Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 12 | Page 7

NEWS Airtel Nigeria partners with Ericsson for core network upgrade The Ericsson Evolved Packet Core and other range of solutions will provide increased reliability and scalability to the Airtel network, making it even more flexible in meeting the growing demand for new services. Not only will these solutions optimise the uptake of mobile broadband, but it will also support enterprise services and form a secure platform for virtualisation and network slicing, enabling other advanced services such as 4G, Massive IoT and 5G. Awadhesh Kalia, CTO, Airtel Nigeria says: “As the smartphone network, we are constantly investing to ensure that we deliver on our promise of a seamless broadband experience for our customers. With the completion of the first phase of this project, we have already begun to see the transformation in our networks.” A irtel Nigeria has signed a three-year contract with Ericsson to modernise and expand its packet core network, paving the way for even faster mobile broadband services and enhanced user experience for its subscribers. Jonathan Adams, Head of Ericsson South and East Africa says: “Through this partnership, we will be deploying a comprehensive, reliable and future-proof suite of solutions that offers quicker time to market of new offerings and superior network performance.” The Evolved Packet Core solution includes the Ericsson Evolved Packet Gateway on the SSR 8000 platform which provides leading performance and split control and user plane operation, as well as the Ericsson SGSN-MME which supports multi-access, GSM, WCDMA, LTE and interworks with Wi-Fi and CDMA. ///////////////// Siemens creates opportunities for digital skills development in Africa to 13 engineering faculties at universities and colleges in South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania and Kenya, as part of the company’s commitment to sustainable skills development across the continent. The value of the equipment is close to R5.5 million. “The uneven development of the past can only be overcome with locally engineered solutions,” says Sabine Dall’Omo, CEO of Siemens Southern and Eastern Africa. “In an African context, disruptive technology can be seen as an opportunity to leapfrog into the best and most advanced technologies, but this is only possible with access to the right training and equipment.” Siemens will continue its commitment to Africa and offer long-term support to beneficiaries by ensuring that students are able to train on the most advanced technology available. T he fourth Industrial Revolution is having a disruptive effect on economies and the development of digital skills is vital. There is an opportunity, especially in Africa, to embrace new and exponential technologies combined with human talent to accelerate industrialisation and drive economic growth. With this in mind, Siemens is handing over equipment specifically related to industrial automation that enables integrated engineering www.intelligentcio.com Dall’Omo says, “A strong pipeline of talent with the relevant skills and knowledge is beneficial to governments and businesses, while young people advance into jobs and careers with increased economic opportunity if they have the right skills.” Early next year, Siemens will hand over further donations of automation and electrical engineering equipment to institutions in Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania and Kenya. INTELLIGENTCIO 7