World Bank recommends investment of USD 25 billion to take MENA region online; Comba introduces affordable LTE CPE solution designed to boost rural connectivity
Dubai, UAE – September 14, 2015: Comba Telecom Systems Holdings Limited, a global leading wireless solutions provider, is working towards tackling the digital divide between the region’s urban and rural populations – the firm today announced the availability of its new LTE CPE product series in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This series is specifically designed to cost-effectively meet the wireless broadband needs of rural areas. Efforts to boost rural connectivity in an affordable manner have been underway for a few years now after the World Bank recommended an investment of at least USD 25 billion to fully develop fixed and wireless Internet access for the region[1].
“Urban broadband users are enjoying high-speed access provided by FTHH and ADSL, but what about those living in rural areas where fiber and ADSL are not available? About half the world’s population lives in rural areas, and approximately 30% of the Middle East’s population resides in rural areas. Our new LTE CPE product series meets the requirements of this faction of the population – it deals with the unserved and under-served parts of the market, thereby scaling up broadband penetration in rural economies,” said Ken Li, Solutions Manager at Comba Telecom.
By using LTE CPE, the existing LTE network can be extended to provide broadband coverage in rural areas where wired connections are either unavailable or not affordable due to the high cost of installations. Comba offers cost-effective rural wireless broadband solutions, which include outdoor Wi-Fi AP and CPE. Incidentally, the provider’s Wi-Fi CPE is designed with a waterproof enclosure and supports simple pole installation.
“Comba’s field-proven Wi-Fi solutions have been deployed in several rural zones within China – we are therefore quite experienced in providing comprehensive solutions for broadband access and Wi-Fi coverage in rural areas that lack wired infrastructure. Simply put, broadband has the potential to advance socio-economic development in MENA by facilitating Internet access and use, creation of digital content, and development of infrastructure, and we want rural areas to be part of this advancement,” added Li.
About Comba Telecom
Comba Telecom is a supplier of infrastructure and wireless enhancement solutions to mobile operators and enterprises to enhance and extend their wireless communications networks. Established in 1997, and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2003. Comba has 40+ offices around the world employing 10,000+ professionals throughout China and the world.
Comba’s product portfolio includes wireless enhancement, antennas and subsystems, wireless transmission and wireless access equipment. Comba’s end-to-end network solutions include consultation, network design, installation, commissioning and optimization.
[1] World Bank: Broadband Networks in the Middle East and North Africa