Ethiopian state-owned telecommunications provider, Ethio Telecom, is making significant strides in expanding its 4G network. The company has partnered with Chinese tech giant Huawei to implement a GigaAAU FDD tri-band Massive MIMO site. This advanced technology integrates three frequency bands into a single antenna, enhancing resource efficiency and boosting network capacity.
In a statement, Huawei noted that this innovative setup is effectively managing the surge in mobile data traffic. Reports indicate that 4G data volume has increased by 70%, while subscribers are enjoying an average speed boost of nearly 68%.
Ethio Telecom’s initiative is part of a broader effort to expedite the rollout of its 4G services. During the 2024/2025 fiscal year, the company expanded its LTE coverage to an additional 512 cities, raising the total number of covered areas to 936. To support this expansion, Ethio Telecom announced a substantial investment of $1 billion in its telecommunications infrastructure.
Despite these advancements, a significant portion of Ethiopia’s population remains without 4G access. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), 56% of Ethiopia’s estimated 132.1 million residents lacked 4G coverage as of 2024. The Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) reported that 41% of subscribers were using 4G by 2023. By strengthening its network, Ethio Telecom aims to attract new customers in response to the increasing demand for broadband connectivity.
Looking ahead, GSMA projects that 4G adoption in sub-Saharan Africa will rise to 50% of mobile subscriptions by 2030, up from 31% in 2023. This trend is anticipated to be a significant factor driving operator revenues, which are expected to grow from US$40 billion in 2023 to US$61 billion by 2030. In Ethiopia, it’s predicted that 69% of mobile subscriptions will be on 4G by that time.
After the 2024/2025 financial year, Ethio Telecom reported a turnover of US$1.15 billion, reflecting a substantial year-on-year growth of 72.9%. The company boasts 80.3 million mobile subscribers and 46.6 million mobile internet users.
However, the deployment of the GigaAAU FDD tri-band Massive MIMO technology is still in its infancy. While the initial results are promising, neither Ethio Telecom nor Huawei has provided specifics regarding the scope or timeline for future expansions, leaving questions about the actual coverage in the near and medium term.
The competitive landscape is also evolving, with Safaricom Ethiopia entering the market in 2022, announcing a US$1.5 billion investment plan in April 2024 to enhance its network and solidify its position in the Ethiopian telecom sector. Additionally, authorities are planning to introduce a third operator as part of the ongoing liberalisation of the national telecommunications market.
