Telkom Kenya has partnered with Rakuten Symphony and Airspan Networks to develop Open RAN technology, supported by a KES 568 million ($4.4 million) grant from Japanese and U.S. governments. The collaboration aims to position Kenya as a telecommunications hub in Africa, enhancing network performance and promoting local developer training.
Telkom Kenya has formed a strategic alliance with Rakuten Symphony of Japan and Airspan Networks from the United States to advance Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) technology. This initiative, announced recently, is supported by a KES 568 million ($4.4 million) technology grant from both the Japanese and United States governments.
The primary goal of this trilateral agreement is to position Kenya as a center for telecommunications innovation within Africa. The collaboration will include the establishment of a testing facility designed to execute field and network evaluations that aim to enhance 4G/5G, Open RAN, and AI technologies specific to Africa’s connectivity challenges.
Open RAN signifies a significant shift from traditional Closed RAN systems, which often restrict mobile network operators to a single vendor’s equipment. In contrast, Open RAN’s architecture promotes interoperability among different hardware and software sources, thereby potentially lowering operational and capital expenditures while enhancing network performance.
Mugo Kibati, Chief Executive Officer of Telkom, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “Telkom is pleased to collaborate in this consortium of cutting-edge technology leaders in this field of open architecture telecommunications network…” This sentiment underscores the commitment to advancing modern technologies, including AI.
Each organization within the partnership has designated responsibilities; Airspan will provide 4G and 5G radio units, while Rakuten will deliver the Operating Support System platform and Open RAN software stack. In this partnership, Telkom Kenya will focus on contributing its personnel and facilities to facilitate the initiative.
Glenn Laxdal, President and CEO of Airspan, highlighted the innovation aspect, remarking, “Telkom’s collaboration with this consortium to explore the latest telecommunication advancements reflects bold innovation …” This collaboration underscores Telkom’s proactive approach, as it is not merely procuring technology but engaging in its development and testing.
A core priority of this project is knowledge transfer, aimed at training local developers and engineers to ensure sustainable growth. Funding for the initiative is split, with the Japanese government contributing $3 million and the United States providing $1.4 million, managed by Rakuten Symphony and Airspan Networks.
Ultimately, this advanced technology is expected to provide Telkom customers with enhanced service quality, improve network performance, and strengthen the company’s R&D capabilities, aligning with its long-term transformation strategy.
In conclusion, Telkom Kenya’s partnership with Rakuten Symphony and Airspan Networks marks a significant advancement in telecommunications innovation within Africa. By developing and testing Open RAN technology, the collaboration aims to enhance connectivity and service quality while establishing Kenya as a technological hub. Through financial backing from the Japanese and U.S. governments, the project emphasizes knowledge transfer and positions Telkom to improve its R&D capabilities and long-term strategic transformation.
Original Source: techweez.com
