Cameroon gets Africa`s best connection from Ericsson

African telecommunications company Ericsson South Africa has rolled out the most modern mobile transmission network in Africa, including a full GSM wireless infrastructure and value-added services, for South African-owned mobile operator MTN Cameroon in a R220m deal.

The contract saw Ericsson replacing the existing Siemens network of Cameroon`s Camtel-Mobile, which was acquired by MTN last year, with a complete turn-key network, including GSM, a prepaid system, transmission, services and civil works.

The new network will consist of Nera STM-1 microwave radio rings in the major cities of Douala and Yaounde, DXX Accelerator Nodes A111 and Mini-Link E microwave radios. The entire network will be controlled and managed by Ericsson`s Integrated Management Application (IMA) package.

The transmission solution will connect all the components of the GSM network also supplied and currently rolled out by Ericsson South Africa.

According to MTN National Manager Network Group Africa, Andrew Johnson, the decision to choose the Ericsson solution was based on reliable product portfolio, future proof technology and "one screen" network management system for all transmission components.

Ericsson has already installed four GSM networks on the continent for MTN - in Swaziland, Rwanda, Uganda and South Africa - and remains the company`s sole supplier of GSM equipment, including switching, radio base stations, new service features and intelligent network services.

"Ericsson has proved to be an exceptional technical partner in rolling out our networks in Africa. Their GSM solutions have continued to give us the quality edge in competitive markets," says Johnson.

The first phase of the Cameroon project, renamed MTN Cameroon after MTN International`s successful bid for Camtel Mobile, includes an ultra-modern switching centre in Douala and 86 base stations throughout the country. It will also mark the first time Ericsson has used its Mini-Link transmission solution within an MTN network.

Ericsson SA`s Senior Manager of New Accounts, Thomas Nilsson, says his company`s first foray into Cameroon is clear evidence of the opportunities for network providers as African countries turn to wireless networks to meet their burgeoning telecommunications needs.

"The market we`re addressing in Africa is still in its infancy," said Nilsson. "Across the continent, sophisticated cellular services are capturing significant market share against a backdrop of weak, unreliable fixed line networks."

"A functional telephone and data network is the basis of almost all commerce today, and if you think that only two percent of Africa`s 900 million people have access to a telephone, you can see the mountain we climb every day to overcome the information gap."

"MTN has adopted a long-term development approach to all of its African Operations and has been committed to rolling out service to areas where no service has existed before. In Uganda, rural network expansion has been a high priority and in Cameroon the first steps have been taken to provide widespread coverage of the country. The response to this approach has been overwhelming."

Nilsson says Ericsson SA`s ongoing strategic partnership with MTN has been the major success story of its African operations. The partnership started in 1993 when Ericsson rolled out MTN`s entire GSM infrastructure in South Africa, and this continues to develop by the day.

"Telecoms suppliers have to be able to offer whatever technologies new operators may require for the vast new customer bases waiting to be connected to the global economy," said Nilsson. "But one can only become a preferred supplier for telecommunications networks by developing suitable business solutions and by forming fair and rewarding relationships with existing and new operators."