Group announces that its operation in Sudan, where it is the country’s leading telecom operator, has officially launched high-speed 4G LTE, marking the first time the mobile broadband technology has been available in the country and the sixth Zain operation to do so.
The launch of the 4G network was announced at a press conference last week in Khartoum in the presence of the Minister of Telecommunications and Information Technology, Dr. Tahini Attia, together with the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) General Manager, Dr. Yahiya Abdalla. Zain Sudan’s Managing Director and CEO, Elfatih Erwa, was also present, along with representatives from local and international media.
In the first stage 4G coverage will be extending to the capital Khartoum; Medani; Port Sudan and El Obeid with these central and populated areas being launched in cooperation with leading global technology solutions provider Ericsson. 4G services will be extended to other regional centers across the country gradually with the additional cooperation of Huawei, also a preeminent global technology solutions provider.
Zain Sudan initially launched 4G services with nearly 300 sites that are on air now, with 21 other cities in the regions set to gain coverage by the end of 2016, with 15 of them by the end of June. The population coverage of the 4G network will reach over 20% in the first stage of roll out, with Zain aiming to put in place the strongest infrastructure possible to facilitate wider ICT and B2B services beyond the consumer market.
Managing Director and CEO, Elfatih Erwa affirmed that the introduction of 4G places Sudan at the forefront of countries providing mobile data services on the continent, and features Sudan in an advanced position technologically. Zain is keen to transport its customers on a journey towards the cutting edge digital world, with 4G also set to bolster the mobile experience of 2G and 3G services by adding additional network capacity.
“Zain remains committed to delivering the highest quality of service to its customers in all the markets in which it operates, and highly appreciates the opportunity to introduce 4G into Sudan. The authorities in Sudan showed wisdom and foresight in granting a 4G licence to Zain at a sensible fee amount, as it allowed Zain to invest more in technology and infrastructure, as well as to offer competitive pricing for 4G services. The Sudanese people are ultimately the beneficiaries of this wisdom.”
He continued, “I am extremely grateful to the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology as well as the National Telecommunications Corporation (NTC) for their bold efforts and professionalism shown throughout the negotiations for the award of the 4G licence. Launching the service is set to advance national projects such as e-Government; facilitating a higher level of communication between citizens and providing a higher standard of living generally,” Erwa said.
The further development of internet technology through 4G services is set to contribute to the upgrading of all aspects of life, particularly its application in areas including health, where diagnosis, medical treatment, and the remote conduct of surgeries may be facilitated. High-speed mobile broadband also has the potential to contribute to education by providing a transfer of knowledge and access to the latest developments in research from international academic institutes.
Source: Zain
