Nokia (NOKIA.HE) said on Monday that MTN South Africa (MTNJ.J) had chosen it for the first time as one of the equipment suppliers for its 5G radio access network. This is part of MTN South Africa’s plan to expand its next-generation wireless services across Europe.
Nokia said in a statement, “Under the agreement, Nokia will improve the existing 2G, 3G, and 4G wireless networks. It will expand the 5G MTN wireless network to 2,800 sites in the country’s central and eastern regions.” Nokia hasn’t said anything about how much money was involved in the deal.
In March of last year, MTN South Africa, the country’s second largest carrier, won airwaves worth 5.2 billion rand ($282.66 million) at an auction for 14.4 billion rand. Before the auction, it had already started offering 5G services in a few cities.
As part of its work in South Africa, Nokia is also starting an education program. This is to help South Africa and the rest of Africa become more digital. However, the program is open to 5,000 people. It is mostly about making new products and starting businesses.
The program works with the Finnish National Agency for Education. People who finish it get a diploma that can help them get jobs in the future.
($1 = R 18.3964)
