Africell Angola activates new mobile network

Angola’s newest and fourth network operator, Africell, has made its first call on the mobile network ten months after being granted a telecommunications operator licence.

Africell, which obtained Angola’s unified telecommunications licence in February 2021 says, the technical activation of the network allows the phased launch of services in 2022.

The telco said to achieve network readiness in just ten months, several unprecedented technical and logistical difficulties – including travel restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic and disruption of the supply chain – had to be surpassed.

The phased launch of commercial services following the first call reflects best local and international practices which will ensure the best experience for current and future customers in Angola, said Africell.

Africell will begin with the provision of data services to selected corporate customers in Luanda as a start.

Christopher Lundh, CEO of Africell Angola, said, “We are delighted to kick off our network by making the first call. The first call to our new network in Angola is the most significant milestone to date, symbolizing the beginning of a new chapter for our company, the country and the people of Angola.”

Since obtaining the exploration license in February, Africell has been focusing on building infrastructure in Angola, including the opening of a data centre in Luanda in October.

Partnerships with international and local technology providers such as Nokia, Oracle, and Angola Cables have helped Africell create a high-quality 5G-ready network that will enable fast, reliable and affordable telecommunications products and services.

Africell has also already invested more than US$100 million in Angola, including the construction of physical infrastructure, and this investment rate is expected to accelerate in the coming months, the company says.

Africell plans to hire up to 2,000 direct and indirect employees by mid-2022, 95% of whom will be of Angolan nationality. The company’s activities also supported approximately 1,000 local jobs among suppliers and other third parties.

Also commenting, Ziad Dalloul, President and CEO of Africell Group. ” In Angola, we want our mobile network services to be a stepping stone to digital transformation – including growth, employment and innovation.” Africell’s entry into Angola is in line with the executive’s reform ambitions and we share the management’s conviction that investments like ours can help Angola realize its potential as a pan-African economic leader.”

After the first call, Africell’s Engineering areas will monitor and optimize the performance of the network. Considering the provision of layered services to business and retail customers, coverage will initially focus on Luanda, the main social and commercial center of Angola, which has a population of 8 million people, and will later be extended to other regions, including Lubango, Benguela and Lobito.