Ethio Telecom has partnered with Chinese telecommunications equipment manufacturer ZTE Corporation to deploy Ethiopia’s first pre-commercial Artificial Intelligence Radio Access Network (AIR RAN), a development expected to improve mobile network capacity and data speeds as demand for connectivity continues to rise.
The deployment, completed on November 4, 2026, has reportedly increased 4G network capacity by 11 percent and improved peak-hour user throughput by 40 percent compared with conventional network solutions, according to the two companies.
The technology introduces artificial intelligence into the radio access network, the component of mobile telecommunications infrastructure responsible for connecting users’ devices to the wider network. It is designed to improve how network resources are allocated, particularly during periods of high traffic when large numbers of subscribers access mobile data services simultaneously.
The project uses ZTE’s AIREngine intelligent computing engine, combined with AI-driven intelligent beam scheduling and Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) Massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (Massive MIMO) technology.
Through this system, the network can respond more intelligently to changing traffic patterns by adjusting the allocation of radio resources to meet demand. The approach is intended to improve network efficiency and service quality without relying exclusively on additional physical infrastructure.
The two companies said they had been working on AI-enabled network innovation over the past two years, seeking ways to improve the performance of Ethiopia’s existing 4G infrastructure as mobile data consumption expands.
The reported performance gains could be significant for Ethio Telecom, which serves more than 90 million subscribers and faces growing demand for mobile internet, digital financial services, cloud-based platforms and other connectivity-dependent services.
Peak-hour network congestion remains an important challenge for telecommunications operators, particularly in urban areas where thousands of users compete for limited network resources.
The deployment also forms part of Ethio Telecom’s broader strategic ambition to transform itself from a conventional telecommunications operator into an AI-driven digital enterprise.
The company said the initiative supports its “Next Horizon: Digital & Beyond 2028” strategy, which focuses on expanding digital services, modernizing telecommunications infrastructure and strengthening its position in the country’s rapidly developing digital economy.
