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Ghana set for enhanced internet access
18 June 2021
The Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) and broadband infrastructure provider CSquared have made an agreement that will involve leasing of the former’s excess fibre capacity to mobile network operators and internet service providers in the west African nation.
According to local reports, the agreement will enable the deployment of broadband infrastructure to deliver high-speed data services to businesses and homes, with a particular focus on remote areas.
Find out more Mali government demands lower internet prices
18 June 2021
The Malian government is in talks with telecom operators to lower costs as the internet becomes an indispensable resource for development in Africa.
The country’s minister of communication and digital economy Hamadoun Touré said that the state will not be afraid to take action if talks fail to progress and will consider entering the national market of a fourth mobile operator if prices for telecom services remain low affordable.
Touré said while discussions have been held with telecom service providers for a drop in the cost of Internet access, the ministry is also trying to convince operators that the fall in costs will not lead to a decrease in their profits but will instead cause them to increase with the increase in the number of users.
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