Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has strengthened its partnership with Ericsson as it embarks on a network upgrade to deliver 5G connectivity in more locations across Harare.
In a <a href="https://www.ericsson.com/en/press-releases/1/2023/econet-partners-ericsson-to-modernize-network-infrastructure-in-zimbabwe">Press release</a>, Ericsson said the partnership with Econet aims to boost digital transformation through the evolution of the existing network to cloud native architecture. It said:
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Econet Wireless Zimbabwe (ZSE: ECO.ZW) has strengthened its partnership with Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) at Mobile World Congress 2023, Barcelona, Spain as it prepares for 5G expansion by modernizing its Radio Access Network (RAN) and mobile Core network across Harare, Zimbabwe.
Through upgrades in its mobile Core and RAN solutions, Ericsson will help accelerate Econet’s digital transformation journey.
The network upgrade will pave the way for Econet to deliver 5G connectivity in more locations, unlocking advanced consumer and enterprise use cases.
As part of the mobile Core evolution, Ericsson will modernize the existing Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network to cloud-native dual-mode 5G Core, as well as upgrade the Unified Data Management (UDM) solution.
The scope of the agreement with Econet also includes Ericsson’s cloud infrastructure solutions, the Circuit Switch Core modernization and the introduction of IP Multimedia System (IMS) for Voice over LTE (VoLTE) and Voice over WiFi (VoWiFi).
Modernizing Econet’s network infrastructure will enable a wide range of services to subscribers, including high-definition VoLTE and applications that require low latency and improved responsiveness.
High-speed internet will be enabled through 4G and 5G radio access networks, coupled to the modernized packet core network.
Along with enhancing user experience, Econet will also benefit from increased network coverage and capacity.
The network modernization will include Econet’s existing 2G, 3G and LTE networks, with Ericsson’s latest 5G multi-band, multi-sector radios – such as Radio 4466 – which offers capacity expansion, energy efficiency and an average of 15 percent reduction in tower load.
Through the partnership, Econet will realize greater LTE indoor penetration and continue its seamless deployment of 5G, Narrowband-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) and private networks.
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Econet Partners Ericsson to Modernise Network Infrastructure Across Zimbabwe

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe (EWZ) says recurrent power cuts have negatively affected the quality of services that the company offers.
The mobile network operator (MNO) says it will increase investment in alternative energy, such as solar batteries and diesel-powered generators though this requires significant amounts of foreign currency.
In a statement accompanying the firm’s trading update for the third quarter to November 2022, EWZ company secretary, Charles Banda said:
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Due to the unreliable national power grid, the business continues to invest in alternative power solutions in a bid to ensure network availability.
As green energy solutions such as solar and battery storage require significant foreign currency investment, the pace of investment has remained below desired levels, thereby impacting service quality.
The business has also had to continue investing in diesel engine generators in the face of sharp declines in available grid power.
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Most base stations (boosters) run on electricity but of late, MNOs have been forced to rely on diesel generators due to load-shedding and this has increased the cost of doing business.

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