Copying and distributing are prohibited without permission of the publisher
Airtel launches operations in Rwanda
03 April 2012
Ericsson to manage Indian operator Airtel’s network and provide OSS/BSS solutions and managed services
Read more:
Airtel
Africa
Ericsson
Rwanda
IBM
managed services
Indian operator Bharti Airtel has launched operations in Rwanda, aiming to invest more than $100 million in the country over the next three years and create employment opportunities, according to Ghana News Agency.
Manoj Kohli, CEO of Bharti Airtel, told the agency: “We believe that Rwanda is an extremely promising market and this launch further strengthens our footprint in eastern Africa.”
Pierre Damien Habumuremyi, prime minister of Rwanda, said the country was set to partner with Airtel and other private firms to offer affordable high-quality telecommunications services.
Ericsson will be responsible for end-to-end management of the network, including managed services and OSS/BSS solutions.
Lars Lindén, head of Sub-Saharan Africa for Ericsson, told the agency: “This solution is using the latest Ericsson portfolio, and will be the first Airtel network designed as an all-IP solution. That means Airtel will be able to provide advanced services to its subscribers, expand quickly to accommodate quick growth, and keep operating expenses down.”
IBM will deploy and manage IT infrastructure and applications to support Airtel, in a partnership aimed at enhancing customer experience across Rwanda, said the report.
In 2011, the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (RURA) granted Airtel licences to operate 2G and 3G GSM mobile services. Airtel will be the third telecommunications operator in the Rwandan market, after MTN and Tigo. GTB
More from GTB
Kenya extends Airtel's local stake deadline 08 Feb 2012
Airtel, Vietel and C&W in Cameroon race 06 Feb 2012
Airtel launches HSPA+ network in Zambia 18 Jan 2012
Bharti Airtel expands Ericsson services deal 29 Nov 2011
Airtel selects NSN for African 3G project 30 Sep 2011