Orange Cote d’Ivoire Group has contracted US-based wireless solutions provider Vanu to deploy equipment to improve mobile connectivity in rural areas. The agreement covers Orange’s operations in Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Liberia. The project will begin with 1,070 sites, of which 700 will be in Cote d’Ivoire, 170 in Burkina Faso, and 200 in Liberia.
The partnership between Orange and Vanu will provide technology upgrades and will be based on the Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) model. The partners say that the rollouts will benefit digital projects in healthcare, agriculture, education and financial services, among others.
Nafy Coulibaly, Deputy Director General at Orange Cote d’Ivoire Group, commented: ‘In order to provide digital services for all, Orange will deploy its services by strategically improving/increasing its network coverage so that no one will be left behind. This will be achieved by ensuring that we provide, to as many people as possible, free and unfettered access to digital services everywhere. Orange welcomes this partnership, which will offer digital services to millions of uncovered people in rural areas in Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Liberia.’