Telecom
Atcon, NIG Support for e-Business Life Broadband Summit
The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (Atcon) and the Nigeria Internet Group have given their backings to the e-Business Life Broadband summit slated to hold in Lagos in February 2010.
Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, National President of Atcon, affirmed this in a letter to e-Business Life Communication Limited, organizers of the Summit. He stated that the association was delighted to endorse the summit as the topic is apt and will “give us an avenue to deliberate and prepare to systematically and gainfully channel and effectively utilize the expected broadband capacity by the middle of the year 2010 as well as Nigeria’s digital harvest in Year 2015.”
In the letter entitled “Endorsement of One-day Stakeholders’ Summit on Broadband Fibre Optics,” Ekuwem noted that the telecoms outlook for the Year 2010 clearly indicates the availability of capacity in large quantum during the second half of the year. “The question then is: what do we do with the expected bandwidth? How do we utilize these broadband to automate processes of national economic, social and political lives of our compatriot?”
According to him, Atcon’s National Executive Council has decided to collaborate with e-Business Life Communication Limited as the Summit will enable us answer some of these questions.
In a similar vein, the Nigeria Internet Group in its own letter signed by Mr. Lanre Ajayi, the National President, also noted that the future outlook of broadband infrastructure deployment in Nigeria looks good with the level of investment by operators, adding that “if the right environment is created the nation will benefit a great deal from these developments.”
“It is our opinion that the Stakeholders’ summit proposed by e-Business Life Magazine will help us collectively look at ways of tapping into the great opportunities that the expected massive rollout of broadband in 2010 will achieve and also look at ways to overcome possible challenges,” the letter added.
Speaking on the summit tagged “Broadband Revolution: Harnessing Broadband for National Development,” slated for Tuesday, February 09, 2010 in Lagos, Mrs. Ufuoma ‘Daro, Editor-in-Chief of e-Business Life Communications, noted that while it is no longer news that Nigerian telecommunications sector is adjudged to be the fastest growing in Africa; this is only in the area of voice as it is not yet Uhuru in the area of data.”
She recalled the report of AfricaNext Investment Research, which had earlier disclosed that Africa’s broadband market will grow more than fourfold in five years from 2.7 million in 2007 to 12.7 million.
This prediction, she noted is already been reflected in recent developments in Nigeria, which are expected to bring about a revolution in broadband during the course of the year 2010. Some of these developments according to her, includes the advent of Glo 1, which is expected to cater for long term bandwidth requirements for voice and data transmission in the West Africa sub region; Main One Cable, which is expected to berth in June 2010. Others are the State Accelerated Broadband Initiative (SABI) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Wire Nigeria Project (WIN) as well as the already existing though not stable SAT-3, which is expected to become more efficient and effective once it gets a better manager. It is expected that these developments will boost the Nigerian broadband space remarkably in the year 2010.
According to her, the availability of broadband will boost capacity and cut down tariffs, thereby unlocking high speed Internet potential and creating growth opportunities for operators and equipment firms.
“e-Business Life Communication Limited strongly believes that for the industry to benefit from this expected revolution and to continuously maintain its position of relevance in the global telecoms space, concerted efforts must be made to gainfully direct and fully utilize the broadband revolution to develop all aspects of the Nigerian economy,” she added.
Consequently, the Summit is expected to address issues of the last mile, content, Cybersecurity and e-Commence among others.
Airtel Nigeria has secured a fresh 10-year renewal of its spectrum licence from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), reinforcing the telecom operator’s long-term commitment to expanding broadband connectivity and improving digital access across the country.
The renewed licence covers Airtel’s spectrum holdings, which are critical to the delivery of voice and high-speed data services, providing regulatory certainty for continued investments in network expansion, capacity upgrades and improved customer experience.
According to the company, the renewal underscores confidence in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector and will support its ongoing efforts to bridge the country’s digital divide by extending quality connectivity to more underserved communities.
Sunil Taldar, chief executive officer, Airtel Africa, said the renewal provides the company with the confidence to continue investing in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
He said, “The spectrum renewal reaffirms our long-term commitment to Nigeria, our largest market. It gives us the certainty required to continue investing in network expansion, improve service quality and accelerate digital inclusion for millions of Nigerians.”
Taldar added that Airtel remains focused on expanding broadband access and supporting Nigeria’s digital economy agenda through sustained investments in telecommunications infrastructure.
He further said, “We appreciate the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Federal Government for their continued support in creating an enabling environment for investment. We remain committed to delivering reliable and affordable connectivity while contributing to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.”
Meanwhile, Industry observers said the licence renewal removes regulatory uncertainty and allows Airtel to pursue long-term capital investments, including the expansion of 4G and 5G networks, as demand for mobile data and digital services continues to grow across Nigeria.
The renewal comes as telecom operators continue to invest heavily in broadband infrastructure to meet rising data consumption and support government efforts to achieve Universal digital access.
Furthermore, It also aligns with the NCC’s objective of ensuring efficient spectrum management while encouraging sustained private sector investment in the country’s telecommunications industry.
Telecom
GSMA Supports Abuja Declaration on Meaningful Connectivity for Africa, Joins Partners to Launch ATLAS Umoja
The GSMA supports the Abuja Ministerial Declaration on Meaningful Connectivity for Africa by Ministers and Heads of Delegation at the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL-2026), describing it as an important milestone in strengthening Africa’s digital future through evidence-based policy, investment and regional collaboration.
The Declaration commits African governments to advancing policies that promote meaningful connectivity, digital inclusion, technology-neutral regulation, resilient digital infrastructure and locally relevant digital services. It also reinforces the importance of collaboration between governments, industry and development partners to close the continent’s connectivity and usage gaps.
Throughout the conference, the GSMA has worked alongside governments, regulators and industry leaders to support these shared ambitions through practical policy engagement, evidence-based research and new collaborative initiatives designed to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation.
Speaking during the ATU-GSMA African ICT Regulatory Leaders’ Forum, policymakers and regulators explored how stronger evidence-based regulation, greater regulatory harmonisation and future-ready policy frameworks can create an enabling environment for investment, innovation and sustainable digital growth across Africa. Drawing insights from the GSMA’s Digital Africa Index, participants also examined future-ready approaches to satellite regulation, highlighting how technology-neutral licensing frameworks can support innovation while extending connectivity to underserved communities.
Caroline Mbugua, Senior Director, Public Policy, Africa, GSMA, said: “The Abuja Ministerial Declaration sends an important signal that African governments share a common vision for delivering meaningful connectivity through modern, evidence-based and investment-friendly policy. Its emphasis on digital inclusion, technology-neutral regulation, resilient infrastructure and stronger regional collaboration reflects the practical policy foundations needed to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation.”
Launching ATLAS Umoja AI
Supporting the ambitions set out in the Abuja Declaration, the GSMA, Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Togo’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Transformation, Kenya’s Ministry of information, Communications and the Digital Economy, Namibia’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Benin’s Ministry of Digital Transformation and Innovation, Awarri, Zindi, Pawa AI and Mozisha today announced ATLAS Umoja AI –a new pan-African initiative to strengthen collaboration on African language AI.
Designed to complement national AI programmes, ATLAS Umoja will bring together governments, industry and researchers to share expertise, datasets and best practice, helping develop trusted, scalable AI that better reflects Africa’s languages, cultures and development priorities. The initiative aims to accelerate innovation, attract investment and scale African language AI across the continent.
The launch builds on the momentum of the newly established AI for Good Global Commission. Ministers from Nigeria, Namibia and Togo, who serve on the Commission, have committed to support Africa Umoja, demonstrating how African leaders are turning global ambitions for trusted and inclusive AI into practical regional collaboration.
Angela Wamola, Head of Africa, GSMA, said: “Africa’s AI future must reflect Africa’s own languages, communities and development priorities. ATLAS Umoja brings together governments, industry, researchers and innovators to build African language AI at scale. By making AI and digital services available in the languages people speak every day, the initiative will help tackle two of the biggest barriers to internet adoption – digital literacy and locally relevant content – supporting efforts to close Africa’s usage gap and expand meaningful connectivity across the continent.”
Dr. Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy of Nigeria said:“Artificial Intelligence will be a defining technology for Africa’s future, but its benefits must be built on our own languages, cultures and knowledge systems. Nigeria is proud to have taken the first step through N-ATLAS and is equally proud to see that vision evolve into the continental ATLAS Umoja AI.
“By working together with governments, researchers and ecosystem partners across Africa, we can build AI that is more inclusive, locally relevant and accessible to millions of people, while strengthening Africa’s digital sovereignty and creating new opportunities for innovation, education and economic growth.”
Silas Adekunle, Founder & CEO, Awarri added: “Awarri is proud to support The ATLAS Umoja AI and contribute lessons from N-ATLAS, which has demonstrated what is possible when African language data, local technical talent and practical AI applications are brought together. This is an important opportunity to help build AI systems that work for African languages and communities.”
Celina Lee, CEO & Co-Founder, Zindi concluded: “Africa’s AI future will be built by the people who best understand its languages, cultures and communities. Through ATLAS Umoja AI, we have an opportunity to empower local researchers, data scientists and developers to solve meaningful challenges, strengthen national AI capabilities and ensure African language AI is developed by Africans, for Africans.”
Alongside the launch of ATLAS Umoja AI, the GSMA continued discussions with policymakers at the ATU Conference on future-ready regulatory frameworks, including satellite connectivity, spectrum policy and technology-neutral licensing.
Drawing on the GSMA Satellite Regulatory Playbook, discussions explored how modern regulation can encourage investment, expand meaningful connectivity and support the ambitions of the Abuja Declaration.
Together, the Abuja Declaration, ATLAS Umoja and continued collaboration between governments, regulators and industry represent an important step towards expanding meaningful connectivity, accelerating digital inclusion and supporting Africa’s digital transformation.
MTN Nigeria has warned its customers to disregard fraudulent online posts claiming the telecommunications company is offering “One Month Free Data for Old Subscribers.”
MTN
The company described the promotion as fake, stressing that it has no affiliation with the individuals or websites circulating the offer.
In a disclaimer issued to customers, MTN advised subscribers not to click on suspicious links or disclose their phone numbers, personal information or other sensitive details on third-party websites.
The company emphasised that it would never require customers to submit personal information on external platforms to claim data bonuses, rewards or promotional offers.
“Beware of fraudulent posts claiming that MTN Nigeria is offering ‘1 Month Free Data for Old Subscribers.’ This promotion is not from MTN and has no affiliation with us,” the company stated.
Screenshot
MTN urged customers to verify all promotional offers through its official communication channels before participating.
According to the company, all authentic promotions, products and services are announced only through its official website, verified social media platforms and the *180# shortcode.
The telecommunications operator advised customers to remain vigilant against online scams and avoid sharing confidential information with unauthorised persons or websites.
It reiterated its commitment to protecting customers from fraud while encouraging subscribers to rely solely on official MTN communication channels for accurate information.
HURIWA, CLO Protests Bill Asking Social Media Firms’ to Open Shops Nigeria
Anambra Govt Bans Graduation Ceremonies in Anambra Schools
Airtel Secures Another 10-year Spectrum Renewal in Nigeria
Moniepoint as a Key Driver in Expanding Financial Access for Businesses in Nigeria
Nigeria, Israel Strengthen Research, Technology Collaboration
NRC, Ponzi Scheme Collapses Resulting Loss of Billions of Naira
NASENI Moves to Digitize CCB’s 5m Assets Declaration and Operations
Tokenization, Blockchain Technology will Transform Financial Institutions – IMF
EFCC Busts NIS Visa Overstay Racket, Uncovers N700m in an Account
From Scarcity to Scale: What Africa Can Learn from India’s Agricultural Transformation
Telecom2 days agoCourt Dismisses Pan African Towers’ Bid to Halt Ex-CEO’s Suit, Awards ₦500,000 Costs
E-Financial2 days agoFG Says Rumours, Fear, Can Crash Banks
E-Business2 days agoKaspersky Warns of a Phishing Campaign Abusing Microsoft Authentication Mechanism
Telecom2 days agoTelcos Seek Clear Regulatory Framework on Airtime Credit Services
Telecom2 days agoMTN Nigeria Announces 2026 mPulse Spelling Bee, Opens Entries for Students Nationwide
Telecom2 days agoMTN Warns Customers against Fake Promo
News2 days agoIMF Sees 4% AI Growth Boost for Africa
E-Financial2 days agoEU Debunks Fake Compensation Scheme Targeting West African Bank Customers