Industry News Imported

Telecommunication infrastructure should be classified as critical national infrastructure of security concern and legal punitive measures instituted against recalcitrant people whose actions and inaction caused interruptions in its flow to serve as deterrent to others.

The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications (GCT) which made the suggestion expressed disappointment that huge sums of monies that could go into expansion works on telecom infrastructure was being used to fix damages and vandalisation of fibre optics across the country.

Mr. Kenneth Ashigbey, Chief Executive of the Chamber who made the call, identified government utility service providers as the leading culprits in major fibre optic cuts, accounting for about 55 percent of all cuts as a result of lack of coordination and cooperation within the agencies.

He was speaking at the Chamber’s Central Regional Right of Way (ROW) sensitisation workshop on “collaborating to safeguard communication infrastructure” organised jointly by National Engineering Coordinating Team (NECT) and the National Communication Authority (NCA) in Cape Coast on Thursday.

The engagement brought together stakeholders including road contractors, utility service providers, local government actors, regulators and others who work within the reservations or play critical roles in its management.

Mr. Ashigbey named the agencies as the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA), Power Distribution Service (PDS) and Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) and others like the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDA), while private developers, mining and thefts accounted for over 25 per cent, resulting in huge financial loss and inconveniences in customer service to clients.

He revealed that the mobile Industry experienced over 2,000 incidents of fibre cuts, and 600 incidents of theft at base stations affecting over 18 million subscribers within the first half of the year 2019.

This cost the industry over GH¢30million in direct repairs with over 150,000 litres of diesel and 240 batteries stolen from their cell sites and an average monthly cuts of $748,518.00.

Assessing the national impact of fibre cuts, he indicated that it remained a great loss of revenue to government and service operators, disruption of banking services and created negative consumer perception of teleco services.

He added that over 20 percent of fibre cuts had negatively impacted traffic due to either network capacity reduction or congestion increases, making it difficult for customers to make or receive calls and further called for sustained stakeholder education and improved coordination between road and utility agencies for them to appreciate the impact of damages of communication infrastructure on the nation.

The Chamber would therefore develop an action plan towards effective collaboration and better coordination within the Right of Ways, while preserving each other’s infrastructure and also engage security agencies within the regions to arrest and prosecute criminals who tampered with telecommunications infrastructure.

Mr Kwamena Duncan, the Central Regional Minister in his welcoming address, reiterated the need for the agencies as well as engineers to unite their front and effectively collaborate with the relevant agencies to reduce the practice.

Source: GNA

Vodafone Ghana on Friday organised its 2019 “Cashless Bazaar” grand sales event in Accra to promote the cashless system of payment and government’s vision of achieving a cashless and digitized economy.

The bazaar, which had over 200 small and medium-sized enterprises and hundreds of customers in attendance, was aimed at giving customers and businesses an assurance that they could trade the cashless way at their convenience and safety.

Businesses exhibited products such as clothing, jewelleries, cosmetics, food, materials for internal deco, baby skin and hair care products and services such as hairstyling and massaging therapy.

Mr Martison Obeng-Agyei, the Director of Vodafone Cash, speaking to the Ghana News Agency, said that Ghana is moving towards a cashless society, which had been a subject of interest to the government and needed support from all stakeholders.

He said Vodafone mobile financial services has enhanced the Vodafone Cash to make the vision achievable, saying, the month of June has been set to encourage customers to do a lot of cashless purchases to move the nation forward.

The purpose, he said, was to convince the populace to understand the need to move into a cashless society for them to accept the electronic payment as a legal tender.

“So if I buy ‘waakye’ with mobile money, the ‘waakye’ seller should be able to buy beans with mobile money, the beans seller should be able to pay the farmer with mobile money and the farmer should be able to pay his children’s school fees with mobile money,” he said.

He said when the loop was closed the money spent by government to print paper money and distribute it coupled with insecurity problems would be reduced.

Mr Obeng-Agyei said: “The vendors after sales could stand here and move their cash straight into their bank account. No one here is guarding a wallet or pot of money. Everybody’s transaction is happening on his or her phone and the phone is secured with them. If they lose their sim cards, they can have them replaced and still have the monies back on their phones”.

As part of the promotion of a digitized and cashless system, he disclosed that, Vodafone has partnered with DSTV to make payment systems easy for customers as well as a food delivery services company called ‘Homechow’ to deliver foods to the citizenry in the comfort of their homes whenever they placed an order.

The Director of Vodafone Cash said businesses have accepted the cashless payment system with Vodafone Ghana as it was more convenient, easy and time saving for them.

Among the businesses that exhibited their products at the bazaar were Spectacular Opticals, Casa Nasari Clothing, Blush Cosmetics, Walking Pretty Heads and Accessories, Kingo fabrics, A-G Couture clothing and jewellery, Carine shop underwear, MadebyNanayaa Hair wig collections, Gee AAY Beads Collectibles, Regal Impressions wallpapers, and Sights and Shades spectacles.

Source: GNA

Vodafone Ghana is partnering Melon Concept, organizers of the Selewa cashless market for a massive discount sale at its headquarters, come Friday, June 28, 2019.

This edition of the selewa event dubbed the Vodafone cash Bazaar, unlike previous events, is scheduled to start in the afternoon, with a fifty percent (50%) discount on meals for all patrons.

For the past four years, the Selewa event has been one that patrons look forward to at least every two months due to the convenience and cash savings it brings to arts, beauty and fashion enthusiasts. However, the popular discount-driven market is popping up for the first time this year.

The Selewa market brings together producers and suppliers of quality fashion, arts, beauty and natural health products, and gets electronic payment platforms to sponsor massive discounts for its patrons.

The cashless market known for dolling out shopping gift vouchers in addition to the up to 80% discount to patrons at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Accra, over the years, is making a move to the Vodafone Headquarters at Airport City for the first time as Vodafone Ghana headlines the event.

The partnership with Vodafone is expected to reward attendants with even more discounts especially those who will make payment with their Vodafone Cash at the market.

According to the programs coordinator at Melon Concept, Enoch Tetteh “This partnership will be a rewarding one for all, especially Vodafone cash subscribers. We have always encouraged and rewarded cashless payments at our markets. Thus, while our vendors will not decline cash payments, attendants are entreated to shop via Vodafone Cash or with their debit or credit card in order to benefit from these massive discounts”. He further stressed that adequate provision has been made to enable Non-Vodafone cash subscribers to sign up within minutes at the market.

The market is expected to open at the forecourt of the Vodafone Headquarters at Airport City Friday, the 28th of June at 12:00 midday through to the night. A live musical performance by the all-female group, lipstick band is set to crown the Friday night. Entry is free for all.

Source: Ghanaweb

Facebook unveiled details of its latest financial services play, a mobile wallet system designed to slash the cost of international remittance by using its cryptocurrency rather than traditional money transfers.

The wallet will be developed by subsidiary Calibra and is being promoted as a solution to issues hampering financial inclusion.

Launch of the wallet and associated cryptocurrency Libra is slated for 2020. Calibra wallets will be available as an add-on to Facebook’s messenger and WhatsApp platforms or as a standalone app.

Despite being marketed as helping the financially excluded it will initially only be available on smartphones.

In a statement, Facebook said from launch “almost anyone with a smartphone” would be able to transfer the currency with the same ease as sending a text message. The service will be provided at “low or no cost”.

While initially only a transfer tool, the company plans to extend functionality to paying bills, making purchases at physical retailers and small business use cases.

As part of its announcement Facebook emphasised “strong protections” and anti-fraud measures it plans to put into place to protect users and safeguard privacy.

Calibra relies on the transfer of cryptocurrency Libra rather than traditional currency. Libra was devised by Facebook, but will be run by a network of partners operating under moniker The Libra Association. Members include Vodafone, Iliad, Uber, eBay, Mastercard and Visa.

Source: mobileworldlive

Ethiopia reportedly plans to split the country’s incumbent operator into two separate businesses prior to a potential sell-off to outside investors.

Citing comments made by minister of finance Ahmed Shide to a state-affiliated broadcaster, Reuters stated the plan was to divide Ethio Telecom by “infrastructure and service sector lines”.

Details of the proposed privatisation remain sketchy. It is unclear if authorities will retain a sizeable stake in the new businesses and what terms may be put on international investors entering the market.

Modernising the mobile and fixed communications sector is a central policy of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government, which came to office in 2018.

Last week, the country’s parliament approved a bill to create an independent communications regulator, described by officials as a “huge step” in reforming the sector.

Two of Africa’s major operator groups, Vodacom and MTN, have made no secret of their interest in making a play in the country given its potential.

GSMA Intelligence figures for Q1 2019 estimated the country has 41 million mobile connections, with 4G penetration below 9 per cent.

Source: Mobileworldlive

Patrons of Vodafone’s mobile money service, Vodafone Cash, can now use the platform to pay for their DStv subscriptions.

The telecommunication company has partnered with the sub-Saharan African company, MultiChoice to provide customers a hassle-free option of cashless payments for both DStv and GOtv.

The new option on the service enables customers to make payments for both monthly and yearly subscriptions. This is a first for any of the satellite TV’s mobile money service payment avenues, giving customers the choice to side-step bothersome month-on-month payments and subscription renewals.

Commenting on the partnership, Martison Obeng-Agyei, Head of Vodafone Cash said:

“This is a further step in our quest to promote a cash-lite agenda in the country. We are grateful for such an opportunity by DStv to be part of their network and family. We have put the right systems in place to ensure that our customers can transact business in the most secure and convenient manner. Vodafone will continue to introduce innovations that will help us fulfil our promise of an exciting future for our customers.”

Cecil Sunkwa-Mills, Managing Director of MultiChoice Ghana said:
“We are excited to be part of the Vodafone mobile money success story. This partnership also coincides with a promotion we are running where we give discounts to all customers who pay on time – discounts to shop at some of the major retail outlets in the country including Electroland and Zoobashop.”

Vodafone Cash Customers who wish to pay for their DStv subscription can do so by dialling the short code *110# and selecting the “Pay Bills” and “Utilities” options. After payment is completed, customers receive an SMS notice on their phones to confirm payment.

Source: Ghanaweb

Ethiopia’s parliament approved a law to create an independent telecommunications regulator, as the country presses on with plans to break the monopoly of state-owned Ethio Telecom and allow non-domestic investors into the sector.

The country’s minister of Innovation and Technology Getahun Mekuria announced the move on social media, adding it was a “huge step” in reforming the telecommunications sector.

Introducing competition into the market is one of the pledges made by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who came to office in 2018.

Senior executives from both MTN Group and Vodacom have previously voiced ambitions to move into Ethiopia. In May, MTN CEO Rob Shuter identified the market as one where it would be “really excited to participate” with the company only willing to invest in countries where it could be a “major player”.

World Bank figures published in 2017 show Ethiopia had a population of more than 105 million people, making it the second-largest country in Africa after Nigeria.

GSMA Intelligence estimates for Q1 2019 put Ethiopia’s mobile connections at 41 million, with more than 96 per cent on prepay. Around two-thirds are 3G connections: 4G penetration is below 9 per cent.

In addition to being the sole mobile provider, Ethio Telecom owns the country’s fixed and broadband networks.

Reports in Reuters earlier this week stated the country’s government is working to a timeline of end-2019 for issuing new communications licences.

Source: Mobileworld Live

Vodafone Italia has switched on its 5G network in five cities across the country ahead of the Vodafone group’s launch of 5G roaming in the UK, Germany, Spain and Italy next month. The ‘Giga Network 5G’ service is available now in the Milan metropolitan area (including 28 surrounding localities), Rome, Turin, Bologna and Naples, with around 45 to 50 cities to follow next year, rising to a total of 100 by 2021, said the company’s CEO Aldo Bisio during the official launch event in Milan. “5G paves the way for a new era of digital development services across the country,” said Bisio, adding that “we expect our services to grow exponentially and have a profound social and economic impact.”

Customers will be able to order the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G in Vodafone stores from 06 June, followed on 10 June by the LG V50 ThinQ 5G and the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G. Starting 16 June, Vodafone’s residential consumers on “5G ready” plans (Red Unlimited Smart, Red Unlimited Black, Shake it Easy and Vodafone One Pro) will be able to access the 5G network at no additional cost, while all other customers will have to sign up to a “5G Start” option at a cost of EUR 5 per month, with the first month free. Similarly, business customers on 5G-enable Black plans will be able to access the network, with Red subscribers having to pay an additional EUR 5 per month.

Vodafone also confirmed that it’s still working with both Huawei and Nokia on its 5G infrastructure. In Milan, the company has implemented 33 out of a total of 41 proposed 5G projects in collaboration with 38 industrial and institutional partners in various areas including health and wellness, security and surveillance, manufacturing and industry, education and entertainment.

It has also reached an agreement with Telecom Italia (TIM) to share the cost of rolling out new 5G infrastructure throughout Italy and announced two calls for startups and SMEs developing projects based on the 5G standard in Italy after investing some EUR 2.41 billion to acquire 5G spectrum in the auction held by Italy’s Ministry of Economic Development at the end of last year.

Source: telecompaper

The Minister for Communications, Mrs Ursula Owusu- Ekuful, has hinted that the government is preparing legislation to protect and sanitise the cyberspace against criminal acts and abuses.

She indicated that the new safeguard measure is aimed at protecting children against cybercrime.Mrs Owusu-Ekuful disclosed this at the second National Girls in ICT Day which climaxed on Monday in Takoradi on the theme ‘Expanding horizons, changing attitudes.”Attended by 650 JHS girls from nine districts of the Western Region, the event coordinated by the Ministry of Communications in collaboration with Ghana Investment Fund For Electronic Communications (GIFEC) and supports from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the Western Regional Coordinating Council (WRCC), provided two-week ICT training and mentorship for the participants.Sixty students who performed well during the event, received laptop computers donated by MTN Ghana while the first 10 best also got internet modems with free one-year data bundle.Central Region will host the next event in December.

Mrs Owusu-Ekuful declared: “Government is introducing a Cyber security Bill with provisions on Child Online Protection (COP), to ensure that offenders of revenge pornography( that is acts of distributing sexually explicit images or videos without the consent of parties) will be prosecuted. The National Cyber Security Centre is currently reviewing the framework on COP and this includes a comprehensive implementation roadmap aimed at protecting our children online.”

She added that, the ministry would in the next weeks also launch a cybercrime/security incident reporting point of contacts to provide channels including online portals, hotlines, SMS line and a dedicated apps, adding that the Ghana Police Service together with telecommunication industry and the Internet Watch Foundation, would also ensure the proper handling of crime committed online.She spoke about the critical role ICT could play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) by 2030 and also eradicating poverty, but, noted that this could not be achieved if the non-inclusion of women and girls in the sector was not addressed.Mrs Owusu-Ekuful argued that one way to reduce the disparities in the ICT world was to reduce the misconceptions including the thoughts that ICT requires mathematics skills and that people in the industry did not have social life, adding “don’t let anyone put you down and say you are a girl, you can do it if you stay focused and worked hard.”

A Deputy Minister for Education, Gifty Twum Ampofo, who noted that ICT played an important role in the life of society including industrialisation, agriculture and even international travels, believed that Africa needed to overcome the challenges in ICT, especially in the 21st century.

“Do not let anyone tell you ICT is a study for boys. I urge you never to take NO for an answer. Many women have gone before you and have succeeded in science, technology, and engineering subjects. Be inspired by their achievements.” she urged the girls.

The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, for his part, was happy that girls were highly motivated to pursue careers in ICT after listening to some female achievers in the field,

“I will therefore, personally ensure that this becomes a deliverable responsibility to be reported upon annually by the assemblies and the Regional Director of Education .I strongly urged our females students to take ICT serious in the educational endeavours because the world is now in the digital epoch.” he pledged.The Omanhene of Essikado, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, who chaired the event, told the girls to be critical thinkers and use the web to build their future, adding that it was important for women to take the charge, lead and build the African society, which has been ‘messed up’ by men.

“With women conscious efforts, Ghana and Africa will not be where it is today. You must rewrite the history of Africa, but, you can only do it if you have an expanded horizon. You need to write your own stories through the web. Create your own cyber web, but, be critical and ask questions. Whoever controls your image controls your image. The future lies in the web” he said.

Source: graphic.com.gh

ZTE and Nokia have announced deals with Malaysian telecommunications companies to carry out 5G trials in the country during 2019.

ZTE inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with telecom operator Digi Telecommunications to carry out a 5G trial this year.

Under the terms of the deal, both companies will carry out 5G live trials of end-to-end network functions and features, as well as trials of 5G use cases for enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) and Massive Machine Type Communications (MMTC).

The trials will be conducted using low, mid and high 5G spectrum bands, the two companies said.

“We acknowledge that deploying 5G in Malaysia has to be a multi-party effort, and we look forward to more collaborations such as these to accelerate the adoption of the technology in Malaysia. These trials and demonstrations will give us more insights into what is needed in order to implement 5G according to the needs of the country,” said Digi’s CTO Kesavan Sivabalan.

Xiao Ming, SVP of Global Sales, ZTE Corps said: “ZTE has been working with many mainstream operators globally for 5G innovation and developments, and is pleased to work with Digi to bring its best practices and suitable use cases to Malaysia,” said Xiao Ming, SVP of global sales at ZTE.

In March, ZTE signed a MoU Understanding with Malaysian telco U Mobile to collaborate on various 5G related developments including 5G tests, 5G showcases as well as the implementation of massive MIMO technology.

Also, Nokia announced it has signed a MoU with local carrier U Mobile to conduct a 5G network trial.

The trial will be done later this year and will demonstrate the 5G capability of enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) as well as other 5G use cases such as in the fields of virtual reality (VR) and e-sports, Nokia said in a release.

“We have in our plan to conduct several 5G live trials with Nokia later this year for various use cases,” said Woon Ooi Yuen, CTO of U Mobile. “Currently, we already have in place Nokia’s AirScale base stations which are 5G-ready and hence, ready for trials.”

To date, Nokia says it has signed 37 5G commercial contracts across the world, including 20 with named customers.

Source: rcrwireless.com