Alfa, a telecom operator in Lebanon — managed by Orascom Telecom, has selected Nokia for deploying 3G and LTE-Advanced Pro network.
Alfa and Nokia also signed a MoU at Mobile World Congress (MWC) for applying the Nokia AirScale system across 3G, 4G and 5G radio technologies, including CAT16 use cases. The MoU also aims to leverage Internet of Things (IoT), small cells and automation solutions, as well as Nokia’s latest network optimization services, innovations and analytical tools.
Alfa will use Nokia’s AirScale equipment to deploy a 3G and LTE-Advanced Pro network, which will enable it to introduce new services including Voice over LTE (VoLTE) and LTE-Advanced Pro.
Nokia will combine spectrum from 800 MHz and 1800 MHz bands for implementing LTE-A for Alfa. Alfa plans to shut down its 2G network and re-farm the spectrum for LTE services.
Marwan Hayek, CEO at Alfa Lebanon, said: “We plan to install 500 new 3G, LTE and LTE-A sites before end of next year and our digital transformation strategy is to be among the first operators to commercially launch 5G.”
