Ethio Telecom has finalized the second phase of the Addis Ababa mobile network expansion project, Fortune reported. This is expected to bring the call success rate to 98 percent.

Ethio Telecom launched a project after signing a US$ 1.6 Billion deal in 2013 with the two Chinese telecom giants; Huawei and ZTE. The project was divided into three phases and the one that just got completed is the second phase of the project. The first phase was network swapping of 75 areas that are commonly known as the Nokia area. And when the third phase of the project is completed it is expected to provide a 4G service for 400,000 customers across the capital city.

According to Abdurahim Ahmed, Public Relations Director at Ethio Telecom, the completion of the second phase enabled his company to successfully swap the network of 239 areas in the city. He further noted this move by Ethio Telecom will increase the mobile service quality across the city.

The third phase of the project, that already has commenced, will have network installation work for 411 areas. This is expected to increase the capacity of mobile service in the city to 6.5 Million from 3.4 Million. And 411 network antennas will be installed on rooftops of buildings, for which Ethio Telecom will pay in average 10,000 Birr for rent.

Source: Fortune