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Ethio Telecom, Ericsson Sign Agreement At MWC Barcelona
2 min read
This project includes the expansion, upgrade, 4G layering, and deployment of new capabilities across 1,500 mobile sites within Ericsson.
Ethio Telecom and Ericsson signed a landmark network expansion and modernisation agreement at MWC Barcelona today. It marks yet another major step in advancing Ethiopia’s digital infrastructure.
In line with the company’s three-year Next Horizon Strategy, this major project includes the expansion, upgrade, 4G layering, and deployment of new capabilities across 1,500 mobile sites within the Ericsson network-managed circle. This comprehensive modernisation initiative is expected to significantly enhance network coverage, quality, and capacity.
By replacing legacy infrastructure with state-of-the-art technology, Ethio Telecom stated it will substantially boost 4G coverage and capacity while expanding our 5G footprint, enabling the high-speed connectivity required for a modern digital economy.
Beyond urban areas, the agreement strongly prioritises digital inclusion. The project specifically targets 75 rural areas with tailored mobile solutions aimed at bridging both the coverage and usage gaps. This effort is further strengthened through the modernization of 502 existing 3G sites, upgrading them to advanced 4G technology.
Within the Ericsson circle, the project will add 2.8 million in new 4G capacity, bringing the total capacity to 4.1 million. It will also expand LTE services to 157 additional towns, increasing the total number of connected towns to 276, while boosting population coverage by 45 per cent reaching an overall 85 per cent population coverage in the region.
This agreement will also serve as a powerful foundation for Ethiopia’s growing digital ecosystem, supporting national platforms such as telebirr, ZemenGebeya, and Znexus, which are transforming how Ethiopians live, work, and transact.