South African operator, Cell C, last week announced that it will invest R8 billion ($671.7million) in its LTE network over the next three years, aiming to deliver high-speed broadband to its customers across the country. A subsidiary of Oger Telecom, a Dubai-based telecommunications service provider, Cell C targets key metropolitan areas such as Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape to expand the service. The company has signed supply agreements with both Huawei and ZTE, which are Cell C’s primary partners in the rollout of LTE and covers the rollout of more than 4000 LTE sites.
The operator said that the LTE rollout will complement Cell C’s continued investment into its existing network and the rollout of additional towers to improve HSPA+ performance and increase coverage and capacity across the country. It added that an additional 1353 3G sites are planned across the country over the next few years to ensure retain and enhance the company's competitive edge.
Jose Dos Santos, CEO, Cell C
Our LTE strategy will be focused and strategic, targeting metropolitan areas where people work and live. The primary commuting areas that fall outside the major metros will remain covered by HSPA+. We are pleased to partner with both these businesses. Huawei and ZTE have both proved exceptional vendors in delivering quality service and technology to Cell C over the years.
