Leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services, Airtel Africa, has partnered with Nokia to develop a high-capacity terrestrial fiber network spanning East and Central Africa for its innovative fiber service called Airtel Africa Telesonic.
The project aims to connect multiple African countries and link submarine cables to terrestrial networks, significantly boosting digital connectivity across the continent.
The announcement was made during the ongoing 28th edition of AfricaCom, the world’s largest gathering of Africa-focused connectivity leaders.
Airtel Africa’s Chief Technology Officer, Razvan Ungureanu, stated that deploying Nokia’s 1830 Photonic Service Switch platform is a key upgrade to the network infrastructure throughout Africa.
“This development will allow us to provide greater capacity and high-speed connectivity to handle web-scale traffic efficiently. With Nokia’s Photonic Service Engine powering our DWDM network across several countries, we are laying the foundation for transformative growth and new opportunities across the continent,” he said.
Using Nokia’s 1830 Photonic Service Switch (PSS) platform, this new technology will support up to 38 Terabits per second for faster data transfer and is C+L Band Ready to increase capacity. It will play a crucial role in enabling high-speed connectivity.
Ungureanu also emphasized that despite the goal of building Africa’s digital infrastructure, the project reflects Telesonic’s dedication to empowering businesses, education, and healthcare on the continent.
Airtel Africa Telesonic’s CEO, PD Sarma, highlighted that the collaboration with Nokia marks a significant milestone in advancing Africa’s digital infrastructure.
“By leveraging Nokia’s state-of-the-art fiber-optic solutions, we aim to meet the rising data demands across Africa. This network will foster economic growth, empower communities, and create new opportunities for businesses and individuals alike,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nokia Middle East & Africa’s Head of Growth Group for Network Infrastructure, Samer Lutfi, expressed pride in partnering with Airtel Africa Telesonic to enhance digital connectivity across Africa.
“Our advanced DWDM technology, known for high capacity and reliability, is designed to help enterprises succeed in their digital transformation efforts and stimulate economic growth in the region. This project demonstrates our shared commitment to connecting communities and driving progress,” Lutfi stated.
Airtel Africa provides telecommunications and mobile money services across 14 countries in Africa.
