Telecom
WTIS Seeks Harmonized Data on Global ICT Access, Affordability
Delegates to the just concluded ITU’s World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Symposium (WTIS), have endorsed the need to strengthen and adapt the way data on information and communication technologies (ICTs) is collected to better meet the needs of today’s fast-evolving environment.
Accurate data on indicators like network access, service affordability and connection speeds is increasingly recognized as essential to each country’s plans for social development and economic growth.
The three-day symposium is the world’s most important meeting of ICT data experts from around the world. Organized by ITU, and hosted this year by Mexican regulator the Federal Institute for Telecommunications (IFT), the event welcomed over 300 delegates, including government Ministers, industry CEOs and heads of national and international statistics agencies.
“The ICT sector is evolving faster than any sector in human history. The role of this annual symposium is to meet the challenge of measuring the rapid evolution of the sector, and of making sure that ICT data, statistics and indicators are internationally-harmonized, and internationally-comparable,” said Dr Hamadoun I. Touré , ITU secretary-general, in his closing address to delegates.
“Only by doing this can we paint a clear, impartial and – most importantly – universal picture that will enable us to make meaningful comparisons and track the evolution of the ICT ecosystem.”
ITU’s work in global ICT statistics gathering and analysis is relied upon by policy makers around the world, referenced by other influential institutions including the UN family of agencies, the World Bank, the IMF and the World Economic Forum, and acted upon by a growing international community of investors.
For the first time this year, the event featured a High-Level opening day with three key debates around future post-2015 development frameworks, the role of monitoring in building tomorrow’s information society, and strategies for enhancing multi-stakeholder dialogue and national coordination in data collection.
It brought together expert speakers and panelists to share views and best practices, and emphasized the importance of ensuring that ICTs are a cornerstone of the post-2015 development agenda as the catalyst of broad social and economic development.
“This has been the best-attended WTIS event to date, which demonstrates the growing recognition of the importance of data and statistics in the ICT sector. We look forward to seeing even greater participation next year,” said Brahima Sanou, director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau.
“ITU remains committed to this process, and we look forward to continuing our work with the global community in this field as we move forward”.
In his opening remarks to the conference earlier, WTIS Chair, Luis Lucatero, chief of Regulatory Policy at IFT, said: “The biggest enemy of investment is information asymmetry. An ICT regulator is like an architect, building a strong and robust market that ultimately serves as a platform for national growth across all business sectors. The global dialogue that this event promotes is unique, and will help all players – industry, government and regulators – fulfil the ultimate goal of serving the needs of the ICT consumer.”
This year’s symposium also featured two special side events; the first hosted by Costa Rica on the national approach to data collection in partnership with ICT operators, and the second by Iran on the development and implementation of a new data measurement system.
The event also incorporated a special tour led by IFT to view a community ICT centre developed by Red de Innovación y Aprendizaje (RIA), a learning and innovation project of the Fundación Proacceso which is designed to bring access to technology training to marginalized communities.
The tour was hosted by young co-founder, Jorge Camil Starr, and has already brought the power of ICTs to over 425,000 children and youth in 95 schools in the Mexico City environs.
With the introduction of Travel Saga, a premium, fast-paced gaming experience that is currently live and accessible to customers on its network, Globacom has lifted the bar for mobile entertainment in the country.
Travel Saga is a story-driven, intricately connected role-playing game designed to provide the thrill, complexity, and competitive intensity of some of the most well-known action games in the world.
The game, which has been painstakingly optimized for mobile devices, redefines mobile gaming as a full-fledged digital battlefield by translating a console-grade experience onto data-enabled handsets.
Fundamentally, Travel Saga takes users on quick virtual journeys against recognizable international landscapes. In a dynamic, ever-evolving gaming environment, players are thrown into furious missions, fierce fights, and ever-expanding tales where talent, strategy, and endurance determine who rises through the ranks to become a true war hero.
In addition to the excitement of fighting, users are encouraged to go to various locations, take part in thrilling challenges, and participate in intense competition for in-app rewards like points and victory badges. With each encounter and accomplishment, the immersion increases with each level, maintaining momentum and excitement.
Flexible subscription plans with one-time or auto-renewal choices are available to subscribers for the service, which costs ₦100 per day and ₦250 per week. By dialing *70021#, customers can quickly subscribe and gain instant access to the action.
With Travel Saga, Glo reaffirms its dedication to innovation and high-end digital experiences, making top-notch gaming easily accessible to its customers. The game offers uninterrupted action, adventure, and competition, all smoothly supported by the Glo network.
SHELT, a leading cybersecurity-as-a-service provider, has earned inclusion in the 2025 MSSP 250, the annual ranking of the world’s top 250 Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) by MSSP Alert, a CyberRisk Alliance publication.
SHELT
The list evaluates firms on business performance, service breadth, and industry impact, spotlighting those excelling in growth, operational excellence, and advanced managed security amid rising cyber threats. Selection criteria include annual recurring revenue, profitability, workforce expansion, business growth, and the depth of managed security offerings.
SHELT’s recognition underscores its investments in scalable security operations, threat intelligence, and tailored managed services across multiple regions, enabling clients to navigate complex risk landscapes effectively.
“Being recognised in the MSSP 250 is a meaningful milestone for our team,” stated Youssef Abillama, CEO of SHELT. “It validates our focus on building practical, resilient security services that help organisations manage risk and respond effectively to today’s evolving cyber threats.”
The company hailed the honour as testament to its teams’ dedication and expertise worldwide, reaffirming commitment to enhancing capabilities and delivering trusted cybersecurity solutions.
Meta Platforms, owner of Facebook, has appointed Dina Powell McCormick, a former adviser to President Donald Trump, as its new president and vice chairman, bolstering its leadership amid aggressive AI and infrastructure expansion.
Dina Powell McCormick
The announcement, made on Monday, positions Powell McCormick – who recently stepped down from Meta’s board after eight months – to guide overall strategy, including multi-billion-dollar investments in data centres and global partnerships.
A Goldman Sachs veteran with 16 years in senior roles and prior stints as deputy national security adviser under Trump and in the Bush administration, she brings deep finance and international ties to the role.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg hailed her as “uniquely qualified” for the company’s next growth phase, while President Trump praised the move on Truth Social as a “fantastic choice”.
The hire signals Meta’s efforts to strengthen White House relations, following recent dinners with Trump and U.S. investment pledges worth hundreds of billions
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