Africell Angola, part of the Africell Group, is a mobile telecommunications operator that entered the Angolan market to invigorate the telecommunications sector. Africell Group, a US-owned company, operates across several African countries, including Uganda, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The company was granted a licence to operate in Angola in January 2021, becoming the country's fourth telecom operator. Africell aimed to stimulate competition, improve service quality, and introduce innovative pricing strategies. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Africell successfully launched its services in Angola in April 2022.
Country
Angola
Type
Mobile Network Operator
Ownership
Africell Group
Africell Logo

3G Network

Africell Angola's 3G network was part of its initial deployment strategy. The company utilised Nokia's comprehensive network technologies to provide 2G, 3G, and 4G services in the capital city, Luanda. This deployment was part of a broader strategy to leverage the latest cloud technologies for cost efficiency and service differentiation. The 3G network was integrated within the AirScale Single Radio Access Network (S-RAN) platform, which allowed for seamless upgrades to 4G and future 5G capabilities.

Network Frequency Band Status Known UARFCNs
B1 (2100 MHz)
Active
10687, 10712
Date Event Subtype
Launch of 3G Network
Launch

4G Network

Africell officially launched its 4G services in Angola in April 2022, shortly after securing the unified telecommunications licence. The 4G network was designed to cover a significant portion of the Angolan population, initially focusing on the capital, Luanda. Africell invested over $150 million to build a 5G-ready network with a starting capacity for over 6 million subscribers. The 4G services were part of Africell's commitment to providing high-speed voice and data services, utilising Nokia's multi-standard radio network. This network supported concurrent 2G, 3G, and 4G services, ensuring a robust and flexible telecommunications infrastructure.

4G Frequency Bands
Network Frequency Band Status Known EARFCNs
B3 (1800 MHz)
Active
1506
B7 (2600 MHz)
Active
2800
B20 (800 MHz)
Active
6325
Date Event Subtype
Launch of 4G Network
Launch

5G Network

Africell Angola's 5G network was part of its long-term strategic vision to transform Angola's digital landscape. The network was designed to be 5G-ready from the outset, with Nokia's AirScale platform allowing for future upgrades via software updates. In December 2022, Africell expanded its services to Benguela Province, marking the second phase of its national roll-out strategy. This expansion included 5G-enabled infrastructure, further solidifying Africell's position as a key player in Angola's telecommunications sector. The 5G network aimed to provide enhanced connectivity and support for emerging technologies, aligning with Angola's broader economic diversification goals.

Date Event Subtype