Ericsson is developing a new data center in the Seychelles for Airtel Africa.

The telco has awarded Ericsson a turnkey project to relocate and modernize its existing network and core services to a new data center in the Seychelles.

Specifications and timelines have not been shared, but the companies said the new data center will provide Airtel Africa with a hybrid network cloud environment, which it said will prepare the service provider for VoLTE and 5G network infrastructure.

“Our newest partnership with Ericsson to modernize and relocate our network and core services to a new data center in Seychelles brings us one step closer to our ambition to build a world-class network,” said Dina Amadou, CEO of Airtel Seychelles. “The data center will drive innovation and enhance our core services to help us develop the efficient infrastructure for the introduction of VoLTE and 5G services in the near future.”

The companies said the new hybrid network cloud environment will increase network and cost efficiency, reduce time to deploy applications, and enable developers to innovate and bring new applications to Airtel Africa subscribers quicker.

Todd Ashton, vice president and head of Ericsson South & East Africa added: “Partnering with Airtel Africa in modernizing their network and relocating to the data center has supported them to meet the rapidly evolving demands of consumers and keep them prepared for the deployment of innovative services around VoLTE and 5G.”

In August Facebook and its consortium partners announced plans to expand the 2Africa cable system to include landing stations at a number of African countries, including Seychelles.