Ericsson to Launch LTE and VoLTE network for Algérie Telecom

Registering a first for the North African region, Algérie Telecom and Ericsson have signed a contract for the supply and deployment of an end-to-end LTE network in Algeria. Ericsson’s LTE solutions will provide greater coverage and better services for Algérie Telecom’s growing number of fixed-broadband subscribers across the country.

At nearly 2.4 million square kilometers, Algeria is the largest country in Africa. The diverse nature and expanse of its geography – with environments such as mountains, desert and densely populated cities – makes the installation of fiber difficult and expensive. LTE provides a perfect solution for providing high-speed broadband to subscribers beyond the reach of fiber.

Massive demand for broadband services is putting extreme strain on Algeria’s existing copper/fiber fixed-broadband network. By deploying LTE, Algérie Telecom is preparing for the next generation of broadband access and paving the way for the introduction of advanced offerings such as triple play. The initial deployment will cover “white spots” that do not currently have broadband access, before extending to high-density locations such as universities, airports and commercial districts. Ericsson’s end-to-end VoLTE solution will support voice and video calling over LTE (VoLTE) and enable new enriched communication services.

Azouaou Mehmel, President and CEO of Algérie Télécom Group, says: “Our close relationship with Ericsson made it possible to roll out the LTE network in a record time, so our customers could start enjoying LTE reliable high speed broadband services. The launch of LTE is a key milestone in Algerie Telecom’s strategic plan of broadband development in Algeria”

Nunzio Mirtillo Head of Ericsson Region Mediterranean says: “Algérie Telecom is bringing the world’s latest technology to its customers, providing faster, more reliable broadband and high-quality communication services to an increasingly demanding subscriber base. We are proud to expand on our solid partnership with such an important operator in this region.”

The end-to-end LTE network that Ericsson is deploying includes Evolved Packet Core with Evolved Package Gateway based on SSR 8000 family and Mobility Management Entity, IP Multimedia Subsystem, Charging, Billing, IP Networking and Radio Access Network.

Ericsson is the market leader in LTE. Today, 50 percent of the world’s LTE smartphone traffic is handled by Ericsson networks, more than double the traffic of its closest competitor. We have delivered more than 180 LTE RAN and Evolved Packet Core networks worldwide, of which more than 120 are now operating commercially. Ericsson is the IMS market leader having signed more than 110 commercial IMS contracts worldwide for both fixed- and mobile accesses, whereof around 70 IMS systems are running live with commercial traffic.