Telecom
6 Things You Didn’t Know Your Smartphone Could Do

Smartphones are amazingly useful machines. Indeed, they are not just called smart for nothing. That device in your hands could do so much more than you know it is capable of, yet most of us miss out on some of these incredible functionalities.
Interestingly, research shows that the majority of smartphone users explore less than 40% of the utility of these devices. Whereas the majority are comfortable with making calls, watching online movies or taking that occasional selfie; there is a lot more benefits locked in your smartphone.
Yudala – Nigeria’s fastest growing composite e-commerce outfit – shares six new things you could do with your smartphone.
Speak any language
You probably didn’t know this but with your smartphone, you can easily speak and understand any language – a task that some of the world’s most prolific linguists will struggle at. If you are using an Android phone, all you need to do is use Google Now to translate a word, phrase or sentence for you from any language of your choice.
The most interesting part is that, you can even get both a spoken and written response. Amazing, right? You can also use the app – iTranslate which can be downloaded on iOS, Windows Phone and Android, for the same purpose.
Measure your heart health
With the growing cases of heart-related ailments, the importance of monitoring one’s heart health cannot be over-emphasized. Your smartphone can help you achieve this without taking a trip to the doctor.
With apps such as Cardiio or Blood Pressure Companion, you can measure your heart rate blood pressure and overall level of cardiovascular health and fitness. Some of these apps can also take voice memos for symptom tracking and help you take note of any drastic changes or readings that may be a cause for concern.
Prevent drunk driving (and potential accidents)
You are probably out for a party, had a few drinks and not too sure you can comfortably drive yourself home.
Not to worry! You can know for sure if you are too inebriated to get behind the wheels with a smartphone app.
A very good example is the Smartphone Breathalyzer which can measure the alcohol on your breath in just five seconds, then wirelessly sends your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) reading to your iOS or Android smartphone.
Through this and similar apps, you can predict how long it will take for your BAC levels to return to zero percent. The most interesting part of this is you can even use them to book an Uber ride!
Find out what song is playing
You have just heard that memorable tune on the radio or on a stranger’s device and wish to find out the artiste or song title. That’s an easy task. With apps such as Shazam or SoundHound installed on your smartphone, you’ve got all you need to identify a song as it’s playing. Furthermore, a number of platforms such as Google, Apple and Microsoft have song identification tools built right into their respective virtual assistants, so you can just use Google Now, ask Siri or tap the Music Search icon inside Cortana for the same purpose.
Scan a document
These days, you don’t need to invest in a large flatbed scanner to scan that urgent document. With your smartphone, you have the perfect, convenient tool for this. Just open your smartphone camera which effortlessly becomes a makeshift scanner.
Once you snap the document, you can save it as an image and share with the intended recipient. The higher the resolution of your smartphone camera, the better the quality.
With Google Drive and apps such as CamScanner and Evernote, you can go further by converting scanned images into PDF files and read the text in them.
Remote lock or wipe your lost phone
The pain of losing one’s phone is often excruciating. The possibility of unauthorized access to your data and sensitive information makes this loss even more depressing.
If you are using an Android smartphone, you can use the Android Device Manager to track and take control of your phone, in the event that you lose it.
What’s more, you can use the Android Device Manager to ring your phone, remotely lock it or even factory reset it if you know you’re never getting it back.
Telecom
WhatsApp to Start Showing more Adverts in Messaging App

WhatsApp is launching three new ad features in a global roll-out across the messaging app.
The Meta-owned platform said the new ads will not be shown in the same place as people’s private chats, nor will the contents of their messages – which are encrypted – be used to decide which ads to display.
WhatsApp will instead use the country, city and language of the user, as well as how they interact with other ads and which channels they follow, to drive suggested content.
But people who have chosen to link their WhatsApp account to Facebook or Instagram will see more personalised ads.
The new ad features will appear in a section called Updates, which is a separate tab at the bottom of the app.
WhatsApp claims to have 1.5 billion users globally.
Businesses with channels will be able to choose to promote ads in the Updates section to attract new followers, and also charge a subscription to access extra content.
WhatsApp will eventually take a 10% commission of that fee, and there may also be extra costs on top of that taken at the app store level depending on the size of the business.
Firms will also be able to advertise in the form of a status update, which looks similar to an Instagram story and will link through to start a chat if clicked on.
Social media expert Matt Navarra told reporter that Meta is “laying the foundation for WhatsApp to finally become a monetisable platform at scale”.
But “monetising the periphery” of WhatsApp, while keeping personal chats private, would not be without risk for the company, he added.
This could particularly be the case in markets like the UK and Europe, he said, where the app is viewed primarily as a messaging tool with less appetite for content feeds or adverts.
“Any perception that the app is becoming noisy or Facebook-ified will spark backlash,” he said.
How does WhatsApp make money?
‘Natural extension’
It’s no coincidence that the new features bring WhatsApp more in line with Meta’s other platforms Facebook and Instagram.
“Obviously there’s overlap,” said WhatsApp boss Will Cathcart.
“We have stories on Instagram and stories on WhatsApp, and we now have a way for businesses to promote themselves in both, and we think that’s a good thing.”
He said he believed the move was a “natural extension of messaging services” and not dissimilar to features of rival apps such as Snapchat and Telegram.
For Mr Navarra, it also reflects a wider shift in the social media landscape.
“The feed is dying, public sharing is down, people are retreating into DMs and Stories in small groups,” he said.
“Meta’s trying to turn WhatsApp into a platform without users realising it and if they move too fast or it starts to feel like another ad network, people might disengage or maybe worse, distrust the app.”
Telecom
Airtel Africa Reinforces Commitment to ESG Impact while Advancing Digital, Financial Inclusion Across 14 Markets

Airtel Africa, a provider of telecommunications and mobile money services across 14 African countries, has published its Sustainability Report 2025, reaffirming its corporate purpose of transforming lives by expanding access to essential digital services, supporting inclusive economic growth, and advancing environmental stewardship throughout its operations.
In 2024/25, Airtel Africa made significant progress in bridging the digital divide, advancing financial inclusion and supporting underserved communities through strategic investment in connectivity, people, and sustainable practices.
Airtel Africa’s chief executive officer Sunil Taldar said: “This year’s achievements, from connecting 2,176 schools through the UNICEF partnership to reaching 44.6 million Airtel Money customers with near-gender parity, prove that the power of technology is a catalyst for gender balance. At Airtel Africa, we believe to not only expanding networks but we’re also building bridges to education, financial security and sustainable growth for Africa’s next generation.”
Key ESG highlights:
- Providing underserved communities with access to reliable network and connectivity:
- 2% population coverage across 14 markets (up from 80.4% in 2023/24)
- 36,159 4G infrastructure sites, including more than 15,300 in rural areas.
- Continued investment of $670m in network expansion and modernisation to boost speed, coverage and capacity.
Airtel Africa is connecting the unconnected, giving millions access to voice, data and mobile money services – driving economic opportunity and enhancing access to essential services.
- Bridging the digital divide, driving financial inclusion and addressing gender inequality
- 4 million data customers (+14.1% vs 2023/24)
- 6 million Airtel Money customers (+17.3%), with 44.2% Airtel Money customers who are women (+6.2% vs 2023/24)
- 7 million Airtel Money agents in our distribution network (+23.4% vs 2023/24)
- 2% women in the workforce across the Group (up from 28.3% vs 2023/24)
Through inclusive digital services and affordable financial products, Airtel Africa is empowering individuals and communities, particularly women, to fully participate in the digital economy.
- Unlocking potential through education and employment opportunities
- 2,176 schools connected to the internet free of charge (up from 1,201 in 2023/24)
By providing free connectivity and online resources to schools, Airtel Africa is helping young people reach their full potential. A growing agent network also supports employment and entrepreneurship opportunities across its footprint.
- Minimising the impact of our operations on the environment
- 500 off-grid sites converted to on-grid power, reducing reliance on diesel generators.
- 93% of total waste recycled (+3% vs 2023/24)
Airtel Africa is committed to reducing the impact of its operations on the environment through investment in renewable energy solutions and responsible waste management.
The Sustainability Report 2025 adheres to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and GSMA telecommunications industry standards.
Telecom
ALTON Clarifies on Migration to End-User Billing for USSD Services

The Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) wishes to inform the public and all mobile subscribers that the migration to the End-User Billing (EUB) model for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) services will take effect from Wednesday, 18th June 2025.
This transition marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Nigeria’s digital financial ecosystem and is being implemented per the Determination of USSD Pricing and Services issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The Determination was developed in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other key stakeholders to ensure a sustainable, transparent, and customer-friendly framework for USSD service delivery.
USSD services play a vital role in expanding access to financial services, particularly for unbanked and underbanked populations. However, the previous corporate billing model—where banks were billed by telecom operators—led to prolonged disputes over unpaid charges, service interruptions, and uncertainty for customers.
To address these challenges, the NCC’s 2025 Determination introduced the End-User Billing model, which allows mobile network operators to charge customers directly for USSD sessions.
To achieve the implementation of the EUB model, the CBN and NCC have stipulated that only banks that meet certain regulatory and operational conditions are permitted to migrate. One of which is the notification to customers of the billing change in advance, and to ensure that customers are fully aware of the new airtime-based charges and how they will be applied.
Accordingly, under the new billing model, USSD charges will be deducted directly from the customer’s airtime balance, not from their bank account, and each USSD session will attract a charge of ₦6.98 per 120 seconds. To enjoy the service, customers will receive a prompt to opt in and approve the charge before any deduction is made, and there will be no double billing as billing will only occur for successful sessions via airtime deductions.
ALTON wishes to reiterate that this change does not affect the availability or functionality of USSD banking services, as customers can continue to use their bank’s USSD codes as usual, provided they have sufficient airtime.
To ensure a smooth transition, ALTON advises customers to follow these support guidelines:
–For access issues (e.g., inability to dial USSD codes), contact your mobile network operator.
– For transaction-related issues (e.g., failed transfers or service errors), contact your bank’s customer service.
– Both banks and mobile network operators are required to provide responsive support and mensure that customers can access and use USSD services without disruption.
Alternative digital banking channels such as mobile apps, internet banking, and ATMs remain fully operational and available for customer convenience.
ALTON reiterates its commitment to working closely with the NCC, CBN, financial institutions, and other stakeholders to ensure that this transition is seamless, equitable, and beneficial to all parties, especially the end users.
We remain dedicated to promoting transparency, operational efficiency, and consumer protection across Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital finance sectors.
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