Airtel inks pact with Liquid Telecom for African network

Bharti Airtel has inked an agreement with Liquid Telecom to share its fibre network to connect its mobile base stations across Africa, which will enable subscribers in the region to access better speeds on 3G and 4G networks.

The framework agreement enables Airtel operations to leverage Liquid Telecom's existing 20,000km-long fibre network across east, central and southern Africa, as well as enjoy new purpose-built fibre infrastructure.

Liquid Telecom is an independent data, voice and IP provider in eastern, central and southern Africa. It supplies fibre optic, satellite and international carrier services to Africa's mobile operators, internet service players and businesses.

Commenting on the agreement, Airtel Africa CEO Christian de Faria, said, ''Airtel has invested significantly in mobile broadband technology across its African footprint and this agreement will deliver end-to-end fibre connectivity to our 3G and 4G base stations. This collaboration reinforces our commitment to providing affordable and innovative mobile services to all.''

Airtel has African operations in Burkina Faso, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Madagascar, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

Liquid Telecom's fibre network spans 20,000 km across Burundi, DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.