Rwanda to get its first commercial LTE network with managed services

Kigali, Rwanda – Rwanda will soon be able to enjoy advanced communication services with improved capacity and data speed. olleh Rwanda Networks, (oRn), a joint venture between KT Corporation and the Government of Rwanda, has chosen Nokia Networks to provide the radio and core network as well as managed services to build the nation’s first commercial LTE* network. This Public Private Partnership has put Rwanda on the fast track towards setting up a robust and reliable telecommunications infrastructure.

“This is a defining moment for Rwanda and its citizens. In addition to opening up a whole new world of data services, this LTE network will also be a strong proof point of our commitment to enabling and empowering the people of this country,” said Peter Jeon, CEO of oRn. “A strong track record in similar deployments, coupled with cutting-edge technology expertise and capabilities, made Nokia Networks a natural choice as our partner for this ground-breaking project. We will work together to accelerate the arrival of the latest communications technologies in Rwanda.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Nokia Networks will deliver the LTE network using its high-performance and scalable Flexi Multiradio 10 Base Station and Evolved Packet Core (EPC). The radio system modules will be housed in a centralized base station hotel, and the related RF units will be distributed into the antenna sites. The EPC includes the company’s Flexi Network Server (Flexi NS) and Flexi Network Gateway (Flexi NG). Additionally, Nokia Networks will provide its software for Subscriber Data Management** (SDM), including One-NDS and its Home Subscriber Server*** (HSS).

oRn’s network will be managed, monitored and optimized by Nokia’s consolidated NetAct network management system. Nokia Networks will also provide a full suite of managed services such as network implementation, planning and optimization, systems integration and network operations. Not only will the entire OSS be managed by Nokia Networks, but care services, including hardware, software and competence development services, will also be delivered to ensure seamless operations and a smooth rollout.

“As well as from placing Rwanda on the global LTE roadmap, this initiative also has the potential to radically alter the current communications landscape in the country,” said Sudesh Maharaj, customer team head, Growht Markets, Central and West Africa at Nokia Networks. “This contract underlines oRn’s faith in our capabilities to deliver on its vision to launch commercial LTE services in Rwanda”.

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About oRn:

oRn is the only 4G LTE infrastructure company in Rwanda, jointly invested by the Government of Rwanda and KT Corporation exclusively for wholesale provision of universal mobile broadband network in Rwanda using 4G LTE technology. The wholesale network service for mobile broadband will help to promote healthy competition for advanced retail services and solutions, and will benefit consumers, enterprises and the nation in transforming Rwanda into the ICT hub of East Africa.

About Nokia

Nokia invests in technologies important in a world where billions of devices are connected. We are focused on three businesses: network infrastructure software, hardware and services, which we offer through Nokia Networks; location intelligence, which we provide through HERE; and advanced technology development and licensing, which we pursue through Nokia Technologies. Each of these businesses is a leader in its respective field.

Nokia Networks is the world’s specialist in mobile broadband. From the first ever call on GSM, to the first call on LTE, we operate at the forefront of each generation of mobile technology. Our global experts invent the new capabilities our customers need in their networks. We provide the world’s most efficient mobile networks, the intelligence to maximize the value of those networks, and the services to make it all work seamlessly. www.nsn.com // http://company.nokia.com

Media Enquiries

Nokia Networks
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Phone: +91 95388 90288
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oRn:
Sean Koo
Chief Technology Officer
Phone : +250786278862
E-mail: sean.koo@orn.rw

Notes:
* Nokia is a leader in the commercialization and innovation of LTE and LTE-Advanced, with 147 LTE and TD-LTE network customers worldwide. We are supplier to the world’s first three commercially launched LTE-Advanced networks and most of the largest networks by LTE subscriber count. Our unique track record is supported by a wide range of services and based on award-winning platforms like the multi-technology, compact, modular and weatherproof Flexi Multiradio 10 Base Station and the ingenious Smart Scheduler to maximize performance and optimize the use of radio spectrum.

Nokia’s Global Services enable operators to safely move towards LTE with the highest quality possible and ensure fast and reliable network rollouts with end-to-end network integration to Customer Experience Management. Our industry-leading Security solutions enable operators to provide secure subscriber services while our Network Planning and Optimization services support a smooth transition with Refarming Services, LTE Planning, iSON Services, LTE Optimization and Services for VoLTE.

LTE Service Management covers the entire lifecycle of mobile broadband services running on an operator’s LTE network, including service design, launch and monitoring.

** Nokia’s Subscriber Data Management (SDM), including One-NDS and New Technology Home Location Register (NT-HLR), is a central entity for mobile communication networks. It hosts all relevant subscriber information as well as network and mobility application information needed to allow a completely seamless communication in GSM, 3G and LTE networks worldwide. SDM architecture is based on the concept of separating application service logic (dataless NT HLR front end) and application data (One-NDS). Because of this architecture, the solution scales flexibly and is highly reliable, providing new value added functionalities for operators.

*** Home Subscriber Server (HSS) is a master user database that supports the IMS network entities that actually handle calls. It contains the subscription-related information (subscriber profiles), performs authentication and authorization of the user, and can provide information about the subscriber’s location and IP information.