Through state operator Benin Telecoms, the West African nation has begun deploying 4G LTE technology across the country
The announcement, reported in local newspaper Matin Libre this week, will make Benin the fourth member of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) to adopt LTE after Nigeria, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.
Communications minister Jean Gbeto Dansou hailed the initiative, which will use the 1800MHz frequency band, as key to the country’s development in the digital age.
Benin Telecoms CEO Djalil Assouma added that 4G internet services would ‘soon be a reality’ in the West African country, as it seeks to catch up with its larger neighbours in the tech race.
Supported by investments in infrastructure — such as the connection to a new submarine cable, which will reduce connection costs — Assouma said that LTE will allow remote farmers to sell products around the world, entrepreneurs to create online businesses from home, and music lovers to download a song in a matter of seconds.
