African operator group MTN has announced that it will upgrade and expand its 3G network in Nigeria. The operator has signed a contract with microwave network solutions provider Cambridge Broadband Networks (CBNL).

CBNL will supply, install and commission backhaul equipment to improve the quality of services for MTN Nigeria. In addition, the vendor said it will work in partnership with MTN to provide programme management, deployment and support services to ensure the efficient and timely delivery of the network.

“We have seen a significant growth in subscribers accessing the internet via 3G over the past few years, and as a result will be modernising our network in order to expand capacity and continue delivering the customer experience and mobile access expected by our customer base throughout Nigeria,” said Olusegun Salami, senior manager, transmission access planning at MTN Nigeria.

The 3G network upgrade in Nigeria upgrade requires both product expertise and local knowledge, in order to ensure effective transition, with minimal downtime and disruption to MTN’s customers, according to Nigel Webb, VP Sub-Saharan Africa at CBNL.

“Our significant local presence enabled us to work closely with MTN planners to model detailed scenarios, prior to deployment.”

With the growth being seen in 3G data services across Africa, MTN has pledged its support in July this year to the alternative open source mobile OS Ubuntu 13.10 developed by Linux solutions provider Canonical, which was launched in October. The group also invested in a 336 square meter customised datacentre in Abidjan, the economic capital of Ivory Coast. The project will have the dual role of both a switching centre and a datacentre where MTN’s data customers can be hosted.