Ethio Telecom and Ericsson- the Swedish telecom giant- have signed a network expansion and modernization agreement set to significantly boost regional population coverage to 85 percent [in the Ericsson-managed operation circle], underscoring a strategic focus on digital inclusion and rural connectivity.
The massive project focuses on the expansion and modernization of 1,500 mobile stations within the Ericsson-managed network circle. Key technical objectives include: Phasing out legacy systems with modern technology to support high-speed 4G and 5G connectivity, adding 2.8 million in new 4G carrying capacity, bringing the total capacity in the operation area to 4.1 million, extending LTE services to 157 additional cities, which will bring the total number of LTE-enabled towns to 276.
According to Ethio-telecom, the cornerstone of the agreement is narrowing the digital divide between urban and regional areas.
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The agreement was signed today, March 5, 2026, during Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 in Barcelona.
