Industry News

Vodafone Group has unveiled a new satellite connectivity service designed to eliminate coverage blackspots across its footprint.

As part of a demonstration ahead of its commercial launch, the operator conducted what it claimed to be the first space-based video call between standard 4G/5G smartphones.

Vodafone engineer Rowan Chesmer placed the call from a remote location in Wales, using AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird LEO satellites to connect with Vodafone Group CEO Margherita Della Valle. Both were using Google Pixel 9 Pro smartphones.

Vodafone aims to be the first operator to offer a commercial direct-to-broadband satellite service, with an initial launch in Europe in 2025 and further coverage expansion across the continent in 2026.

Della Valle said: “This will help to close the digital divide, supporting people from all corners of Europe to keep in touch with family and friends, or work, as well as ensuring reliable rural connectivity in an emergency.”

AST SpaceMobile founder, chairman, and CEO Abel Avellan added: “This latest achievement using our BlueBird satellites takes us one step closer to our mission to eliminate connectivity gaps and make cellular broadband accessible to all.”

Developing Telecoms enquired about potential deployments in Vodafone’s developing markets but received no further details.

Vodafone operates in several emerging markets where coverage gaps remain due to the high cost of infrastructure deployment. Given the revenue potential from unconnected users, it could be argued that accelerating this technology in Africa should be a priority.

According to the GSMA, around 680 million people in Africa remain unconnected, with Sub-Saharan Africa experiencing the largest usage gap.

Source: Manny Pham (Developing Telecoms)

Telecel Ghana’s chief executive, Ing. Patricia Obo-Nai has addressed a high-level gathering of CEO and global leaders at the 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) as a catalyst for sustainability.

The high-profile panel session, organised by Leaders on Purpose & Reuters@ on the theme, AI as a Catalyst for Sustainability explored the potential of AI in driving sustainable growth and transforming industries.

In the conversation moderated by climate, environment and conflict analyst, Nazanine Moshiri, Ing. Obo-Nai shared multiple examples of how AI is transforming connectivity in emerging markets and helping Telecel Ghana optimise its operations while maintaining a focus on environmental and societal impact.

“It is important that we adopt technological enhancements that make us more efficient while protecting the environment in which we operate. We also need to ensure that we are building businesses that are fit for the future. If we build an organization that doesn’t take care of its environment and society then that business will not survive long term.”

Ing. Obo-Nai shared insights into how the connectivity industry can leverage AI to enhance network efficiency and improve customer experience, but most importantly, ensuring these advancements are sustainable.

“The use of AI to predict when maintenance is due, predict hardware failures and reduce service disruptions means less operational challenges, less movement of engineers across sites, efficient energy management leading to less carbon emissions, hence protecting our environment. AI can help to determine locations where we can deploy solar systems as we move to more renewable energy sources.”

Telecel Ghana has incorporated AI to create personalised data and voice packages for customers, regardless of their socio-economic status, furthering inclusivity. Additionally, through the Telecel Foundation’s Connected Learning programme, AI is also being used to introduce over 20,000 children to digital technologies, including robotics, empowering future generations with the skills necessary to thrive in the AI-driven economy.

As part of the conversation about how businesses can thrive amid growing global challenges, Ing. Obo-Nai stressed the importance of building ‘future-fit’ companies.

“To build a resilient business, it’s critical that we meet the needs of today without compromising the future. We need to focus on climate change, resource conservation, and social equity. If society and the environment fail, businesses will fail too.”

Together with other speakers including Andy Poppink, CEO of JLL Global Markets and Mary de Wysocki, Chief Sustainability Officer of Cisco, the discussions explored how technology, sustainability, and equity intersect in shaping the future of the global economy.

Source: Telecel Ghana

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) opened separate investigations into Apple and Google to assess both companies’ mobile ecosystems, taking aim at OSes, app stores and browsers.

In a statement, the UK regulator explained the probes will explore whether the duo’s mobile activities should be subject to tougher scrutiny, looking into the impact on people who use the platforms and on developers which create apps and services.

The CMA stated it would assess the extent of competition within both mobile ecosystems; what barriers may be in place to prevent competitors from offering rival products; Apple and Google’s market power in favouring their own apps and services; and if the two companies are providing fair terms to app developers.

The probe is the second to fall under the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, which came into force this month and allows the CMA to designate a small group of companies as having “strategic market status”.

Last week, it opened its first case under the act against Google over its search and advertising practices.

Sarah Cardell, chief executive of the CMA, said OSes, apps and browsers act as a gateway to the digital world, and more competitive mobile ecosystems “could foster new innovations and new opportunities across a range of services”.

Interested parties can submit comments before 12 February and the CMA plans to complete the investigation by 22 October.

More than two years ago, the CMA launched a separate investigation into Apple and Google’s mobile web browsers and cloud gaming activities, after finding they were hampering competition.

Source: Mobile World Live

Google struck a deal to acquire a part of HTC’s extended reality (XR) unit for $250 million, adding to a $1.1 billion purchase of a portion of the Taiwanese company’s smartphone business in 2017.

In a short announcement, Google explained it was “accelerating the Android XR platform” through the agreement, after investing in the technology for more than a decade.

As part of the deal, an undisclosed number of HTC Vive’s engineering team will move over to Google, working with its team to expand the XR platform across the headset and glasses ecosystem.

The pair stated they will also explore additional collaboration opportunities.

HTC’s VP and general counsel, Lu Chia-te, told Reuters it had granted IP rights to Google as a non-exclusive licence, and it retained the ability to use it and “even develop it without any restrictions”.

The deal, which is expected to close before the end of Q1, marks the second major tie-up between the companies.

Google announced a deal to acquire HTC’s R&D team that developed the Pixel smartphone line eight years ago. As part of the deal, around 4,000 HTC staff joined Google.

Source: Mobile World Live

MTN, Uganda’s largest telecom operator, has partnered with Huawei to help address the key network security challenges faced by the country’s businesses in digital transformation.

The partnership allows MTN to offer Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions based on network security convergence and unified cloud platform management.

Uganda’s internet penetration has grown rapidly in recent years, reaching 20 million users in 2023, with the government identifying digital transformation as a key driver for achieving middle-income status. In this context, network security has emerged as an important area of focus.

“The network security barrier has been stretched,” said Ibrahim Senyonga, General Manager for Enterprise Business at MTN Uganda. ” Given the rapid pace of migration to cloud, enterprise service data access needs have increased, local breakout becomes normal.”

Local businesses have struggled to defend against mounting security threats, a challenge compounded by a severe skills shortage. “Both basic skills and digital skills are easily Uganda’s greatest challenge in building an inclusive digital economy,” the United Nations Capital Development Fund said in a 2021 report.

Uganda is investing in digital upskilling, but businesses need immediate protection. As the country’s leading telecom provider, MTN was uniquely positioned to address this challenge.

“We had an innate advantage in providing network security services to our customers,” Senyonga said. However, MTN knew any solution needed to balance robust protection with simplicity for the region’s nascent digital economy.

The telecom giant selected Huawei’s SASE, which integrates networking and security functions into a single system, balancing simplicity with state-of-the-art protection.

“Through joint innovation with Huawei, SASE offers several key benefits,” said Senyonga. “It enhances security by protecting users and devices through a unified solution, simplifies management by integrating multiple tools into one system, and increases cost efficiency by reducing hardware and maintenance expenses.”

Implementation will begin across Uganda immediately, following a launch ceremony at the 2024 Ultra-Broadband Forum in Istanbul last month.

The partnership aligns with MTN’s broader strategy to expand beyond traditional connectivity offerings. The operator now offers services across five main areas: unified communications, IoT, managed network services, cloud and security.

Senyonga is confident about the market’s response to MTN’s network security solutions, and with good reason. McKinsey estimates the global cybersecurity market could reach $2 trillion, creating opportunities for telecom operators who can leverage their existing networks to provide protection services.

“MTN has evolved from being a ‘Telco’ to a ‘Techco,'” Senyonga said. “Huawei enables us to deliver faster, safer, easier-to-manage and more affordable network solutions, empowering enterprises to thrive.”

Looking ahead, MTN Uganda plans to expand into underserved markets and develop more localized security solutions. “We plan to expand our reach by building partnerships with key stakeholders, including government entities, to create an environment conducive to digital transformation,” he added.

Source: telecoms.com

The Child-In-Tech Conference 2025, held on January 24th at the St Giles Center in East Airport, brought together over 500 young attendees to explore the world of technology and its potential.

The event, designed to inspire and educate children about technology, featured a diverse lineup of speakers, mentors, and exhibitors, with support from major sponsors like MTN and TapTap Send.

The conference kicked off with a welcome address from the CEO of Child-In-Tech, Akua Otubea Essah, who emphasized the significance of introducing children to technology at an early age. “We believe that by exposing children to technology, we can inspire them to become the next generation of tech leaders and innovators,” she said.

Guest speaker Dr. Rose-Mary Owusuaa Gyening delivered a keynote on the societal impact of technology. While she acknowledged the many benefits, such as improved access to education and healthcare, she also cautioned the children about potential risks, including cyberbullying and online harassment. “As you explore the world of technology, remember to always be responsible and respectful online,” Dr. Rose-Mary advised.

An interactive session with Mr. Darryl Mawutor Abraham, Growth Director-Africa at TapTap Send, followed. Mr. Abraham demonstrated the application of artificial intelligence (AI) across various industries, including healthcare, finance, and transportation. He emphasized AI’s potential to address global challenges like climate change and poverty, stating, “AI is a powerful tool that can be used to make our lives better, but it’s up to us to use it responsibly.”

Representatives from MTN were also present, providing valuable insights into the company’s role in connecting millions across Ghana. They highlighted how MTN’s technological innovations and customer service shape the telecommunications landscape. “At MTN, we’re committed to using technology to make a positive impact on people’s lives,” they remarked.

Renowned journalist Bernard Avle offered a motivational speech, urging the children to stay committed to their dreams. “Believe in yourself, stay focused, and always be willing to learn,” Mr. Avle said, encouraging the young attendees to pursue their passions with dedication.

The event also featured an exhibit space where 10 organizations showcased the latest technology trends and innovations. Children were given the chance to engage with the exhibits, ask questions, and discover new tech concepts. The event was described as a resounding success, not only in educating the children but in demonstrating the power of collaboration between the community, mentors, and the sponsors.

“I never knew technology could be so cool! I want to learn more about coding and robotics,” said a 12-year-old boy attending the event, reflecting the enthusiasm of the young audience. A 10-year-old girl shared her inspiration, saying, “I was inspired by the women who spoke at the conference. They showed me that girls can be tech leaders too.”

The conference was made possible through the support of sponsors like MTN and TapTap Send. Mr. Richard Densu of MTN Ghana remarked, “We are proud to support initiatives that promote technology education and innovation among young people. We believe that technology has the power to transform lives and communities, and we are committed to helping Ghana develop a vibrant tech ecosystem.”

The event concluded with a call to action, urging the children to continue exploring and learning about technology. Organizers also announced future conferences, including “Chocolate-With/Tech,” “Boys-Tech-World,” “Girls-Tech-World,” and technology quiz sessions, all aimed at further engaging young minds in the world of tech.

Reflecting on the significance of the event, Mr. Darryl Abraham expressed optimism for the future, saying, “The future of technology in Ghana is bright, and it’s up to us to nurture and support the next generation of tech leaders. Events like the Child-In-Tech Conference are crucial in inspiring and educating our young people about the possibilities of technology.”

Source: Graphic online