Telecom
5G Forecast to Create Almost 23m Jobs within 15 years

With 5G-enabled job growth forecast to be 22.8 million globally over the next 15 years, the fifth-generation technology standard for broadband cellular networks is one of the major trends that will shape the ICT industry in 2021.
This is according to submarine cable and high-speed fibre-optic cable operator Seacom.
New kinds of connectivity such as 5G and WiFi 6, the future of cloud and edge computing, the rise of intelligent technology, privacy and cyber crime, and other developments in technology are fundamentally changing the ways we live and do business – and they are among the major trends SA should be paying attention to as we move into the new year, says the company.
Although 2020 was a difficult year, it has accelerated digital adaptation and transformation. If business leaders begin the new year thinking about how to take advantage of new technologies and introduce smart strategies, they will be better prepared to grasp the opportunities that better connectivity, cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) will provide, notesSeacom.
5G, WiFi 6 push the envelope
According to Steve Briggs, chief commercial officer at Seacom, 5G-enabled job growth has been forecast by Qualcomm to be greater than previously expected – up from 22.3 million to 22.8 million over the next 15 years. With 5G services expected to launch worldwide in 2021, the global economic potential for the fifth-generation technology is expected to create $13.1 trillion worth of revenue by 2035.
“The introduction and rollout of 5G is expected to transform any industry that relies on connectivity – and not just mobile connectivity. Telecoms giants are deploying and developing 5G phones and networks at a steady pace and 5G is becoming a highly contested subject in the US-China trade war. Predictions are that the amount of digital data created globally will be 163 zettabytes by 2025 – which shows the pace of digitalisation is accelerating,” notes Briggs.
“The challenge for South African networks, however, will be accessing the 5G spectrum to provide emerging digital services, and then finding ways to decrease costs.”
Last week, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa asked telcos to pay for the emergency spectrum issued during the COVID-19 disaster regulations.
The number of live 5G networks has increased significantly since the beginning of 2019, with more than 50 operators expected to offer 5G services in about 30 countries by the end of 2021.
As the perfect partner for 5G, WiFi 6 also started rolling out in 2020 and will gain more traction in 2021.
“As the number of devices on WiFi networks is expected to grow, so will the volume and quality of data that needs to be transferred. We can expect WiFi 6 to handle more information up to three times faster than its predecessor, with smarter capabilities,” notesBriggs.
Future of cloud and edge computing
Improved connectivity is good news, as more organisations are expected to embrace remote work. For companies that have not started investing in cloud infrastructure, there is no better time than now, asserts Briggs.
The cloud is being pushed to its limits, with cloud traffic expected to process 95% of all data centre traffic in 2021 compared to 88% in 2016, and grow by 41% within the next two years.
Cloud technology enables improved and secure communication, remote collaboration, and streamlines various business processes with effortless scalability, while edge computing brings information processes closer to where they’re needed, explains Briggs.
Rather than having information travel halfway across the globe, more cloud hosting services will put their physical servers closer to customers, improving connectivity speeds, customer experience, as well as security and privacy through edge computing.
For African countries that rely on European servers for most cloud services, this will be especially significant.
“The decentralisation of information could also democratise education in developing countries and allow more people to live as digital nomads. With the aid of cloud computing, hardware will be less of a concern in the future – replaced by a new generation of software. In the gaming industry, Google Stadia is a great example of this, as people will be able to run high-end games in full quality on something as simple as a tablet,” says Briggs.
Rise of intelligent technology
Briggs believes AI, automation and machine learning are indisputably laying the foundations of a digital future.
While many people may think AI will take jobs away from people, it is more likely to become a tool that people will use to complement their work, or allow them to focus their skills on tasks that are less menial and repetitive. AI is not going away, so businesses should be looking at ways to harness its power in 2021.
“Language model AIs have improved immensely over the last few years, and a shift is happening in the way we may interact with this tech in the near future. The revolutionary language model generative pre-trained transformer 3 looks promising, with many potential applications, including the creation of an AI workplace assistant that can be used to navigate business processes in natural conversation,”Briggs points out.
AI-optimised manufacturing has led to greater efficiency in outputs and product quality, while also reducing waste. AI is also transforming healthcare as it is becoming an increasingly reliable tool for doctors and healthcare professionals to make informed decisions.
Privacy and cyber crime
As digital transformation continues, so will the commodification of personal data, and increasingly people and companies will have to choose between the conveniences that digital platforms and services offer and keeping their data private.
“Many companies have been fined heavily for leaking user data, such as Equifax, as well as lacking transparency regarding advert personalisation, such as Google.
“While these fines are often a slap on the wrist for tech giants, privacy concerns will continue to be a priority into 2021 for individuals and businesses. Because the world lacks global privacy standards, consumer data has become ‘free game’ and AI has made collecting and using people’s personal information easier than ever,” Briggs notes.
The onus is also on businesses to take the necessary steps to protect themselves and their customer data against cyber crime. If organisations want to avoid seeing themselves in a brand-damaging headline,Briggs advises them to make 2021 the year they take digital security seriously.
Telecom
4 Dead, 20 Others Injured as Fire Engulfs Cairo Data Centre

Four people have been killed, with over 20 injured after a fire at Cairo data centre disrupted telecom services nationwide.
A fire at a major Telecom Egypt facility in Cairo on Monday has left four workers dead and at least 22 others injured, plunging parts of the capital into a communications crisis.
According to Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, spokesperson for Egypt’s Health Ministry, most injuries were due to smoke inhalation.
The blaze, which broke out at a key data centre operated by Telecom Egypt, the country’s primary fixed-line and internet provider, was brought under control later that day.
However, it caused widespread disruptions, halting phone services, affecting internet connectivity, and even interfering with digital banking operations.
Internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported that national connectivity dropped to just 62% of normal levels following the incident.
Residents across Cairo struggled with poor network access, and banks—although already closed for the day—reported interruptions in ATM services and online transactions.
In a statement on Tuesday, Telecom Egypt mourned the loss of its employees and pledged support to their families.
Amr Talaat, Egypt’s minister of Communications and Information Technology, assured the public that service restoration was underway and expected to be completed within 24 hours.
To address the disruption, the Health Ministry released alternative emergency contact numbers across Egypt’s governorates, in case its primary ambulance hotline remained unreachable.
The state-run MENA news agency reported that the fire was prevented from engulfing the entire building and nearby rooftops, thanks to the efforts of emergency responders.
A preliminary investigation suggests the fire was likely triggered by an electrical short circuit, according to a security source cited by MENA.
As the nation works to restore full connectivity, the incident has raised fresh concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and the need for enhanced fire safety protocols in sensitive tech facilities.
Telecom
Globalcom Thrills Subscribers with 3 New Digital Products

Tech faints, Globalcom, on Tuesday unveiled three exciting digital products aimed at rewarding customers. The products, Animation World Promo, Treasure Spin and Sport Brain, also provide subscribers with the opportunity to play and win instant prizes.
Globalcom in a statement in Lagos said that the company is dedicated to providing value-added service to its ever-growing customers.
The first digital product, which is Animation World Promo, is an innovative trivia-based service aimed at challenging customers culinary knowledge of Nigerian food. With it, subscribers engage in answering food related questions, earn points and win delicious prizes.
For Treasure Spin, customers are availed the digital treasure spin experience. With each spin Glo subscribers stand a chance to win instant prizes, making every participation exciting and rewarding.
In addition, Globalcom captures the heart of football lovers with Sport Brain. Subscribers are allowed to predict football scores in matches across top leagues all around the world. Customers get to select their preferred leagues. “It’s a fun and competitive way for football lovers to test their instincts and knowledge,” the company noted.
Customers who subscribe to any of the three services stand a chance to win fantastic daily, weekly, and monthly prizes. Every day, 20 participants will receive ₦1,000 cash, ₦1,000 airtime, and 3.5GB data. On a weekly basis, five lucky winners will walk away with ₦100,000 each, while one grand prize winner will receive ₦1 million every month.
To participate, customers are required to dial *13055*2# for Animation World Promo,*13199*3# for Treasure Spin and *13199*2# for Sport Brain. Each plan can be activated either as a one-time purchase or Auto Renewal.
Globacom further explained that all products are available at an affordable subscription rate of ₦100 for a daily plan, ₦300 for weekly plan and ₦500 for monthly plan.
In concluding, the company disclosed that the services are available to all Glo prepaid and postpaid subscribers nationwide.
Telecom
SiBAN Applauds Interstellar’s Groundbreaking Role in Africa’s Blockchain Future

The Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SiBAN) has lauded Interstellar, one of its prominent members, for spearheading a major breakthrough in Africa’s financial technology space.
This follows Interstellar’s strategic partnership with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) to roll out the PAPSS African Currency Marketplace (PACM), a blockchain-based platform designed to address the continent’s long-standing currency inconvertibility challenge.
The initiative is already being hailed as a game-changer capable of eliminating the $5 billion annual trade friction currently plaguing intra-African commerce.
According to SiBAN President, Mr Obinna Iwuno, the development affirms Nigeria’s leadership in blockchain innovation, stating that Interstellar’s PACM is not only a technological feat but also a timely response to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) mandate of seamless and cost-effective regional trade.
PACM operates on STARGATE, a blockchain-agnostic system developed by Interstellar, and leverages the Bantu blockchain network to facilitate real-time, peer-to-peer exchanges of African currencies.
The solution ensures financial inclusion by allowing businesses, SMEs, and informal traders to transact in local currencies without relying on foreign intermediaries, all while maintaining regulatory compliance.
Mr Ernest Mbenkum, CEO of Interstellar, described the solution as Africa’s roadmap to financial sovereignty. “Blockchain is not just innovation; it is empowerment,” he said.
SiBAN reaffirmed its commitment to supporting policies and partnerships that promote secure, transparent, and inclusive digital economies.
The association further called on stakeholders in government and the private sector to prioritise blockchain adoption as a driver of national development.
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