Ericsson and Zamtel have agreed to demonstrate their capability to deliver state-of-the-art 4G mobile communications technology in a live Zamtel mobile communications network, for the first time in Zambia during the 20th edition of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly 2013 being held in Livingstone.
The trial is Zambia’s first live pilot 4G mobile communications demonstration using a mobile communications network and underpins the shared vision of Zamtel and Ericsson to constantly innovate and push the technological envelope in delivering advanced mobile communications services in Zambia.
Zamtel and Ericsson are running the trial network on the side lines of the UNWTO conference running from 23 to 29 August. The conference has attracted approximately 1 200 delegates from over 150 United Nations member states.
As one of the sponsors of the UNWTO 2013, Zamtel agreed with Ericsson to conduct a trial showcasing the benefits of the 4G technology – also known as Long Term Evolution (LTE) using Ericsson technology and the Zamtel mobile communications network, in order to give Zambians an opportunity to experience this latest and most advanced mobile communications technology and compare it with 3G technology.
“We are extremely excited about this trial as it affords an opportunity for both Zamtel and Ericsson to showcase the very latest 4G mobile communications technology and demonstrate, in a live network environment, that it can operate smoothly on the robust Zamtel mobile network infrastructure.
“Delegates have the opportunity to experience the phenomenal speeds offered by 4G technology – which can deliver in excess of 50Mbps which represents a quantum leap in performance when compared to 3G technology which has typical speeds of 2Mbps to 3Mbps.
“4G technology will provide a platform for data-hungry services and applications such as IP-TV, interactive gaming and video-on-demand,” says Zamtel’s CEO, Dr Mupanga Mwanakatwe.
Dr Mwanakatwe says Zamtel remains steadfast in its commitment to provide cost effective and relevant communication solutions that consistently offer an unrivalled customer experience through the use of cutting-edge, state-of-the-art technology.
“Our participation in this event and our agreement with Ericsson to conduct this 4G trial provides an added impetus to our vision and quest to make a positive and meaningful impact in the lives of Zambians in all walks of life and in all parts of the nation,” he adds.
Currently, there is no LTE network in Zambia and the trial is expected to showcase the immense benefits of this latest generation of mobile communications technology to Zambians and international delegates attending the UNWTO conference.
Hans Piet, head of Practice, Mobile Broadband, Ericsson sub-Saharan Africa, says: “This pilot gives us an invaluable opportunity to showcase the enormous benefits of LTE (4G) to the delegates and reaffirm our technology leadership.
“Mobile broadband is a game changer that will transform the ICT landscape in Zambia, open up whole new possibilities in the field of m-commerce and will shape how education and health is provisioned. Ericsson is ready to explore Zambian partnerships that can transform the ICT landscape in this country.”
