Nokia has signed a deal to deploy its comprehensive network technologies to Angola’s new mobile telecommunications operator, Africell, to provide 2G, 3G and 4G services in the capital city Luanda.

According to a statement released to the media, the deal significantly expands the footprint of both companies in Africa.

The companies assert that by deploying a brand-new network, Africell can take advantage of the latest cloud technologies to achieve cost efficiency gains from shared infrastructure, as well as improved control and flexibility which enable differentiated services to both people and businesses.

For the new network in the capital, Nokia will deploy its AirScale Single Radio Access Network (S-RAN) across up to 700 sites to support concurrently 2G, 3G and 4G services, and be 5G-ready.

Nokia’s AirScale platform can be seamlessly upgraded to support 5G networks through a software update. In addition, the company will deploy Nokia AirFrame datacentre solution to run any cloud-based application with ease, microwave transmission network Wavence to support advanced packet networking, and NetAct network management system to enable consolidated network view for improved network monitoring and management.

“Also, Nokia’s IP routers for access, aggregation, backhaul and core completes the solution, providing scalable backhaul and fast, reliable service deployment,” Nokia states.

As part of the network rollout, Nokia will also deploy cloud-native Cloud Packet Core, 3G Core, Voice Core, and Registers for the voice and data core network software, enabling Africell to achieve a high degree of flexibility for responding to changing customer demands by scaling the various network functions according to the traffic experienced.

As part of the core network solution, Nokia Policy Controller provides scalability and flexibility, and performance for Africell’s diverse range of services. Nokia also will leverage its services expertise for the network planning, optimisation, installation and care to launch the services faster and ensure the quality of services.

Younes Chaaban, CTO at Africell, said: “Africell is a competitive and highly differentiated player in the African telecoms market. Our vision is to offer superior voice and data services in an expanding footprint across the continent. To achieve this, we need reliable technology partners whose network technologies and support services give us the best platform from which to serve our own customers. Nokia is the right partner for us in Angola and we are excited to work with them to build world-class mobile networks.”

Rajiv Aggarwal, Head of CEWA Market Unit at Nokia, said: “Africell wants to ensure the best quality of services with high-performance network from the day one. And it wants to launch services for both individual subscribers and enterprise customers with an option to deploy 5G services in the future. We are excited to provide our multi-standard Single RAN radio technology, along with cloud-native core and IP technologies to achieve Africell’s goals.”

Africell Angola

In June Africell announced the appointment of Christopher Lundh as CEO and underlined its intention to construct a mobile network in the country.

Lundh joins Africell after serving five years as Managing Director and Chief Commercial Officer of Afghan Wireless. He has also worked for Telecel Congo, Africa Online, and Gateway Communications.

Lundh said: “I am delighted to be joining Africell as the company prepares to launch mobile services in Angola. Africell has a track record of raising network standards, reducing prices, and introducing technology innovation across Africa.”