Huawei targets fourth generation modems

By Macharia Kamau

Internet users will in the coming months access higher speed connection following plans to launch higher speed broadband modems in the local market.

Huawei Technologies plans to bring into the local market fourth generations based mobile broadband modems. The company currently has contractual agreements with local mobile phone operators for the provision of modems.

"We have so far achieved a speed of 14.4 megabytes per second (mbps) on 3G network in Kenya and aim to reach a higher speed of 21.6Mbps in a few weeks," said Mr Radoslaw Kedzia chief operating officer Huawei Kenya. Broadband modems in use currently have a maximum speed of 7.2 mbps.

The telecommunications network solutions provider for operators, showcased the 4G-based HSPA plus modem at the two day East African Communication Conference held in Nairobi last week.

Renewable energy

Other new end- to-end solutions showcased at the conference by the Chinese firm included green power solutions that tap into renewable energy.

Safaricom and MTN Uganda have deployed solar-wind and battery hybrid power solutions in a bid to cut operating costs and environment degradation. Huawei also exhibited a mobile broadband terminal, the E182E,; which supports a downlink rate of up to 21.6 Mbp.