The Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) has granted Airtel and Orange Kenya the regulatory approval to start testing the 4G technology on their networks, signalling a nod to launch the service commercially, according to a report by itnewsAfrica.
The approval given to Airtel and Orange is coming after the recent analogue switch-off for radio and TV broadcasting as directed by the CA.
“Mobile operators were being encouraged to re-farm their existing frequencies and roll out national 4G networks that would allow them to share capacity with those that lack similar networks,” CA Director-General, Francis Wangusi said in the report.
Orange Kenya has deployed its 3G network in 41 new urban and peri-urban areas of the country.
Orange Kenya CEO, Vincent Lobry, said “The company is yet to begin testing LTE on its network as its main focus currently is to ensure there is optimal use of its allocated 3G frequencies.”
Although, Orange has a technology-neutral license that allows it to launch any telecom service, it does not have the required frequency. The telco should be able to kick-start 4G services with this approval.
Image: Loopbylivvys
