GSMA Confirms End-to-End Encryption for RCS, Enabling Secure Cross-Platform Messaging

GSMA

The GSM Association (GSMA) has formally announced support for end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for securing messages sent via the Rich Communications Services (RCS) protocol, bringing much-needed security protections to cross-platform messages shared between Android and iOS platforms.

To that end, the new GSMA specifications for RCS include E2EE based on the Messaging Layer Security (MLS) protocol via what’s called the RCS Universal Profile 3.0.

“The new specifications define how to apply MLS within the context of RCS,” Tom Van Pelt, technical director of GSMA, said. “These procedures ensure that messages and other content such as files remain confidential and secure as they travel between clients.”

This also means that RCS will be the first “large-scale messaging service” to have support for interoperable E2EE between different client implementations from different providers in the near future.

It’s worth noting that Google’s own implementation of RCS, used in the Messages app for Android, secures conversations using the Signal protocol to address the lack of built-in E2EE protections. That said, the encryption safeguards are currently limited to messages exchanged via the app, and not those exchanged with the iOS Messages users or users of other RCS clients on Android.

The development comes nearly six months after the GSMA said it was working towards implementing end-to-end encryption (E2EE) to secure messages sent between the Android and iOS ecosystems. The move followed Apple’s decision to roll out support for RCS in its own Messages app with iOS 18.

In July 2023, Google revealed that it intends to add support for MLS to its Messages service and open-source implementation of the specification.

“RCS continues to support a range of interoperable messaging functions between iOS and Android users, such as group messaging, the ability to share high-resolution media, and see read receipts and typing indicators,” Van Pelt said.

When reached for comment, Google said, “We’ve always been committed to providing a secure messaging experience, and Google Messages users have had end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) RCS messaging for years. We’re excited to have this updated specification from GSMA and work as quickly as possible with the mobile ecosystem to implement and extend this important user protection to cross-platform RCS messaging.”

Source: The Hacker News

Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, EMIs Chamber of Ghana congratulate appointed Chairpersons

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he Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and the Electronic Money Issuers (EMIs) Chamber of Ghana have congratulated the newly appointed Chairpersons and members of the Information and Communications Committee and the Finance Committee of Parliament.

Mr Bandim Abed-Nego Azumah is the appointed Chairperson of the Information and Communications Committee of Parliament and Mr Isaac Adongo, the appointed Chairperson of the Finance Committee of Parliament.

This was indicated in a press release signed by Mr Louis Bobbie Osei, Regulatory and Research Manager, of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and the Electronic Money Issuers (EMIs) Chamber of Ghana and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Koforidua.

He said as Ghana accelerates its digital transformation, the work of these two committees becomes increasingly urgent and their decisions will be critical in shaping policies that directly impact the Telecommunications and Digital Finance industries.

The two Chambers urge both committees to prioritize strategic policies and legislative support in these industries to accelerate Ghana’s economic growth and development.

Mr Osei, said the Telecommunications and Digital Finance sectors are not just industries but enablers of economic prosperity, financial inclusion, and national development.

Telecommunications powers Ghana’s digital economy, connecting businesses, communities, and government services, and digital Finance is revolutionizing transactions, expanding financial access, and driving innovation in commerce and entrepreneurship, he noted.

He said, “for Ghana to fully realize its economic and digital potential, these sectors must be supported through progressive policies, investment-friendly regulations, and infrastructure development.”

He recommended that, the Information and Communications and Finance Committees must ensure a policy environment that encourages investment and innovation in telecommunications and digital finance.

He said the committees must support regulatory frameworks that drive financial inclusion, improve digital security, and expand broadband access.

The committees must work with industry stakeholders to eliminate barriers to infrastructure development and technological advancement.

Other recommendations were that the committees must lead policy and laws to protect telecommunication infrastructure, and champion policies that reduce the cost of doing business in these industries to promote affordability and accessibility for all Ghanaians.

Mr Osei, said the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and the EMIs Chamber of Ghana are committed to working closely with both committees.

This collaboration will ensure that the right policies, regulations, and industry collaborations are in place to drive sustainable growth, job creation, and a digitally inclusive Ghana, and the committees can be reassured of our unwavering support and commitment, he stated.

He emphasised that the two Chambers look forward to engaging with the leadership and members of both committees in the near future to discuss strategic partnerships and actionable solutions that will position Ghana as a leader in telecommunications, digital payments, and technological advancement.

Source: GNA

Ethiopia continues efforts to strengthen startup ecosystem

Ethiopia

The Ethiopian government plans to create a digital platform to facilitate the emergence of startups and make them more competitive internationally. Announced on Tuesday, March 11, the initiative is part of the government’s efforts in recent months to strengthen the national startup ecosystem.

In January 2024, the government signed an agreement with the Global Innovation Initiative Group (GIIG), a technology entity based in Port Louis, Mauritius. More recently, in January 2025, the government signed a €4.5 million (USD 4.6 million) funding agreement to foster the emergence of startups and accelerate the adoption of digital services.

This ambition of the authorities is aligned with the national digital transformation strategy “Digital Ethiopia 2025.” Through this roadmap, the Ethiopian government intends to harness digital opportunities across all sectors to transform the country into a knowledge- and innovation-driven economy. According to the GSMA, digital technology could contribute up to 1.3 trillion Ethiopian birr (approximately USD 10.1 billion) to the national GDP by 2028.

However, the GSMA emphasises that the government must improve access to capital and the business environment. Despite notable strengths such as a large population, a large market, and a skilled workforce, challenges remain. A 2023 study indicates that 25% of agri-tech and health-tech startups rate the business environment as very favourable, while nearly 30% rate it as average and 20% describe it as unfavourable. In a global comparison, Addis Ababa’s ecosystem ranks 328th out of 1,000 cities, according to StartupBlink’s “Startup Ecosystem Report 2024.”

The development of the startup ecosystem will also depend on internet access in the country. This technology is essential for both businesses and the populations targeted by digital services. In 2023, the GSMA estimated that 100 million people in Ethiopia would lack access to mobile internet, out of a total population estimated at 128.7 million by the World Bank.

Source: Extensia

Nigeria to Build 7,000 Telecom Towers to Bridge Connectivity Gap

Telecom

The Nigerian government has announced plans to build 7,000 telecom towers across rural areas to improve connectivity. Speaking at the International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit in Abuja, Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, confirmed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the initiative as part of a broader effort to close the digital divide.

The government also plans to strengthen subsea cable systems and continue the deployment of 90,000 km of fiber-optic cables. Tijani emphasized the importance of providing quality telecom services, particularly to underserved areas, aligning with the administration’s focus on digital inclusion and economic growth.

The summit, organized by Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications, ITU, and ICPC, brought together global delegates who pledged to boosting subsea cable resilience through international cooperation and investment. Minister Tijani reaffirmed Nigeria’s central role in shaping global efforts to protect digital infrastructure and enhance resilience.

Source: Extensia

Flutterwave gets Ghana approval to offer inward remittances

Flutterwave

Flutterwave, an African payments technology company, said yesterday it has received approval from Ghana’s Central Bank to provide inward remittance services.

This development, according to the business, reinforces Flutterwave’s aim to simplify payments across Africa.

In announcing the development, Flutterwave stated that Ghana’s financial sector is fast growing, with high mobile phone penetration and a vibrant mobile money ecosystem.

Remarkably, it continued, 60% of foreign exchange is received through mobile money platforms, demonstrating the critical role they play in the financial lives of Ghanaians.

Beyond mobile money, areas such as insurtech, lend-tech, and buy now, pay later are expanding rapidly, creating a vibrant and diverse fintech environment, according to the business.

Furthermore, Flutterwave stated that the Bank of Ghana’s supportive regulatory framework and the Ghana Digital Agenda have created an attractive market for fintech innovation.

According to Flutterwave, the latest approval is consistent with these trends, guaranteeing that Ghanaians can benefit from rapid, secure, and cost-effective remittance services.

Olugbenga Agboola, founder and CEO of Flutterwave, commented on the milestone: “Remittances play a vital role in the Ghanaian economy, and our goal is to make the process as seamless as possible for Ghanaians in the diaspora looking to send money home.”

Oluwabankole Falade, chief regulatory and government affairs officer at Flutterwave, added: “We are grateful to the Bank of Ghana for their support and look forward to expanding our services in the country.”

Source: Extensia

Zambia Looks to Public-Private Partnership to Optimize Digital Infrastructure

Zambia

The Zambian government wants to work with the private sector to strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure, recognizing its crucial role in accelerating technological advancements and driving economic growth. The initiative is expected to improve government services.

Percy Chinyama, National Coordinator of the Smart Zambia Digital Transformation Institute, discussed partnership opportunities in this area with a delegation from Airtel Africa. It was led by Oliver Fortuin, CEO of Airtel Business Africa, and Lindiwe Banda, Chief Business Officer of Airtel Zambia. The government did not specify what infrastructure it plans to partner with the private sector on. However, it could include telecom towers, fibre optics, data centres, etc.

Currently, the United Nations has given a score of 0.5088 out of 1 on the telecom infrastructure index that is part of the e-Government Development Index (EGDI). Furthermore, the government highlights deficits in the national digital infrastructure in the “National Digital Transformation Strategy 2023–2027.”.

These include limited investment in rural areas. This contrasts with a duplication of infrastructure, such as fiber optic networks, observed in urban areas. According to data from the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA), only 83 of the country’s 116 districts have fiber optic points of presence.

Furthermore, the executive believes that Zambia’s current infrastructure is not suited to emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and the exploitation of big data. For example, most telecom sites are still on 2G, a technology with limited capacities, hampering the development of the digital sector in a rapidly changing technological environment.

Strengthening telecom infrastructure could accelerate Zambia’s digital transformation, with the country scoring 0.5424 out of 1 on the UN e-Government Development Index, ranking 130 out of 193, below the global average of 0.6382. However, low internet adoption remains a barrier to people’s participation in the digital economy. According to the ITU, Zambia’s internet penetration rate was 31.2%, with a population estimated at 20.7 million by the World Bank in 2023.

Source: Agency EcoFin

Apple to revamp user interfaces across device line-up

Apple

Apple reportedly planned a major overhaul of its operating software to update the interfaces across its iPhone, iPad and Mac devices to create a more consistent look and feel.

Bloomberg reported the updates are scheduled for later this year and will include new versions of its menus, apps, icons, windows and system buttons.

The news agency’s unnamed sources stated the project is working to simplify the way users control and navigate across their devices.

The new design will be “loosely based” on the Vision Pro headset software, according to Bloomberg.

The new interfaces are slated for iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16.

Bloomberg noted the new software will be the most significant upgrade to the Mac since 2020 while the revamp for iPhones is the largest since iOS 7 in 2013.

The changes could be announced during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

Creating the new interfaces could kick-start an increase in sales for Apple. The tech giant’s smartphone revenue in fiscal Q1 2025 (the period to 28 December 2024) was $69.1 billion, flat year-on-year. Sales in China fell by 11.1 per cent to $18.5 billion.

As of Q1, Apple had over 2.35 billion active devices in use around the world.

Source: Mobile World Live

Google eyes tie-up to power smart glasses

Google

Google reportedly entered talks to acquire Canadian eye-tracking start-up AdHawk Microsystems for $115 million as part of efforts to upgrade its smart glasses and augmented reality (AR) headsets.

According to Bloomberg, the proposed deal includes $15 million in conditional payments tied to the start-up meeting specific performance milestones. The tech giant is in the final stages of negotiations, with the deal reportedly expected to close by the end of the week.

AdHawk Microsystems provides its advanced technology to manufacturers, enabling precise eye tracking without traditional cameras. The company develops low-power components that analyze corneal and pupil movements faster and with higher accuracy than competing sensors.

The start-up is supported by the venture arms of companies including Samsung, Intel, HP, and Sony Group. Additionally, EssilorLuxottica, the owner of Ray-Ban and Meta’s partner in smart glasses, is also an investor.

If completed, the acquisition would bring AdHawk Microsystems’ eye-tracking technology under Google’s umbrella, providing a boost to its AR and VR offerings.

Google launched its Glass smart glasses headset more than a decade ago but discontinued the device range in 2023 after it struggled to gain widespread adoption.

Since then, the company has explored a potential return to the market and ramped up its investment in AR and VR, highlighting advancements in AI as a driver for renewed interest in the technology.

In December 2024, the company launched Android XR, a dedicated operating system for immersive devices. Meanwhile, in early 2025, it acquired parts of HTC’s XR division, acquiring more engineers and intellectual assets to accelerate development.

Source: Mobile World Live

Google Cloud, Infovista team on RF network planning

Google

Google Cloud and network software vendor Infovista partnered to provide smaller operators across North America with a platform to lower the cost of designing RF networks.

Infovista is integrating Google Cloud’s propagation API with its Planet network planning suite to reduce the complexity and cost of wireless network design.

The cloud-based propagation API calculates radio signal paths using Google geodata, including terrain, building, and tree models.

Google Cloud stated its specialized wireless propagation models are optimized for North American wireless landscapes.

Infovista’s Planet service uses AI and ML, live data sources, and 3D simulation technologies to scheme the radio network designs.

It stated the collaboration includes an improved total cost of ownership (TCO) approach for network planning, reducing upfront investment and ongoing operational expenses while also providing continuously updated geodata and propagation models.

The collaboration targets network planners at North America-based Tier 2 and Tier 3 mobile network operators, managed service providers, and private networks. It includes pre-calibrated models ready for immediate use.

Infovista CEO Rick Hamilton said the partnership “is particularly crucial as the industry expands CBRS deployments, accelerates fixed wireless access rollouts, and embraces private networks.”.

It replaces Google’s network planning tool that was discontinued earlier this year.

Source: Mobile World Live

MTN SA engages EFF to shape the telecoms industry

MTN

The MTN SA executive committee met with the leadership of the political party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Johannesburg yesterday to explore ways to transform the telecoms sector to be more inclusive.

MTN SA CEO Charles Molapisi revealed the meeting on LinkedIn, stating: “Today, alongside the MTN South Africa exco and our group chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer, we had a robust discussion with the EFF leadership, led by CIC Julius Malema.”

He went on to say the focus is to discuss industry matters, including creating more opportunities for youth and women’s empowerment.

“Great to have these open conversations that drive progress,” he said.

The EFF revealed on social media that its officials, led by party leader Julius Malema, met with the executive leadership of telecoms company MTN South Africa.

The party said: “The meeting reflected on the necessary development in the telecommunications industry in South Africa, including provision of infrastructure in needy areas and areas of opportunity and threat to the market and local industries.”

Source: IT Web