Telkom Kenya has entered into a strategic partnership with Japan’s Rakuten Symphony and US-based Airspan Networks to develop and test Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) technology.
The collaboration, announced today, involves a KES 568 million ($4.4 million) technology grant funded by the Japanese and United States governments.
The tripartite agreement aims to establish Kenya as a technological hub for telecommunications innovation in Africa. Under the partnership, the companies will set up a testing facility to conduct field and network tests focused on advancing 4G/5G, Open RAN, and AI technologies tailored to Africa’s specific connectivity challenges.
Open RAN represents a huge departure from traditional Closed RAN systems, which typically lock mobile network operators into using equipment from a single vendor.
The open architecture allows hardware and software from different vendors to work together seamlessly, potentially reducing long-term operational and capital costs while improving network performance.
“Telkom is pleased to collaborate in this consortium of cutting-edge technology leaders in this field of open architecture telecommunications network and reap the benefits of modern, and ultimately, inevitable technological advances such as AI,” said Mugo Kibati, Telkom’s Chief Executive Officer.
The partnership structure assigns specific roles to each participant. Airspan will provide 4G and 5G radio units, while Rakuten will supply both the Operating Support System platform and the Open RAN software stack necessary to run and optimize network elements. Telkom Kenya will contribute human capital and facilities.
Glenn Laxdal, President and CEO of Airspan, emphasized the innovation aspect, saying, “Telkom’s collaboration with this consortium to explore the latest telecommunication advancements reflects bold innovation that will place Kenya at the heart of Africa’s technological leadership within the region.”
Unlike many regional operators that simply purchase RAN technology, Telkom is taking a more involved approach by participating in the development, testing, and deployment processes.
The company also highlights knowledge transfer as a key component, with the project aiming to train local developers and engineers.
The financial backing for the initiative comes from the Japanese government ($3 million) and the United States government ($1.4 million), to be administered through Rakuten Symphony and Airspan Networks.
For Telkom customers, the technology promises an enhanced experience through improved network performance. The company also expects the project to boost its R&D capabilities and overall service offerings as part of its long-term transformation strategy.
