The first such service in east Africa will use 5G Single Radio Access Network (SRAN) technology and 5G FastMile gateways to enable ultra-fast Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services to subscribers across Kisumu and the western province of the country.
Nokia president Pekka Lundmark said the company is committed to working with Safaricom to “transform the communications landscape in the country”.
Great to see #5G spreading further & further, find out how @nokiaindustries & @SafaricomPLC have brought it to #eastAfrica in @RichHook_ report https://t.co/8NhJJDqmKx https://t.co/wYyeX2xtS2
— Land Mobile magazine (@Land_Mobile) March 29, 2021
The companies have suggested that the move into 5G technology will enable further developments into virtual reality and artificial intelligence as well as supporting east African enterprises within the energy healthcare, education, transport and entertainment sectors.
The new network will utilise Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) radio to improve spectral efficiency and throughput capacity enhancing the return on Safaricom’s RAN technology.
Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom, said: “We are proud to be the first operator in east Africa to launch 5G services, bringing the benefits of [the] technology to our customers. 5G capabilities will change a lot of things in unimaginable ways for people and enterprises, playing a key role towards fulfilling our vision to transform lives.”
