Huawei Partners with Telkom to Power Digital Transformation in South Africa

Huawei

This week marked a significant milestone for Telkom as the Consumer Business CEO, Lunga Siyo, and Huawei Technologies South Africa CEO, Will Meng, supported by Group CEO, Serame Taukobong, signed a Memorandum of Understanding in China.

This collaboration is a crucial step in advancing our OneTelkom strategy, aimed at strengthening our position as Africa’s leading convergent service provider.

Our partnership with Huawei is set to enhance our ability to deliver seamless connectivity and innovative services. By focusing on advancements in mobile and home broadband, we aim to deliver superior network experiences to our customers. This collaboration will further drive enterprise business success through comprehensive solutions that meet evolving market demands.

– Excerpt from Telkom’s Announcement

The announcement mentioned that this alliance supports South Africa’s digital transformation goals since they are going to be leveraging advanced technologies in data centres and digital power services.

We are committed to bridging the digital divide and empowering communities across the continent.

We are excited about the opportunities this partnership brings and look forward to a future of innovation and growth.

– Excerpt from Telkom’s Announcement

Source: TechAfrica News

Trump extends TikTok deadline again

TikTok

US President Donald Trump lengthened a deadline by an additional 75 days for China-based ByteDance to sell the US operations of TikTok or face a ban, marking the second time he has granted an extension.

Trump announced the new deadline on Friday (April 4) in a post on his Truth Social platform, saying the TikTok deal “requires more work to ensure all necessary approvals are signed.”

The new executive order signed by Trump pushes the deadline out to mid-June after his first extension of 5 April.

After the platform briefly stopped working in January, Trump delayed a proposed ban by 75 days by signing the initial executive order during his first day as president.

The first deadline for ByteDance to divest itself of TikTok’s US operations was 19 January before Trump extended it. In April 2024, the then US President Joe Biden signed legislation requiring China-based ByteDance to sell its US assets due to national security concerns.

On Wednesday (2 April), Trump announced a raft of tariffs for about 90 countries. Those measures included a 34 per percent tariff rate on China, in addition to the existing 20 per percent tariffs on imports

“We hope to continue working in good faith with China, who I understand are not very happy about our reciprocal tariffs (necessary for fair and balanced trade between China and the U.S.A.!),” he stated on Truth Social. “This proves that tariffs are the most powerful economic tool and very important to our national security.”

Trump also said in the post his administration looks forward “to working with TikTok and China to close the deal.”

The Washington Post reported the Trump administration had reached an agreement with ByteDance for a proposed deal on April 2, but the government of China stated it will not approve the deal without first discussing the president’s tariffs and trade policy. 

There are several entities that have expressed an interest in buying TikTok, which has around 170 million US users.

Source: Mobile World Live

Telecel’s Women 100 Celebrates Trailblazing Women

Telecel

Telecel Ghana has hosted the second edition of its Women 100 Power Connect, honouring women who’ve defied convention to excel in male-dominated careers. Held as the climax of International Women’s Month, the event brought together 100 influential women to connect, share, and inspire.

Under the theme “The Road Less Travelled,” the event featured powerful stories from notable speakers, including Ghana’s Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, Prisons Service Director-General DGP Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, and Tullow Oil Ghana’s Operations Director Dr. Lina Sowah. Each shared journeys of perseverance and resilience, emphasizing mentorship, consistency, and courage.

Telecel CEO Patricia Obo-Nai highlighted the importance of storytelling in empowering younger generations: “Extraordinary stories can transform futures and empower generations of women to come.”

The event forms part of Telecel’s Women in Business initiative, which supports women-led SMEs with access to finance, insurance, capacity building, and visibility.

Emotive highlights included a traditional poetry recital, affirmation exchanges, and a symbolic candle-lighting to inspire more women to pursue bold, unconventional paths.

Enterprise Director Tawa Bolarin urged women to support and join the initiative: “Spotlighting these journeys helps dismantle the barriers that limit others.”

Through initiatives like this, Telecel continues to promote gender equity and empower women entrepreneurs across Ghana.

Source: My Joy Online

Nokia and Amazon settle video patent row

Nokia

Nokia reached an agreement to end a patent dispute with Amazon covering the use of the vendor’s video technologies on the US powerhouse’s streaming services and devices, resolving litigation across three continents.

Nokia stated terms of the agreement, including financial terms, remain confidential.

The Finnish vendor filed suits in the US, India, the UK, Germany, and the European Unified Patent Court in November 2023, arguing Amazon used its video technologies portfolio without authorization.

In retaliation, Amazon accused Nokia of misusing its standard-essential patents by trying to block the use of its products instead of offering fair licenses and violating rules that impacted competition.

However, Nokia was handed a favorable decision in February, with a court in Düsseldorf ruling Amazon’s Prime Video service was violating patents owned by the vendor.

Arvin Patel, chief licensing officer of New Segments at Nokia, welcomed the agreement with Amazon, while the technology giant is yet to comment.

According to Nokia, it has created almost 5,000 inventions that enable multimedia products and services, investing more than €150 billion in R&D since 2000, including €4.5 billion in 2024 alone.

Nokia has been embroiled in patent rows with a number of companies, including HP, also over the use of its video technologies. Other notable conflicts include face-offs with smartphone players Lenovo and Apple.

Source: Mobile World Live

Record-breaking satellite link connects China and South Africa

Satellite

Researchers have helped pull off something that’s never been tried before—completing the first-ever quantum satellite communication link in the Southern Hemisphere.

In what was a collaboration between Stellenbosch University and the University of Science and Technology of China, scientists established a quantum link that stretches a whopping 12,900 km—from China all the way to South Africa.

That, the researchers say, is the longest intercontinental quantum satellite link ever recorded. And what makes this especially noteworthy, and unlike your usual internet connection, is that this one’s apparently virtually unhackable.

The breakthrough was achieved using China’s Jinan-1 microsatellite, which was launched into low Earth orbit. The team then managed to beam quantum encryption keys from space to earth. Those keys were used to send images between the two ground stations using one-time pad encryption – a method widely seen as impossible to crack.

This, the researchers said, all happened in real-time, using a process called Quantum Key Distribution, or QKD.

Space-age security

Quantum communication works by sending individual photons – tiny particles of light – to carry encrypted messages. Because of how quantum mechanics works, any attempt to intercept or measure these photons messes them up, making it obvious that someone’s tried to snoop. In short, it’s the closest thing to spy-proof messaging out there.

During a clear sky and low humidity in the Southy African town of Stellenbosch, the local team managed to generate 1.07 million secure bits of data in just one pass of the satellite. This, they claim, was pretty decent for a test run.

“International and national collaborations are essential to drive cutting-edge research and push scientific boundaries,” said Dr Yaseera Ismail, the physicist who led the South African team.

“Implementing the first quantum satellite link in the Southern Hemisphere is an outstanding achievement for South Africa.”

Eyes on the future

China’s been leading the charge in quantum tech for years now, and is already famous for building the country’s first quantum satellite, Micius.

The scientists hope that the breakthrough will help lay the foundations for something much bigger in the future.

For example, Stellenbosch University is gearing up to launch a new Centre for Quantum Science and Technology, aiming to boost South Africa’s role in global quantum research.

Source: Extensia

MTN Group has completed successful trials of satellite-to-mobile technology in rural South Africa, marking a potential breakthrough in connecting Africa’s remote communities.

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The tests, conducted with Lynk Global in North West province, demonstrated that standard mobile phones could access satellite networks without specialized equipment.
The initiative addresses a persistent challenge across sub-Saharan Africa, where 600 million people remain offline despite widespread mobile coverage. According to GSMA data, while 90% of the region’s population lives within mobile broadband coverage areas, only 27% actively use internet services. The gap is particularly acute in rural regions, where infrastructure limitations and economic barriers hinder connectivity.
MTN’s Chief Technology Officer, Mazen Mroué, explained the technology’s significance. “Low-Earth orbit satellites can complement traditional networks in areas where building towers isn’t viable,” he said. The system operates through satellites positioned much closer to Earth than conventional models, enabling connectivity.

The South African trial follows a similar test in Liberia last year, both aimed at developing solutions for hard-to-reach communities. MTN plans to expand the technology across its 19
African markets as part of its goal to achieve near-universal broadband coverage.
However, connectivity remains just one piece of the puzzle. Industry analysts note that device affordability and digital literacy present equally significant barriers. Smartphone adoption in sub-Saharan Africa stands at just 51%, with many users relying on feature phones. Data costs, while declining, still consume about 5% of average monthly incomes in the region.
The satellite initiative also promises to enhance network resilience during natural disasters. During recent cyclones in southern Africa, widespread damage to terrestrial infrastructure left millions without communication for days. Satellite redundancy could maintain critical connectivity in such emergencies.
Regulatory challenges remain before widespread deployment. MTN is currently in discussions with telecommunications authorities across Africa to establish frameworks for satellite-integrated mobile services. The company anticipates commercial rollout could begin within two years.

The push for universal connectivity comes as digital access becomes increasingly tied to economic participation. A World Bank study estimates that a 10% increase in internet penetration could boost GDP by up to 2.5% in developing economies. For rural farmers, students, and small businesses, reliable connectivity could mean access to markets, education, and financial services previously out of reach.
Africa’s connectivity landscape presents a paradox of progress and exclusion. While urban centers see rapid 5G deployment, rural areas often lack basic 2G service. This technological bifurcation risks deepening existing inequalities as essential services increasingly move online.
MTN’s satellite trials represent an innovative approach to this challenge, but history cautions against technological silver bullets. Previous efforts to bridge the digital divide through undersea cables and rural towers often stumbled on last-mile implementation and affordability issues. The true test will be whether satellite solutions can overcome these persistent barriers at scale.

The economic case for connectivity is clear, but the path forward requires coordinated action across multiple fronts. Device manufacturers must develop more affordable options, governments need to implement supportive policies, and digital literacy programs require expansion. As mobile networks evolve into hybrid terrestrial-satellite systems, maintaining focus on end-user needs and affordability will determine whether this technological leap truly connects the unconnected.
For now, the successful tests in Liberia and South Africa offer cautious optimism. In a continent where geography and economics have long dictated digital access, satellite technology may finally begin to rewrite the rules of connectivity.

Source: News Ghana

MTN CEO: Over $1bn invested in customer service in five years

MTN

MTN Ghana’s Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Blewett, has revealed that the company has invested over $1 billion in improving customer service delivery over the past five years.
This, he said, underscores MTN’s ongoing commitment to customer satisfaction. He also announced plans for additional significant financial investments in the coming year.

“We are here because of our customers,” Blewett stated. “We want you to have an exceptional experience, not a poor network. MTN’s success today is a result of our commitment to investing over $200 million annually in our network.

“By the end of this year, we will have invested $1 billion over the past five years. And we’re planning to invest even more to continue enhancing our services.”

Blewett also addressed the rising issue of mobile money fraud, urging customers to stay vigilant.

He shared a personal experience from his first month at MTN, when he became the target of a mobile money scam.

“In my first month here, I received a call from a fraudster. He claimed I had made a transfer and tried to manipulate me into believing it. I decided to keep him on the phone for about 15 minutes, hoping that by doing so, he wouldn’t scam someone else.

“Eventually, I told him I was the CEO of MTN, and he didn’t believe me. He got upset and hung up. But this experience serves as a reminder of how important it is to stay vigilant.”

Blewett further assured customers that MTN is actively working on solutions to address mobile money fraud.

“We are constantly asking ourselves how we can improve. We are applying the same customer-first mentality to tackle these issues and are exploring better solutions for our users.”

Source: Business Ghana

Zambia enhances border connectivity to facilitate trade

Zambia

Zambia’s e-government division, the SMART Zambia Institute, is improving trade facilitation and revenue collection by deploying six internet connection stations at the Nakonde border post in Muchinga province.

According to SMART Zambia, the initiative intends to improve internet connectivity for Zambia Revenue Authority activities, resulting in faster cargo clearance and greater efficiency.

The initiative is part of Zambia’s larger attempts to use technology and increase trade facilitation, which aligns with the government’s objective of increasing regional trade and economic integration.

The move comes as Zambia implements a number of efforts to boost the country’s ICT sector, including the ZamFree Initiative, which offers free public WiFi in certain towns, and Zambia’s first National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, which encourages safe AI use.

“In a bid to bolster trade facilitation and revenue collection, the SMART Zambia Muchinga province team has successfully deployed six internet access points at the Nakonde border post,” said SMART Zambia. 

Source: IT Web

Maroc Telecom and Inwi link up to deploy fiber and 5G.

Moroccan telecom providers Maroc Telecom and Inwi have expanded a partnership agreement aimed at accelerating the deployment of fiber optic and 5G technologies across the North African country.

Emirates News Agency reports that under the agreement, the two companies will consolidate parts of their passive telecom infrastructure by establishing two joint ventures, each owned equally (50/50).

The objective is to strengthen fiber optic expansion and support the development of a 5G network in the Kingdom, the two said in a joint statement.

The agreement includes the creation of“ FiberC”o, tasked with expanding fiber optic networks to reach 1 million connections within two years and 3 million within five years, and TowerCo, which will oversee the construction of 2,000 new towers in three years and 6,000 in ten years to support the rollout of 5G.

The first phase of the project is valued at one billion dollars (AED4.4bn) over three years, pending approval by Morocco’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency.

e& (formerly Etisalat Group), a UAE-based telecoms company, is the majority shareholder in Maroc Telecom.

Jassem Alzaabi, chairman of e&, stated that the strategic collaboration between Maroc Telecom and Inwi, together with combined investments in fiber and 5G infrastructure, is a significant step towards better market stability and improves Morocco’s position as an attractive investment destination.

He also highlighted the country’s efforts to foster a balanced and competitive regulatory environment.

“We at e& prioritize compliance with both local and international regulations as a core ethical responsibility,” Alzaabi said.

He went on to say, “We value the government’s ongoing initiatives to develop the telecom sector and are committed to long-term investment in Morocco.

“Our focus will be on expanding digital infrastructure, promoting digital inclusion, and enabling various economic sectors to benefit from technological advancements.

“We will continue working closely with the government and private sector to build a robust digital ecosystem that enhances Morocco’s competitiveness and supports sustainable development.”

Engineer Hatem Dowidar, group CEO of e&, commented on the agreement: “With a clear future vision for the market, we are more committed than ever to advancing our investments in fiber and 5G infrastructure.

“Our aim is to strengthen digital infrastructure, support e-government services, and provide smart solutions that meet the needs of individuals and businesses while enhancing Morocco’s regional competitiveness.”

He added that the strategic collaboration between Maroc Telecom and Inwi reflects institutional maturity and underscores that true partnerships are built on legal integrity and public interest.

Dowidar said, “This motivates us to not only improve infrastructure but also build a comprehensive digital model that supports Morocco’s digital transformation. Our future investments will focus on enhancing user experience, expanding digital services, and supporting Morocco’s digital economy in alignment with our long-term vision for this vital market.”

According to a joint statement from the two firms, the deal has been accepted by Maroc Telecom’s supervisory board and Inwi’s board of directors, and it coincides with Morocco’s continuous digital transformation and objectives to provide high-speed communication services.

Source: Extensia

MTN and Lynk make Africa’s first satellite voice call using smartphone

MTN

JOHANNESBURG, March 27 (Reuters) – The South African unit of MTN Group and American low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite provider Lynk Global said on Thursday they had made Africa’s first phone call via satellite, a potential solution to providing coverage in underserviced and rural areas.

Mobile operators and smartphone makers are racing to deploy satellite services to close gaps in network coverage.

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The call in Vryburg, in the North West province of South Africa, was part of a technical trial that enabled MTN (MTNJ.J) and Lynk Global to test voice-call quality using a standard smartphone and SMS capabilities over a LEO satellite connection, MTN South Africa Chief Executive Officer Charles Molapisi said.

“The technical trial was part of our work to find potential solutions to the challenges of providing coverage in underserved, rural, and remote areas,” he added.

Molapisi said the call showed MTN’s ability to complement its ground-based cell towers and other infrastructure with LEO satellite.

The companies received approval from the telecoms regulator ICASA to use radio frequencies on MTN-licensed spectrum for the trial. They did not elaborate on their next steps.

In November, MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita announced that MTN South Africa was carrying out proof of concepts—showing the feasibility of the plan—with a number of LEO satellite operators for possible partnerships.

LEO satellites provide high-speed internet even in areas where terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure such as fiber and mobile broadband is difficult and expensive to deploy.

MTN’s smaller rival, Cell C, is also seeking similar partnership agreements.

South Africa’s biggest operator, Vodacom (VODJ.J), majority owned by Britain’s Vodafone (VOD.L), announced a partnership with Amazon’s Project Kuiper LEO satellite in 2023.

Source: Extensia