Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Connect with us

Telecom

Intelsat Invests US$2bn into Unified Global 5G Network

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Africa-focused satellite operator Intelsat is currently building a unified global 5G network the company says will support virtually any access technology, and enable the next generation of global mobility, IOT and 5G services.

The company believes while the continent relies heavily on 3G and 4G for connectivity, the role of 5G in the future African connectivity landscape is not in doubt, given the increased urgency for enhanced connectivity services for households and businesses.

Intelsat asserts that its hybrid, multi-orbit, software-defined 5G network will enable simple, seamless and secure coverage.

Hans Geldenhuys, Director, Africa Sales – Intelsat, explains: “Intelsat’s open architecture design which integrates multiple orbits supports virtually any access technology, while the multi-layer approach ensures no single point of failure in the system by creating redundancy – the assurance of continuous high level of service.

The construct of our network – cloud-based, fully virtualised, and software-defined – enables ground and space systems to interact seamlessly, no matter the orbit or band. Software-defined satellites provide ‘follow me’ capacity that dynamically allocates based on prevailing and predicted demand.

“The network enables frictionless connectivity with global roaming and easy integration with the growing 5G networks of the world, including common hardware platforms.”

To this end the company has confirmed that ten satellites, including two software-defined, are already in production and will complement its existing fleet of 52 satellites.

“… and we are also progressing in the design phase of all aspects of this network with our solutions partners,” Geldenhuys adds.

The company is mobilising this infrastructure to entrench its service and value proposition in the market – and more so because its leadership believes that 5G is inevitable and there is no doubt about its role in the future African connectivity landscape.

Geldenhuys continues, “5G is a catalyst for innovation and will give an opportunity to industry and service providers, communities, and individuals to advance their digital agendas towards economic growth, job creation and socio-economic development. However, it is likely that the mobile technology that will dominate in Africa for the foreseeable future will be 4G.”

Intelsat adds that according to the GSMA, 5G in Africa will only account for 3% for all connections in 2025, while 4G will continue to grow to 27%.

To make 5G successful, it will be essential for all stakeholders to put in place the necessary building blocks to maximise the opportunity that the technology can bring, the company says.

Satellite support for 5G

Intelsat is also confident of its strength in satellite infrastructure services and underlines the value of this technology in supporting 5G development on the continent – particularly in terms of extending connectivity to rural areas.

The company says for 5G networks, satellites will play an even more important role as operators will rely on their ubiquity and resiliency to ensure end-users have access to a broad range of applications, including in remote and rural areas – and even in airplanes or on ships.

Geldenhuys adds, “Satellites gives the opportunity to offer vastly enhanced and faster broadband connectivity with additional backhaul, creating redundancies, and providing remote and rural areas with greater connectivity.

Satellite will complement terrestrial networks in underserved areas for homes and businesses, or to enterprise sites as a backup. As you move to more rural and remote areas, only satellite communication has the potential to provide reliable coverage and sufficient data density.

“As the number, uses, and requirements of connectivity continue to evolve, so does the importance of extending the promise of 5G networks beyond the urban and densely networked communities.”

The company says that with the majority of the population on the continent living in rural areas where voice traffic still runs over 2G networks and devices on 2G mode, it will be difficult to skip 4G and migrate to 5G without, first, taking steps to migrate 2G/3G voice to VoLTE (Voice over LTE) over 4G networks.

In the short- to medium-term, governments and the mobile industry will, therefore, need to focus on efforts to increase 4G adoption among mobile users. This will involve strategies to make 4G devices more affordable and provide relevant digital content to drive demand for enhanced connectivity services, Intelsat states.

Geldenhuys adds, “5G will be a primary use case and provide significant opportunities to enterprises of all sizes, given the challenges around access, cost and reliability of existing connectivity services.

However, the cost of 5G devices will play a crucial role in 5G adoption rates for consumers in Africa, where smartphone affordability is a significant barrier to mobile access and ownership.

“We have long advocated for the integration of standards across the telecommunications ecosystem, which are now making it even easier to integrate satellites into new and innovative connectivity solutions.

“As mentioned, at Intelsat, we’re building an advanced network – aligned with these standards – that can support multiple access technologies, and ultimately make it easier for companies, governments, and communities around the world to connect and power their digital future.

“Our unparalleled unifying network will set the standard in 5G connectivity and uninterrupted global broadband service with unrivalled coverage, economics, and performance.”

The issue of spectrum

Intelsat suggests that for 5G to be fully realised, terrestrial telecommunications systems will not be enough.

“We will need to move to an integrated 5G ‘network of networks’ where satellites play an increasing role, alongside terrestrial networks and Intelsat has, for instance, been working on 3GPP standards.

When looking at spectrum bands, a balanced way of thinking is needed to cater for wider geographic areas and ultra-high-speed capacity with low latencies. Mid-band spectrum (i.e., C band) is still required by satellite services as a robust transmission for Africa and there is a real need to protect these services and enable regulatory certainty for their future,” Geldenhuys adds.

The company believes that regulators and policymakers have an important role to ensure that the mobile industry and 5G are major catalysts in speeding up the digitalisation of the continent. But it must be done in a balanced way which does not impact other services such as FSS. So, adding more spectrum is not the answer to the coverage challenges.

“In order to bridge the digital divide, regulators need to cater for a balanced approach. One that takes care of all technologies and allows them to grow to meet the 21st century connection challenge for Africa,” says Geldenhuys.

The company suggests that more needs to be done to raise end user awareness of the breadth of 5G use cases and areas of application. To accelerate the adoption, end-users must see the value of the technology.


Kindly share this post

Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

Telecom

20 Years of Digital Leadership: Layer3’s Legacy and the Road Ahead

Published

on

Kindly share this post

In 2005, few could have predicted that a small Nigerian technology company would evolve into one of Africa’s most trusted IT infrastructure, cloud, and cybersecurity brands. Today, Layer3 celebrates 20 years of doing just that, transforming IT from a technical necessity into a strategic advantage for enterprises, governments, and innovators across the continent.

The Foundation: Trust Earned, Not Assumed

The Layer3 story begins where every great enterprise story should, with trust.

Over two decades, Layer3 has earned a reputation for reliability in a sector defined by change. Across multiple industries: finance, energy, health, government, and telco, clients have turned to Layer3 not only for solutions, but for peace of mind.

As Layer3’s CEO, Oyaje Idoko, succinctly puts it, “Uptime, SLAs, fast response, fixing issues permanently, that’s what real IT service means, that’s what we built Layer3 to deliver. However, it’s not just about systems, it’s about people. Our team is the backbone of that promise: engineers, support staff, and every Layeron who shows up every day to make excellence a standard, not an exception.”

From deploying core network infrastructure, distributed branch networks, and disaster recovery solutions for banks, telcos, and large enterprises, to ensuring uninterrupted cloud infrastructure for Africa’s fastest-growing startups, Layer3 has become synonymous with business continuity at enterprise scale.

The Powerhouse: Innovation Without Compromise

While trust laid the foundation, innovation became the fuel. In 2019, Layer3 launched Layer3Cloud, Nigeria’s first locally owned enterprise-grade cloud platform. At the time, many questioned whether Nigerian businesses were ready to migrate from on-premise infrastructure or to host their data locally. Five years later, Layer3Cloud is powering banks, fintechs, large enterprises, and governments, delivering secure, elastic, and scalable compute power at home.

Beyond cloud, Layer3 has continued to evolve with the times:

  • Fiber infrastructure rollouts that connect enterprises and residences to the future.
  • Enterprise-grade zero-trust cybersecurity frameworks deployed across financial and public institutions.
  • AI-driven and software-defined network solutions through partnerships with global OEMs like Juniper Networks, HPE, Cisco, and Fortinet.

Behind every innovation is a team of engineers whose brilliance is matched only by their resilience.

Reflecting on Layer3’s journey, Oyaje Idoko highlighted the often-overlooked role of technical talent, “Behind every seamless connection and resolved incident is a network engineer who’s worked through the night, responded to a 3am call, and made sure systems stay up when it matters most. Shake their hand and ask them about routing, about switching. These are the unsung heroes powering Africa’s digital future. Indeed, Layer3’s engineers don’t just build networks, they build nations.”

The Shield: Defending Africa’s Digital Economy

In today’s world, trust and innovation mean nothing without security and at Layer3, cybersecurity isn’t just a service, it’s a mindset.

“We’ve built an elite team of cyber defenders, and we’re still growing. We defend banks, telcos, governments and organizations of all types and sizes. If you’re in Africa and serious about protecting your business, you should be speaking to Layer3”, says Godwin Michaels, Layer3 CTO.

Layer3 is at the frontline of defending Africa’s most sensitive data. From real-time threat intelligence and incident response to managed SIEM and penetration testing, the company is quietly but forcefully defending Nigeria’s digital borders.

This commitment has earned Layer3 the loyalty of institutions where downtime isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s a national risk.

Layer3 has also been recognized multiple times over the years as a leading player in the IT space across Africa.

Two Decades of Impact: Highlights at a Glance

Year     Milestone

2005    Layer3 founded in Abuja, Nigeria as a Virtual Network Operator

2007    Expanded to Lagos and rolled out last-mile fiber infrastructure across Abuja and Lagos

2008    Expanded into enterprise networking and managed services

2015    Launched cybersecurity division

2019    Launched Layer3Cloud, Nigeria’s premier local cloud platform

2021    Rolled out Layer3Fiber, an FTTH service expanding broadband to homes and small businesses

2025    Celebrates 20 years with thousands of projects completed across sub-Saharan Africa and counting

Shaping Africa’s Digital Future: The Road Ahead for Layer3

As Layer3 enters its third decade, its sights are set higher: expansion into new African markets, hybrid cloud deployments, AI-driven network infrastructure, digital public infrastructure solutions, and most importantly, developing the next generation of African tech talent.

According to Oyaje, “Layer3 was built on the belief that African businesses deserve world-class technology delivered by people who understand the terrain. That vision hasn’t changed, it’s only gotten bigger.”

From a startup with a dream to a national asset securing the future, Layer3 has become more than a technology company, it’s a legacy of excellence.

To our clients, partners, regulators, and Layerons, thank you for 20 years of belief.

Here’s to 20 more years of trust, innovation, and impact.

We are Layer3. We deliver peace of mind.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Telecom

Y’ello Care’s 21-Day Campaign Bridges Digital Divide for Thousands Nationwide

Published

on

Kindly share this post

In a nation where the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector contributed a 19.78% to Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Q2 2024, the recently concluded Y’ello Care initiative, which ran from June 1 to June 21 2025, has demonstrated how digital tools can transform lives at the grassroots level.

This year’s program, themed ‘Connecting at the Roots,’ directly aligns with Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy 2020-2030, which seeks to leverage digital technology for comprehensive economic growth.

Y’ello Care’s focused efforts are crucial in bridging the existing digital divide, especially given that while mobile phone penetration has reached 84%, equitable access and digital literacy remain key challenges for many of Nigeria’s over 163 million internet users.

At the core of the employee volunteerism initiative was a comprehensive approach to digital inclusion. The program delivered extensive training and empowerment sessions covering vital areas such as digital literacy, artificial intelligence, financial inclusion, content creation and monetisation, personal branding and employability.

A significant component of the initiative involved the donation of essential technological resources. Over 86 desktop computers and 133 learning devices were distributed, providing tangible tools for education and skill development.

Furthermore, the deployment of over 400 connectivity tools, including routers and MiFi devices, has significantly enhanced internet access, laying the groundwork for sustainable digital engagement.

To complement these efforts, thousands of branded kits, educational supplies, and business support items were also distributed, directly aiding beneficiaries in their learning and entrepreneurial pursuits.

These tangible contributions directly address the infrastructure gaps that hinder digital inclusion, particularly in underserved communities.

Solar power infrastructure was installed in selected schools, ensuring sustainable access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) even in areas with unreliable power grids.

The impact of this 21-day intensive program is evident in its impressive reach. The initiative directly benefited over 8,932 individuals across diverse communities, schools, and health centres. The Medical Official of Ikoyi/Obalende Local Council Development Area (one of the beneficiaries of the Y’ello Care programme), Dr Akintayo Akintoba Adebayo, expressed profound admiration for the recent donation by the company. He said he was “speechless” at the positive developments unfolding daily in the area and noted that the donated items were essential medical supplies poised to significantly enhance healthcare delivery in the local government.

This undertaking was made possible by the dedication of over 1,145 staff and volunteer facilitators, who committed more than 3,947 volunteer hours across 18 divisions and national sessions.

Their collective efforts underscore the power of human connection in driving digital transformation and creating lasting positive change.

In conclusion, the Y’ello Care initiative stands as a powerful testament to the potential of collaborative efforts in addressing societal challenges. By combining technological innovation with dedicated human support, this and similar programmes bridge digital divides and empower countless individuals, fostering a more inclusive and digitally literate society from the ground up.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Telecom

Court to Decides on 9Mobile Ownership Tussle September 24

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed September 24 to rule on several applications in the case of Abubakar Ismaila Isa, a businessman, who claims that his 43 million shares were allegedly transferred to Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited, operating under the trade name 9mobile, without his consent.

Court to Decides on 9Mobile Ownership Tussle September 24

The matter before Justice Mohammed Umar on Wednesday, was filed by Isa’s legal team led by Femi Atteh, SAN, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1971/2024.

The plaintiff seeks an order declaring him the “beneficial owner of the 43,000,000 (forty-three million) ordinary shares held in trust for him by the 1st Defendant (Seltrix Limited) in the capital of the 3rd Defendant (Teleology Nigeria Limited).”

He accused Seltrix Limited of purportedly transferring the said shares to 9mobile without his consent, resulting in the alleged illegal change of control of 9mobile to LH Telecommunication Limited by the Corporate Affairs Commission and Nigerian Communications Commission.

Joined as defendants in the suit are Seltrix Limited, Hayatu Hassan Hadeija, Teleology Nigeria Limited, Mohammed Edewor, Emerging Markets Telecommunications Limited, CAC, NCC, LH Telecommunication Limited and General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (Rtd) (first to ninth defendants).

A counter-affidavit sworn to and filed on behalf of Seltrix Limited, Hadejia had described the plaintiff’s application as a reckless abuse of the court process.

He urged the court to dismiss the application and award substantial costs against the plaintiff.

He also demanded concrete evidence of any trusteeship arrangement involving him or Seltrix Limited concerning the alleged N43 million ordinary shares in the capital of the third defendant, Teleology Nigeria Limited, or any matter related to the suit.

Hadejia stated that the plaintiff’s motion, dated 27 January but filed on 28 January, was a fabrication designed to mislead the court.

At the resumed hearing, Michael Aôndoakaa, SAN, counsel for Teleology, 9mobile, and others, drew the court’s attention to his preliminary objections, asking the court to strike out the case for “being statute-barred” as it was filed out of the stipulated time required.

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending