Telkom Kenyahas secured a $4.4 million grant from Rakuten Symphony and Airspan Networks to accelerate the deployment of Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) technology in Kenya. Rakuten Symphony contributed $3 million, while Airspan Networks provided $1.4 million, marking a significant investment in enhancing mobile connectivity and reducing infrastructure costs.
Open RAN technology allows telecom operators to integrate equipment from multiple vendors by separating hardware and software components, leading to lower operational costs and increased flexibility in network expansion.
In January 2025, Telkom Kenya signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rakuten Symphony and Airspan to collaborate on knowledge transfer, development, and testing of Open RAN. The partnership involves integrating 4G and 5G networks, with Telkom Kenya providing local resources, Rakuten Symphony supplying network infrastructure and an operations support system, and Airspan delivering 4G and 5G radio units and mobile core solutions.
Telkom Kenya CEO, Mugo Kibati, emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “We are proud to be investing in the development of our people through the collaborative testing capabilities that we will be building within this consortium to explore the possible benefits of Open RAN in our mobile network.”
The adoption of Open RAN is gaining traction across Africa as a cost-effective solution for expanding wireless networks. With this investment, Telkom Kenya aims to improve network performance, extend coverage to underserved areas, and accelerate the rollout of advanced mobile services.
By embracing Open RAN, Kenya positions itself at the forefront of telecommunications innovation on the continent, reinforcing its commitment to leveraging technology for improved digital infrastructure and connectivity.
