The deployment marks a step towards integrating artificial intelligence into Ethiopia’s mobile infrastructure, enabling more efficient use of existing network resources while improving performance during periods of high demand.
According to ZTE, the AI RAN solution uses intelligent network optimisation to improve radio access performance compared with conventional network configurations. The reported gains suggest that AI-driven technologies could help mobile operators accommodate growing data traffic without relying exclusively on additional spectrum or physical infrastructure.
For Ethio Telecom, the initiative highlights the potential of AI-based network management as Ethiopia expands its digital connectivity capabilities. Improving capacity and peak-hour performance could help the operator support rising mobile broadband consumption while strengthening the quality of its 4G services.
The deployment also reflects a broader shift across African telecommunications markets towards software-driven network optimisation, where operators are exploring artificial intelligence to improve infrastructure efficiency, manage congestion and reduce network expansion costs.
However, ZTE has not disclosed the deployment locations, testing period or baseline performance metrics used to calculate the reported improvements. The results therefore remain vendor-reported and have yet to demonstrate their consistency across a wider commercial network.
Source: MEA Tech Watch Press Reporter
