ZTE Corporation has partnered with Ethio Telecom to deploy the country's first pre-commercial AI-Reshaped Radio Access Network (AIR RAN) solution, marking a milestone in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) to mobile network optimisation.
According to the companies, the deployment has improved network performance, delivering an 11% increase in 4G capacity and a 40% gain in user throughput during peak hours compared with traditional solutions.
The results demonstrate the potential of AI-powered network technologies to enhance existing infrastructure, accommodate growing data traffic and improve the mobile user experience.
As 4G data traffic continues to grow in Ethiopia, Ethio Telecom and ZTE have been exploring ways to use AI to improve radio access network (RAN) efficiency and performance. RAN is the part of a mobile network that connects users' devices to the telecommunications network.
With Ethio Telecom working to expand nationwide 4G population coverage from 82.23% to 95% and reach 1 500 towns, optimising existing infrastructure has become critical to preventing congestion as more users come online. Over the past two years, the companies have focused on advancing this approach through AI-enabled network innovation.
The milestone also aligns with Ethio Telecom's Next Horizon: digital & Beyond 2028 strategy, which supports its ambition to evolve from a connectivity-focused telecommunications operator into a leading digital enterprise driven by innovation.
“Building on Frequency Division Duplex Massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output technology, the AIR RAN solution uses ZTE's AIREngine intelligent computing engine to introduce AI-driven beam scheduling. This enables smarter allocation of radio resources in response to changing network traffic demands,” the companies said.
By optimising existing network resources, the technology helps unlock additional 4G capacity and improve data throughput without relying solely on additional infrastructure.
ITWeb Africa previously reported that the collaboration between the two companies had already expanded high-speed infrastructure, increasing 4G mobile population coverage to 92% within the designated ZTE zone.
The comprehensive end-to-end upgrade covers 879 sites. As of August this year, engineering teams had completed 462 RAN modernisation projects.
“Through continued investment in advanced technologies and strategic collaboration, Ethio Telecom is advancing its digital transformation agenda, strengthening its network capabilities and exploring innovative approaches to deliver improved connectivity, bridge the digital divide and provide greater value to customers,” the statement concluded.
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