Industry News

European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Mariya Gabriel said the European Commission will soon bring a solution for 5G security concerns in the European mobile industry.

Speaking in a keynote presentation during Mobile World Congress 2019 in Barcelona, the official acknowledged concerns raised by players in the mobile industry on potential legislation related to national security and 5G network deployments.

“I’m well aware of the unrest among all of you key actors in the telecommunications sector caused by the ongoing discussions on the cybersecurity of 5G,” Gabriel said. “Let me reassure you, the Commission takes your view very seriously, because you need to run these systems every day.

“Nobody is helped by premature decisions based on partial analysis of the facts,” she added. “However, it is also clear that Europe has to have a common approach to this challenge and we need to bring it to the table soon, otherwise there is a risk fragmentation raises because of divergent decisions taken by neighboring states trying to protect access.

“We are working on this important matter with priority and the Commission will take steps soon,” the official added.

In related news, U.K.-based telecom group Vodafone’s CEO, Nick Read, said banning Chinese vendor Huawei from providing 5G gear in European markets would negatively affect competition in the telecom supply chain.

During a press conference at the MWC, Read also said that a decision of this kind would be very expensive for operators and consumers and that it would delay Europe’s 5G rollout by probably two years.

“It structurally disadvantages Europe,” he said. “Of course, the U.S. [doesn’t] have that problem because they don’t put Huawei equipment in,” Read added.

Last month, German carrier Deutsche Telekom said that the deployment of 5G across Europe would be affected if governments ban Huawei over security concerns, Bloomberg reported, citing an internal assessment by German carrier Deutsche Telekom. According to the briefing, the removal of Huawei from the list of 5G suppliers would delay the rollout of 5G by at least two years.

In its internal assessment, the German telco highlighted that 5G networks must be built on top of existing 4G infrastructure, which already relies extensively on Huawei equipment. If European governments ban Huawei and force operators to remove Huawei equipment, the telecom industry would see a huge financial impact, according to the report.

Source: GSMA

Leading telecoms companies gather in Barcelona this weekend for their main annual trade fair under the shadow of a bitter clash between the United States and China over network security for the next generation of mobile services.
Accusations from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration that Huawei, the world’s biggest network equipment maker, has enabled Chinese state espionage have shaken the industry and raised broader fears for progress in talks to defuse a rumbling trade dispute.

Aside from hosting snazzy device launches and officials from more than 2,400 companies, mobile industry trade body GSMA is seeking to ward off a ban on Chinese vendors in European markets.

GSMA Marketing Director Andrew Parker said the association would lobby to protect competition in the supply chain.

“The more choice the industry has, the more supply, the better value everyone will get,” Parker said.

“We are going to stick to, and encourage, that line because competition is a good thing for an industry like ours.”

Australia and New Zealand have stopped operators using Huawei equipment in their networks, and the European Commission is considering a de facto ban.

European telecoms executives say this could set back plans to roll out advanced “fifth-generation” 5G technology by at least two years. Industry analysts warn that shutting out Chinese vendors could also trigger retaliation from Beijing.

“What it loses in the West, it will win in the East,” said Bengt Nordstrom, CEO of Swedish industry consultancy Northstream.

“I would expect severe disruption to the telecoms ecosystem – this for me is very similar to the Lehman Brothers situation in 2008,” he added, referring to the Wall Street bank whose collapse triggered the global financial crisis.

U.S. DELEGATION

A delegation of at least eight U.S. officials is expected in Barcelona, two weeks after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Huawei equipment would jeopardise European allies’ partnerships with the world’s largest economy.

Huawei, an associate member of the GSMA, denies engaging in intelligence work for any government, and its founder has taken to U.S. and British media to emphasise this in recent days.

Any further restriction could spark a race between other network equipment makers to fill the void. Sweden’s Ericsson and Nokia of Finland compete with Huawei, while Korea’s Samsung Electronics is making a big push into the market.

Some operators fret that, were Huawei to be excluded from the process, Europe would slip behind other countries, especially if firms had to rip out parts of existing networks.

Another fundamental question the industry has yet to answer is whether 5G, which promises to link up everything from vehicles to household devices, will end up being profitable.

“The jury is still out on: is it going to be a consumer player, are there use cases that are going to demand 5G at an economic level that makes sense?” said Sam Evans, a partner at TMT consultancy and investment firm Delta Partners.

But enough testing should now have been done to “start to see at least in the short term if it’s viable”, Evans added.

FOLDABLE SCREENS

Alongside febrile politics, telecoms firms face the search for revenue growth as their bread-and-butter connectivity becomes ever less profitable.

Carmakers, data analytics firms and online retailers will rub shoulders with operators and unveil partnerships in fields ranging from transport to gaming and even medical surgery.

Applications for the “Internet of Things” – attaching chips that can send and receive data to everyday objects – will include sensors to prevent leaks in municipal water systems and other ways to improve city life.

After a dismal year for smartphones, with sales falling for five consecutive quarters, companies are also trying to reignite consumer interest with upgraded gadgets.

Huawei, which overtook Apple to become the world’s second-biggest smartphone seller last year, will show off its latest devices at the congress.

Market leader Samsung unleashed on the world on Wednesday a nearly $2,000 smartphone with 5G connection, the world’s first flexible screen and six cameras.

The device “answers skeptics who said that everything that could be done has been done,” DJ Koh, chief executive of Samsung Electronics, told a launch event in San Francisco.

Source: Reuters

Vodafone Ghana is partnering Stanbic Bank once again as it prepares to celebrate a season of quality jazz music in the country.

Within a period of six years, this event has become established in the Ghanaian society and every passing year takes the celebration to a higher pedestal of excellence.

Globally acclaimed artistes such as Gerald Albright, Bob James, Richard Bona and Earl Klugh, have all graced this platform and given customers and stakeholders moments to relish.

This year’s event is scheduled to take place at the Labadi Beach Hotel and Fantasy Dome from February 28 to March 2 on the theme: “Nostalgia.”

Celebrated musicians including UB40, Salif Keita and Richard Bona are headline performers for this year’s event.

Yolanda Cuba, Chief Executive of Vodafone Ghana said:

“This partnership is more than jazz. It is a relationship that continues to reflect what it means to excite, appreciate and empower our customers beyond our core strengths. We remain grateful to Stanbic Bank for choosing us for the third time. We look forward to subsequent associations to thrill our customers and stakeholders.”

Ms. Yolanda Zoleka Cuba, has been the Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone Ghana now since March 2016. Ms. Cuba joined Vodacom Group Limited in November 1, 2014 and served as its Chief Officer of Strategy & New Business until June 21, 2016.

Source: Ghanaweb

After a couple of years of fairly modest activity, Facebook is now ramping up its public Wi-Fi connectivity program with renewed conviction and resolve: On February 25 the social media giant announced three new mobile operator partners as well as three new Wi-Fi technology partners. Facebook made the announcement at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

Despite the power of the brand and the company’s famously deep coffers, Facebook’s connectivity programs have thus far largely failed to move the needle when it comes to connecting more people to the Internet in emerging markets. All of that is now about to change as the company appears once again focused and intent on bringing public Wi-Fi to the masses.

This week Facebook announced three new mobile operator partners: Vodafone Ghana (already announced in Ghana and covered by Wi-Fi NOW here), CellC in South Africa, and Globe in the Philippines. No details on the size of the networks were released although information from Vodafone Ghana indicates a probable size of a couple hundred access points for starters.

Facebook also announced three new Wi-Fi technology partners: HPE/Aruba, Edgecore Networks, and – surprisingly – Nokia. Nokia has in recent years offered a carrier Wi-Fi line of products although the extent of their deployment is largely unknown. The three new vendors join existing Facebook Express approved vendors Cambium Networks, Ruckus Networks, and Arista (Mojo Networks).

Facebook also says that Cambium Networks will incorporate into their Wi-Fi solution Facebook’s ‘self organising mesh access’ (SOMA) technology, which Facebook says is a “self-healing mesh Wi-Fi technology that allows for greater self-configuration, reliability, and performance and reduces the need for operators to spend time manually configuring their networks.”

Earlier this week Cambium Networks announced it will be incorporating Facebook’s Terragraph (60 GHz unlicensed radio) technology into a their new 60 GHz product.

Visitors to Facebook’s meeting area at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona were able to try out the Facebook Express Wi-Fi service itself during the event. And Facebook has indeed made it simple to use: Access requires SMS verification but otherwise users need just few entries and taps to connect.

Source: Mobile World Live

MTN Ghana has been adjudged Employer of the Year at the second edition of the Ghana Human Resource Innovation Awards (GHRIA) held in Accra.

At the same event, MTN Ghana won:

Outstanding Employee Retention Policy
Excellence in Employee Engagement
HR Innovation of the Year
HR Team of the Year for the Private Sector (Gold)
In addition, the Human Resource Executive of MTN Mrs. Amma Benneh-Amponsah was adjudged the HR Personality of the Year and one of the top 20 Human Resource Practitioners in Ghana.

Receiving the awards, Mrs Amma Benneh-Amponsah said “The awards attest to our continued commitment and investment in our people. We are humbled by this recognition. We will continue to invest in our human capital and infrastructure to create a conducive environment that enable employees to deliver their best.” She dedicated the awards to the staff of MTN.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, the Chief Executive of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), Dr Edward Kwapong, reiterated the importance of the HR practitioner to the socio-economic development of a nation. He said the wealth of a nation or an organization lies in the hands of its human resources and how well those resources are managed to the benefit of all.

“An event such as this to recognize the great works of professionals is a good catalyst and a motivator to make sure that our human resources are at par if not ahead of the changes in the human resource sector in the country”, Mr. Kwapong stressed.

Over the years, MTN has been recognized by several institutions both local and internationally for their unequalled commitment to high performance through exceptional people management. MTN is the first Corporate organization in Ghana to be awarded a Gold accreditation by Investors in People International, the international standard for people management. In 2018 alone, MTN Ghana won Investor in People Gold Employer of the year. The company also won HR Leader of the Year (Top 50 HR Practitioners) and Human Resources (HR) Team of the Year at the maiden edition of the Ghana Human Resources Awards.

The HR Executive of MTN Ghana, Amma Benneh-Amponsah, was awarded and recognized as an HR Change Maker at the HR Awards Ghana.

The GHRIA is an annual event that recognises leading Human Resource persons and organizations who have contributed significantly to the practice.

Source: Myjoyonline

Mobile Industry body, the GSMA, has kicked off Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona with a prediction that 5G will account for 15 per cent of all mobile connections by 2025.

5G is the major theme of this year’s event, with device makers, equipment manufacturers and other firms showcasing their wares at the Fira over the next four days.

5G networks have already gone live in the USA and South Korea, and the GSMA’s latest Mobile Economy report says 16 more markets will witness a launch in 2019. This includes the UK, where all four mobile operators have confirmed their initial rollout plans.

The GSMA believes the proportion of 5G connections will be as high as 30 per cent in Europe and China and close to 50 per cent in the US. 4G will also receive attention, increasing its share of global connections from 43 per cent last year to 60 percent within seven years.

Meanwhile, an additional 700 million new mobile subscriptions will be added by 2025 and 1.4 billion new mobile data users will come online during the same period. This will bring the total to more than five billion although a significant proportion is likely to be IoT-related.

Overall, it is predicted that mobile technologies and services will deliver $4.8 trillion of economic value by 2023 and that today, more than 32 million jobs are directly or indirectly supported by the industry.

“The arrival of 5G forms a major part of the world’s move towards an era of Intelligent Connectivity, which alongside developments in the Internet of Things, big data and artificial intelligence, is poised to be a key driver of economic growth over the coming years,” declared Mats Granryd, Director General of the GSMA.

“While 5G will transform businesses and provide an array of exciting new services, mobile technology is also helping to close the connectivity gap. We will connect more than a billion new people to the mobile internet over the next few years, spurring adoption of mobile-based tools and solutions in areas such as agriculture, education and healthcare, which will improve livelihoods of people around the world.”

Source: techradar

Samsung jumped the queue and arguably raised the bar as rival manufacturers get set to launch new gadgets at MWC19 Barcelona, unveiling a foldable device and four smartphones in its Galaxy S10 range.

The South Korean manufacturer, which unveiled the new line-up at events in London and San Francisco, opted to show its hand just a few days before the annual industry gathering in Barcelona kicks off.

There were four new devices shown-off at the event in the Galaxy S10 range: the Galaxy S10; a higher-spec Galaxy S10+; the lower-tier Galaxy S10e; and the Galaxy S10 5G.

Galaxy Fold
But, the headline grabber was what Samsung described as a revolution for the smartphone market, a new foldable device dubbed Galaxy Fold.

DJ Koh, president and CEO of Samsung’s IT and Mobile Communications division, said the device represented the company’s desire to “reinvent the smartphone from the ground up.”

The device was billed as both a smartphone and a tablet as its 4.6-inch screen folds out into a 7.3-inch display.

By switching between the smaller and larger screen, users can access three apps at once, with an App Continuity feature custom-built for the foldable design. Apps can open up on the smaller display, and users can pick up where they left off when opening up the device to access the larger screen.

The Fold’s specs are also at the high-end. It packs an HD+ Super AMOLED display, 12GB RAM and 512GB storage, and a six-camera system.

In a statement, Koh said: “Samsung is writing the next chapter in mobile innovation history by changing what’s possible in a smartphone.”

Owning the next chapter in mobile innovation will, however, not come cheap. Samsung priced the device at $1,980 in the US and €2,000 in Europe. It will be available in certain markets from 3 May.

The 5G era

Coming to the new Galaxy S10 range, the company highlighted the fact it was now a decade since the launch of its first Galaxy S device, as it touted the new lines’ beefed-up capabilities in display, camera and performance.

And, ten years on, the company was keen to talk up the Galaxy S10 5G device, which it said “charts the path for Galaxy for the next ten years”.

The S10 5G is the biggest of the new foursome, sporting a 6.7-inch curved display.

Samsung said the phone was designed bigger to enable consumers to take full advantage of 5G connectivity for streaming TV shows, gaming, and augmented- and virtual-reality experiences.

There is one storage option, at 256GB and 8GB RAM.

In terms of availability, the company said a number of operators, including Sprint, Vodafone and Deutsche Telekom, will carry the device when 5G launches later this year. A firm date or pricing was not revealed.

Screens, cameras, storage
The Galaxy S10e is the smallest of the four new devices, with a 5.8-inch full HD+ flat dynamic screen, while the Galaxy S10 sports a 6.1-inch, quad HD+ curved display.

Although offering higher specifications, the Galaxy S10+ is slightly smaller than the S10 5G at 6.4-inches. It also packs a curved display.

All four devices have been built with a “Dynamic AMOLED display”, as well as being the “first HDR10+” certified smartphones.

The devices’ screens also pack an “array of sensors and camera technology”, including an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint scanner “that reads the 3D contours of your physical thumbprint”, providing extra security.

When it comes to the camera, Samsung said it raised the bar with its new line-up, pointing to dual-pixel and dual-aperture firsts, along with enhanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.

The Galaxy S10 line offers an ultra-wide lens with a 123-degree field of view, as well as an AI camera that it said makes smart features more accurate via a Neural Processing Unit (NPU).

Galaxy S10e packs a dual camera; the S10 and S10+ have triple cameras; and the S10 5G has a quadruple system.

The S10+ offers the biggest option in terms of storage, with 1TB and up to 12GB RAM. It also has a 128GB and a 512GB option. The S10 comes with 128GB or 512GB of storage and the S10e offers 128GB and 256GB (RAM is 8GB in both cases).

Another standout feature in the devices is the inclusion of the new Wi-Fi 6 standard, enabling better performance and speed.

Galaxy S10e pricing starts at $749.99; the S10 at $899.99; and the S10+ begins at $999.99.

Along with the new smartphones, Samsung also launched new wireless headphones, Galaxy Buds, as well as two fitness-focused wearables, Galaxy Watch Active and Galaxy Fit.

Source: mobileworldlive.com

In line with its vision of a better life for all its customers, AirtelTigo has launched AirtelTigo Business, its Business-to-Business arm in Accra.

AirtelTigo Business aims to provide end-to-end connectivity solutions to Small, Medium and Large corporate organisations to enable them achieve growth and profitability.

Under the tagline “Making Business simple”, AirtelTigo Business offers total communications solutions including; Mobile Voice and Data, Fixed lines, Internet connectivity, Hosting and Managed Services among others.

Speaking at the launch graced by captains of industry, directors of state institutions and customers, the Chief Executive Officer of AirtelTigo, Mrs Mitwa Kaemba Ng’ambi, said: “At AirtelTigo, we believe that we are your partner in helping you evolve and finding ways to be better and do better. We would like to make your businesses simple by addressing all your communication needs thus freeing you up to focus on your core business.”

She disclosed that AirtelTigo Business connectivity solutions cover not only Ghana, but span across Africa, adding that the company will also leverage the infrastructure of its two parent companies – Bharti Airtel and Millicom to give businesses the best telecommunications network experience.

Launching the sub-brand, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah, applauded AirtelTigo management and staff for the successful completion of its network integration and upgrade last year, describing the integration as unprecedented in the telecommunications industry in Ghana.

He also commended AirtelTigo for introducing AirtelTigo Business to help businesses realize their full potential with the wide portfolio of digital solutions offered to customers. The Hon.  Deputy Minister said; “I am happy to note that AirtelTigo Business aims to address connectivity solutions for businesses with its “total communications solution” agenda and is already serving some of the largest businesses in the country.

He also appreciated the fact that AirtelTigo Business is providing leadership in setting the business solutions standard for companies by rolling out innovative products and services in line with its vision.

He explained that the Ministry of Trade and Industry with its allied agencies and partners are ready to support business initiatives to create jobs and transform communities. “The government will continue to support individuals, SMEs and other businesses to adopt ICT solutions to enhance their business operations so they can contribute to the growth of the economy,” he noted.

In line with its vision of a better life for all its customers, AirtelTigo has launched AirtelTigo Business, its Business-to-Business arm in Accra.

AirtelTigo Business aims to provide end-to-end connectivity solutions to Small, Medium and Large corporate organisations to enable them achieve growth and profitability.

Under the tagline “Making Business simple”, AirtelTigo Business offers total communications solutions including; Mobile Voice and Data, Fixed lines, Internet connectivity, Hosting and Managed Services among others.

Speaking at the launch graced by captains of industry, directors of state institutions and customers, the Chief Executive Officer of AirtelTigo, Mrs Mitwa Kaemba Ng’ambi, said: “At AirtelTigo, we believe that we are your partner in helping you evolve and finding ways to be better and do better. We would like to make your businesses simple by addressing all your communication needs thus freeing you up to focus on your core business.”

She disclosed that AirtelTigo Business connectivity solutions cover not only Ghana, but span across Africa, adding that the company will also leverage the infrastructure of its two parent companies – Bharti Airtel and Millicom to give businesses the best telecommunications network experience.

Launching the sub-brand, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah, applauded AirtelTigo management and staff for the successful completion of its network integration and upgrade last year, describing the integration as unprecedented in the telecommunications industry in Ghana.

He also commended AirtelTigo for introducing AirtelTigo Business to help businesses realize their full potential with the wide portfolio of digital solutions offered to customers. The Hon.  Deputy Minister said; “I am happy to note that AirtelTigo Business aims to address connectivity solutions for businesses with its “total communications solution” agenda and is already serving some of the largest businesses in the country.

He also appreciated the fact that AirtelTigo Business is providing leadership in setting the business solutions standard for companies by rolling out innovative products and services in line with its vision.

He explained that the Ministry of Trade and Industry with its allied agencies and partners are ready to support business initiatives to create jobs and transform communities. “The government will continue to support individuals, SMEs and other businesses to adopt ICT solutions to enhance their business operations so they can contribute to the growth of the economy,” he noted.

Source: AirtelTigo

MTN Ghana Limited has presented a set of science instruments to some basic schools within the Western and Central Regions to improve teaching and learning of the science.

“Practical Learning has proven to be more empirical as against theory and skills acquisition in evidence based learning is touted as the best form of learning and it is on that score that MTN is providing the numerous science sets to aid practical learning”.

Mr Yakubu Tiyuniba Mohammed, the Acting Regional Senior, South West, at a donation at the Bethel Methodist Basic School in Takoradi said the aim of the initiative was to help students to convert whatever they have learnt from the text books into the practical form.

Mr. Mohammed said the Science sets would therefore enhance education in the selected institutions as well as the knowledge base of students that would pass through the schools.

The Science-sets contained basic science equipment that transforms theory into practical forms.

According to Mr. Mohammed, MTN was passionate about equipping the current generation with requisite skills and ICT information to make science teaching more practicable.

He said currently, fourteen (14) schools have been chosen to benefit from 2000 Science sets and prayed for the second phase building on the success story of the schools selected.

Mr. Caleb Fugah, Marketing Head of Dext Technology, suppliers of the equipment said a pupil of the Berekum Basic School, has been able to invent light to help him study in the night.

He said there was another story in Wa, where a child used the science set to create a traffic light.

The Bethel Methodist School was the only school that was adopted by MTN in the Western Region to be given the science set.

The science set is also called mobile lab and can be used for twenty-six (26) experiments, including alarm system, traffic light, and electromagnet energy among others.

He said the vision of Dext Technology is to make all Ghanaian schools have the Science sets to make Science teaching very practicable.

The Headmistress of Bethel Methodist School, Ms. Gifty Acheampong who received the set, was grateful to MTN for haven chosen the school and prayed that the items would be judiciously used to improve upon science education.

Source: GNA

Vodafone has taken its customer commitment a notch higher by streamlining its mobile offerings to ensure easy choice and convenience for customers.

The telecommunications company says it arrived at this decision following issues it identified were affecting customers, such as indecision when choosing a preferred bundle from the numerous options in its product portfolio.

Using customer insights, the telecommunications giant has today introduced eight unique value-packed bundles, which will replace its tall list of integrated bundles.

These will empower customers, to choose an ideal monthly, weekly or daily plan based on their usage.

The new eight bundles, namely Red 1, Red 2, Red 5, Red 10, Red 20, Red 25, Red 50 and Red 100, offer minutes for calls to Vodafone numbers, calls to other networks, and international destinations in specially designed packages. They also offer SMS and data to enable customers connect to the things that matter to them.

Commenting, Pushpinder Singh Gujral, Consumer Business Unit Director at Vodafone Ghana said, ‘This is a game changer for us in the way customers access our product offerings. Our commitment is to ensure the customer is truly satisfied and empowered to make informed choices without complexities. From today, we are giving Ghanaians every reason to find in us, the right partner to keep them confidently connected”

Customers can subscribe to any of these unique bundles by dialing *7070# or *151*3# to subscribe.

The new bundles are also available on the MyVodafoneApp. Customers can download this free Vodafone app from the Play Store or App Store.

Source: Ghanaweb