Telecoms

Following the launch of Nxtra, a data centre, in 2023, Airtel Africa has introduced Telesonic, a new wholesale fibre unit, to meet the rising demand for wholesale data on the continent.

The United Nations has urged the end of Sudan’s telecommunications Internet shutdown, which has disconnected over 14 million users. Meanwhile, reports indicate that the Rapid Support Forces are using Starlink to bypass the shutdown.

The Nigerian telecom regulator has withdrawn approval for MTN to disconnect Globacom, resolving a 15-year interconnection dispute between the telcos.

Digital solution and fibre network provider Bayobab has landed 45,000 km of 2Africa subsea cables in Ghana and Nigeria to improve Internet connectivity.

Airtel Nigeria expands its existing partnership with IHS Nigeria and related entities to increase tower tenancies and sustainable initiatives in the country.

After 15 years of legal battle with Vodacom, Nkosana Makate, the creator of ‘Please Call Me’ service, is “thrilled” by the Supreme Court’s recent decision, describing it as a significant sacrifice.

Africa’s telecommunications regulators intend to implement a single emergency number for disasters before the World Telecommunications Standardisation Assembly (WTDC) in October 2024.

TD Africa, a Nigerian IT and lifestyle product distributor, has signed an agreement with Starlink to become the “first authorised distributor” in Africa.

Africa Credit Opportunities Fund (ACOF), a private credit fund, and Telecel Group, an African telecommunications company, have announced a partnership to invest $20 million in Telecel Global Services.

Despite South Africa’s ban on SpaceX’s satellite service, Mozambique-based StarSat Africa has announced plans to reduce the cost of Starlink kits by the end of the month in the country.

Following a Memorandum of Understanding signed in October 2023 by Telecom Egypt and Hungary’s IT solutions provider, 4iG, the companies have agreed to build a subsea cable connecting Albania and Egypt.

Following Telkom’s recent collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS) against cable theft and vandalism, MTN South Africa has partnered to support policing community forums in the fight against theft.

Airtel Africa plans to launch a $100 million share buyback programme beginning in early March 2024 and lasting 12 months.

As part of its plan to pursue its 5G ambitions in the country, MTN wants to invest $215 million in infrastructure in the Republic of Benin.

South African telco Telkom is working with the South African Police Service to arrest individuals stealing its network cable and vandalising its infrastructure.

Egypt’s telecom regulator has granted Telecom Egypt a 15-year 5G licence for $150 million. This move makes the state-owned telco the first to receive a 5G licence in the country.

The Nigerian telecom regulator has settled the interconnect debt dispute between MTN Nigeria and Globacom. Temporarily suspending disconnection for an extra 21 days, the regulator instructs MTN not to disconnect Glo as initially planned.

South African telco Cell C is considering downsizing its workforce to cut expenses and enhance flexible operations. The telco describes the situation as challenging yet unavoidable.

Paratus South Africa has partnered with Eutelsat Group to provide unrestricted access to Internet connectivity in remote areas where network coverage is currently piss-poor or non-existent.

Vodafone and Microsoft have announced a 10-year partnership to provide generative AI, digital services, and cloud solutions to more than 300 million businesses and consumers in Africa and Europe.