Ericsson has extended its long-standing partnership with Safaricom through a new multi-year microwave agreement that aims to strengthen 5G capacity across Kenya.
Ericsson will supply advanced all-outdoor E-band and multi-band solutions from its MINI-LINK portfolio. The solutions are designed to deliver scalable, energy-efficient and high-capacity transport infrastructure that will support Safaricom’s expanding 5G network.
In the near future, Ericsson will also introduce AI-powered analytics and automation capabilities into Safaricom’s network to enable intelligent decision-making and improve overall network performance.
Safaricom has already enabled connectivity speeds of up to 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps) in remote regions of Northern Kenya. This was achieved using Ericsson’s advanced microwave transport technology. The technology is capable of supporting high-capacity long-distance communications beyond 100 kilometers.
Gerishon Gitonga Kithinji, Head of Network Planning & Design at Safaricom, said “In collaboration with our partners, sas Ericsson, we are making great strides in expanding the benefits of 5G to Kenya’s consumers and businesses. Our new microwave deal will support us to deliver the high-performance 5G services in the country and will enhance customer satisfaction.”
Alain Maupin, Vice President and Head of Ericsson East and North Africa, said “At Ericsson, we are committed to fostering a more connected, inclusive and sustainable digital future for Africa in line with our #AfricaInMotion vision. 5G transport connects all nodes in the radio access network with the core and becomes the backbone of the 5G mobile network. With Safaricom rolling out 5G steadily, the transport network is crucial for delivering on the 5G promise and we are proud to have Safaricom’s trust to provide world-class, reliable, and future-ready transport solutions across Kenya.”
Why Microwave Still Matters in 5G
According to the 2024 Ericsson Microwave Outlook report, microwave and millimeter-wave spectrum are key enablers for 5G wireless backhaul, with approximately 10 million transceivers installed worldwide.
In Africa, traditional microwave frequency bands have long been central to network infrastructure. With Kenya experiencing significant growth in mobile data consumption, increasing microwave link capacity has become critical to maintaining network performance and supporting next-generation services.
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