Ethio Telecom has picked Chinese company, Huawei to roll out 4G high speed internet in the capital city, Addis Ababa. The commission will also include 2G and 3G internet bandwidths.

“In terms of allocation, Huawei will be responsible for the expansion of 4G in Addis Ababa, including other mobile services – the 2G, 3G, IP and the like,” Abdurahim Ahmed, Ethio Telecom’s head of communications, told Reuters.

“It is expected to benefit more than 400,000 subscribers. Within an eight-month period, the expansion project of Addis Ababa, including 4G, will be completed.”

This is part of a US$1.6 billion deal with Ethio Telecom, ZTE and Huawei. The deal will see over the telecom company expand its subscriber base to 50 million by 2015.

The country has a population of 80 million people but the government holds the monopoly on telecom services through the state owned Ethio Telecom.

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