MWC26: Ethio Telecom and Ericsson sign network expansion and modernisation deal at MWC Barcelona
Date: 2026-03-05
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Ethio Telecom has signed a major network expansion and modernisation agreement with
Ericsson during the Mobile World Congress Barcelona, in a move aimed at
strengthening Ethiopia’s digital infrastructure and accelerating nationwide
connectivity.
The
agreement forms part of Ethio telecom’s three-year Next Horizon Strategy and
will involve the expansion, upgrade and deployment of new network capabilities
across 1,500 mobile sites within the Ericsson network-managed circle.
According
to the company, the initiative will replace legacy infrastructure with modern
technology to significantly improve network coverage, quality and capacity. The
project is expected to boost 4G coverage and capacity while also expanding the
country’s 5G footprint to support high-speed connectivity and digital services.
The
modernisation programme will also prioritise digital inclusion by targeting
underserved areas. As part of the project, 75 rural solution sites will be
deployed using tailored mobile solutions designed for communities without
access to commercial power. In addition, 502 existing 3G sites will be upgraded
to become fully 4G-ready.
Ethio
telecom said the upgrade will add 2.8 million in new 4G capacity within the
Ericsson circle, increasing the total capacity to 4.1 million. LTE services
will also expand to 157 additional towns, bringing the total number of
connected towns to 276 and increasing population coverage by 45 percent to
reach an overall 85 percent coverage in the region.
The
agreement is also expected to strengthen Ethiopia’s digital ecosystem by
supporting national platforms such as telebirr, ZemenGebeya and Znexus, which
are driving digital payments, e-commerce and innovation across the country.
Ethio
telecom said the partnership underscores its commitment to investing in
advanced technologies and strategic collaborations to position Ethiopia as a
leading digital hub in Africa while expanding access to reliable and high-speed
connectivity.
