Telecom
Samsung Gets Smarter with Galaxy S6 & Galaxy S6 Edge

Samsung Electronics has launched into the Nigerian market the most advanced smartphones in its stable, the Galaxy S6 edge and S6 duos.
The devices were formally unveiled in the Nigerian market on Friday.
Successors to the Galaxy S5 which was released in 2014, the Galaxy S6 edge and S6 duos are a blend of premium components with the most advanced Samsung technology.
They are imbued with incredibly intelligent cameras, and have set a new industry standard for design, craftsmanship and performance, redefining the company’s signature Galaxy series, introducing THE ALL NEW GALAXY.
Mr. Brovo Kim, Managing Director of Samsung Electronics West Africa, said that the new Galaxy S6 edge and S6 duos highlight the most refined phone experience ever by combining the latest technology that users expect from Samsung’s Galaxy series.
Kim reiterated the company’s commitment to fulfilling its brand promise of inspiring the world and creating the future by bringing new and outstanding innovations to the doorstep of consumers.
“Our innovative technology has adequately captured customers’ aspirations and desires,” said Kim.
The Galaxy S6 edge has the world’s first-ever dual curved edge display, which distinguishes the device as the ultimate premium smartphone.
Samsung has clearly placed a particular focus on intelligent camera, futuristic design and super-fast charging.
The Galaxy S6 duos is the dual sim version of the S6 which has flat style screen.
Some of the exceptional features of the Galaxy S6 Edge include People Edge, Edge Lighting and Information Stream.
The people edge and edge lighting work simultaneously. While the people edge allows users assign different colors to up to five favorite contacts making it easier to identify a caller, the edge lighting feature kicks in, lighting up the edge of the screen in the corresponding colour when notifications from the selected contacts are received including when the phone is placed face down.
Users can easily dismiss the call or send a default message simply by touching the heart rate sensor on the back.
The information stream feature allows users choose from a selection of feeds that will steadily scroll along the edge display. From RSS feeds, to stock reports, sports scores, weather, facebook and twitter updates and notifications, the S6 Edge Information Stream definitely has you covered.
The Galaxy S series are imbued with Samsung’s legacy of high-performance camera system that generates brighter and clearer images.
The devices’ 16-megapixel rear-facing camera and the 5- megapixel front-facing camera are equipped with F1.9 lenses and high resolution sensors that enable users capture every precious moment with friends, even in the dark.
The camera captures in about 0.7 seconds which is super-fast. Users can easily launch the camera app by double clicking the home button, while the volume keys can be used as a shutter button.
Combining that speed with the quickness of launching the camera with a double tap of the home button delivers an all around great experience.
Both devices support built in Qi wireless charging where you can charge your device wirelessly using a wireless charging pad. It’s an impressive set of charging feature that supports the non-removable battery capacities.
With the super-fast charging feature, the device can run for four hours on just ten minutes of charging, and charges to full battery in about 85 minutes.
The home button also doubles as a fingerprint reader, users no longer need to swipe; just place your finger on the button and its recognized.
Carefully crafted from metal and glass, the Galaxy S6 edge, particularly, shows unique and outstanding beauty while also providing a solid grip and an immersive viewing experience.
Its glass body, made out of a fusion of Corning Gorilla 4 (which is 50 percent stronger, tougher and more durable than any other Gorilla Glass) protects against sharp contact damage, which is the primary reason that mobile devices break and also gives the devices a dynamic reflective aura.
Mr. Emmanouil Revmatas, director of Hand Held Products for Samsung Electronics West Africa, described this range of Galaxy smartphones as a testament to Samsung’s leadership and innovation in the smartphone market.
“We have been pushing the boundaries of design and user experience of smartphones, bringing new and meaningful innovations to consumers by developing best-in-class products to meet their ever changing needs. The Galaxy S6 edge and S6 duos feature the best display in a smartphone, along with the best camera and best build quality. The devices are a blend of beauty and power comparable to a piece of fine jewelry, a premium accessory. Samsung is bringing the future now and we are excited to present our customers with the best smartphones yet,” he said.
The devices are available in an array of colourful jewel tones, including White Pearl, Black Sapphire and Gold Platinum. The S6 edge is also available in Green Emerald.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies, redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital appliances, printers, medical equipment, network systems, and semiconductor and LED solutions.
Samsung is also leading in the Internet of Things space through, among others, Smart Home and Digital Health initiatives. It currently employs 307,000 people across 84 countries with annual sales of US $196 billion.
Telecom
Telcos Threaten to Disconnect Banks over Misinformation on New USSD Charges

Telecommunication companies have threatened to withdraw their Unstructured Supplementary Services Data (USSD), services from banks over what they called misinformation.
MTN Nigeria, Airtel, Globacom and 9Mobile- the telcos disclosed that the banks’ notice to their customers on the new billing system and airtime deductions for USSD services was misleading.
Also, Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) also denied that the directive was from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
USSD is done via shortcodes on mobile phones and allows bank customers to make transactions in places with limited or no internet service.
Recall that banks earlier this week claimed that NCC has directed them to begin charging them from their airtime rather than from customers’ accounts.
The notice from the banks read in part: “In line with the directive of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), please be informed that effective June 3, 2025, charges for USSD banking services will no longer be deducted from your bank account.
“Going forward, these charges will be deducted directly from your mobile airtime balance in accordance with the NCC’s End-User Billing (EUB) model.
“Under this new billing structure, each USSD session will attract a charge of ?6.98 per 120 seconds, which will be billed by your mobile network operator.
“You will receive a consent prompt at the start of each session, and airtime will only be deducted upon your confirmation and availability of the bank to fulfil this service.
“If you do not wish to continue using USSD banking under this new model, you may choose to discontinue use of the USSD channel.”
Reacting, ALTON, umbrella body of telecom operators in Nigeria, said the banks’ notice is a gross misinformation deliberately hatched to suit their selfish interests.
Hence they threatened to withdraw network support to the banks’ USSD services.
Engr Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of ALTON told Vanguard: ” I don’t understand why the banks are twisting agreements and distorting information just to favour their selfish interests. In the first place, the information wasn’t a directive from the NCC but a joint regulatory agreement between the NCC and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN witnessed by the telcos and the banks. The agreement was that if the banks finally cleared all USSD debts owed to the telcos by June 2, 2025, they are free to migrate to the end-user billing method, so long as the model of migration is transparent and agreed upon by the telcos.
“The reason for that clause was because the telcos insisted that the process of migration is such that will not allow a customer to be billed twice; in other words, that a subscriber would not have his airtime deducted and also have his or her money deducted for same services from his or her bank account.
” As we speak, some of the banks have cleared their debts, but the majority are yet to do so. So, even if all the modalities of migrating to end-user billing have been perfectly carried out, the implementation cannot even begin because the banks are yet to clear the USSD debt owed to the telcos.
“Our position now is that if that is the way the banks want to treat the agreement, we may withdraw support for their USSD services. It is not a must-have. They can do without it. But, they should clear the debts as agreed,” he added.
Telecom
MTN Nigeria Plans N900Bn in Service Upgrade

MTN Nigeria has announced plans to embark on a massive capital expenditure (CAPEX) drive in 2025, committing nearly N900 billion to significantly enhance network service quality across Nigeria.

Dr. Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria,
The substantial investment, more than double the combined CAPEX of approximately N440 billion spent in 2023 and 2024, underscored MTN’s aggressive strategy to address persistent service quality issues and meet growing customer and regulatory expectations.
Dr. Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria, detailed this unprecedented financial commitment during a recent interview on Arise TV, emphasizing that improving service quality is the company’s paramount message for the year.
He highlighted a clear understanding and expectation from both the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and security agencies for improved network quality.
A primary focus of this increased CAPEX will be on putting additional capacity in a city like Lagos, particularly in Abuja, where you have a lot of buildings coming up, you need additional sites because there are coverage issues.
Beyond these critical urban centers, the investment aims to bolster network resilience and ensure power stability for its infrastructure nationwide.
This includes proactively addressing site outages by ensuring timely payment for operational necessities such as diesel for generators, a persistent challenge in the Nigerian operating environment.
Toriola outlined a comprehensive upgrade process, which involves placing orders formally, opening letters of credit, and then the equipment gets shipped in and installed.
He added that MTN will be acquiring new sites and laying fiber to the base station to create better stability” where necessary.
While the immediate CAPEX is geared towards improving existing service quality and capacity, this investment aligns with MTN’s broader goals of enhancing financial inclusion in underserved rural areas, suggesting a long-term vision for network expansion and service improvement that extends beyond metropolitan areas.
Subscribers can anticipate tangible improvements in service quality, with a significant improvement in quality of service expected by the end of the second quarter or early in the third quarter of 2025, according to Toriola.
“This year is all going to be about capital expenditure on an aggressive basis to fix quality of service issues (and) meet both the regulators’ and the public’s expectations,” he affirmed, reiterating MTN’s steadfast focus on customer experience through substantial capital investment.
Telecom
Telecom Regulators in Africa Chart New Course for a Data-driven Future

Telecom regulators and industry leaders from across the Middle East and Africa gathered in Cairo last week to chart a data-driven future for the region.
In a region where digital transformation is accelerating at unprecedented speed, connectivity intelligence firm, Ookla and Egypt’s National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) joined forces to organise the Telecommunications Regulatory Summit
Themed ‘Harnessing Data and Technology for Superior QoS’, the summit focused on how data, particularly crowdsourced insights, can transform regulatory strategies across the region.
The summit attracted stakeholders from over 30 countries, including delegates from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and World Broadband Association (WBBA), who engaged in high-level discussions on optimising network performance and accelerating digital inclusion.
Karim Yaici, lead industry analyst for the Middle East and Africa at Ookla, said the event set the tone for the growing value of data-driven decision-making.
“Access to and the use of crowdsourced data contribute to making more informed decisions, fostering transparency and ensuring that citizens in the MEA region benefit from high-quality, accessible and affordable connectivity,” he said.
The experts underlined that crowdsourced data is becoming a critical complement to traditional regulatory methods.
They agreed that it helps identify service gaps, prioritise infrastructure investments, and drive innovation.
With broadband speeds now closely tied to GDP growth and productivity, accurate performance data is seen as key to socio-economic advancement.
Dr. Hossam Abdel-Mawla, vice-president of technical affairs and quality of service at NTRA, stressed that the summit was pivotal in fostering regional collaboration.
“By actively sharing best practices and exploring innovative data-driven strategies, we are shaping a future where telecom regulations ensure digital inclusion and economic growth across the region,” he said.
In a key session, Ahmed Nabawy, director of client services at Ookla, presented findings on 5G performance in Egypt and Tunisia.
He demonstrated how Ookla’s unified data platform, powered by AI, enables operators to analyse 5G-capable device density and prioritise high-impact rollout areas.
The summit also explored the shift from conventional network quality metrics to more user-centric Quality of Experience models. These advanced analytics tools promise to enhance transparency, improve accountability, and ultimately deliver better connectivity experiences for all.
- E-Business2 days ago
NIMC Plans to Register 95 Percent Nigerians by December
- News2 days ago
JAMB Waxes Worriedly over Rising Digital Exam Fraud
- Telecom2 days ago
9mobile Nigeria Inks Agreement to Roam with MTN
- Telecom2 days ago
IHS Nigeria Moves to Enhance G4S Secure Solutions Site Patrols and Increase Operational Efficiency with Patrol Vehicles
- Telecom2 days ago
Banks, Telcos to Start Deducting USSD Charges from Airtime Today
- E-Business1 day ago
AXIAN Telecom Invests in Jumia Post-MTN Era
- Telecom2 days ago
Konga Launches 3rd Edition of Mid-Year Shopping Festival with Unbeatable Discounts
- E-Financial2 days ago
Fitch Upgrades Fidelity Bank’s National Rating to ‘A+(nga)’, Affirms Long-Term IDR at ‘B’