Zambian telecom company Zamtel and Japanese IT service provider NEC Corporation have agreed to build a digital microwave radio transmission network across Zambia
According to the agreement, the new radio transmission will boost mobile coverage and capacity for citizens, businesses and tourists.
The turnkey deal, worth US$18.3mn, includes the supply, delivery, installation, testing and commissioning of NEC’s microwave transmission network equipment. It is expected to be completed within a year, added the agreement.
NEC will also upgrade Zamtel’s existing main and access systems, and also commission new links to connect its macro base stations and core network wirelessly.
“This partnership will see NEC design, manufacture, supply, deliver, install, test, migrate and commission a native Ethernet microwave backbone and access radios specifically tailored to Zamtel’s requirements," said Mupanga Mwanakatwe, CEO of Zamtel.
The new digital microwave support will include the installation of two Gbps, 600 Mbps, 300 Mbps and 150 Mbps networks based on Ethernet microwave radio network technologies, in addition to a state-of-the-art national IP network, added Mwanakatwe.
Under this project, Zamtel aims to upgrade and modernise its digital microwave transmission backbone network in order to meet the growing demand for mobile data demand.
