Africell Taps Aviat to Enable 5G-Ready Disaggregated Transmission Network

Aviat Networks, Inc., a global enabler in wireless transport solutions, has announced that Africell, a mobile operator serving over 12 million subscribers throughout Africa, has signed a multi-million-dollar agreement with Aviat to provide a 5G-ready end-to-end disaggregated transmission network across multiple African countries.

The new network, which will be designed, installed, and maintained by Aviat, will include Aviat WTM 4000 and WTM 4800 Multi-band point-to-point radios and CTR microwave switches, and disaggregated cell site gateways (DCSGs). The DCSGs are Edgecore Networks running IP Infusion's OcNOS® network operating system. The deployment, which will occur in Q2 2021, is Africell's first Telecom Infra Project (TIP)-compliant DCSG endeavor.

"Leading mobile operators like Africell recognize the operational advantages of a disaggregated solution and how its flexibility will enable the rapid delivery of broadband services," said Peter Smith, CEO of Aviat Networks. "We are proud that Africell has placed its confidence in Aviat to meet the challenge of their first TIP-compliant DCSG project."

"With escalating demand for high-speed mobile Internet services in our markets, and with 5G in our sights, we sought an approach that offers us fast deployment, maximum flexibility, and lowest TCO," said Younes Chaaban, Africell’s Chief Technical Officer. "Aviat's backhaul and DCSG solution was the clear choice to meet all these challenges and support the rapid network growth of our transmission network well into the future."

Africell is one of the fastest growing mobile operators in Africa. The company currently operates in four countries – The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda.