Airtel Nigeria has selected Ericsson Radio System to expand mobile broadband business while reducing operating expenses.
83 percent of mobile phone subscribers in Nigeria rely solely on their mobile device for their internet connectivity.
Ericsson Radio System enables Airtel Nigeria to cost-effectively leverage 3G technology, while laying the foundation for their 4G and 5G evolution. The network solution incorporates a range of products including: radio, baseband, small cells, backhaul, fronthaul, enclosures, power site equipment and the controller. These products are augmented through twice-yearly network software updates, and through Ericsson Global Services offerings.
Ahmed Mokhles, chief commercial officer at Airtel Nigeria, said: “Mobile broadband access is really a prerequisite to achieving our key objective of enriching the lives and empowering the people of Nigeria to benefit both consumers and industry.”
Mobile broadband networks will cover more than 90 percent of the world’s population by 2021. Cost points for entry-level cellular devices reduced by 85 percent over the last ten years.
Arun Bansal, head of Business Unit Radio, Ericsson, said: “Airtel Nigeria and their customers are directly benefitting from the performance and efficiency innovations designed in to the Ericsson Radio System.”
Ericsson has also launched software and hardware innovations, including Intelligent Antenna Sharing, aimed at lowering the cost of mobile broadband access, and a Managed Rural Coverage services offering focused specifically on addressing the economic challenges of delivering mobile broadband access to rural areas.
