Industry News

Helios Towers Plc (LON:HTWS) reported fourth-quarter results that exceeded expectations across new additions, profits and free cash flow, according to a Thursday report from Jefferies.

The telecommunications infrastructure company delivered revenue growth of 5.9% year-over-year in the quarter, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization increased 15% year-over-year. Recurring free cash flow grew 2.4% in the period.

For the full year 2025, Helios posted free cash flow of approximately $66 million on a last-12-months basis, representing a 249% increase year-over-year. The company beat EBITDA estimates by roughly 40 basis points and exceeded recurring free cash flow projections by about 17%.

Helios added 413 tenancies in the fourth quarter, consisting of 125 sites and 288 colocations. The additions brought the company’s tenancy ratio to 2.2 times for fiscal 2025, up 0.1 times year-over-year. Return on invested capital reached 13.5% for the year.

For 2026, Helios provided guidance targeting organic net tenancy additions of 2,000 to 2,500, compared to company consensus of 2,301. The company expects adjusted EBITDA of $510 million to $525 million, versus consensus estimates of $520.3 million.

Discretionary capital expenditure is projected at $110 million to $140 million, with a midpoint of $125 million. This represents an increase from consensus expectations of $162.2 million for total capex. 

Jefferies noted the higher capex reflects continued strong customer demand and supports growth forecasts.

Recurring free cash flow guidance stands at $210 million to $225 million, compared to consensus of $207.1 million.

Helios plans to execute a $51 million share buyback in 2026, representing the remaining balance of a previously announced $75 million program. The company also guided for a fiscal year dividend of $25 million.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Using powerful AI to generate exciting stock ideas, it looks beyond popularity to assess fundamentals, momentum, and valuation. The AI has no bias—it simply identifies which stocks offer the best risk-reward based on current data with notable past winners that include Super Micro Computer (+185%) and AppLovin (+157%). 

Want to know if HTWS is currently featured in any ProPicks AI strategies, or if there are better opportunities in the same space?

Source : za.investing.com

Ghana’s leading telecommunication company, MTN, has introduced yet another innovative experience that allows customers to do a SIM swap conveniently without any hindrance.

An innovation that is expected to redefine customers’ experience.

According to MTN Ghana, “SIM swap remains a major reason customers engage with the company, both digitally and in person. On average, the company processes about 250,000 SIM swaps at customer service centres every month”.

At the launch of the ‘Self-service SIM Swap’ in Kasoa in the Central Region of Ghana, the Senior Manager of MTN Ghana in charge of the Southwest Business District, Prince Owusu Nyarko, indicated that the company recognised the inconvenience the SIM swap issue had caused customers.

“For many years, SIM swap has required customers to visit our service centres or raise a request online for assistance. Today, that has changed. We are proud to give our customers the freedom to complete this essential service conveniently, securely and independently from wherever they are, without the need to travel or queue at a service centre”, Prince Owusu Nyarko explained.

At MTN Ghana, we believe in innovating and delivering services that enhance the experience of our customers. That is why today, with great pride, we officially announce the nationwide launch of our Self-Service SIM Swap,” he emphasised.

The Senior Manager for the Southwest Business District further stated that the company had earlier conducted a pilot using the MTN App and USSD channels from October last year through January this year, and in just four months, over 18,000 customers completed SIM swaps on their own or via assisted options.

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with customers praising the convenience, speed, and control this solution offers,” he added.

Prince Owusu Nyarko stressed that beyond convenience, security remained central to the innovation.

“Our self-service SIM Swap uses advanced biometric facial verification, ensuring that only the rightful owner can request a swap. This significantly reduces fraud and protects against risks associated with cloned or compromised ID cards, giving our customers true peace of mind”.

He stressed that “today’s launch represents a bold transformation in how we serve our customers. It delivers freedom from Long queues and extended waiting times. Customers can swap their SIM at any time, whether their device is lost, stolen, or damaged. SIM swaps can be completed whether you are in or outside Ghana.

He continued that, “the innovation empowers customers to take full control of their accounts-securely, seamlessly, and instantly”.

“Our vision is clear. With this rollout, we aim to reduce reliance on agent-assisted SIM swaps, both in-store and online, deliver a seamless, secure and consistent experience for every customer and shift the customer journey from starting in a queue to starting with you”.

With this new process, customers will enjoy clear benefits of 24/7 convenience and time savings, Rapid service restoration, minimising downtime after device loss, enhanced protection against fraud, through secure, digital authentication, among others.

The Kasoa District Police Commander, ASP Edward Dante Aboagye, who addressed the gathering, lauded MTN Ghana for the innovation, stressing it would enhance the work of the police in cases involving SIM fraud.

Source : www.myjoyonline.com

MTN Group has completed a successful direct-to-cell satellite trial in Zambia using technology from Starlink, marking a step toward commercial satellite-to-mobile connectivity in the country.

The trial, conducted by MTN Zambia, enabled a mobile device to connect directly to Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellite network, supporting activities such as internet browsing and a fintech transaction. The service could be launched commercially in the coming weeks, subject to regulatory approval.

The initiative aims to help close network coverage gaps, particularly in remote and sparsely populated areas where building traditional telecom infrastructure such as towers and fibre is costly.

MTN has been exploring satellite-to-mobile connectivity to extend coverage, following a previous trial conducted with Lynk Global. The approach leverages low-Earth orbit satellites, which offer improved speeds and lower latency compared to traditional satellite systems.

The latest trial was conducted in collaboration with Zambia’s Ministry of Technology and Science and the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority.

source : www.businessday.co.za

A consortium led by Ericsson has launched the €5.4 million VICTOR6G research initiative to develop real-time virtualization solutions for industrial 6G applications over the next three years. The project is supported by €4.3 million in public funding from the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space.

The consortium includes partners such as SEW‑EURODRIVE, Adaept Engineering, IKADO, Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT, RWTH Aachen University, TU Dortmund University, and TU Dresden University, with Airbus as an associated partner.

The initiative focuses on integrating wired and wireless network solutions to support low-latency industrial applications such as cloud-controlled robots and inspection drones in the industrial metaverse. Key research areas include digital twins for real-time system representation, flexible use of frequency bands such as the 7–15 GHz range, and wireless extensions of Time Sensitive Networking (TSN).

Project outcomes will be tested through simulations, laboratory validation, and real-world trials at industry facilities and the 5G Industry Campus Europe, with the aim of accelerating the adoption of scalable 6G technologies for industrial use.

source : www.techafricanews.com

At Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, Yang Chaobin, CEO of the ICT Business Group at Huawei, urged the ICT industry to accelerate the deployment of 5G-Advanced (5G-A) and expand spectrum use to support the growing demands of artificial intelligence.

Yang noted that the rapid rise of AI applications is driving new network requirements, including ultra-high bandwidth, low latency, and secure connectivity to support real-time data exchange between devices and cloud systems. He emphasized the need to utilize new spectrum resources such as the U6GHz band and transition networks from being primarily downlink-focused to supporting stronger uplink capacity.

He described 5G-A as a key bridge toward future 6G development, with global 6G standards expected by 2029. The technology is already deployed in more than 300 cities worldwide and is expected to enable faster speeds, improved IoT connectivity, and enhanced support for AI-driven services.

Yang also highlighted the global digital divide, noting that about 300 million people still lack mobile coverage. He said innovative and cost-effective connectivity solutions, including Huawei’s RuralStar technology, are helping expand digital access in underserved communities across multiple countries.

source : www.eqs-news.com

Ghana’s Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has announced that Cabinet has approved a fresh SIM registration exercise following a review of the previous process.

Speaking at a meeting with the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and the National Communications Authority (NCA), the Minister indicated that the new exercise will be a complete reset aimed at restoring credibility and strengthening security in subscriber registration.

Key measures outlined include the designation of the NCA as the central repository for SIM registration data, mandatory biometric verification, and the introduction of a Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) to enable cross-network blocking of stolen or fraud-linked devices. A revised legislative instrument is also being prepared to regulate the exercise.

The timeline for the new registration exercise has not yet been announced. The previous nationwide SIM registration drive was conducted in 2021 but faced challenges including weak biometric enforcement, data inconsistencies, and instances of registration fraud.

Source: www.telecompaper.com

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Sylvia Owusu-Ankomah, is admonishing that lessons from previous SIM registration exercises must guide the upcoming new exercise to avoid consumer frustration and operational challenges.

Her comments follow the Cabinet’s approval for Ghana to undertake another nationwide SIM registration exercise, which will be the third major subscriber registration effort in the country.

In a Citi Business News interview, Sylvia Owusu-Ankomah indicated that the telecom industry has already been informed of the government’s intention during engagements with the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, and the National Communications Authority.

She said the Ghana Telecoms Chamber has also provided input into the review of the regulatory framework that will govern the exercise.

According to her, the legislative framework underpinning the new registration exercise must be reviewed and concluded with parliamentary input to ensure the process is robust and properly structured before implementation begins.

She noted that while mobile network operators are supportive of efforts to strengthen subscriber identification systems, it is important that the implementation plan addresses past difficulties experienced in previous exercises.

“We will support governments to ensure that Ghana maintains a robust ID system. However, we want to ensure that the process is transparent, that it is mindful of the challenges we have had with previous subscriber registration in order not to make it chaotic and uncomfortable for consumers.

“We have seen in the past where there were long queues and a lot of consumer frustration that comes with SIM registration.

“The minister is quite clear in his mind and in his mandate to the NCA that we should try and avoid that happening again. So to that extent, the chamber is open to working with the NCA on an implementation plan that would, you know, address those concerns. However, as I mentioned, we first need the legislative instrument to be passed,” she said.

While discussions on the operational framework are ongoing, the Telecoms Chamber says it is still too early to determine the financial implications of the exercise.

Sylvia Owusu-Ankomah explained that clarity on costs will depend on the roadmap and implementation guidelines that will be provided once the relevant legislative instrument is passed and stakeholder engagements commence.

“To be fair, to the extent that we haven’t commenced the implementation and we haven’t counted the cost, it’s quite premature to make any pronouncements on where the cost sits for this exercise. What we have committed to is to work closely with the NCA and the ministry to ensure that we have an implementation roadmap that is as, you know, smooth and as non-intrusive to our consumers as possible.

“One that avoids the queues, one that ensures that we are able to do this in a much more robust manner than has been done in the past.

“However, as we speak, we are yet to have, you know, a full roadmap and real transparency around what costs are involved here. These are preliminary conversations, so we do hope that by the time the LI is passed and the NCA convenes an implementation or a kickoff meeting, we will have a lot more clarity around what costs are involved in this new registration and a decision taken with regard to how that will be funded. But there will definitely be the economics that we will not be able to wish off and we need to address,” she stated.

source : www.citinewsroom.com

The National Communications Authority (NCA) has announced a fresh nationwide SIM re-registration exercise aimed at addressing irregularities from previous registration processes and improving the integrity of subscriber data.

Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko explained that this will be Ghana’s third official SIM registration exercise. The initiative seeks to ensure that all mobile subscribers are properly identified and verified using credible national identification systems, correcting weaknesses observed in earlier exercises, including the use of fake IDs or mismatched personal information.

The NCA emphasizes that the new process will establish a reliable verification system to strengthen regulatory oversight and enhance the accuracy of subscriber information, ultimately supporting a more secure and transparent telecommunications sector in Ghana.

Source: myjoyonline.com

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe and Ericsson have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to design, test, and deploy next-generation mobile services in Zimbabwe, incorporating AI, 5G-advanced, and enhanced network security.

The collaboration, announced at MWC26, will focus on AI-driven radio access network optimization, energy-efficient network evolution, network slicing, IoT-enabled services, and exposed network APIs. These initiatives aim to enhance network performance, reliability, and user experience while supporting Zimbabwe’s national sustainability goals.

The partnership will also contribute to wider digital inclusion and improved services across sectors such as education, healthcare, and enterprise digitalization, aligning with Zimbabwe’s ICT Policy 2022–2027. Building on over 20 years of collaboration, Ericsson will continue to support Econet’s infrastructure growth with energy-efficient LTE and 5G solutions, advanced connectivity, and automation.

Source: developingtelecoms.com

MTN Group and Safaricom have been ranked among the world’s top 10 strongest telecom brands, according to a recent report by Brand Finance. Safaricom placed fifth with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 88, while MTN Group ranked sixth with a score of 87.3, with both earning AAA brand strength ratings.

The rankings reflect strong consumer trust, reliability, and loyalty built through consistent investment in network infrastructure, digital services, and customer experience. Safaricom’s leadership in Kenya and its mobile money platform, M-Pesa, along with expansion into Ethiopia, have reinforced its regional brand strength. MTN Group’s extensive footprint serving over 300 million subscribers across Africa and the Middle East, combined with growing digital and fintech services, has strengthened its consumer perception.

Analysts note that these rankings demonstrate the growing influence and relevance of African telecom brands in the global market. Other African operators, such as Vodacom and Orange, also maintain strong global brand presence, highlighting the continent’s expanding role in the digital economy.

Source: techafricanews.com