AT Touching Lives and GMB Queen Titiaka Bring Joy to Basic School Pupils

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As part of its Month of Love celebration, AT Touching Lives, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative of AT Ghana, partnered with Ghana’s Most Beautiful (GMB) 2024 Queen Nihad Titiaka Oases Ibrahim – Titiaka on the “Sweet Smiles” initiative to mark National Chocolate Day with pupils of Khairiya Islamic and Osu Salem Basic Schools.

Interacting with the pupils Queen Titiaka addressed the current effects of climate change, highlighting its adverse effects on cocoa farming and the need for proactive measures such as tree planting, recycling, proper waste management, and community education on climate action

She further promised to reward pupils who plant the most trees before her next visit. She also urged them to focus on their education, stressing that it is the key to unlocking future opportunities.

Speaking on behalf of AT Ghana, Mrs. Felicia Evame Thornhill, Community Engagement Manager of AT (formerly of AirtelTigo), reaffirmed AT’s commitment to education and innovation. She encouraged pupils to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields to develop innovative solutions for climate-related challenges.

“There is a direct link between STEM education, climate change, and cocoa farming. As we celebrate National Chocolate Day, it is important to recognize the impact of climate change on cocoa production. I encourage you to explore STEM fields to contribute to sustainable solutions for our agricultural sector,” she stated.

The school authorities of Khairiya Islamic and Osu Salem Basic Schools expressed their deep gratitude for the initiative. The headmistress of Khairiya Islamic Basic School, highlighted Queen Titiaka’s achievements as an inspiration, particularly for young Muslim girls, encouraging them to pursue their dreams through education and perseverance.

A class 4 pupil from Osu Salem Basic School, Muniratu Mohammed shared her excitement, saying, “I never knew climate change could affect cocoa farming. I have learned that planting more trees can help protect our cocoa so I will ensure to plant more trees and share this knowledge with my friends and family.”

The event was attended by notable figures, including the Zongo Chief of Adabraka, PTA representatives from both schools, members of Queen Titiaka’s team, and employees of AT Ghana.

The even wasn’t marked to not only celebrate chocolate day but also educate students on climate change and its impact on cocoa farming, encouraging them to adopt sustainable environmental practices.

Source: www.citinewsroom.com

Indonesia, Apple agree terms to settle iPhone 16 spat

Indonesia

Indonesia and Apple reportedly reached an agreement to lift the country’s ban on iPhone 16 sales, potentially ending a five-month standoff as the tech giant commited to a $1 billion local investment.

The deal follows a dispute which began at the end of 2024 after Indonesia refused to grant a permit for the sale of Apple’s latest iPhone model, citing the company’s failure to comply with domestic production rules.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry, which is responsible for the ban, is expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Apple this week, with a press briefing set to follow, sources told Bloomberg.

In October 2024, Apple’s initial pledge to invest $1 billion in a local manufacturing plant was met with government pushback as ministers claimed the iPhone maker’s plans to produce AirTag tracking devices would not meet regulations for domestically produced iPhone parts.

However, as part of the latest terms, Apple will not only uphold its promised $1 billion investment to meet manufacturing regulations but also committed to training local talent in software and product design. The move comes after longstanding pressure from the Indonesian government for the company to expand its local R&D initiatives.

AirTegs on the agenda
Through its investment offer, the company still intends to establish an AirTag manufacturing plant on Batam island, accounting for 20 per cent of global AirTag production. Another plant in Bandung will apparently produce other accessories to expand Apple’s presence in the region.

However, the company reportedly has no plans to manufacture iPhones in the country.

The latest development comes after Apple settled a $10 million debt to Indonesia’s government for non-compliance with local rules between 2020 and 2023.

According to Bloomberg, settling the row grants Apple access to Indonesia’s growing tech-savvy population of 278 million after it reported declining sales in China.

Source: Mobile World Live

SpaceX in talks over €1.5B Italian job

SpaceX

The Italian government reportedly lined up a deal with Elon Musk for his SpaceX entity to provide a range of communications services for employees and the country’s military, with discussion ongoing over a five-year contract worth €1.5 billion.

Bloomberg reported talks are at an advanced stage, and the project had been signed off by Italy’s intelligence services and defense ministry.

Details about what could be provided by SpaceX are sparse, but the company would likely be tasked with providing a high-level of encryption for phone and internet services used by government employees, sources claimed.

The contract would also extend to communications services for the country’s military and the deployment of direct-to-device (D2D) satellite offerings in emergency situations, such as during terrorist attacks and natural disasters.

Bloomberg stated a deal such as this has been in the works since 2023; however, the plan faced some opposition from politicians due to concerns about how it may impact local operators.

Sources added the prospects of an agreement being reached progressed rapidly after Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with Donald Trump on January 4, with Musk notably a strong ally of the US President-elect.

News of the potential deal comes shortly after SpaceX struck a deal with Kyivstar in Ukraine to provide D2D services in the country, potentially beginning in the fourth quarter.

Source: Mobile World Live

Nokia, Vodafone, and RingCentral to Showcase Future of Voice Calls at MWC 2025

Nokia

Espoo, Finland – Nokia, in collaboration with Vodafone and RingCentral, will unveil Immersive Voice and Audio Services (IVAS) at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025. This groundbreaking technology, part of 5G Advanced, promises to revolutionize voice communication by delivering natural, three-dimensional sound experiences, even for remote calls.

Transforming Voice Communication
IVAS enhances traditional voice services with spatial audio, making conversations lifelike and immersive. Applications range from business meetings and industrial operations to education, sports, and everyday mobile calls. The technology leverages the Metadata-Assisted Spatial Audio (MASA) format, designed for devices like smartphones, and integrates a built-in renderer for head-tracked binaural audio and multi-loudspeaker playback.

Key Benefits of IVAS

  • Multi-stream teleconferencing: Enables seamless audio for complex meetings, with spatially distinct voices and inclusive soundscapes that make remote participants feel “in the room.”
  • Immersive 1-to-1 calling: Offers 360° audio for richer, more engaging interactions, with head-tracking for accurate directional sound.
  • Enhanced industrial access: Improves communication in noisy environments like factories and construction sites, while aiding remote servicing and critical operations.

Industry Collaboration
Developed by 13 companies and included in the 3GPP Release 18 standard, IVAS builds on the widely used Enhanced Voice Services (EVS). Nokia, Vodafone, and RingCentral are committed to expanding the IVAS ecosystem, delivering impactful audio experiences across communication platforms.

Experience IVAS at MWC 2025
Visitors can explore IVAS concepts at the Vodafone (Hall 3 Stand 3E11), Nokia (Hall 3 Stand 3B20), and RingCentral (Executive Meeting Room 12Ex, Hall 7E) booths from March 3-6, 2025.

Quotes

  • Jyri Huopaniemi, Nokia Technologies: “IVAS brings new use cases to life, delivering immersive audio experiences across platforms.”
  • Nadia Benabdallah, Vodafone: “Immersive voice technology enhances business meetings, industrial operations, and everyday calls.”
  • Homayoun Razavi, RingCentral: “IVAS restores the power of voice, promoting inclusivity and unlocking AI-enhanced collaboration.”

Source: Business Insider

Telefonica Argentina exit deal draws scrutiny

Telefonica

Telefonica struck a deal to sell its unit in Argentina to local rival Telecom Argentina for just over $1.2 billion, though the country’s president issued a rapid response announcing the move would be assessed over monopoly fears.

In its brief statement on the sale, Telefonica explained it was part of a group strategy to reduce exposure to the region. Its exit from Argentina and some other markets in Latin America has been the subject of regular media speculation in recent weeks.

Telecom Argentina highlighted a plan to make “intensive capital investments” on fibre and 5G in the coming years, along with “expansion of value-added services” in a stock exchange filing.

Areas where it plans to extend its reach include video on demand, IoT, AI and cloud services, and products for enterprise.

Telecom Argentina indicated as a result of its investments, “Argentina will have a digital infrastructure of international level and quality, boosting the development of key sectors of the economy”.

The deal is being mostly financed by loans.

Telefonica announced the “signing and closing of the transaction took place simultaneously” yesterday (24 February).

Competition
However, in a statement published in newspaper Clarin, the office of Argentina’s President Javier Milei revealed the deal would be investigated by regulators to assess whether it constituted the creation of a monopoly.

“This acquisition could leave approximately 70 per cent of telecommunications services in the hands of a single economic group, which would create a monopoly formed thanks to decades of state benefits received by the company,” it noted.

It added the government would “take all measures to guarantee users’ right to choose, free competition and accessibility to telecommunications services”.

In terms of mobile connections in Q4 2024, GSMA Intelligence placed Telecom Argentina as the second largest with 21.5 million and Telefonica third with 17.5 million.

America Movil’s Claro ranked top on 25.8 million.

Source: Mobile World Live

Australia pushes universal mobile coverage

Australia

Australia’s government proposed what it called a world-first reform requiring operators to deliver basic universal outdoor mobile coverage across the country, a move made possible by the arrival of direct-to-device technology using low Earth orbit satellites.

The Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO) would require operators to provide access to mobile voice and SMS almost everywhere across Australia. The measure calls for 5 million square km of new outdoor coverage, including more than 37,000 km on regional roads.

Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland noted the government would consult with stakeholders and introduce legislation this year to expand a universal service framework to include mobile coverage for the first time.

Implementation of universal outdoor SMS and voice coverage is expected by late 2027.

Rowland believes the reform will improve public safety, increase resilience during natural disasters and provide an extra layer of coverage in areas previously thought too difficult or costly to reach.

Telstra reached an agreement with Space X in January to deliver satellite-to-mobile service to customers in remote areas.

In 2024, Telstra called for a multi-technology approach to the universal service obligation using a mix of fixed, mobile and satellite technologies.

Source: Mobile World Live

Telecom Industry Leaders Pledge Support to New Communications Minister Samuel George

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Accra, Ghana – The leadership of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and its members have paid a courtesy call on the newly appointed Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, to congratulate him on his new role and offer their full support in advancing Ghana’s digital economy.

The meeting, held at the Ministry’s offices in Accra, provided a platform for engaging discussions on key industry challenges, policy directions, and opportunities for collaboration between the government and the critical telecommunications industry. In attendance from the Chamber were all the CEOs and country managers of MTN, Telecel, AT, ATC, Helios Ghana, CSquared, Ericsson and Huawei. The Minister was accompanies by some of his leadership team as well as the Acting DG of the NCA and some of his leadership team members.

Telecom Industry Lays Out Key Concerns

During the engagement, the Chamber and its members—comprising Ghana’s leading telecom operators and service providers—highlighted several critical issues impacting the industry. These included but are not limited to the following:

🔹 Protection of Telecom Infrastructure – Members expressed concern over the rising cases of fibre optic cable cuts, theft of telecom batteries, and vandalism of critical infrastructure, which have disrupted services and increased operational costs.

🔹 Access to Telecom Sites – The industry highlighted challenges with local chiefs and landowners demanding excessive fees or blocking access to telecom installations, leading to service disruptions and higher costs.

🔹 High Taxation on the Sector – The Chamber noted that telecom companies pay over 42% of their revenue in taxes, levies, and fees, and urged the government to review sector-specific taxes to encourage investment and affordability for consumers.

🔹 Spectrum Allocation & Network Congestion – The telecom companies appealed for additional spectrum releases to address increasing data demand, improve service quality, and expand connectivity nationwide.

Minister Samuel George Commits to Strong Collaboration

In response, Hon. Samuel Nartey George reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with the telecom industry to address pressing concerns and advance Ghana’s digital transformation agenda.

“We recognize the critical role of telecommunications in Ghana’s economic development. Our focus is to build a digital economy that benefits all, and we will ensure that the industry has the necessary support to thrive,” he stated.

The Minister outlined several key action points for industry collaboration. Below are a few:

  • Regular Engagements – He assured the Chamber that the Ministry will hold and also facilitate regular formal engagements with key stakeholders to maintain open communication and collaborative problem-solving.
  • Infrastructure Protection Laws – Hon. Samuel George expressed strong support for drafting and enforcing harsher penalties against fibre optic cable vandalism and telecom equipment theft among others.
  • Industry Support for National Digital Programs – The Minister urged telecom operators to play an active role in the government’s “One Million Coders Program”, which aims to train Ghanaian youth in digital skills and software development.

Industry Optic Fibre Minimum Specifications and Standards Manual

 

The leadership of the Chamber, went on to present a copy of its Telecommunications Industry Optic Fibre Minimum Specifications and Standards Manual which sets out the minimum industry specification and standards for the deployment of fibre optic cables in Ghana. The self-regulatory document was developed by benchmarking industry standards from Europe, Egypt and countries with successful fibre deployment systems and the experience of the Ghanaian operators.

On his part Hon. George, assured the Chamber that the standards will be carefully considered by the NCA and incorporated where possible into the Authority’s standards going forward.

A Shared Vision for Digital Growth

The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications welcomed the Minister’s vision for the sector and pledged its commitment to supporting national digitalization efforts. The Chamber’s leadership assured the Minister that they would work collaboratively with the government to drive technological innovation, enhance digital infrastructure, and support policies that foster economic growth.

As Ghana continues to navigate its digital transformation journey, this meeting marked a crucial step in aligning the goals of government and industry to build a more connected, inclusive, and competitive digital economy.

Apple Intelligence heads to Vision Pro in April

Apple

Apple plans to add its generative AI software to its extended reality Vision Pro headsets in April as part of an operating system update.

A beta version of the visionOS 2.4 software is currently available to developers with the public release slated for April. Apple Intelligence is a set of AI-based tools currently available on selected iPhone, iPad and Mac models.

Like its rollout on iPhones, Apple Intelligence Vision Pro features will come in waves with the first set focusing on generating, proofing, rewriting and summarising text messages using OpenAI’s ChatGPT in Writing Tools.

Another upcoming application touted by Apple was Image Playground, which will enable Vision Pro users to create unique images from themes, costumes, accessories, and places using verbal prompts.

These features are already available on iOS, macOS, and iPadOS.

Initially they will support US English, with more features and additional languages to follow over the course of 2025.

Also in April, Apple Vision Pro users will be able to browse visionOS content such as TV shows and movies on iPhones before transferring them to their headsets using the Apple Vision Pro app.

Apple pitched the Vision Pro as a spatial computing device when launching it in 2024 and billed the $3,500 headset as its next major platform.

During its fiscal Q1 2025 (the period to 28 December 2024) results statement, Apple CEO Tim Cook noted Vision Pro had more than 2,500 native spatial apps and 1,500,000 compatible apps for its operating system.

According to market research company AppFigures, the number of new Vision Pro apps has declined every month since the headset hit the market. It estimates that fewer than 1,900 apps are currently active.

Source: Mobile World Live

GSMA debuts telco AI LLM benchmarks

GSMA

GSMA Foundry, the industry association’s innovation arm, introduced an open-source initiative aimed at improving large language models (LLMs) for telecoms applications.

Dubbed the Open-Telco LLM Benchmarks, the initiative is intended to provide a new framework to assess AI models on capability, energy efficiency, and safety in real-world telecoms scenarios.

Described by the GSMA as an “open-source community”, the offering is backed by Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, computer application developer Hugging Face, and non-profit coding hub Linux Foundation. Operators including Deutsche Telekom, LG Uplus and SK Telecom, as well as vendor Huawei are also supporting the launch.

As AI adoption in telecoms accelerates, the GSMA explained that existing LLMs struggle with troubleshooting, regulatory compliance, and handling technical telecoms knowledge. Tests revealed that the GPT-4 model scored below 75 per cent on a dataset designed to evaluate telecoms-specific industry knowledge of LLMs. In another case, GPT-4 also performed less than 40 per cent on a dataset assessing the model’s understanding of 3GPP standards.

“Today’s AI models struggle with telecom-specific queries, often producing inaccurate, misleading or impractical recommendations,”explained Louis Powell, head of AI initiatives at the GSMA. 

The new benchmarks community will enable mobile operators, AI researchers and developers to contribute use cases, datasets, and AI models for evaluation. A standardised benchmarking system will allow the AI models to be tested against practical telecoms challenges, including domain expertise, mathematical reasoning, energy efficiency and safety. Benchmarks will be hosted on Hugging Face’s platform to promote transparency and engagement.

Powell added that by establishing benchmarks, the initiative aims to improve AI model performance while ensuring “AI in telecoms is safe, reliable and aligned with real-world operational needs”.  

As the industry puts focus on ethical and sustainable AI in telecoms, the initiative aligns with the GSMA’s previous commitments. Last year, the trade body introduced the Responsible AI Maturity Roadmap, a framework designed to help mobile operators implement best-practice principles in AI development and deployment.

Source: Mobile World Live

Apple to invest $500B in US over 4 years

Apple

Apple outlined a plan to spend more than $500 billion over the next four years to hire 20,000 new employees, expand its data centre capacity across five US states and build its own AI servers.

The additional jobs will focus on R&D, silicon engineering, software development, and AI and machine learning.

Apple stated the investment and new jobs are its biggest US commitments to date.

“We are bullish on the future of American innovation and we’re proud to build on our long-standing US investments with this $500 billion commitment to our country’s future,” Apple CEO Tim Cook stated.

Bloomberg wrote US President Donald Trump implied Apple is investing domestically to skirt 10 per cent tariffs on products imported from China following a recent meeting with Cook.

Cook was among many tech titans to attend Trump’s inauguration ceremony on 20 January.

The vendor and its partners intend to open a 250,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in the state of Texas in 2026 to produce servers for its Apple Intelligence software and AI tools.

It will also double its US Advanced Manufacturing Fund created in 2017 to support innovation and manufacturing jobs. The fund is growing from $5 billion to $10 billion as part of the new investment.

The expansion of the fund includes a multi-billion-dollar commitment from Apple to produce advanced silicon in a Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company facility in the state of Arizona.

It also plans to open the Apple Manufacturing Academy in the state of Michigan to help companies transition to advanced manufacturing by implementing AI and smart manufacturing techniques.

Apple also plans to expand data centre capacity in the states of North Carolina, Iowa, Oregon, Arizona and Nevada.

Source: Mobile World Live