Singapore Regulator, Banking Association to Set up New Payments Entity

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By Reuters

Singapore’s financial regulator and the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) said on Wednesday they will set up a new entity to consolidate the administration and governance of national payment schemes and further grow them.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and ABS said in a joint statement that the entity will also collaborate with MAS to develop Singapore’s national payments strategy and ensure a safe, efficient and innovative payments infrastructure.

“Consolidating the administrative and governance responsibilities of all national payment schemes under a single entity will strengthen the governance of these schemes and contribute towards greater payments resilience and innovation,” Chia Der Jiun, MAS’ managing director, said in the statement.

The MAS is Singapore’s central bank and integrated financial regulator.

Financial hub Singapore’s current national payment schemes, including Interbank GIRO System and PayNow, are administered and governed by Singapore Clearing House Association, ABS, MAS and Infocomm Media Development Authority, the statement showed.

These payment schemes are widely used by consumers and businesses for domestic and cross-border payments.

MAS and ABS said the new entity will be governed by senior representatives from the central bank and the financial services industry.

There will be no changes to the operations and scheme rules of the national payment schemes, and further details on the entity’s name, governance structure and board composition will be announced later this year, they added.

(Reporting by Yantoultra Ngui; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)

Telecel certified as a 2025 top employer

Telecel Ghana has been recognised as a Top Employer in Ghana for the 7th consecutive year, a major achievement that demonstrates the company’s commitment to creating a world-class workplace and promoting excellence in its Human Resource (HR) policies and practices. The recognition also comes almost a year since the telecommunications giant completed its rebranding to Telecel.

“We are delighted to be recognised as a Top Employer in Ghana. This award validates the hard work and dedication of our team, and it reflects our ongoing commitment to encouraging an inclusive, innovative, and supportive work environment. We’ve worked tirelessly to ensure that Telecel Ghana is not only a leader in digital connectivity but also a leader in talent development and employee wellbeing,” said Ing. Patricia Obo-Nai, chief executive of Telecel Ghana.

Being certified as a Top Employer reflects Telecel Ghana’s dedication to building a better world of work through exceptional people strategies, inclusive practices, and innovative talent development. The Top Employers Institute evaluates organisations through a rigorous HR Best Practices Survey, covering key areas such as People Strategy, Work Environment, Talent Acquisition, Learning, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Wellbeing, among others.

David Plink, CEO of Top Employers Institute, said: “This year, the Top Employers Certification Programme highlights the dedication of Top Employers as they continue to set the standard by consistently delivering world-class HR strategies and practices. We are proud to celebrate these people-first leaders and teams as Top Employers for 2025.”

Over the past year, the telco has focused on improving its internal culture, focusing on employee development, diversity, and inclusion. “Our aim is to build a workplace that nurtures talent, promotes continuous learning, and empowers our employees to contribute to both their personal growth and the company’s mission of connecting Ghana and Africa. This recognition reaffirms that we’re on the right path,” said Hussein Rifai, Head of Centre of Excellence (CoE) at Telecel Group.

With over 2,400 organisations certified across 125 countries and regions, the Top Employers programme has become the global standard for recognising excellence in people practices. This year, Top Employers Institute certified companies that positively impact the lives of over 13 million employees globally, with Telecel Ghana standing as a proud member of this esteemed group.

Source: THEBFTONLINE.COM

Cisco launches solutions to enable telcos to monetise AI services

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(These solutions cumulatively offer telcos the tools to evolve their networks, develop new service offerings, and monetise the delivery of assured services, according to the company.)

US-headquartered telecom gear maker Cisco on Tuesday launched a framework for telecom operators to kickstart the monetisation of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven services.

“Service providers are set to play a critical role in defining how, where, and when data from artificial intelligence (AI) applications moves across networks,” Cisco said, adding that its solutions can enable telcos to handle the increase in data volume and variety, and monetise the services supporting Al traffic.

“The Al revolution is a massive potential tailwind for service providers,” said Jeetu Patel, Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Product Officer, Cisco. “Al, and especially the advent of Al agents, will mean an incredible influx of new digital workers who will be working together and communicating constantly. Cisco’s Agile Services Networking is the blueprint for service providers as they look to capitalise on the opportunities of Al by meeting the demand for high-bandwidth, secure, and energy-efficient connectivity.”

Cisco’s ‘Agile Services Networking’ framework comprises the Cisco Silicon One systems and platforms, Cisco coherent pluggable optics, and network automation and assurance features that are “designed to remove complexity with simplified networking that converges network layers and services”, the vendor said.

These solutions cumulatively offer telcos the tools to evolve their networks, develop new service offerings, and monetise the delivery of assured services, according to the company.

The first of Cisco’s Silicon One-powered 8000 series has become available, while additional models are targeted to ship in the spring and summer of 2025. The first of Cisco’s new coherent pluggable optics is also targeted to begin shipping in the spring of 2025, while the network automation and assurance features are available now.

Source: telecom.economictimes.indiatimes

EC bets big on AI with €200B investment plan

The European Commission (EC) pledged to raise €200 billion for investment in AI across the region, a move announced at the AI Action Summit in Paris.

The programme, dubbed InvestAI, is set to combine public and private investments to boost AI research, infrastructure and deployment across the European Union (EU). The plan also includes a €20 billion European fund to support the development of large-scale AI gigafactories across the region to support advanced AI model training.

Initial financing for InvestAI will be sourced from existing EU programmes for digital initiatives, including the Digital Europe Programme and InvestEU. Additionally, EU member states can allocate funds from designated cohesion budgets to support the initiative. Meanwhile, the AI gigafactories will be funded through a combination of grants and equity.

EC president Ursula von der Leyen unveiled the initiative, stating it will “enable all our scientists and companies – not just the biggest – to develop the most advanced very large models needed to make Europe an AI continent”.

The announcement came shortly after French President Emmanuel Macron revealed a €109 billion investment plan to support AI development in the country at the Paris summit. Macron described the investment as “the equivalent for France of what the US has announced with Stargate”, referring to the President Donald Trump-backed $500 billion AI joint venture involving OpenAI.

Pushback against AI safety
Alongside the investment announcement, the EU also promoted an international declaration on AI safety at the summit, backed by around 60 countries including China, India and Germany. The non-binding agreement calls for AI to be “ethical, safe, secure, and trustworthy”.

However, the US and UK declined to sign the agreement, citing concerns about its potential impact on innovation and national security. Financial Times reported the US argued that excessive regulation could hamper AI innovation and took particular issue with the communique’s multilateral language. Vice President JD Vance described the regulations as “overly precautionary” and stated the Trump administration will “ensure that the most powerful AI systems are built in the US”.

Meanwhile, UK representatives reportedly stated the declaration “didn’t provide enough practical clarity on global governance, nor sufficiently address harder questions around national security”.

Source: Mobile World Live

Ericsson aims to stand out at MWC25

Ericsson outlined plans to open its previously invite-only stand at MWC Barcelona to wider audiences, including enterprise customers and developers, this year, with an open area set to showcase its network capabilities.

Speaking to Mobile World Live as part of our MWC25 Preview Week, Cecilia Atterwall, head of marketing at Ericsson, revealed the vendor’s usual exhibit in Hall 2 will include a new open area where visitors can expect demonstrations of emerging technologies, including augmented reality experiences, while it will also promote 5G enterprise applications.

The stand will also highlight the role of cellular connectivity, fixed wireless access and network APIs in driving business innovation, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. With nearly 100 cases from a set of 100 different partners, 20 percent of Ericsson’s demo team will come from external companies.

In line with its push for industry collaboration, the company will showcase its work with major industry players, including Salesforce, BT, KDDI, Toyota, and Nvidia Omniverse.

Atterwall stated enhanced capabilities at the pavilion, which spans 6,000 square meters, are driven by a belief that the telecoms industry now requires “a shift in our industry and in how we collaborate and work together so no one can make it on their own.”. 

She further pointed to Ericsson’s latest partnership with multiple operators to establish Aduna, a venture focused on expanding access to network APIs, as an example underscoring the vendor’s efforts towards establishing an interconnected ecosystem.

Atterwall continued, “We’re trying to work from the perspective of the users, both enterprise customers and consumers. What are the key value points of differentiated connectivity?”

Source: Mobile World Live

Meta Platforms begins cutting jobs

Meta

Meta Platforms reportedly started a round of employee layoffs as part of its plan to shift its workforce to high priority areas such as AI.

Bloomberg reported thousands of Meta Platforms staff received email notifications they are being let go. The news agency stated US-based employees will receive severance packages involving 16 weeks of salary and two weeks of pay for each year of their employment.

Eligible staff will still receive bonuses, and the company is awarding stock, Bloomberg wrote.

Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg informed employees last month the company planned to cull 5 per cent of its workforce, around 3,600 people, explaining staff in the US would receive notice on 10 February and international workers at a later date.

On its Q4 2024 earnings call, CFO Susan Li stated it had more than 74,000 employees at end-December, a 10 per cent increase on 2023.

She noted staff pay would be the next-largest driver of expense growth after infrastructure in 2025 as the company shifts more resources towards generative AI, its Reality Labs division, infrastructure monetisation, and regulation and compliance.

Last month, Zuckerberg revealed Meta Platforms planned capex of $60 billion to $65 billion in 2025, as part of a scheme to broaden its AI infrastructure.

Source: Mobile World Live

Altman rebuffs Musk-led $97B bid for OpenAI

Elon Musk

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman rejected a $97.4 billion play by an Elon Musk-led consortium to take charge of the non-profit group that controls the AI company, heating up a longstanding rivalry between the two tech moguls.

The news, first reported byWall Street Journal, marks an attempt by Musk to block OpenAI’s ongoing bid towards a for-profit structure and return it to its original nonprofit mission. The group of bidders includes Musk’s AI company xAI, as well as investment firms Baron Capital Group and Emmanuel Capital.

Altman swiftly rejected the offer, stating on Musk-owned platform X: “No thank you but we will buy twitter for $9.74 billion if you want.”

According to Reuters, the OpenAI CEO also informed employees that the company remains committed to its existing for-profit push. Musk responded by calling Altman a swindler.

Sources told Reuters that if Musk were to proceed with the acquisition, he would need to secure sizeable funding, possibly utilising his stakes in Tesla or SpaceX.

Long-running feud
In 2024, OpenAI initiated a restructure of the company, making its for-profit unit independent from its nonprofit parent to boost its ability to raise funds.

Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI, left the organisation in 2018 over clashes with Altman and has since heavily criticised the company’s revised business model. For instance, he urged lawmakers in two US states to push OpenAI into auctioning large stakes in its business.

The pair also publicly clashed over US President Donald Trump-backed joint venture Stargate, a $500 billion AI infrastructure initiative involving OpenAI. The tech moguls took to X last month to spar over Musk’s allegations about the project’s financial viability.

Source: Mobile World Live

Somalia launch Africa’s first national IPv6 internet protocol centre

Somalia

Somalia’s National Communications Authority (NCA) and Jamhuriya University of Science & Technology (JUST), in collaboration with the African Network Information Center (AFRINIC), have launched the country’s first National IPv6 Internet Protocol Center, marking a significant milestone in the country’s digital transformation.

The centre will serve as a hub for research, training, and implementation of IPv6 technology, ensuring Somalia transitions towards a more secure, scalable, and modern internet infrastructure.

The shift from IPv4 to IPv6 is essential for expanding internet access, strengthening network security, and supporting emerging technologies such as 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT).

The inauguration ceremony brought together government officials, industry leaders, academia, and key stakeholders from Somalia’s digital ecosystem.

Speaking at the event, Eng. Mohamed Ahmed Mohamud, President of Jamhuriya University of Science & Technology (JUST), praised the partnership between government institutions and academia in advancing digital services.

“This collaboration is crucial for Somalia’s technological and knowledge development. Strengthening cooperation between public institutions and the education sector is key to building a strong digital economy,” he explained.

NCA Director General Mustafa Yasin Sheikh, underscored the strategic importance of IPv6 adoption, emphasizing its role in expanding internet services, enhancing cybersecurity, and integrating advanced technologies into Somalia’s digital infrastructure.

“This center is a landmark achievement in modernizing Somalia’s telecommunications sector and accelerating our digital growth. IPv6 is not just an upgrade-it is the foundation for a more resilient and future-ready internet ecosystem.”

Minister of Communications and Technology, H.E. Mohamed Adan Macalin, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing digital connectivity and called on all stakeholders to support IPv6 adoption.

“The launch of this center signals Somalia’s transition into a modern digital era. I urge all telecommunications companies, academic institutions, and private sector players to actively engage in implementing the National IPv6 Strategy.”

During the event, NCA and JUST signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), formalizing their partnership and designating the university as the host institution for the center. The agreement outlines cooperation in training, research, and public awareness efforts to facilitate a smooth transition to IPv6 across Somalia.

The National IPv6 Center is a key component of Somalia’s National ICT Strategy, reinforcing the country’s commitment to a secure, scalable, and sustainable digital future.

Source: nation.africa

MTN to End 3G Service in South Africa by December 2025

MTN

MTN has announced plans to shut down its 3G network in South Africa by December 31, 2025-accelerating the phase-out schedule by a full year.


The decision comes after a successful pilot in Cape Town, where the operator tested a migration strategy designed to transition users to more advanced 4G and 5G services.


In a letter sent to participants of the Cape Town pilot, MTN explained that the move follows a directive from the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, which, as early as September 2022, signaled its intention to eliminate both 2G and 3G networks. The operator assured customers that while there would be some inevitable short-term impact, the transition would be implemented in carefully planned stages to minimise disruption.


The pilot project, which covered areas including Durbanville, Greater Melkbosstrand, and several Cape Town suburbs such as Milnerton and Bloubergstrand, was used to fine-tune the migration process. Encouraged by its success, MTN is now confident that a full rollout will be smooth and will ultimately enhance customer experience by delivering faster, more reliable connectivity.


This planned upgrade reflects broader trends in the South African telecom market. Industry giants like Vodacom and MTN are urging the government to avoid rigid deadlines, emphasizing that flexibility is essential in light of the high costs associated with upgrading to 4G and 5G devices. Communications Minister Solly Malatsi has confirmed that ICASA is conducting an economic impact assessment to ensure that the switch-off will not unduly affect consumers, especially in regions where access to advanced networks remains limited.

The move to phase out older networks is part of a larger strategy to modernise South Africa’s mobile infrastructure. With the introduction of budget-friendly devices such as Vodacom’s Mobicel S4 and MTN’s Icon 5G, there is hope that the transition will not only boost network efficiency but also make modern mobile technology more accessible to a broader segment of the population. However, some analysts warn that the shift must be managed carefully to avoid alienating customers who still depend on 3G services for essential communications.


As the countdown to the December 2025 deadline begins, all eyes will be on how MTN and its peers handle the migration. The planned phase-out is seen as a necessary step toward a more connected and technologically advanced future for South Africa, but its success will depend on balancing the rapid pace of technological change with the practical needs of everyday users.

Source: News Ghana

Telecel Enterprise Business Director champions tech’s role in empowering women entrepreneurs

Telecel

Director of Enterprise Business at Telecel Ghana, Tawa Bolarin, has emphasised the vital role of technology in strengthening businesses during a panel discussion at the Africa Prosperity Dialogue (APD) 2025 Breakfast Meeting, under the auspices of the Ladies Entrepreneurship Club.

The discussion, themed Scaling Your Business Through Strategic Technology Investment, centred on integrating technology into business for accelerated growth and bridging the digital divide by providing women-led businesses with the tools they need to thrive.

A key focus of the discussion was the importance of effectively leveraging digital tools to drive business growth, shedding light on how many businesses, particularly those in rural or underserved areas, are not fully harnessing the potential of existing tech devices to fuel their success.

Ms Bolarin said there is a critical need for businesses to recognise the value of technology in accelerating growth. She emphasised that the challenge is not only the inaccessibility of technology for small businesses but in the underutilisation of basic connectivity options, which can serve as gateways to opportunities and growth.

“If you’re not using tech devices or tools to access information to help grow your business, then you’re facing a challenge. The real challenge isn’t just having access to tech, but knowing how to use it strategically,” she explained.

For many businesses, the barriers to tech adoption go beyond simply having access to the devices. Data costs, lack of infrastructure, and rural exclusion were highlighted as significant hurdles that prevent smaller or rural businesses from fully engaging with digital solutions.

Ms. Bolarin stressed that for a business to stay competitive, it must integrate important tech tools and understand their value in driving efficiency, expanding reach, and improving customer engagement.

“We need to empower businesses to understand why these tools are crucial and how they can leverage them for growth,” Ms. Bolarin added.

Tech support and capacity building form part of the Telecel Women in Business initiative, which was launched last September during the annual celebration of the telco’s Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) Month.

Additionally, the Women in Business package provides tailored solutions and support to women-led businesses including access to grants and loans, health and life insurance products, free website development, and e-commerce support.

With this initiative, Telecel wants to create an enabling and supportive climate where women-led businesses can be sustainable and grow.

Moderated by the founder of the Ladies Entrepreneurship Club, Tonisha Tagoe, other speakers on the APD 2025 Breakfast Meeting panel included Edna Engmann of Fidelity Bank, Em Ekong of the Aspen Institute’s Network of Development Entrepreneurs, Johanna Svanikier of HACSA Foundation and Grace Krobo-Edusei of Grace Centre for Growth and Excellence.

Source: Myjoyonline