Nairobi — Uganda telecom has signed an agreement with Huawei technologies to expand its existing Next Generation Network (NGN) - an investment of over US$10 million by Uganda's second national operator.

The agreement, signed today stipulates that Huawei will replace 33 Remote Line Units (RLUs) spread all over Uganda with brand new state of the art soft switches that will provision services through the NGN.

Currently, Uganda Telecom uses RLUs that are analogue switching units to connect telephone calls.

The RLUs have limited line capacity but with the new digital system powered by NGN, switching will be much faster and the line capacity will be infinite.

The upgraded Uganda Telecom NGN network will allow the company to provide voice and data solutions over ADSL through one network as opposed to different unique ones.

Huawei will install an integrated system that will converge both voice and data solutions over one network.

The new system will be more data oriented and will be made up of a central information management centre and multi service access network which will make provision of services much faster and easier than before.

The new system will also enable easier provision of new services.

"Being the only telecom company with an NGN network will give us the competitive advantage of being able to flexibly and cost effectively offer cutting edge products and services to our clients," said Abdulbaset Elazzabi, the Uganda Telecom managing director said.

In addition, Huawei will supply 7 new CDMA landline sites, which will mean more capacity for Uganda Telecom to provide landline services. The existing sites will also be transferred from the wireless loop to NGN.

"This project will increase the Uganda Telecom's network capacity as well as improving the reliability of our fixed services," Elazzabi said.