Zain Sudan launched 4G services with nearly 300 sites that are on air, with 21 other cities in the regions set to gain coverage by the end of the year, 15 of which will be completed by the end of June.
“Zain is keen to transport its customers on a journey towards the cutting edge digital world, with 4G also set to bolster the mobile experience of 2G and 3G services by adding additional network capacity,” said Elfatih Erwa, Zain Sudan’s managing director and CEO.
The first stage of the 4G rollout will see Zain Sudan partnering with Ericsson to extend coverage to the capital, Khartoum, Medani, Port Sudan and El Obeid. The next phase will see 4G services gradually extended to other regional centres, partnering up with Huawei.
The news comes after Zain had secured a 4G licence in February 2016. “The authorities in Sudan showed wisdom and foresight in granting a 4G licence to Zain at a sensible fee amount, as it allowed Zain to invest more in technology and infrastructure, as well as to offer competitive pricing for 4G services,” stated Erwa.
Zain envisages that 20% of the population will gain 4G coverage in the first stage of the rollout and Erwa added that the launch of the 4G network is “set to advance national projects such as eGovernment”.
Sudan’s LTE launch not only marks the first time mobile broadband technology has been available in the country but represents Zain Group’s sixth national rollout.
