Ericsson has modernized Unitel’s core network in Angola, integrating 4G/5G for improved services. The upgrade includes a dual-mode 5G Core and IMS, enhancing communication capabilities. Unitel remains the largest telecom operator in Angola, with privatization plans underway by the government this year, following a nationalization in 2022.
Ericsson has finalized the modernization of Unitel’s core network in Angola, facilitating the integration of 4G and 5G technologies on a unified platform. This update enhances the telecom operator’s efficiency, emphasizing automation and significantly improving the customer experience with 5G services. The new network architecture supports advanced features, including network slicing and enhanced voice and data services through 5G Standalone (5G SA).
Unitel’s upgrade includes the Ericson dual-mode 5G Core, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), and cloud-native infrastructure. This dual-mode core allows for the transition of legacy 2G and 3G voice services to 4G and 5G. Moreover, through its IMS, Unitel can deliver real-time communication across multiple access networks, catering to both consumer and business needs.
Majda Lahlou Kassi, Ericsson’s VP for West and Southern Africa, highlighted their commitment to fostering a connected Angola by enhancing 5G capabilities, driving innovation, and boosting the digital economy. Júlio Gonçalves from Unitel remarked that the collaboration produces a “world-class network experience,” fostering socioeconomic growth throughout Angola.
In a notable milestone, Ericsson and Unitel successfully conducted a trial data call on a 5G SA network within a live setting. This advancement allows Unitel to deliver superior service with higher speeds, reduced latency, and advanced features beneficial to several sectors. The modern network paves the way for multiple services, including Voice-over-LTE (VoLTE), Wi-Fi calling, and enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), tailored for an evolving market.
Unitel stands as Angola’s largest telecom network with approximately 20.8 million mobile users as of the end of 2024, significantly ahead of its competitors, including Africell Angola and Movicel. Africell entered the market in 2022, while Unitel, established in 2001, is crucial to the country’s mobile market, according to Omdia’s reports.
The Angolan government plans to privatize Unitel within the year, potentially through the stock exchange, following its nationalization in 2022. Previously, the state owned 50% of Unitel via Sonangol. The government recently seized remaining shares from entities tied to Isabel dos Santos, who has faced legal challenges and has denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
The modernization of Unitel’s network by Ericsson marks a significant advancement in telecommunications in Angola, promoting the integration of 4G and 5G technologies, enhancing service delivery, and enabling real-time communication for its users. As Unitel leads in Angola’s mobile market, the government’s impending privatization efforts could further influence its operational landscape and market position. Overall, these developments underscore the importance of socio-economic growth through telecommunications advancements in the region.
Original Source: www.connectingafrica.com
