Thanks to a recent partnership between global telecom giant Ericsson (News - Alert) and African provider Algérie Telecom, many subscribers in Northern Africa will soon enjoy faster, more reliable broadband and communication services. The two companies have signed a contract for the supply and deployment of an end-to-end LTE (News - Alert) and VoLTE-enabled network to Algeria, the largest country in North Africa.
Algérie Telecom, which commands a dominant presence in Algeria’s telecom market, is currently faced with the challenge of addressing massive demands for broadband services. Increasing demands for broadband services from a fast growing customer base is putting extreme strain on Algeria’s existing copper/fiber fixed-broadband network. Then, because of the country’s unique landscape and vast expanse installation of fiber based network becomes difficult and expensive.
Ericsson’s LTE networks offered just the right solution to Algérie Telecom for two reasons. First of all, the investment is expected to better equip the company to provide greater coverage and better services for its growing number of fixed-broadband subscribers across the country.
Secondly, this powerful technology will enable the company to introduce next-generation broadband services as well as several value-added services, such as triple play, to its subscribers. Ericsson’s end-to-end VoLTE solution will support voice and video calling over LTE, allowing for the introduction of new enriched communication services.
LTE provides a perfect solution for providing high-speed broadband to subscribers beyond the reach of fiber. According to a news statement, Algérie is going to leverage the network to bring broadband services to the areas that do not currently have broadband access. In the next phase, the services would be extended to high-density locations such as universities, airports and commercial districts.
Azouaou Mehmel, President and CEO of Algérie Télécom Group stated that the launch of LTE is a key milestone in Algérie Telecom’s strategic plan of broadband development in Algeria.
“Algérie Telecom is bringing the world’s latest technology to its customers, providing faster, more reliable broadband and high-quality communication services to an increasingly demanding subscriber base. We are proud to expand on our solid partnership with such an important operator in this region,” noted Nunzio Mirtillo, head of Ericsson Region Mediterranean, in a statement.
Edited by Alisen Downey