By Modupe Gbadeyanka
One of the GSM service providers in Tanzania, Tigo, has launched its 5G network in Dar Es Salaam, Dodoma, and Zanzibar, promising to roll out nationwide at strategic locations gradually.
The company achieved this with the support of Ericsson, which will deploy its tools to provide quality services to customers of Tigo.
According to a statement, Ericsson will partner with the telecom firm to fully modernise and expand the existing 4G network across the country.
Ericsson is currently upgrading Tigo Tanzania’s existing 4G network with Radio Access Network (RAN) products and microwave solutions (MINI-LINK 6000).
Leveraging the latest energy-efficient products from the 5G Ericsson Radio System portfolio, Tigo’s network is being expanded and upgraded to increase network capacity, providing the benefits of a fast and reliable connection.
The Ericsson 5G Radio System is designed to manage all site types and traffic scenarios, even as networks grow in technology and capacity across generations, delivering high performance on the smallest site footprint with the lowest energy consumption.
Ericsson will also optimize Tigo Tanzania’s network by deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled Cognitive Software to align network performance with strategic objectives.
It will also optimize the network by applying AI-powered technologies, evaluate future network demands through active monitoring and predictive forecasting, and meet increasingly critical performance demands while improving the user experience.
“We have witnessed outstanding progress so far; the performance of the network has been elevated, and the customer experience has been greatly enhanced by the modernization and expansion of the existing 4G network and the launch of 5G in Dar Es Salaam, Dodoma, and Zanzibar.
“Tigo Tanzania and Ericsson are working to roll out the service to other regions and the rest of the country. This is a major milestone for the nation and the African continent, where we are committed to growing and expanding our reach in collaboration with our partner, Ericsson.
“Every improvement made to our network is a step in the right direction to support the Digital Tanzania Project and ensure the initiative realizes its goals to increase access to broadband internet services and improve the delivery of connected services,” the chief executive of Tigo Tanzania, Kamal Okba, stated.
“We are pleased to strengthen our partnership with Tigo Tanzania further and expand the existing network by launching 5G and deploying the Ericsson Cognitive Software.
“Ericsson’s latest capacity-boosting and energy-efficient products and solutions combined with AI-powered Optimization Services will bring new opportunities to Tigo Tanzania to further develop their offerings by leveraging the full power of 5G.
“The use of all key advantages of leadership in new technologies from Ericsson will further expand the benefits of mobile technology to individuals and businesses alike, ushering a new era of connectivity in the country,” the vice president and Head of Customer Unit for Morocco and West Africa at Ericsson Middle East and Africa, Nora Wahby, said.
Adedapo Adesanya