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

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).
Telecom
Mafab Gets 0724 Number Series, Launches Mcom 5G Brand

Mafab Communications, operating under the brand Mcom, has officially activated its mobile service infrastructure and commenced offering telecommunications services — including voice, data, and SMS — with new number range, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek can report.

Dr. Musbahu Bashir, founder Mafab, owners of Mcom
Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has also confirmed the entry of Mcom which listed 0724 as officially assigned to Mafab.
An insider at Mafab told this reporter that “ We are Nigeria’s first 5G standalone network provider, revolutionizing the telecommunications landscape. We are driven by a vision to foster a world where possibilities know no bounds with the power of technology”
Recall that the original 5G licence was awarded to Mafab in 2021, with an expectation that rollout would have fully commence by August 2022.
MTN Nigeria, the other winner of the license adhered to this timeline and deployed its 5G across major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.
Mafab on the other hand, requested and was granted an extension of time, which it have finally taken advantage of by the recent launch.
Mafab Communications is owned by Dr. Musbahu Bashir, who is also the founder and chairman of the company.
He is the individual behind the Mcom 5G brand and has been instrumental in launching the company’s 5G services.
Telecom
NCC to Name, Shame Telecom Infrastructure Vandals

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has vowed to intensify its collaboration with security agencies to arrest and prosecute individuals vandalising the country’s Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII).
Auwal Abdullahi, head of Quality of Service at the NCC, said this during a media engagement held in Abuja.
The move comes on the heels of the recent signing of the “Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure Order, 2024” by President Bola Tinubu.
The Order is aimed at protecting essential digital and communication systems from cyberattacks, vandalism, and related disruptions.
Speaking on the development, Abdullahi said: “The Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Act has provisions for prosecution, and the operationalisation of CNII falls under the purview of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). Anyone found liable for damaging or disrupting CNII will be prosecuted going forward. We are working with relevant agencies like the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to tackle these problems and prosecute offenders.”
He recounted that some telecom operators recorded significant financial losses two years ago, largely due to exchange rate pressures and infrastructure vandalism.
“About two years ago, we noticed a situation where some of our key telecom operators were recording massive losses. Despite increasing revenues, they were struggling with heavy forex-related obligations that ate into their revenues. This led to poor quality of service,” he said.
According to him, the recent tariff adjustments have placed the industry back on a path to profitability and renewed investment.
“As a result, they are able to reinvest in their networks, which will lead to better quality of service and experience. We expect investments in the industry to increase significantly this year, more than what was seen in the last two years. The Nigerian telecoms industry has great promise, evident in its revenue growth and service delivery, despite the recent challenges,” he added
Also speaking at the event, Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman and CEO of the NCC, reassured stakeholders that the Commission remains committed to driving improvements in network quality across the country.
Represented by Mrs. Nnena Ukoha, acting head of Public Affairs, Maida challenged journalists to act on the knowledge shared at the forum.
“This is not for you alone. You now have this information, do not just sit on it. For instance, you were given figures on fiber cuts and thefts affecting NCC. Who is responsible for those infrastructures? The NSCDC. Ask them: ‘Of all these incidents, what are you doing about them? How many people have been prosecuted?’ Every state has legal departments. Go and ask them: ‘What are you doing to protect critical infrastructure?’ he queried.
Telecom
USSD: 13 Banks Clear Debts – ALTON

Association of Licensed Telecommunications Companies in Nigeria (ALTON) has revealed that 13 commercial banks have fully settled their outstanding Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) service debts to Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).

Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, ALTON
The remaining three banks are nearing completion of their payments, having cleared over 95% of their respective debts, according to Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, ALTON.
This resolution paves the way for a new billing system for USSD banking transactions.
Going forward, charges for these services will be debited directly from customers’ airtime accounts.
The update on debt settlements and the upcoming billing model were discussed , during the ‘ASK the Exec’ online meeting anchored by MTN.
Participants included Lynda Saint-Nwafor, chief enterprise business officer at MTN and Adebayo.
According to the ALTON Chairman, there has been substantial progress in resolving the long-standing debt issue.
“As of January, the outstanding debt from banks to MNOs for USSD services was N180 billion. Of the 17 banks with pre-API outstanding payments (excluding Heritage Bank, which is insolvent), 13 have fully settled their debts, and the remaining three are in the final stages of installment payments, with over 95% of the debt cleared”, he explained to journalists present at the call.
The clearance of historical debt is crucial as the industry moves to a new operational model.
“Banks with outstanding debts will not be excluded from the new system; they can either migrate to end-user billing once their debts are cleared or choose to remain on the old corporate billing model, provided they settle their outstanding obligations”, Adebayo pointed out.
Since 2021, collaborative efforts between the telecommunications and banking industries, supported by their regulators, have aimed to standardize charges for USSD banking transactions, resulting in a unified fee of N6.98 per transaction.
Saint-Nwafor, explained the upcoming change: “The most significant change is the transition to end-user billing, where customers will now be billed for USSD transactions directly from their airtime accounts instead of their bank accounts. This means deductions will no longer occur from bank balances but from airtime balances held with MNOs.”
Previously, banks directly debited customers’ bank accounts, a system that presented challenges regarding transparency and control.
To address this, an Application Programming Interface (API) was developed, granting banks full control over their USSD channels. For instance, a bank like GTBank with the USSD code *737# can now ensure a customer’s number is accepted by the bank before a transaction proceeds, after which the bank applies the N6.98 charge.
MNOs like MTN simply facilitate the connection, earning their N6.98 fee for providing the channel.
To ensure a smooth transition and consistent experience, a standardized process for end-user billing has been implemented across all operators and banks: Consent Message: Customers dialing a bank’s USSD code will receive a clear consent message informing them of the N6.98 deduction from their airtime and requesting acceptance.
Aggregator Communication: Upon acceptance, the MNO will contact a USSD aggregator to confirm the bank’s availability, preventing billing for unfulfilled services. Transaction and Billing: Once the bank confirms readiness, the MNO connects the customer and bills the airtime account.
All MNOs have also unified their messaging to customers, providing consistent communication on service levels and transaction outcomes, clarifying if a transaction failed due to issues on the bank’s end or the telco’s side.
Crucially, telco service purchases (airtime and data) from banks are zero-rated when customers use direct strings (e.g., dialing *737*10000# for N10,000 airtime instead of the generic *737#).
This informs both the MNO and the bank of the specific intent, making these transactions free.
Customers are strongly encouraged to use these direct strings to avoid charges, and extensive communication campaigns are planned. Any instance of double deduction (from both airtime and bank accounts) should be reported to the customer’s bank.
Adebayo addressed several key questions, reassuring the public about the implications for consumers and businesses.
He noted that for consumers, the shift to end-user billing has a zero net effect on cost, as they were already paying the N6.98 fee, albeit from their bank accounts.
Transparency and accountability are enhanced through standardized consent messages, inter-industry agreements, and MNOs’ commitment to provide monthly performance statistics to regulators.
“If a transaction fails due to MNO network issues, the customer will not be billed, or any deduction will be reversed. However, if the failure originates from the bank’s end (e.g., insufficient bank balance, bank system downtime), the customer will still be billed, with the reason for failure communicated”, ALTON Chairman explained.
The concern about USSD usage limiting access for those in unbanked areas or without airtime was also addressed.
“The N6.98 charge is considerably lower than alternative transport costs to physical banking points. Furthermore, customers can purchase airtime from their bank accounts at zero cost using direct strings, even if they have no airtime, as long as they have funds in their bank account. USSD is seen as a convenience channel, with all stakeholders contributing to the cost of providing financial services”, Adebayo stated.
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