Telecom
3G to Emerge Dominant Technology in Africa for the Next 7 Years – Report
The GSM Association’s (GSMA’s) latest report, The Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa 2018, suggests 3G will emerge as the dominant technology in the region over the next seven years, accounting for 60% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s connections by the end of 2025.
GSMA Intelligence forecasts indicate the first commercial 5G services will be launched in the region by 2021, with the number of 5G connections set to grow from 400 000 at the end of 2021 to almost 12 million by 2025 (almost 3% of the total connection base).
However, the report predicts Sub-Saharan Africa will be the last region to see 5G services launched, “with operators seeing little incentive to participate in the race for 5G leadership”.
“They are likely to take time to allow the technology to mature and for costs to fall before committing to commercial launches,” it says.
The end of 2G?
Sub-Saharan Africa is seeing an accelerating migration to mobile broadband-capable connections, with the next couple of years “a key tipping point as 2G connections become a minority of the region’s total connection base”.
According to GSMA data, in 2015, 77% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s mobile connections were on 2G, 22% were 3G and just 1% was made up of 4G connections. However, the group predicts that by 2020, 2G connections will drop to 38% of the total, 50% will be 3G and 12% will be 4G.
GSMA still predicts more 4G rollout in the region, saying six new 4G networks have been launched in the first half of 2018 alone, taking the total across the region to 120.
“Ongoing investment in new 4G networks will help drive the proportion of 4G connections from just over 4% at the end of 2017 to almost a quarter by 2025.”
Despite advances in LTE and efforts to improve network economics for 4G deployments, a number of operators in the region are continuing to invest in both expanding 3G network coverage and launching new 3G networks.
“Airtel, for example, in the second half of 2017, announced a major investment to expand its 3G network coverage in the 900MHz band into rural areas, while the Ghanaian regulator encouraged licensed operators to offer 3G services in the 900MHz band,” the report says.
GSMA found operator support for 3G in the region appears to be driven by two key considerations. Firstly, the ongoing prevalence of feature phones means 3G networks can support both voice services on these more basic devices, as well as data services on smartphones.
Unlike markets such as India where operators such as Reliance Jio have invested heavily in 4G, operators in Sub-Saharan Africa are taking a more cautious view on the move to 4G.
The second factor is the relative scarcity of mobile broadband spectrum in the region. Operators are therefore choosing to refarm 900MHz spectrum to offer mobile broadband services over 3G, rather than waiting for new spectrum auctions to build LTE networks, the report says.
GSMA says overall unique mobile subscriber penetration in Sub-Saharan Africa stood at 44% at the end of 2017, still well below the global average of 66%. The subscriber base in the region totalled 444 million, equivalent to around 9% of subscribers globally. The penetration rate is forecast to reach the 50% level by the end of 2023, and 52% by 2025.
Telecom
NCC Advises Subscribers to Opt for Strong Passwords to Beat Hackers
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has advised telecommunications subscribers to opt for strong passwords to prevent unauthorized access to their mobile devices.
In a recent update on its official Facebook page, the NCC focused on how cyber-attacks could be prevented, emphasizing the importance of creating strong passwords to safeguard online accounts
The Commission urged subscribers to ensure that they have a password to log in securely.
The NCC wrote on its official Facebook page, “Protect your online accounts (such as banks and digital media) by using strong and complex passwords.”
It believes that by opting for strong passwords, individuals could defend themselves against cyber attacks.
Telecom
Starlink Users in SA to be Cut Off April 30
Starlink users in South Africa are facing a major setback as the satellite internet service provider has issued a warning that their services will be terminated by the end of the month.
In an email sent to many South African users, Starlink stated that their internet access will cease on April 30 due to violation of its terms and conditions.
The email emphasized that using Starlink kits outside of designated areas, as indicated on the Starlink Availability Map, is against their terms. Consequently, users will only be able to access their Starlink account for updates after the termination.
Starlink, a company owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, operates a fleet of low earth orbit satellites that offer high-speed internet globally. Despite its potential to revolutionize connectivity, Starlink has been unable to obtain a license to operate in South Africa from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa).
Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) requirements mandate that any applicant must have 30% ownership from historically disadvantaged groups to be considered for a license.
However, many in South Africa resorted to creative methods to access Starlink services, including purchasing roaming packages from countries where Starlink is licensed.
However, ICASA. clarified in a government gazette last November that using Starlink in this manner is illegal.
Additionally, Starlink itself stated in the recent email to users that the ‘Mobile – Regional’ plans are meant for temporary travel and transit, not permanent use in a location. Continuous use of these plans outside the country where service was ordered will result in service restriction.
Starlink advised those interested in making its services available in their region to contact local authorities.
Telecom
9mobile Clinches 2 Trophies at the Prestigious SABRE Awards 2024
Organizers of the SABRE awards have adjudged 9mobile winner in two distinct categories – The SABRE Award for Superior Achievement in Reputation Management and Special Event/Sponsorship based on the telco’s innovative and transformative campaign titled The Hack, Expand Your Hustle.
The SABRE Awards, organized by PRovoke Media, is the world’s most prestigious Public Relations awards programme dedicated to benchmarking the best PR works across the globe.
It recognizes exceptional campaigns, by brands, and agencies that exhibit the highest levels of strategic planning, creativity, integrity, effectiveness, and business results across Europe, North America, Asia and Africa.
9mobile carted home these awards based on its recognition of the importance of SMEs in driving the economic growth of Nigeria, thus positioning itself as an SME-friendly company to support their development and success to thrive and scale their businesses.
This drive to see SMEs succeed led the telco to launch a novel entrepreneurship programme – The Hack, an Enterprise Business Growth Series designed to empower entrepreneurs by giving them the knowledge, technology, and access to the market required to help them grow, with imprints in various Nigerian cities and university campuses.
With the Hack, 9mobile showed the endless opportunities in the SME sector while addressing challenges that business owners confront, assisting them in expanding their enterprises and overcoming obstacles, taking them through the hacks the SMEs need for business growth.
Expressing her delight at this global recognition, Saidat Lawal Mohammed, Director, Marketing Communications said: “It gives us great joy to see our work recognized by such a prestigious and globally respected organization such as PRovoke Media, organizers of the SABRE Awards.
“We know that this is a highly sought-after award and based on other projects we beat to clinch these awards, we are super delighted to be recognized on a global stage. What is key for us are the results we achieved and the impact we made which has served as an elevation for this recognition”, she said.
She went on to thank the management of 9mobile for their support of the Hack initiative, and the marketing communications team for the synergy in driving the campaign.
Lawal Mohammed affirmed that through this project, 9mobile burnished its reputation as Nigeria’s SME friendly telecommunications company, adding that “in the end we reached over 23.7 million people online, had over 20,000 knowledge participants, 382 entrepreneurs exhibit and over N10 million in Grants to budding entrepreneurs. The journey of the Hack has been fun and equally impactful”.
The SABRE Awards for Superior Achievement in Reputation Management recognizes public relations work that has played a central role in corporate strategy, positioning and messaging.
In its submissions 9mobile demonstrated that its PR professionals took a lead role in creating and developing a corporate reputation platform and explain how that platform shifted perceptions, built stronger stakeholders’ relationships, and ultimately contributed to corporate performance.
The Special Event/Sponsorship category recognizes the creative spark and execution by brands and agencies in how to bring to life their ideas and strategy and propel their campaigns into the target audience consciousness, raising brand exposure and providing a competitive advantage.
9mobile had previously won Certificates of Excellence under the Corporate Social Responsibility category for its Health Talk Series and Health Workers Appreciation as well as Future CEO Initiative under the Technology category.
The 2024 Awards for Superior Achievement in Branding Reputation and Engagement (SABRE) will be held on May 16 in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire, on the sidelines of the annual Conference of the African Public Relations Association (APRA).
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