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5G Will Open up New Business Models Across Industries – Traboulsi

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Ericsson just announced launching 5G commercial software for radio and core networks to enable operators to launch 5G from the fourth quarter of 2018. In-light with this announcement, we spoke to Chafic Traboulsi, Head of Networks, Ericsson Middle East and Africa, to tell us more about this new launch.

Launching of 5G commercial software

We are finalizing 5G-readiness for operators by enhancing our 5G Platform with new solutions:
We introduce 5G commercial software for radio and core networks to enable operators to launch 5G in new spectrum from Q4 2018.

To capture growth opportunities presented by new 5G use cases, we expand our 5G Core System offering with new capabilities to support 5G NR and also evolve our Distributed Cloud. offering for cloud application deployment across multiple sites – central, distributed, and edge.

We also introduce a new category of radio products called Street Macro – a new site type that addresses the need of operators to grow in cities with limited available radio locations. It is a layer in network between macro and micro.

We are also unveiling new radio products supporting Massive MIMO technology – enabling a smooth evolution from 4G to 5G and addressing the need for increased capacity, while simplifying use for wider adoption.

We also add products encompassing multi-band operation, increased capacity and ease-of-site acquisition.

In parallel, we are also announcing that all radio products within Ericsson Radio System delivered since 2015 will support 5G New Radio (NR) capability through remote software installation. This means installed Ericsson Radio System (ERS) products that are active in more than 190 networks around the world are ready for 5G NR

Why would operators need 5G

All the previous technology generations were basically developed to address only Consumer predominantly (for Voice and Text in 2G to browsing in 3G and Higher speed data and Video in 4G).

5G will serve consumers and multiple industries and open up new business models across industries.

In an Ericsson Consumer Lab Study, over 70 percent of consumers said that faster speed, better reliability and lower latency were their top expectations of 5G.  What we can take from this is that 5G isn’t just about new use cases, it’s also about improving the services users already subscribe to.

Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) is the first use case for 5G. With the continued growth in mobile traffic, there is a need for a more efficient technology, higher data rates, and spectrum utilization. In terms of consumer digitalization and richer user experience, new applications based on virtual and augmented reality will require higher bandwidths and lower latency.

Industry digitalization and 5G open up opportunities for operators to address up to USD 619 billion market globally in 2026 (in 10 industries by adding digitalizing of retail and agriculture to previously communicated USD 582 billion).

This represents a potential to add up to 36 percent growth in revenues in 2026, with manufacturing and energy/utilities sectors representing the biggest opportunity for revenues created or enhanced by 5G.

Use Case Evolution to 5G includes the executive summary of use case evolution to 5G with supporting technologies, followed by separate sections for Enhanced Mobile Broadband, Automotive, Manufacturing, Energy & Utilities and Healthcare.

Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) can provide connectivity for households and Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) using wireless technologies.

Main addressable segments are the unserved areas (i.e., connect the unconnected; representing new revenues for operators) or wireless fiber (i.e., a more cost-efficient way to provide high-capacity connectivity). Operator services may also include telephony and value-added services (e.g., media, security).

Availability of 5G

We and partners have been working with 5G technology for several years in the labs, and last two years we took these technologies into advanced outdoor field trials. We have also signed first 5G deals with Verizon, Swisscom and Vodafone (UK).

The 5G standardization has been accelerated with first 5G NR standard for NSA (non-stand alone 5G) finalized in Dec 2017 and 3GPP Rel-15 is planned to be finalized by mid 2018.

And, we see some operators interest tied to number of major upcoming sporting events that will showcase 5G this year.

From this year onwards we will see full system trials in commercial applications with initial commercial 5G networks and devices based on the 3GPP standards are expected in 2019, with major network deployments from 2020. The first very few 5G devices will likely be introduced towards the end of 2018.

And we estimate the number of subscriptions reaching one billion by the end of 2023.

What will happen in next 5 years

Industries will be transforming by new capabilities brought on by 5G. Examples of these capabilities include:
The ability to download a full-length HD movie in seconds
The quick reaction time (low latency) to enable remote robotics
The ability to spin up virtual networks on-demand with network slicing
Battery lifetimes beyond 10 years for remote cellular devices
This will bring new requirements on the 5G networks. And we estimate the number of subscriptions reaching around one billion by the end of 2023 (Source; Ericsson Mobility report).


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Paradigm Initiative Champions Digital Rights and Inclusion at Africa IGF 2025 in Dar es Salaam

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Paradigm Initiative (PIN) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing digital rights and inclusion across Africa following its active participation in the 2025 Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF), held in Dar es Salaam from May 29 to 31.

The forum convened diverse stakeholders from governments, civil society, the private sector, and academia to explore pressing internet governance issues under the theme “Building a Resilient Digital Ecosystem that Supports Africa’s Sustainable Growth and Global Leadership.”

PIN’s delegation contributed to conversations around digital security, digital rights and inclusion policy and compliance, emerging technologies, global governance, highlighting digital threats and making recommendations for an inclusive and rights-respecting digital landscape. Drawing from its research and advocacy efforts across the continent, the organisation offered practical policy recommendations aimed at fostering an open, secure, and human rights-respecting digital environment.

“The Africa IGF continues to serve as a critical space for shaping Africa’s digital future. We were pleased to contribute insights and amplify the urgent need for inclusive and rights-centric digital governance,” said ‘Gbenga Sesan, Paradigm Initiative’s Executive Director.

During the forum, PIN hosted and participated in multiple sessions, including: A panel on protecting civic space online, a workshop on bridging the digital divide through inclusive policies, and bilateral meetings with regional and global partners on shaping digital governance frameworks in the lead-up to key global internet governance conversations.

PIN’s presence at the AfIGF 2025 not only spotlighted emerging digital threats but also underscored its commitment to ensuring that all technological advancements and policies globally translate into greater digital freedoms and opportunities, not restrictions.

As part of its ongoing advocacy, the organisation will continue to engage with stakeholders across sectors to ensure that digital transformation in Africa is anchored in rights, equity, and inclusion.


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MTN Nigeria Unveils 21 Days of Y’elloCare to Empower Communities through Digital Tools

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MTN Nigeria today held the opening ceremony for the 2025 edition of 21Days of Y’ello Care, the company’s annual employee volunteerism initiative.

This year’s campaign, themed “Connecting at the Roots – Connecting Communities through Digital Tools,” will run from June 1 to June 21, 2025, and focuses on supporting communities that continue to face barriers to digital access and connectivity.

MTN Nigeria kicked off on Sunday June 1 with trainings across different locations in Lagos where staff of the company volunteered to delivered training in valuable areas such as digital marketing and personal branding and employability skills.

In line with the Group-wide campaign theme, MTN Nigeria is implementing a series of grassroots initiatives aimed at expanding digital inclusion and connectivity in underserved areas.

Planned activities include equipping schools and community youth centres with devices, digital literacy workshops, deployment of community Wi-Fi access points, support for digital entrepreneurship and the establishment of an all-in-one Y’ello Pods across the country that will provide a digital hub for learning and support financial inclusion.

Speaking at the opening ceremony held in Lagos, Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria said, Y’ello Care matters to us because we’re a digital company and we’re operating in an environment where there are so many needs. At MTN Nigeria, we care, and we want to show our direct connection and responsibility to the communities we operate in.

Now in its 18th year, Y’ello Care is a groupwide flagship MTN employee volunteering initiative that encourages MTNers to volunteer their time and expertise to support positive social change.

The campaign reflects MTN’s purpose to enable the benefits of a modern connected life for everyone and is anchored in the company’s core values.

In 2024, in a remarkable demonstration of corporate volunteerism, MTN staff, through the Y’ello Care initiative, reconstructed a school block at Iwerekun Community High School, Lakowe. This effort has restored hope and significantly improved learning conditions for both students and teachers.

For further information, updates on “21 Days of Y’ello Care”and MTN Nigeria’s commitment to social development, please visit yellocare.ng or follow us on social media.


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Google’s Open Buildings Data Empowers Africa’s Health and Climate Progress

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Fresh, on-the-ground evidence from health planners and climate analysts in Rwanda, Nigeria and South Africa shows how the Open Buildings dataset, which maps more than 1.8 billion structures, is helping frontline projects close service gaps and strengthen community resilience.

Across the continent, artificial-intelligence tools are graduating from pilots to public-service workhorses, powering everything from crop-price forecasts to live language translation. Open Buildings—developed by researchers at Google Research Africa—is part of that shift, proving that open, locally guided AI can turn sparse data into timely decisions without locking African problem-solvers behind paywalls or proprietary gates.

In Rwanda, the Ministry of Health and Kigali-based Sand Technologies resited rural clinics with help from the dataset. Their new blueprint aims to bring 92% of citizens within a 30-minute reach of care, trimming journeys that put mothers and newborns at risk.

Across Northern Nigeria, epidemiologists at AFENET and geographers from WorldPop uncovered 10,250 buildings, guiding vaccinators who reached 70% of the zero-dose and under-immunized children identified through the mapping in just six months.

Meanwhile, the World Resources Institute (WRI) has already applied this flood-risk modelling in Dire Dawa, Kigali, Musanze, Gqeberha and Johannesburg, combining two-dimensional hydraulic simulations with building footprints to create block-by-block exposure maps.

The need is pressing: Nairobi is still recovering from the May 2024 floods that displaced more than 278 000 residents, while Johannesburg’s rapid growth along the flood-prone Jukskei River continues to heighten vulnerability

These projects tackle challenges felt across the continent. Africa still has about 8.7 million “zero-dose” children who receive no routine vaccines each year, while the urban population is projected to almost double to nearly one billion people by 2035— forcing new homes into high-risk floodplains and informal settlements.

By giving ministries, city engineers and NGOs a street-level view of where communities are growing and how they change over time, the Open Buildings dataset lets limited budgets flow to the people and places that need them most.

Dr Aisha Walcott-Bryant, Research Scientist & Head, Google Research Africa, “These projects show what happens when local expertise meets open, scalable technology: mothers reach clinics sooner, children receive long-overdue vaccines, and city planners get ahead of the next flood.

“We’re thrilled to stand beside partners who turn data into decisive action, proving that AI’s highest calling is to solve real-world challenges.”

From lifesaving clinics to climate-smart cities, these projects show how open AI is fast becoming Africa’s quiet engine for equitable progress.

The Open Buildings dataset—along with sample code, tutorials and its new 2.5D layer—is freely available at g.co/openbuildings.


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