Nigeria’s mobile subscriber base fell 30.09 percent to 153.32 million in September 2024, following deactivation of Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) not linked to a verified National Identification Number (NIN) by the mandated deadline.

The SIM-NIN linkage initiative, aimed at enhancing security and identifying potential criminal elements, now requires that all SIM users have a verified NIN, with registration restricted to individuals over the age of 18. This move reinforces that SIM registration represents a legal contract, valid only for adults.

Earlier, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), over 153 million SIMs have now been successfully linked to a NIN, achieving a compliance rate of 96 percent, up from 69.7 percent in January 2024.

In collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the NCC disclosed that it has discovered multiple cases of excessive SIM ownership, with some individuals reportedly holding over 100,000 SIM cards.

To maintain the integrity of Nigeria’s mobile network, the NCC emphasised its commitment to working with security agencies to eliminate the sale of pre-registered SIMs.

The NCC urged Nigerians who still need to complete their NIN-SIM linkage, or those with verification issues, to update their details promptly through service providers or approved self-service portals. It also reiterated that the sale or purchase of pre-registered SIMs is illegal and encouraged the public to report any such incidents via its toll-free line, 622, or through its social media channels.

In a remarkable move, Starlink has announced the reversal of its recent service fee increase in Nigeria.

This decision comes as a welcome relief to Nigerians who have been eagerly awaiting affordable internet solutions.

According to the world’s leading provider of satellite launch services, “Last month, we increased the monthly service price for Starlink in Nigeria to account for inflation, helping us maintain operations and continue delivering reliable service.

Today, we are temporarily suspending this price increase as we navigate regulatory challenges.

“If you’ve already been charged at the higher rate, a one-time credit will be applied to your account to cover the difference.

“You also have the flexibility to cancel your service at any time,” they added.

With Starlink’s revised pricing, Nigerians can now enjoy seamless, high-speed internet connectivity at affordable rates.

This move is poised to revolutionize Nigeria’s digital landscape, empowering individuals, businesses, and communities.

This development is a testament to the power of partnerships and a consumer-centric approach. Starlink’s partnership with TD Africa, Africa’s leading distributor of tech products, and Konga.

TD Africa has facilitated the widespread availability of Starlink kits across Nigeria and West Africa through it standing as a major force in the continent’s technology distribution landscape.

Konga, where Starlink has a shop-in-shop, has also been instrumental in amplifying consumer voices and pushing for affordability and accessibility.

As a pioneering e-commerce giant, Konga has consistently championed consumer interests, ensuring that quality products and services reach Nigerians nationwide.

Shoppers who intend to own a Starlink kit can get genuine kits on Starlink’s shop-in-shop on Konga.

The partnership between TD Africa, Konga, and Starlink enhances internet connectivity in Nigeria, fostering greater trust in Nigerian businesses.

This improved connectivity is expected to drive economic growth, enhance educational and healthcare access, and reduce the digital divide across the country.

The mobile industry association, the GSMA, and the Automotive Edge Computing Consortium (AECC) have signed a formal agreement to work together to help the automotive industry bring new connected vehicle services to market faster, utilising the full functionality of 5G mobile networks.

The two industry organisations will ensure interoperable and compatible technologies exist across a diverse range of connected vehicle platforms, enabled by the GSMA Open Gateway initiative.

The collaboration aims to unlock the full potential of connected vehicle services and accelerate the adoption of next-generation automotive technologies, by ensuring common technology standards exist so developers can more easily access operator networks and edge computing functionality, wherever they are in the world.

The AECC will work with GSMA Fusion, a new enterprise-focused, buyer-led initiative enabled by GSMA Open Gateway, to help the automotive sector voice what it needs from connectivity providers to digitally transform and monetise their operations.

By connecting the automotive industry and developers, with operators and technology partners, GSMA Fusion and AECC aim to help the automotive industry create new services, that utilise connectivity and that add value and improve customer experiences for drivers and passengers.

The collaboration will also help accelerate conversations between automotive manufacturers, mobile operators and developers and create and trial new use cases. For example, by ensuring better interoperability between open advanced networks and 5G connectivity there is an opportunity to bring new connected and autonomous vehicle services to market.

Likewise, automotive and mobile operators are already trialling application programmable interfaces (APIs), such as Quality on Demand, to bring to market new in-vehicle services for passengers as well as driver assistance, green mobility and edge AI services.

Key to this will be the GSMA Open Gateway initiative which aligns operators and technology channel partners in engaging enterprise developers, so they can more easily access network capabilities through APIs.

More than 64 mobile operator groups representing 277 networks and three quarters of mobile connections globally now participate in the initiative alongside many of the world’s leading technology companies.

To inaugurate the partnership, the GSMA Fusion team on Wednesday 23rd October spoke at Automotive Edge Computing Consortium’s All Member Meeting in Berlin, Germany at Weltwirtschaft am HKW.

Alongside the GSMA, industry leaders such as Toyota, Ericsson, KDDI and Oracle discussed and demonstrated the latest innovations in automotive technology such as flexible and differentiated connectivity through telecoms APIs, vehicle teleoperation in immersive digital twin, and operation of service-oriented vehicle diagnostics.

Henry Calvert, Head of Networks at GSMA, said: “Through the GSMA Fusion initiative, the automotive sector now has a seat at the table to voice what it requires from the telecommunications sector. Advanced connectivity and edge computing create tremendous opportunities to digitally transform the industry, helping it enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability, while driving innovation in autonomous driving and next-generation mobility.

“We look forward to working closely with the Automotive Edge Computing Consortium and mobility sector to understand their needs and ensure the mobile industry helps them deliver new digital innovations for drivers and passengers, consistently across markets, regionally globally.”

AECC President and Chair Dr. Ryokichi Onishi, Principal Engineer and General Manager at Toyota Motor Corporation said: “We are excited to formalize this partnership with the GSMA and join forces to accelerate the automotive industry’s digital transformation. By leveraging the full potential of 5G networks and edge computing through interoperable technologies, we can unlock new connected vehicle services and enhance the driving experience.

“Our collaboration with GSMA Open Gateway and GSMA Fusion is a pivotal step in aligning the automotive and mobile industries, enabling innovation in various intelligent in-vehicle services, driver assistance, green mobility and edge AI services.”

The announcement builds on a recent agreement between AECC and the Linux Foundation’s CAMARA Project, a key partner in the GSMA Open Gateway initiative.