Expect more LTE in Africa

Africa's telecoms operators are following international players by looking at LTE test technology that could lead to full-scale roll-outs of the new technology.

Alcatel-Lucent EMEA president Adolfo Hernandez says the LTE trials are picking up globally and Africa is no stranger to the technology.

He says LTE seems to have replaced the enthusiasm that WiMax was met with over the last few years.

According to Hernandez, the early stages of LTE were difficult and many companies preferred the option of WiMax as a tested standard.

However, he says, earlier this year, international telecoms powerhouse Verizon Wireless announced it would aggressively roll-out an LTE solution, and the rest of the world decided to follow suit.

“The Middle East and Africa are now showing an interest in the technology too.”

While Hernandez admits the technology has a long way to go before the world sees full-scale adoption, the rate of interest could speed up the process. “We did expect to see the technology to take off, but not as soon as this year,” he adds.

Hernandez says that, like almost every other industry, the infrastructure sector has been hit by the global economic crisis.

“Companies are being more selective in their technology decisions. In some technologies, we can't keep up with demand, because they enable cheaper options for businesses, but in others the demand is drying up.”

However, Hernandez expects the climate to turn and states that Africa is still investing in technologies. He points to his operations in East Africa and Nigeria, two areas in Africa pushing for more infrastructure, both in the data space and voice arena.

He says the firm is also looking into other infrastructure projects where it can provide technologies. One initiative it recently participated in was the building of Durban Airport, where it implemented communications technologies.

Africa is filled with vertical projects like road and rail development, and the company will focus on those to provide smart technologies.

One of its other local challenges is access to skills, since Alcatel-Lucent provides specialist technologies. However, it is investing in several training projects, including bringing international experts to teach local engineers.

Hernandez says the existing global climate is an ideal time to make internal transformations and streamline in preparation for an upswing in infrastructure spend.