NAIROBI, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan telecom operator, Telkom Kenya has inked a partnership deal with Ericsson, and systems integrator NEC XON to add an additional 2,000 sites onto Telkom's network by 2023.
Telkom said the network expansion will see its network grow to four times its current 4G coverage footprint, reaching the majority of citizens across the East African country.
Telkom Kenya CEO Mugo Kibati said two of their commitments are to better position infrastructure asset base and services to drive digital transformation within various customer segments thus providing them with more value, as well as bridge the digital divide through the expansion of mobile data networks.
"We are already working on the upgrade and expansion of our network at the Coast. The partnership we have signed today will see Telkom and our partners kick off a new network expansion project, guided by our long-term growth strategy," Kibati said in a joint statement issued in Nairobi.
The 11.13 billion shillings (100 million U.S. dollars) nationwide rollout is part of Telkom Kenya's long-term network expansion strategy, announced in August 2020, when it underwent a strategic reorganization to address the digital transformation being witnessed, as well as lay the groundwork toward the company's long-term goal to become the technology partner of choice in Kenya and the region.
Kibati said Telkom has been reviewing its long-term strategy as it moves into its next phase of transformation in line with its focus areas, driven by the ICT industry's local and global transitions, and in particular, a heightened demand for infrastructure, data, as well as digital financial services.
The company identified its fiber infrastructure, mobile network, as well as its mobile financial services as areas for further investment and growth this year and beyond.
Gradually, it said, these investments will contribute significantly to enhancing service provision and customer experience.
Todd Ashton, Vice President and Managing Director of Ericsson South and East Africa said the collaboration between Telkom and Ericsson will increase mobile coverage across the country, to provide a seamless data experience to Kenyans.
"This is just the beginning, with the LTE expansion setting the foundation to deploy 5G in the future," Ashton said.
The network expansion will also see Telkom connect more than 200 learning institutions as well as over 30 medical facilities to the Internet, thereby boosting the use of remote learning and e-health solutions. Enditem
