Telkom Kenya has partnered with Rakuten Symphony and Airspan Networks to develop Open RAN technology, supported by a KES 568 million grant from the U.S. and Japanese governments. This initiative seeks to establish Kenya as a tech hub and enhance telecommunications through advanced testing and collaboration. With a focus on knowledge transfer, this partnership aims to improve network performance and foster local talent in the R&D sector.
Telkom Kenya has established a significant partnership with Japan’s Rakuten Symphony and U.S.-based Airspan Networks to advance Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) technology. This collaboration, announced today, includes a KES 568 million ($4.4 million) technology grant funded by both the Japanese and U.S. governments, with the aim of positioning Kenya as a leading technological center for telecommunications within Africa.
The agreement enables the establishment of a testing facility for conducting field and network tests focused on enhancing 4G/5G, Open RAN, and AI technologies that address specific connectivity challenges in Africa. Open RAN represents a fundamental shift from Closed RAN systems, which typically confine mobile network operators to a single vendor’s equipment. The open architecture promotes interoperability among different vendors’ hardware and software, thereby potentially lowering operational and capital costs while enhancing network performance.
Mugo Kibati, Telkom’s Chief Executive Officer, expressed satisfaction with the collaboration, stating, “Telkom is pleased to collaborate in this consortium of cutting-edge technology leaders in this field of open architecture telecommunications network and reap the benefits of modern, and ultimately, inevitable technological advances such as AI.”
The partnership delineates distinct roles among the companies involved. Airspan will provide the 4G and 5G radio units, while Rakuten will deliver the Operating Support System platform and the Open RAN software stack to optimize network elements. Telkom Kenya will offer human capital and facilities in support of the initiative.
Glenn Laxdal, President and CEO of Airspan, highlighted the innovative aspects of this collaboration, stating, “Telkom’s collaboration with this consortium to explore the latest telecommunication advancements reflects bold innovation that will place Kenya at the heart of Africa’s technological leadership within the region.”
Distinguished from numerous regional operators opting merely to purchase RAN technology, Telkom is actively participating in the development, testing, and deployment phases. Knowledge transfer is a pivotal element of this project, with an emphasis on training local developers and engineers.
Funding for this initiative is provided by the Japanese government ($3 million) and the U.S. government ($1.4 million), to be administered through Rakuten Symphony and Airspan Networks. Ultimately, the technology is anticipated to enhance customer experience by improving network performance, in alignment with Telkom’s long-term transformation strategy focused on augmenting its R&D capabilities and service offerings.
The strategic partnership among Telkom Kenya, Rakuten Symphony, and Airspan Networks marks a notable progression in telecommunications innovation in Africa. This collaboration aims to harness an Open RAN framework, which could revolutionize network performance, enhance operational efficiencies, and foster local expertise through knowledge transfer. Financial support from the Japanese and U.S. governments underpins this initiative as it transitions Telkom Kenya towards a more technologically advanced future.
Original Source: techweez.com
