Airtel invests Sh2.5 billion in 3G network upgrade

Airtel Kenya CEO Adil El Youssefi displays an Airtel Money Visa during the official opening of Airtel offices in Nyeri town on September 3, 2014. Airtel Kenya Thursday announced that it had invested Sh2.5 billion in upgrading its network to enhance indoor coverage and 3G quality. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI 

In Summary

• Similar upgrades have been carried out in Mombasa and Kitale. Nairobi’s upgrade is in progress and is due to be completed soon according to the mobile phone firm.
• Nokia Networks has been contracted to carry out the upgrade.

By NATION CORRESPONDENT
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Airtel Kenya Thursday announced that it had invested Sh2.5 billion in upgrading its network to enhance indoor coverage and 3G quality. 

The firm said this became necessary due to growing demand for data that comes with having more smartphones in the market.

“We have invested Sh2.5 billion in this and plan to continue investing more to provide our customers with the better services across the country.

“This will increase the reach and coverage of Airtel’s 3G network,” said Airtel Kenya managing director Adil El Youssefi.

Similar upgrades have been carried out in Mombasa and Kitale. Nairobi’s upgrade is in progress and is due to be completed soon according to the mobile phone firm.

LONG TERM EVOLUTION

Nokia Networks has been contracted to carry out the upgrade.

The project is also aimed preparing the company for long term evolution standard that forms the fourth generation of cellular data.

In November last year, Airtel Africa launched 4G in Seychelles and Rwanda, making the two among the first in sub-Saharan Africa to commercially deploy the technology. 

The telco now has a wide 3G footprint in Africa, with the 17 countries in which Airtel is present.