Africell and Nokia to deploy a brand-new 5G- ready network in Angola

12 July 2021 – Luanda, Angola – Africell announced today that it will deploy Nokia network technologies in Angola. The deal between Africell and Nokia expands the footprint of both companies in Africa and signals Africell’s intent to offer a world-class mobile network in Angola, built using the best available equipment, when it launches services by the end of 2021. By partnering with Nokia, Africell will take advantage of the latest cloud technologies to achieve cost efficiency gains from shared infrastructure, as well as improved control and flexibility which enable highly differentiated products and services.
For the first phase of its new network in Angola, Africell will use Nokia’s AirScale Single Radio Access Network (S-RAN) across up to 700 sites. The network will support 2G, 3G and 4G voice and data services and be “5Gready” through a software update. In addition, Africell will deploy Nokia AirFrame data center solution to run
cloud-based applications, 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. Nokia’s IP routers for access, aggregation, backhaul and core completes the solution, providing scalable backhaul and fast, reliable service deployment.
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. Africell will also benefit from Nokia’s services expertise for network planning, optimization, installation and care, to help launch the services faster and ensure the highest quality of service for Africell’s customers in Angola. Younes Chaaban, Africell’s Chief Technical Officer, 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 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 here and elsewhere.”
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.”
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About Africell
Africell provides fast, low-cost and reliable mobile network coverage and related technology services to over 12
million subscribers in four African countries (Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Democratic Republic of the Congo and
Uganda). We will launch operations in a fifth country (Angola) in 2021.
Africell is a disruptor. We challenge inefficiency, embraces fresh thinking and delivers innovative products and
services which make a practical difference to everyday people. Africell employs over 1,000 people in seven
countries. We have US ownership and are headquartered in London, UK. Africell’s positive social impact,
entrepreneurial spirit and transparent business activities make us the ideal mobile network provider for Africa’s
future. For more information, visit www.africell.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.
Nash House, 13A St George Street, London W1S 2FQ, UK
africell.com
About Nokia
We create technology that helps the world act together.
As a trusted partner for critical networks, we are committed to innovation and technology leadership across
mobile, fixed and cloud networks. We create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by
the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.
Adhering to the highest standards of integrity and security, we help build the capabilities needed for a more
productive, sustainable and inclusive world.
Further resources
• Webpage: AirScale Radio Access
• Webpage: Nokia AirFrame Data Center solution
• Webpage: Nokia IP networks portfolio
• Webpage: Nokia 3G Core
• Webpage: Nokia Voice Core
• Webpage: Nokia Registers
• Webpage: Nokia Policy Controller
• Webpage: Nokia Cloud Packet Core
• Webpage: Nokia 7210 Service Access Switch
• Webpage: Nokia 7250 IXR R6
• Webpage: Nokia 7750 SR-7 Service Router
Contact
media@africell.com