Telecom
Nokia, Ericsson Halt New Business in Russia

Nokia has announced its exit from Russia, while rival Ericsson is putting its business there on hold indefinitely, throwing into doubt the country’s ability to build super-fast 5G networks.
The Finnish telecom company announced on Tuesday that staying in Russia would “not be possible” given President Vladimir Putin’s ongoing assault on Ukraine.
“Over the last weeks we have suspended deliveries, stopped new business and are moving our limited R&D activities out of Russia,” Nokia said in a statement. “We can now announce we will exit the Russian market.”
That leaves China’s Huawei as the only top 3 global provider of 5G networks still active in the country.
Western governments have imposed several rounds of punishing sanctions on Russia since the invasion, including restrictions on imports of advanced technology into the country.
But they have emphasized the need, on humanitarian grounds, to maintain functioning telecoms networks to enable Russians to access information from abroad.
Nokia said it would “aim to provide the necessary support to maintain the networks” and was applying for licenses to ensure compliance with sanctions.
Ericsson, meanwhile, said that it would suspend its business in the country indefinitely and place its workers on paid leave. It had already halted all deliveries to customers in Russia in late February.
Western companies have quit their Russian businesses in droves following the start of the invasion in late February. Russia now faces the onerous task of building homegrown alternatives to Western products and services, possibly with the help of Chinese suppliers.
This task could extend to its next generation internet. Nokia and Ericsson are two of the world’s biggest providers of 5G mobile networks — the ultra-fast internet that will underpin a raft of future technologies.
Over the past four years, the companies have launched the highest number of commercial and trial 5G networks globally Ericsson launched 216, and Nokia 200 according to Kagan, a data provider owned by S&P Global Market Intelligence. China’s Huawei came in third, with 75 launches.
All three vendors are important to Russia: Huawei and another Chinese company, ZTE (ZTCOF), provide between 40% and 60% of Russia’s wireless network equipment, while Nokia and Ericsson supply the rest, the Financial Times reported, citing data from telecoms research firm Dell’Oro Group.
In November, Nokia said it was entering into a joint venture with Yadro, a Russian data storage developer, to build 4G and 5G telecoms base stations in Russia. That project has now been scrapped, a Nokia spokesperson confirmed to CNN Business.
Recent reports suggest Huawei which supplies 5G networks to Russia’s largest mobile operator MTS — could follow its European rivals in halting new business.
Forbes reported on Tuesday that Huawei has forced some of its office workers in Russia to take a month-long vacation after it suspended new orders, citing three sources close to the matter. The company fears it will fall foul of Western sanctions if it does business in the country, a source told the publication.
But Huawei, which continues to fight for survival after US sanctions severely curtailed its access to key technology, has stayed silent so far, except to call for peace in Ukraine.
Asked about sanctions on Russia at an earnings conference in March, Huawei Rotating Chairman Guo Ping said: “Just like every one of you, we hope to see a ceasefire and end of the war as soon as possible. And we believe that wise leadership will soon put this crisis to an end, and restore normal life.”
Telecom
NCC Bars Ex-Officials from Joining Telecom Firms for 5 Years

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced strict corporate governance rules that will bar its top officials from taking up roles in telecom companies they regulate until five years after leaving office.
Under the new Corporate Governance Guidelines for the Communications Industry, the Chairman, Executive Vice-Chairman, and Board Commissioners, both executive and non-executive, are barred from being appointed to any position in a licensed telecom company until five years after their exit from the Commission.
Similarly, Directors of Departments at the NCC face a three-year cooling-off period before they can take jobs with any licensee under the Commission’s supervision.
The move, announced on August 11, 2025, seeks to enhance transparency, accountability, and ethical standards in Nigeria’s fast-growing telecommunications industry.
Departmental directors face a three-year cooling-off period before joining any licensee under the agency’s oversight.
This policy aims to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure impartial regulation.
By creating a clear separation between regulators and the industry, the NCC hopes to curb undue influence and maintain public trust.
]The guidelines reflect a global trend in regulatory bodies enforcing cooling-off periods.
Similar measures exist in industries like finance and energy to safeguard against regulatory capture.
For Nigeria’s telecom sector, this is a significant step toward aligning with international best practices.
The NCC’s new framework also targets telecom operators’ internal governance.
Board chairmen or vice-chairmen are barred from holding executive powers or serving as MD/CEO of a licensee.
Former board chairmen and non-executive directors must wait five years before assuming executive roles in the same company or its affiliates.
Additionally, no more than two family members can serve on a licensee’s board simultaneously.
These measures aim to promote balanced board structures and reduce nepotism.
Dr Aminu Maida, executive vice-chairman, NCC, emphasised the importance of these reforms.
“Corporate governance is no longer a soft requirement. It is now a strategic imperative,” he said during the guidelines’ launch in Lagos.
Maida highlighted that robust governance correlates with better business performance, citing an NCC internal review. Companies with strong governance frameworks consistently outperform peers in service delivery, financial management, and regulatory compliance.
Nigeria’s telecom sector is a cornerstone of its digital economy. With over 222 million active mobile subscriptions as of Q1 2025, the industry supports critical sectors like finance, healthcare, and education.
However, challenges like cybersecurity threats, energy shocks, and rising consumer demands have exposed governance weaknesses. The NCC’s new rules aim to address these by fostering transparency, accountability, and innovation.
The guidelines apply to all communications companies holding individual licences and paying Annual Operating Levies (AOL) under the AOL Regulations 2022.
The NCC has indicated flexibility in applying the rules across different licence categories, with phased compliance measures to be communicated in writing. While the rules may cause short-term disruptions for operators, the NCC insists that long-term benefits, like improved service quality and market trust, will outweigh these challenges.
Telecom
Airtel, Vodacom sign Network Infrastructure Agreement to Drive Digital Inclusion

Airtel Africa and Vodacom Group have announced a strategic infrastructure sharing agreement in key markets including Mozambique, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), subject to regulatory approvals in the various countries.
The agreement marks a transformative milestone in promoting digital inclusion and expanding access to reliable connectivity across Africa.
The initial partnership focuses on sharing fibre networks and tower infrastructure, to accelerate the roll-out of digital services in these markets, increasing connectivity for customers while reducing operators’ infrastructure costs and improving speed to market.
By leveraging existing infrastructure, the collaboration aims to deliver improved connectivity, faster internet speeds, and more reliable services. This will not only enhance customer experience but also assist with providing access to digital services for a broader population, particularly those in underserved areas, helping to bridge the digital divide in Africa.
Vodacom Group’s chief executive officer Shameel Joosub said: “Providing connectivity to empower people is at the core of our strategy. Our partnership with Airtel Africa is a proactive step forward in creating a sustainable, inclusive, and connected digital future for the continent.
Through infrastructure sharing, we can provide cost-effective services to more people, more rapidly, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age. As we fulfil our ambition to connect 260 million customers by 2030, the need for scalable and cost-efficient network solutions becomes increasingly significant.
This partnership provides us with the opportunity to narrow the digital divide, empowering more individuals and communities through digitalisation across the continent. It is aligned with our purpose to connect for a better future,” concludes Joosub.
Airtel Africa’s chief executive officer Sunil Taldar said: “This partnership is aligned with our unwavering commitment to delighting our customers by always making our network available to them even in the remotest locations.
“Working with Vodacom, we will open greater access to digital and financial opportunities which will transform the lives of our customers while complying with all regulatory requirements.
“Even as competitors, it has become a business imperative for us to collaborate in the provision of critical infrastructure required to build resilient network with strong capacity to support the emerging digital technologies as well as the growing need for data-enabled products and services.
“Accelerating the deployment of fibre connectivity is a key enabler in the acceleration of 4G and 5G technologies in Africa to deliver the high-speed, low-latency, and reliable connections needed for modern digital applications.
“This partnership allows for further opportunities for both operators to enhance network performance, extend coverage, and increase mobile, fixed, and financial services leveraging a broader footprint on the continent.”
Telecom
Truecaller Crosses 100m Users in MEA Region

Truecaller, a global caller ID and spam prevention platform, has reached 100 million active users in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, representing a 19% year-over-year increase.
According to the platform, the region’s main markets include Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Algeria, Ghana, and Jordan.
Truecaller is routinely utilised on 20% to 45% of connected cellphones in these areas, including Android and iOS devices, according to the business.
The app has gained traction across the African continent with its concept of resolving communication issues for individuals and businesses by blocking unsolicited calls.
It has also collaborated with local businesses, forming major partnerships including a recent cooperation with Telecom Egypt to change consumer communication and experience by providing safe, customised, and seamless calling experiences.
Truecaller’s CEO, Rishit Jhunjhunwala, stated that the service has grown organically in markets such as MEA and India due to the mobile first environment, which uses a user’s mobile number as the primary identifier of calls. He under-lined that the MEA market provides a growth-enabling environment.
“We’re continuing to strengthen our organisation and our partnerships in the region, because we believe that the MEA is poised for significant growth for many years ahead,” said Jhunjhunwala.
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