A new digital microwave radio transmission network is expected to boost mobile network coverage and capacity for Zambia’s Zamtel.

This comes after Zamtel announced it has inked a deal with Japanese IT and network technologies company NEC to conduct this roll-out.

The move is also expected to support Zamtel’s LTE plans.

“The turnkey deal, which includes the supply, delivery, installation, testing and commissioning of NEC’s microwave transmission network equipment, is expected to be completed within 12 months and will cost 18,329,326 US dollars,” says a joint statement.

“NEC will upgrade Zamtel’s existing backbone and access systems and commission new links to connect its macro base stations and core network wirelessly,” says the statement.

Zamtel chief executive officer, Dr Mupanga Mwanakatwe, further described how the deal is expected to include the installation of 2Gbps, 600Mbps, 300Mbps and 150Mbps backbone and access networks based on native Ethernet microwave radio network technologies.

Zamtel recorded over 1.5 million subscribers in 2013 while its competitors include the likes of MTN and Airtel.