Parallel Wireless deploys 1,500 Open RAN sites across Africa; partners with Hotspot Network in Nigeria
Parallel Wireless, the U.S.-based Open RAN innovator, reached a milestone of 1,500 sites deployed across Africa. Parallel Wireless brings communication to regions that were previously unable to access standard and high-speed mobile networks. These installations create greater opportunities to grow mobile operators’ client base while simultaneously modernizing large regions. The Open RAN company is partnering with network-as-a-service (NaaS) provider Hotspot Network to extend coverage to previously unconnected rural sites throughout Nigeria.
Parallel Wireless believes expanding mobile connectivity throughout Africa is a unique challenge due to unreliable or inaccessible sources of electricity and challenging landscapes that make physical access difficult. To address these challenges, Parallel Wireless partnered with regional telecommunications providers and governments in countries including Nigeria, Tanzania, Guinea Conakry, Ghana, South Sudan, Uganda, DRC and Malawi to deploy hybrid networks tailored to the needs of specific regions within their borders. Parallel Wireless services include 2G and 3G for rural areas, and 2G and 4G for urban and suburban areas. In addition to its Open RAN offering, Parallel Wireless also provides turnkey services, including transmission, power and towers, and manages deployments and operations.
“Our extensive and complex deployments were successful due to our familiarity and experience with the region, which helped us navigate the complex environmental challenges and lack of resources in these areas,” said Yisrael Nov, VP Global Sales at Parallel Wireless. “By extending modern networks throughout these territories, and leveraging multiple technologies, a large population will experience a stronger network, bringing them into a new era of reliable connectivity.”
“Parallel Wireless was founded on the premise of expanding connectivity to the disconnected. This milestone is an affirmation of that commitment,” said Steve Papa, Founder & CEO of Parallel Wireless. “Reliable communication goes beyond convenience for the residents of these nations. These 1,500 sites provide opportunities for residents to not just connect with families but to leverage new technologies that will improve their day-to-day lives.”
The collaboration with Hotspot Network aims to connect residents of rural regions to essential services, such as health, education and financial services, that will ultimately improve their quality of life. Hotspot Network offers its services to mobile networks in Nigeria, providing a portfolio of products and services through collaboration with a network of global partners, making them a single point of contact for all rural connectivity and telecommunication needs.
In response to this challenge, Hotspot Networks is working directly with local and national governments to build 2G and 4G wireless communications infrastructure beyond the radio network. These initiatives extend beyond mere communication to support phone banking, education and health services, thereby ensuring that communication capabilities remain accessible.
“The terrestrial hurdles faced today are the same as those faced in years past – but the urgency has grown,” said Morenikeji Aniye, founder and CEO at Hotspot Networks. “Technological advancements in our ability to connect these previously unconnected areas instantaneously bring them into modern times and all the necessities that come with it.”
Once Hotspot Networks’ hardware is installed, Parallel Wireless can manage network activity via its Open RAN software, allowing for reliable service for those that now rely on it. “Rather than letting cumbersome technologies constrain our shared ambitions, we tailored the Open RAN implementation to fit the project needs and make for a more nimble deployment,” said Yisrael Nov, executive vice-president of global sales at Parallel Wireless.
Parallel Wireless is an innovator providing Open RAN solutions. Based in the US with global R&D centers, it offers comprehensive All-G Macro Open RAN solutions. Since 2012, Parallel Wireless has secured 900+ worldwide patents and received 100+ innovation awards. We are committed to enhancing network performance, reducing TCO, and advancing telecom efficiency.
References:
https://www.parallelwireless.com/blog/5-cellular-network-trends-to-look-out-for-in-2024/