Telecoms
From telco data wars, to 5G, Techpoint Africa brings you the latest update on connectivity, telecom companies, Internet service providers, Internet infrastructure among others.
Top stories
MTN Group and Huawei have officially launched the Technology Innovation Lab in South Africa, which aims to improve connectivity in remote areas while increasing the development and adoption of innovative technology.
South African telco Seacom has launched a low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite service in South Africa. This move comes two months after the company experienced a subsea cable system outage lasting over 48 hours in the Red Sea region.
A few days after announcing that it would disconnect subscribers using its roaming service in Zimbabwe, Starlink has warned that users outside of unlicensed locations would have their service turned off by the end of April 2024.
MTN MoMo has expanded to 10 new countries and 25 wallet corridors for a 4% launch fee. This comes after Mastercard committed to investing $200 million in MTN Group fintech in February 2024.
Vodacom Tanzania has acquired Smile Communication Tanzania Limited for TZS 68.8 billion ($27.4 million) on a debt-free, cash-free basis to accelerate the rollout of its 4G and 5G network services.
Niger and Togo may enter into a bilateral free-roaming agreement to facilitate electronic communication services between the two countries.
Airtel Africa has purchased 8.6 million ordinary shares from Citigroup as part of a $100 million buyback programme that began on March 1, 2024.
Following two months of Internet blackouts in Sudan, mobile network service providers have partially regained coverage in the war-torn country.
Three months after Zimbabwe’s telecom regulator banned Starlink, users there have developed new ways to elude law enforcement by concealing the satellite Internet kits in plain sight.
MultiChoice Nigeria was allegedly defrauded of ₦7.9 billion in a foreign currency exchange. A court-ordered summary judgment will assist MultiChoice in recovering the full amount plus interest.
A month after landing 2Africa’s 45,000-kilometre subsea cable system in Akwa Ibom, MainOne has announced a partnership with the state government to provide high-speed connectivity.
The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PTECSSAN) plans to begin an indefinite strike on April 4, 2024, to protest anti-labour practices, which could lead to Internet disruption in the country.
South Africa’s Competition Commission has given Blue Label Telecoms approval to take control of Cell C as it struggles to survive
Telecom Egypt and Tejas Networks, an Indian telecommunications company, have joined forces to improve local skills and manufacturing facilities in Egypt.
MTN has revealed plans to hike voice and data fees to regain ₦135 billion ($101 million) in forex losses and strengthen its financial position.
In December 2023, MTN Group agreed to exit two African markets by selling its equity interests in Guinea-Bissau and Guinea-Conakry to Telecel, another telco, to focus on other robust markets in the West and Central Africa region.
MTN Group has revealed that its revenue grew by over 13% in 2023 despite forex volatility and political tensions in some markets, particularly Sudan.
ICASA has proposed reducing mobile network fees for connecting calls by more than 50% to make South Africa’s telecoms sector more competitive and consumer-friendly.
Telkom has sold its Swiftnet masts and towers business to a consortium led by UK-based investment firm Actis and Royal Bafokeng Holdings for over $355 million to improve its financial situation.
Hormuud Telecom has launched a 5G network in eight locations across Somalia. Its 4G customers will receive a free upgrade to the latest network.