13 July 2023
Globacom, Nigeria’s largest integrated technology service provider, wanted to expand its network and enhance service delivery to its customers. Toward its goal of building Africa’s biggest and best telecommunications network, Globacom selected Ceragon and its cutting-edge IP-50E millimetre wave solution.
Expanding network reach
En route to becoming Africa’s biggest and best telecom network, Globacom needed to further expand its network reach, significantly increase its network capacity, and enhance customer service delivery. The solution needed to be applicable for long-haul, high-capacity metro and access network scenarios, and 5G-ready. Globacom wanted to do this while achieving rapid rollout and time to market and minimising total cost of ownership. The operator also was interested in avoiding fibre optic cable cuts, which can lead to service outages, customer loss, and high repair costs.
Gearing up for 5G
Ceragon provided Globacom with a customised turnkey solution featuring Ceragon’s high-capacity IP-50E E-band radio product. The flexible solution covers long-haul rural, high-capacity metro, and access network connectivity. This enables the operator to not only enhance its existing subscribers’ quality of experience (QoE) but also to expand its reach and further grow market share.
The IP-50E E-band solution supports ultra-high capacity of 10Gbps over the air, with an upgrade path to as much as 20Gbps, as needed. Ideal for 5G links in urban areas, the solution allows extended E-band reach without compromising on availability due to its unique multiband capability, where E-band is combined with an additional microwave connection.
Ceragon’s solution helps Globacom prevent fibre cut issues as the operator will use Ceragon’s IP-50 E-band solution to provide metro backhauling instead of fibre (and at times as a backup to fibre).
“We believe that our partnership with Ceragon will help in our desire to build the most robust, advanced telecommunications network,” said Globacom. “Ceragon’s field-proven solutions and services allow us to quickly and reliably ramp-up our 4G and future 5G network and capacity needs, while minimising our overall Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).”
In a testament to the upgrade, by leveraging Ceragon’s technology, Camrail – which operates passenger and freight traffic between the two largest cities in Cameroon and several smaller cities – was able to achieve reliable and stable connectivity, with uninterrupted use of its onboard signalling system. That answers the pressing need to increase safety and operational efficiency along its rail tracks, thereby allowing business growth, reduced unemployment, and enhanced personal welfare for the general population.
