Ethio Telecom has signed a landmark network expansion and modernization agreement with Ericsson at the Mobile World Congress Barcelona, in a move aimed at strengthening Ethiopia’s digital infrastructure and accelerating connectivity across the country.
The agreement, unveiled during the global technology event in Barcelona, aligns with Ethio Telecom’s three-year Next Horizon Strategy, which focuses on expanding network capacity, enhancing service quality, and supporting Ethiopia’s growing digital economy.
Under the deal, the telecom operator will undertake a comprehensive modernization programme involving the expansion, upgrade, and 4G layering of about 1,500 mobile sites within the Ericsson network-managed infrastructure.
The initiative will also introduce new technological capabilities designed to improve network coverage, reliability, and capacity.
Ethio Telecom said the project will replace legacy infrastructure with advanced network technology, significantly boosting 4G coverage and capacity while expanding the company’s 5G footprint to support high-speed connectivity required for modern digital services.
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A major focus of the initiative is digital inclusion, particularly in underserved communities. The modernization programme will target 75 rural areas, deploying tailored mobile solutions aimed at bridging connectivity and usage gaps in remote regions.
The company also plans to modernize 502 existing 3G sites by upgrading them to advanced 4G technology, a move expected to improve service quality and deliver faster mobile broadband services to millions of users.
Within the Ericsson-managed network circle, the project will add 2.8 million new 4G capacity, raising the total to 4.1 million. The expansion will also extend LTE services to 157 additional towns, increasing the number of connected towns to 276 and boosting population coverage by 45 percent, reaching 85 percent population coverage in the region.
Ethio Telecom noted that the network upgrade will provide critical support for Ethiopia’s rapidly expanding digital ecosystem, including national platforms such as telebirr, ZemenGebeya, and Znexus, which are driving digital payments, e-commerce, and digital services adoption across the country.
The company reaffirmed its commitment to investing in advanced technologies and strengthening strategic partnerships to position Ethiopia as a leading digital hub in Africa, while enabling broader access to reliable and high-speed connectivity.
