Leading pan-African telecoms group Liquid Telecom is set to launch the first 5G wholesale roaming service in South Africa. Available from early 2020 in all major South African cities, this latest fifth generation of mobile internet connectivity will enable wholesale operators to create innovative, ultra-fast and scalable digital services for their customers.
MTN announced its Asset Realisation Programme (“ARP”) in March 2019 which aims to simplify its portfolio, reduce debt and risk, improve returns and realize proceeds of at least R15 billion over three years.
British mobile virtual network operator Lycamobile will officially start operations in Uganda where the company aims to provide quality voice and data services at affordable rates. Lycamobile is set to launch LTE in the country in partnership with Internet service provider Tangerine.
Safaricom has overtaken Wananchi Group-owned Zuku in fixed internet connections and now controls 34 per cent of the market, latest data shows. According to statistics from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) for the three months to September, Safaricom had 154,603 fixed home and office connections compared 151,548 for Zuku.
MTN Nigeria shares rose to their highest point in two weeks after the country’s Attorney General (A-G) withdrew a $2 billion tax demand, ending a 16-month long battle between Africa’s largest wireless carrier and legal authorities in its biggest market.
Alioune Ndiaye, CEO of Orange Africa and Middle East, and Kathinka Kurz, Head of the Development Partnerships Program with the private sector (develoPPP.de) at the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, signed a partnership agreement to develop the digital skills of 20.000 young people in 14 countries in the Africa and Middle East region. Orange and GIZ as two major institutions, one recognized for its expertise and know-how in the field of innovation, the other recognized by its experience and expertise in supporting the economic and social development of partner countries, will work hand in hand to train young people in digital skills, improve their employability and thus help reduce unemployment. Both parties join forces and bundle their competences and resources, with a financial contribution of 20 million Euro by Orange, and up to 10 million Euro by GIZ. This partnership will have a long-lasting impact on the economic perspective of young people.
Orange officially inaugurated the Orange Middle East and Africa operational head office in Morocco in the presence of Stéphane Richard, Chairman and CEO of Orange; Alioune Ndiaye, CEO Orange Middle East and Africa; the members of Orange’s Executive Committee and local officials.
Mobile network operator Orange is launching its own-branded 5G smartphone – the Orange Neva Jet – in a move that supports the adoption of 5G mobile services across its European footprint. GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, found that telcos have entered the 5G market in terms of their go-to-market strategies, with specific commercial value propositions and smartphone bundling approaches.
American Tower Corporation announced that it has closed its previously announced acquisition of Eaton Towers Holdings Limited (“Eaton Towers”), adding approximately 5,700 communications sites to its African portfolio. Total consideration for the acquisition, subject to certain post-closing adjustments, was approximately $1.85 billion, including the assumption of existing Eaton Towers debt.
Sparkle, the first international service provider in Italy and among the top ten global operators, has enhanced its Sicily Hub in Palermo with DE-CIX remote peering capabilities.
