Huawei working with MTN, other networks to drive down operating expenses
Leading internet infrastructure providers, Huawei, has pledged to deepen the advancement of internet solutions and broadband penetration in other African nations relying on the success recorded in Nigeria.
In an interview, the Director, Market Insight Department, Hauwei Carrier, Ali Long, said the information technology (IT) company is working with both government and service providers in this respect.
He said his company will continue to work with network providers in building better and cost effective infrastructure for more efficient services.
Long disclosed that Huawei is working with service providers in Nigeria, including MTN, Etisalat, Celtel, Globacom, Swift and others to manage services to drive down operating expenses (Opex).
In the area of solutions, he said the company has developed many infrastructure; seeing as this is not well-established. “We have developed customised WOM solutions for Nigeria because there are fibre challenges.
Business Hilights recalls that Huawei had been supporting Nigeria in the drive for targeted 30 percent mobile broadband penetration by 2018, which is currently at 20.9 percent penetration.
Statistics show that Nigeria would have hit the target even before 2018 but for the current lull in forex market which is hobbling provision of needed infrastructure to boost expansion.
However, with about 91.8 million Internet users as at 2016, Nigeria is targeting 30 percent mobile broadband penetration by 2018, but currently at 20.9 percent penetration, mainly due to dearth of infrastructure to boost expansion.
Explaining more on the activities of Huawei in Africa, Long assured that “We are replicating the successful experience in Nigeria in the entire Africa. For instance, we are working with MTN to “In terms of content development, Huawei is providing MTN with music hosting from local and global and this is distributed to customers.”
Corroborating long’s views, the Executive Director of the Board/Chief Strategy Marketing Officer, Huawei Technologies, William Xu, noted that one of the challenges impeding mobile broadband penetration is lack of access to reliable smart phones.
Xu revealed that “Smart phones are very important for broadband development, but the challenge is to provide high quality and cost effective smart phones that are acceptable to consumers.”
Speaking on meeting user demand, contributing to a more prosperous ICT industry and enabling emerging countries for to develop their digital economies, Xu added that Huawei is doing a lot in this regard, saying Nigeria remains a huge opportunity and market.
He disclosed that Huawei has accurately identified high-value users and ensured a superior experience; developed user habits in relation to digital services; and established an ecosystem through cooperation with content providers.
