By Sami Zaptia.
Tripoli, 10 November 2021:
Speaking today exclusively to Libya Herald at the Taqnya ICT 2021 exhibition (Tripoli, 9-12 November), Ericsson Libya Country Manager, Andrea Missori said Libya has an important need to close the gap on fixed broadband and fiber deployment and mobile technology can work as an accelerator.
He explained that 4G technology had created a change in behaviour of people in Libya and enshrined the culture of using internet on their smart phones. With the average age of the Libyan being at 28 years old, everyone is already using apps, and, in this way, Libya is ahead of the pack, he added.
Libya ahead of world average in data consumption
Data consumption in Libya is way ahead of the neighbouring countries as well as different European countries. The average Libyan purchases about 15 gigabytes (GB) per month whereas the world average is about 10 GB/month. This is partly because the consumer has no alternatives, he explained.
People access to media and broadcast mainly from their mobile as well as play games on the smartphones. Gaming needs high quantity of data and youths are ready to spend their money with mobile gaming.
5G will be massive
When 5G is launched it will have a massive impact. Ericsson forecasts more than half a billion 5G subscriptions worldwide by the end of 2021, which translates to about 1 million new 5G subscribers per day. This is way ahead of what 3G or 4G had achieved.
Currently South Korea is in the lead with with 24% of its population already using 5G services, with all mobile Operators leveraging on Ericsson technology. Ericsson has 145 5G commercial agreements signed across the world with 97 live networks in 45 countries, including China, U.S., Germany, Japan, UK, Italy, Australia.
In Libya Ericsson expects good opportunities also with the 5G for Industries in the oil, steel production and harbours sectors. 5G is a secure-by-design technology ready to enable the Digital Transformation of the Industries.
Al-Madar is ready to rollout 5G
Al-Madar has presented its 5G service in Taqnya, powered by Ericsson, over the existing commercial 4G network and it is ready for a nationwide rollout. This will mean a superior service to consumers, government and industry.
Ericsson never left Libya since 1968
He highlighted the fact that Ericsson has been present in Libya continuously since 1968. ‘‘We never left! Our office is up and running ready to support our partners and their networks. We operate with a Libyan workforce, and we are investing in them and the country. As we continue to build competencies.’’
And together with the state holding telecoms company, LPTIC, we run the ‘‘connect to learn’’ initiative with universities as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility to groom local competencies and help creating the next ICT generation in Libya.
Ericsson and Nokia Siemens to be awarded 3.75G mobile broadband contracts | (libyaherald.com)
