Huawei optimizes Airtel Africa's network

Bharti Airtel is on a strategic partnership with Huawei in order to modernize and optimize network across Africa. Huawei will completely manage the network-it will design, plan, modernize, maintain and expand network to deliver better customer experience at affordable rates.

This partnership aims at expanding mobile services and mobile broadband footprint in Africa. It will deliver user-centric broadband applications. Under the contract, Huawei will deploy GSM and 3G product portfolio including BTS 3900 multi-standard radio base stations working with GSM and HSPA technologies, which will further be equipped and prepared for Long Term Evolution (LTE).

Manoj Kohli, CEO (International) and joint managing director, Bharti Airtel, said, “The partnership with Huawei takes us one step closer to realizing our vision of making affordable and world-class telecom services available to Africa. This partnership will allow us to focus on delivering better customer experience as we leverage the global network management expertise of Huawei." He further noted, "It also lays the foundation for the introduction of 3G HSPA wireless broadband services. We firmly believe that mobile broadband is a major catalyst for economic growth and development, and with this partnership we will be able to offer world-class and affordable voice & internet experience to our customers while contributing to the economic growth in Africa.”

Sun Yafang, chairwoman of Huawei Board, said, “Bharti Airtel is a great operator with tremendous potential and high business value. We understand Airtel's strategic requirements and will match their fast development to achieve a win-win business success between both parties." She also stated, "As a leading Telecom solutions vendor, Huawei has substantial experience over the years to provide state-of-the-art technologies and services to top operators in the world. We believe our innovative technologies as well as strong delivery capability will bring Bharti Airtel's customers a better user experience and value proposition.”