NuRAN Wireless, a supplier of mobile and broadband wireless infrastructure solutions, says the first site in Cameroon relating to its network as a service (NAAS) contracts with Orange SA went live last week and, the company adds, has already begun to generate significant traffic.
In fact the initial 48 of 242 planned sites are expected to be completed shortly. Eutelsat, NuRAN’s satellite partner for the current 122-site batch in Cameroon, is prepared to ensure that the sites go live upon committed planned roll-out.
The Cameroon site is part of NAAS contracts with Orange S.A. and its affiliates announced earlier this year for the build-out of networking sites in Cameroon (242 sites) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) (2000 sites). Each site consists of towers and related equipment to be installed by NuRAN, with a particular focus on rural communities in Cameroon and the DRC.
The towers fall into one of four categories depending on population density and coverage requirements. NuRAN's technology uses a carrier-grade GSM base station powered by solar as part of a small-footprint (3 metres x 3 metres x 10 to 30 metres tall) remote tower.
NuRAN has signed an agreement with leading satellite operator Eutelsat for the satellite backhaul managed services.
Francis Letourneau, CEO of NuRAN, has noted, “The ability to do remote banking, access health care information and communicate widely will translate into very significant economic and social benefits for the population of the areas we cover.”