In a bid to close the digital divide, Safaricom has successfully achieved connectivity speeds of up to 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps) in the remote areas of North Kenya. This milestone has been made possible by Ericsson’s advanced transport technology, enabling high-capacity communications over distances exceeding 100 km.
Safaricom has expanded its collaboration with Ericsson through a multi-year microwave agreement to deliver robust 5G services nationwide.
This partnership will see Ericsson supply cutting-edge all-outdoor E-band and multi-band products and services from its energy-efficient, scalable MINI-LINK portfolio. Additionally, in the near future, Ericsson plans to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven analytics and automation into Safaricom’s network to facilitate intelligent decision-making.
“As we work together with partners like Ericsson, we are making significant progress in bringing the benefits of 5G to consumers and businesses in Kenya. Our new microwave deal will allow us to enhance the delivery of high-performance 5G services, thereby improving customer satisfaction,” said Gerishon Gitonga Kithinji, Head of Network Planning & Design at Safaricom.
Ericsson’s commitment to creating a more connected, inclusive, and sustainable digital future for Africa aligns with its vision of #AfricaInMotion. “The transport network is essential for connecting all nodes within the radio access network and the core of the 5G mobile network,” stated Alain Maupin, Vice President and Head of Ericsson East and North Africa. “With the steady rollout of 5G by Safaricom, we are honoured to provide world-class transport solutions that are reliable and future-ready across Kenya.”
According to the 2024 Ericsson Microwave Outlook report, microwave and millimetre-wave spectrums are vital for the wireless backhaul of 5G and beyond, with around 10 million transceivers installed globally. In Africa, microwave links utilising traditional frequency bands have formed the backbone of network infrastructure. Given the significant rise in mobile broadband data consumption in Kenya, the demand for increased microwave link capacity has never been more pressing.
The partnership between Ericsson and Safaricom has been strong and enduring; in 2021, they joined forces to deploy the MINI-LINK 6352, aiming to deliver multi-Gbps backhaul capacity for mobile broadband across the nation.
