Nairobi, Kenya – "Telkom Kenya has partnered with mobile equipment vendors Rakuten Symphony, a leading service-based technology company from Japan, and Airspan Networks, a telecommunications company from the United States, to develop and test Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) technology. The Japanese and United States governments will fund this project through a technology grant of KSh 568 Million (US$ 4.4 Million) that will be administered by Rakuten Symphony and Airspan Networks.

The project partners will set up a testing facility and conduct field and network tests in their quest to advance 4G/5G, Open RAN, and AI innovation on the African continent. Technology company Telkom Kenya has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with mobile equipment vendors Rakuten Symphony and Airspan Networks. This collaboration will see the parties invest in a joint laboratory to develop and test Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) technology solutions tailored to the continent’s dynamic connectivity needs. The three companies will also conduct field trials to ensure optimal performance and seamless integration into Telkom’s network infrastructure.

Under the tripartite partnership, Airspan will provide 4G and 5G radio units while Rakuten will provide an Operating Support System platform, as well as the Open RAN software stack to run and optimise the 4G/5G Open RAN network elements. Telkom will provide the requisite human capital and facilities. The Japanese and United States Governments, through Rakuten Symphony and Airspan Networks, will invest US$ 3 Million and US$ 1.4 Million respectively into this project to advance 4G/5G, and AI innovation in Africa, consequently addressing some of the continent’s dynamic connectivity challenges and laying the groundwork for the development of future technology solutions."