Ethio Telecom has launched its Copper Switch-Off Strategic Initiative, aiming to migrate 100,000 copper-based customers to high-speed fiber optic connections this fiscal year. The plan includes migrating 60,000 customers in Addis Ababa and 40,000 in regional areas, with the first wave of 31,000 customers starting in early October.
This initiative is part of a broader goal to fully upgrade Addis Ababa’s copper network to fiber within three years and expand to all regional capitals in five years. The shift also signals Ethio Telecom's move towards advanced technologies like fiber optics, LTE, and 5G.
CEO Frehiwot Tamru has urged customer cooperation during the transition. The company is also in talks with Shandong Hi-Speed Group about building a hyper-scale data center to support its technological advancements.