Vodacom Tanzania has launched a LTE trial in Dar Es Salaam, using Nokia Siemens Networks equipment. The trial will cover Msasani Peninsular. MD Rene Meza said his company was currently in discussions with the industry regulator TCRA about the allocation of spectrum that would allow for LTE to be commercially deployed countrywide. According to experience from advanced markets such as Germany and Korea, the 800 MHz and/or 1800 MHz spectrum bands allow for wider coverage and cost-efficient deployment of LTE, as well as wide device availability, Meza said.
Nokia Siemens Networks provided its Single RAN platform based on the Flexi Multiradio Base Station, as well as its Evolved Packet Core platform, including the Flexi network server and network gateway and Liquid Core-based serving GPRS support node. In addition to providing its Mobile Softswitching that manages traditional voice calls, Nokia Siemens Networks provided its CSFB voice call system. This system enables LTE smartphones to fallback to GSM and 3G networks when LTE coverage is unavailable. The company also used its NetAct network management system to enable consolidated monitoring, management, and operation of Vodacom Tanzania’s trial network.
