MTN SOUTH AFRICA SELECTS ERICSSON FOR COMMERCIAL 5G CORE AND RADIO

 

MTN South Africa has selected Ericsson as a 5G network modernisation vendor. Ericsson will supply 5G products from its Radio Access Network (RAN), transport and Core portfolios, with commercial rollout expected to start in 2020.
As part of its transformation strategy, MTN South Africa is upgrading its core network to support 3GPP-compliant 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) architecture. The 5G commercialisation is planned between 2020 and 2022, with a focus on use cases and applications relevant in the South African context. These include enhanced mobile broadband, fixed wireless access, and the IoT. MTN and Ericsson are working together to identify and develop 5G use cases and applications that will contribute to the digital transformation of industry verticals.

In addition to providing end-to-end 5G capabilities, Ericsson has been chosen to modernize MTN South Africa’s existing LTE and legacy radio access networks as part of a three-year deal signed earlier this year. MTN is using 5G New Radios (5G NR), basebands and MINI-LINK microwave transmission products from the Ericsson Radio System portfolio to enhance network quality for the company’s 30 million customers. Ericsson has also provided MTN with an Ericsson cloud core network, including 5G Evolved Packet Core and User Data Management.

Source: Telecompaper

MTN GROUP DRIVES INNOVATIVE RURAL COVERAGE USING OPENRAN TECHNOLOGY

In the continued drive for innovation in cost-effective rural coverage MTN is pleased to announce that it has deployed over 200 commercial rural sites across its footprint, using OpenRAN technology.

MTN is amongst the pioneers of OpenRAN – the technology which enables operators to achieve cost-effective deployments allowing for greater connectivity to previously unconnected areas.

MTN is projecting to deploy more than 5,000 sites in rural areas across its 21 operations, bringing 2G, 3G and 4G connectivity to areas that were previously unconnected. In order to realise this goal, MTN will rely on an ecosystem of partners who will bring their expertise to build and maintain the sites, utilising a full turnkey approach.

“Our Group Technology team has been pioneering OpenRAN, concluding field trials in Zambia in 2018 and deploying commercial sites from the beginning of 2019. We focus on creating viable new RAN solutions alongside the traditional deployments of network technology suppliers in order to accelerate the rural expansion in our markets,” said Rob Shuter, MTN Group President and CEO.

MTN operations in Uganda and Guinea Conakry are already benefiting from this technology, as MTN has also partnered with the likes of VANU, Parallel Wireless and NuRAN Wireless to deliver the technology.

As one of the foremost members of the Telecom Infrastructure Project (TIP), MTN carries out solution testing on all hardware and software elements at its state-of-the-art head office in Johannesburg, South Africa. The TIP initiative aims to define 2G, 3G and 4G RAN solutions based on general-purpose, vendor-neutral hardware and software-defined technology.

By continuing to accelerate innovation through initiatives such as OpenRAN, MTN continues to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world, solidifying its position as a leading mobile operator in the market.

Source: www.biztechafrica.com

KENYA TO HOST FIRST EVER FACEBOOK DEVELOPER PROGRAMME

 

Social media giant Facebook is scheduled to host its first ever Facebook iD8 conference on African soil.

The event to be held in Kenya’s capital Nairobi seeks to connect Facebook with African developers.

African developers have been flying to San Francisco, US to attend the annual boot-camp that is gathering momentum across the world.

Last Month, Facebook held such camps in Sao Paulo, Berlin and New York.

It will bring together developers and startups from Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa to share the company’s latest technology and products to showcase and celebrate talent from across the region, whilst sharing their developer journey’s.

It will also feature hands-on demonstrations and discussions with Facebook product experts who will provide guidance to developers and help unblock challenges in their development process.

”Facebook iD8 is an opportunity for us to connect face-to-face with developers and share the latest technology and product updates as well as offer attendees an opportunity to share where they are in their journey,” Facebook’s Communication Manager for East Africa Janet Kemboi told Biztech Africa.

“Topics for the programme range from AR/VR, Messenger, Social Commerce and more. Facebook iD8 is a two-way dialogue where we have a chance to hear about your experiences, learn about your challenges and roadblocks and, provide an opportunity for you to connect with other members of our shared community that may face similar challenges.”

Emeka Afigbo, Facebook Global Head of Developer Programs is among keynote speakers expected to grace the Nairobi meet.

Source: www.biztechafrica.com

MTN REWARDS CUSTOMERS AT YELLO SOIRÉE

 

Telecommunication giants, MTN Ghana has celebrated its valued customers at the 2019 edition of the Yello Soirée in Accra.

The Soiree, last on the company’s calendar is to show appreciation and deepen relationship with its numerous customers.

The customers were treated to a night of good music and dance as well as series of activities that saw some lucky customers presented with exciting gifts such as iPhone 11 pro, Samsung Galaxy S10 plus, Samsung Note 10 plus and other MTN souvenirs.

Customers who celebrated their birthdays on the day were also surprised with birthday cakes, smartphones, and champagne.

The Customer Relations Executive of MTN Ghana, Mrs. Jemima Kotei Walsh said the Yello Soiree is to thank the customers for keeping them in business.

Also, she said the soirée is an opportunity to seek feedback to enhance their products and services and customer experience.

Mrs. Kotei Walsh stated that, the 19th edition of the Yello Soiree initiated in 2015 has been organized in other cities including Kumasi, Tamale, Takoradi, Ho, Koforidua.

“The feedback has been very positive and we believe our customers and we are very happy to celebrate them” she added.

The MTN Customer Relations Executive noted that, they continue to invest in their network to enhance service and bring great internet experience to their valued customers.

Mrs. Kotei Walsh added that, customers are the central part of MTN’s operations so “once our customers are happy, we are happy”.

Source: myjoyonline.com

MTN, POLICE TO SET UP FORENSIC LABORATORY

 

The Mobile Telecommunication Network (MTN) Ghana, is working closely with the Police to set up a Forensic Laboratory to effectively tackle falsehoods and smear campaigns being promoted on social media networks.

Mr. Abdul-Majeed Rufai, Senior Manager, MTN Mobile Financial Services, Commercial disclosed saying “we are buying equipment to be used for this Laboratory” to help the Police to monitor, detect, track, arrest and publish the names of persons who embark on such campaigns.

Mr Rufai said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of the launching of Mobile Money (MoMo)Poultry Value Chain Project and Exhibition Programme at Dormaa-Ahenkro in the Dormaa Central Municipality of the Bono Region.

The programme was attended by the three Chief Executives of the Dormaa Central Municipal, Dormaa West and East Districts, the leadership of the Poultry Farmers Association at Dormaa-Ahenkro, poultry farmers, traders, traditional rulers, students and the public.

He stated the falsehood being peddled had the tendency to threaten national security because of the potential to create political tension that could lead to election violence, stressing since “election year is fast approaching, culprits will not be spared”.

Mr Rufai explained the setting up of the Laboratory was primarily necessitated by a WhatsApp audio post which went viral, suggesting the Company’s MoMo services were shutdown following the xenophobic attacks which occurred in South Africa about a couple of months ago.

He said that forced MTN to embark on massive public education to sensitise the public and therefore cautioned “our valued customers” about the need to be alert against such negative perceptions created by mischievous persons against the MoMo services and the MTN brand.

“A lot of customers had to queue at the various agent points to withdraw their monies. We were compelled to do education to allay the fears of the public on that false information”, Mr Rufai indicated.

He added the company was determined to win back the confidence of its customers and the public with the quality of its products and services on offer.

“We dished out 10 cars to customers, television sets and lots of money to customers. A company which is down cannot do all these things. MoMo is here to stay” Mr Rufai emphasised.

Source: GNA

VODAFONE HEALTHLINE SAVES 5-YEAR-OLD WITH EYE TUMOUR

Life will never be the same again for a five-year-old and her foster parents after the multiple award-winning TV programme, Vodafone Healthline, gave her another opportunity to see the beautiful things in life.

Sarah Botchway was saved her from an eye tumour.

Similar to previous seasons, the episode featured the touching story of Sarah who was born with a tumour on her left eye.

As part of the programme, Vodafone arranged and paid the full cost involved to enable Sarah to undergo surgery in order to correct the anomaly.

Recounting Sarah’s condition, her foster mother Dede Hammond said, “The stigma associated with Sarah’s condition was so unbearable for her mother; she abandoned her at an early age. After she left, we took Sarah in as our daughter and have gone to great lengths to get her medical support but we are financially challenged.

“We are therefore happy and grateful that Vodafone Healthline came to our rescue. Thank you, Vodafone Ghana.’’

Vodafone Ghana, through its Healthline programme, has supported and transformed the lives of hundreds of Ghanaians who have undergone various surgeries for life-threatening conditions including hydrocephalus, cataract, hernia, fibroids and heart-related problems.

It has also educated and demystified various myths on health-related conditions.

Vodafone Healthline shows on UTV on Mondays at 9 pm; TV3 on Sundays at 3 pm; Adom TV on Saturdays at 8:30 pm; TV Africa on Saturday at 7:30 pm, and on Family TV on Sundays at 8 pm.

Source: myjoyonline.com

 

MTN LAUNCHES DEVICE-FINANCING SCHEME

Partners – MTN- Samsung- Ecobank in a pose after the launch

Ghana’s leading telecommunications company, MTN Ghana, has in partnership with Samsung and Ecobank Ghana (Ghana’s Biggest Universal Bank), launched the “’Pick And Pay Later’ service that is aimed at allowing customers of MTN and Ecobank to own selected Samsung devices and pay in instalments under a special financing scheme by Ecobank.

The “’Pick and Pay Later’ service allows customers of MTN Ghana and Ecobank to purchase selected Samsung devices and pay in installments over a period of 6 to 12 months. As part of this arrangement, customers can own a Samsung Galaxy and pay as low as GHC38.00 cedis a month. In addition, customers will enjoy free MTN data bundles for a period of 6 months.

Speaking at the launch held at the MTN House, the Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Ghana, Noel Kojo-Ganson explained that the service is in response to the growing demand for quality devices with advanced features for enhanced data connectivity.

“Research indicates that Ghana’s year-on-year digital growth as at January 2019 is 11%, and this is expected to increase in the years to come. With this in mind, we have made conscious efforts to create opportunities for many of our customers to access devices that enable them connect to friends and family easily, hence the partnership with Samsung and Ecobank”, Mr. Kojo Ganson said.

He further noted that, the launch of the device financing scheme gives people who want to enhance their digital experience the opportunity to do so without any undue financial stress.

Commenting on the partnership and Samsung’s contribution to making original devices available to MTN subscribers, the Managing Director for Samsung Mr. Eugene Nahm said, “Samsung is committed to providing meaningful innovation and a better mobile experience for all. We are most excited about this partnership because as people change the way they connect with friends, family and even business they need mobile devices that can keep up, and now MTN subscribers will enjoy the best of Samsung Galaxy devices such as the next-level PowerPhone the Galaxy Note 10 through to the Galaxy A series stress-free because finance will no longer be a barrier.”

On his part, the Regional Head of Consumer Banking for Ecobank Ghana and Anglophone West Africa, Mr. Tara Squire said, “Ecobank comes into this partnership with a bouquet of financing arrangements that is structured to suit the varied needs of our customers. One can pick a top of the range Samsung phone or other hand-held Samsung device of choice and pay monthly. We present very flexible, fast, exciting, convenient and cost-effective consumer credit schemes, no matter your budget or salary. Just walk into the nearest MTN shop or any Ecobank Branch and a Relationship Manager or Branch Manager will be ready to assist you. We invite all salaried workers to take advantage of this offer by buying their dream Samsung Phones and paying later over 12 months”.

Working with the conviction that, everyone deserves the benefit of a modern connected life, MTN Ghana has over the past two decades, committed to creating a brand that connects people through telecommunications services while at the same time, keeping customers abreast with technological advancement. Some interventions made by MTN to increase the penetration of Smartphones on its network has been to partner with original equipment manufacturers to provide affordable smartphones for its subscribers.

Source: www.businessghana.com

MTN, IWF LAUNCH CHILD ONLINE PROTECTION INITIATIVE

MTN Group has confirmed its partnership with NGO the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) and the launch of a child online protection initiative.

The operator claims to be the first Africa-wide telecommunications firm to partner with the IWF and the initiative is in line with its ‘we’re good together’ campaign launched in October. The aim of this campaign is to show how partnerships can help accelerate digital inclusion for the good of society.

According to a statement issued by MTN, the membership agreement will offer support services from IWF to MTN. These include alerts to MTN Group if a domain under MTN’s control is found to host child sexual abuse content. Such domains will be blocked automatically.

Using IWF’s confidential reporting portal, MTN encourages its customers and members of the public to safely and anonymously report online Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).

IWF will investigate all reports and work with country partner hotlines or international law enforcement agencies to ensure that confirmed cases of child sexual abuse content on the internet are removed at source, the partners explain.

Rob Shuter, MTN Group chief executive officer and President said, “The free, open nature of information and communication technologies, while benefitting society, unfortunately also creates opportunities for people to develop online relationships with vulnerable children, join communities that harm children, and share sexually-abusive material on children. As MTN is expanding the digital sphere, both on the continent and globally, it is important to us that we ensure that all who are touched by our products and services are impacted positively, including children.”

He added, “Through the partnership, we hope to play our part in the fight against the exploitation of children on the internet and educating children and young people about the safe and responsible usage of ICT. ”

IWF chief executive officer Susie Hargreaves OBE said: “We’re delighted that MTN has chosen to demonstrate their commitment to a safer internet for everyone by becoming a member of the Internet Watch Foundation. It’s only thanks to partnerships like these that we’re able to drive forward our mission to eliminate photos and videos of child sexual abuse from the internet. As the largest mobile operator in Africa, MTN’s alliance with the IWF will significantly impact the spread of criminal imagery across the continent and further afield.”

MTN adds that it is a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact as well as the GSMA Mobile Alliance Against Child Sexual Abuse.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

MICROSOFT CALLS FOR NEW WAVE OF PRIVACY PROTECTION

Microsoft president Brad Smith (pictured) outlined the importance for technology companies in delivering privacy protections to address new challenges raised by the digital era.

He said with a new wave of technology there must also be a “new wave of privacy protection, security protection”, along with measures to safeguard ethics. “We need to recognise as technology moves forward, we need to stop leaving people behind”.

“Today cloud computing is ubiquitous all around the world. It reduced the cost of access to technology, it has led to an explosion in data. We will start the next decade with 25-times as much digital data as we had in 2010”, Smith predicted.

Other trends the executive expects over the next decade include a combination of traditional computing with emerging quantum efforts, and a rise in the number of data centres along with innovations in how data is stored and processed.

“We are going to see 5G become 6G and computing will become ambient, it will be in every device, every corner, every part of our homes”.

Role of AI
In a keynote, Smith addressed concerns around AI, predicting the conversation would move on to address more general deployments of the technology.

He noted “any tool can also become a weapon”, including AI, therefore, companies need to “think as never before about what it means in terms of broader societies”.

“We need to ask what computers shouldn’t do. We are the first generation in the history of humanity who will empower machines to make decisions…If we get it wrong, every generation that follows us will pay a price”, he said.

Smith appealed for technology companies to work more closely with governments to address new challenges around accessibility and environmental sustainability and show the industry is “committed to use technology to solve the world’s problems”.

He cited the use of AI to gather and analyse data to prevent illegal fishing as an example.

Smith also called for the reach of technology to be broadened, noting that more than 20 million Americans still lack broadband access.

Source: mobileworldlive

FCC APPROVES T-MOBILE, SPRINT MERGER

 

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued formal approval for T-Mobile US and Sprint’s proposed merger, confirming it would green light the deal despite opposition from two of its five members.

In a statement, chairman Ajit Pai said the regulator had concluded the deal offered several benefits following a review lasting more than a year. Specifically, the FCC expects the merger to advance US leadership in 5G, help close the broadband gap in rural areas and increase competition.

He noted structural remedies put in place by the FCC would address competitive and pricing concerns.

The announcement of its formal approval followed a vote last month in which commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks objected to the deal.

In a fresh statement, Rosenworcel again blasted the decision, branding the merger “blatantly anticompetitive” and claiming it will “end a golden age in wireless that helped bring to market lower prices and more innovative services”.

Rosenworcel and Starks were among a number of politicians and critics which pressed the FCC to delay its vote to give the public time to comment on conditions imposed by the regulator and the Department of Justice in exchange for approval.

Sprint and T-Mobile still face a lawsuit from 16 attorney generals aiming to block the deal: a court case is due to begin on 9 December.

Source: mobileworldlive