MTN Raises Hope on Rural Connectivity in Nigeria, Others

MTN has connected 200 rural sites across its footprint, using OpenRAN technology.

According to a statement, the project is part of the teleco’s continued drive for innovation in cost-effective rural coverage across Africa, aimed at bringing 2G, 3G and 4G connectivity to more than 5 000 sites in rural areas that were previously unconnected, across its 21 operations to areas.

OpenRAN is an initiative to build radio access network (RAN) solutions based on vendor-neutral hardware and software-defined technology. It enables operators to achieve cost-effective deployments, allowing for greater Internet connectivity to previously unconnected areas.

In order to realise this goal, the telco says it will rely on an ecosystem of partners who will bring their expertise to build and maintain the sites, utilising a full turnkey approach.

“Our group technology team has been pioneering OpenRAN, concluding field trials in Zambia in 2018 and deploying commercial sites from the beginning of 2019,” says Rob Shuter, MTN Group president and CEO.

“We focus on creating viable new RAN solutions alongside the traditional deployments of network technology suppliers in order to accelerate the rural expansion in our markets.”

MTN operations in Uganda and Guinea Conakry are already benefiting from this technology, as the telco has also partnered with the likes of VANU, Parallel Wireless and NuRAN Wireless to deliver the technology.

As one of the foremost members of the Telecom Infrastructure Project (TIP), MTN carries out solution testing on all hardware and software elements at its head office in Johannesburg.

The TIP initiative aims to define 2G, 3G and 4G RAN solutions based on general-purpose, vendor-neutral hardware and software-defined technology.

By continuing to accelerate innovation through initiatives such as OpenRAN, MTN says it will continues to drive the delivery of a bold new digital world.