Telecom
Qualcomm Expects 5G to become a Reality in 2019
Qualcomm believes 5G will become a reality as early as 2019.
Speaking during the Qualcomm Snapdragon Technology Summit in Hawaii this week, Cristiano Amon, executive VP of Qualcomm Technologies, said 5G will become mainstream much earlier than anticipated.
He pointed out that 5G compliant interoperability testing, in collaboration with carriers, commenced in the second half of 2017, with a number of operators across the globe already deploying 5G networks.
For 5G networks to become a reality, Amon said LTE advancements are essential.
He noted that as connectivity evolves and communications move towards 5G, an already-expansive mobile ecosystem will extend to new industries, enabling new services and powering new devices.
According to an IHS 5G economic impact study conducted earlier this year, 5G could produce up to $12 trillion in goods and services by 2035.
This evolution in connectivity builds on and extends the capabilities of LTE, enhancing mobile broadband to support immersive experiences, lowering latency for mission-critical services, and connecting the massive influx of IOT devices to come, the study notes.
In October, Qualcomm successfully achieved a 5G data connection on a 5G modem chipset for mobile devices.
According to Amon, the Qualcomm Snapdragon X50 5G modem chipset delivered gigabit speeds and a data connection in the 28GHz millimetre wave (mmWave) radio frequency band, driving a new generation of cellular technology forward while accelerating the delivery of 5G NR-enabled mobile devices to consumers.
Additionally, Qualcomm Technologies previewed its first 5G smartphone reference design for the testing and optimisation of 5G technologies within the power and form-factor constraints of a smartphone.
“This major milestone and our 5G smartphone reference design showcases how Qualcomm Technologies is driving 5G NR in mobile devices to enhance mobile broadband experiences for consumers around the world,” Amon said.
The 5G data connection demonstration took place in Qualcomm Technologies’ laboratories in San Diego. It achieved gigabit download speeds, using several 100MHz 5G carriers, and demonstrated a data connection in 28GHz mmWave spectrum.
Qualcomm notes 5G NR mmWave is a new frontier for mobile, now made possible through the 5G NR standard, and is expected to usher in the next generation of user experiences and significantly increase network capacity.
The International Telecommunications Union says the buzz in the industry on future steps in mobile technology – 5G – has seen a sharp increase, with attention now focused on enabling a seamlessly connected society in the 2020 timeframe, and beyond that, it brings together people along with things, data, applications, transport systems and cities in a smart networked communications environment.
Google has launched its Search Live feature globally to over 200 countries, including Nigeria, where AI Mode is available, enabling voice-and-camera conversations in users’ preferred languages.
Powered by the new multilingual Gemini 3.1 Flash Live model, it delivers natural, real-time interactions via the Google app on Android or iOS—tap the Live icon under the Search bar.
Ideal for hands-free help, users can speak queries for audio replies, follow-ups, or web links. Camera integration adds visual context, like troubleshooting a shelving unit, or pairs with Google Lens for real-world chats.
From the app or Lens, Nigerians can now explore, learn, or solve tasks instantly, boosting everyday productivity worldwide.
Clean and reliable power for telecom networks in Ethiopia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone will be expanded following a $45 million investment by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in IPT PowerTech.
The investment targets countries where limited power supply continues to slow digital connectivity and broader economic participation, the institution stated earlier this week.
To enable this expansion, the IFC is providing a $45 million corporate financing package consisting of an A-loan of $27 million and $18 million in blended finance.
The blended portion is sourced from the Canada-IFC Blended Climate Finance Programme and the IDA20 Private Sector Window Blended Finance Facility.
The initiative marks the IFC’s first direct infrastructure engagement in Liberia in a decade and in Sierra Leone in six years.
It will help scale solar- and battery-based power systems that reduce reliance on diesel and support greener, more resilient telecom networks.
By improving the quality and stability of power to telecom towers, the initiative will strengthen mobile coverage and ensure that households, schools, health centres, and small businesses can depend on consistent digital services, said the IFC.
The funding supports the modernisation, operation, and maintenance of 2 235 telecom sites across the three nations. More than 90% of these are located in off-grid or weak-grid locations.
With new solar and battery systems powering these sites, mobile networks will experience fewer outages and improved service quality.
Optimising the energy mix is estimated to reduce power costs for operators by up to 30% in Liberia, 26% in Sierra Leone, and 52% in Ethiopia.
This transition is also expected to cut emissions by more than 10 624 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. Furthermore, the partnership will promote gender inclusion by expanding opportunities for women in technical, operational, and leadership roles within the sector, says the IFC.
This agreement reflects a shared vision for a greener telecom industry and empowers the company to scale its innovative energy platforms, according to Nabil Haddad, CEO of IPT PowerTech Group.
Reliable and affordable power for telecom networks is a cornerstone of Africa’s digital transformation, said Nathalie Kouassi-Akon, IFC regional director for West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.
Through this partnership, the institution is supporting a scalable, private sector-led solution that enables mobile operators to reach underserved and fragile communities more sustainably, added Kouassi-Akon.
The project advances the World Bank Group and African Development Bank’s Mission 300 initiative, which aims to provide electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030.
Expedier has unveiled “Expedier for Business,” an online pro-banking platform to simplify global payments, multi-currency transactions, and financial operations for expanding companies.
Kingsley Madu
The tool centralizes payments, invoicing, payroll, and treasury into one secure dashboard, tackling challenges like fragmented systems and poor visibility that hinder international scaling.
Kingsley Madu, Co-Founder and CEO of Expedier, said: “African businesses are increasingly global… Expedier for Business was built to simplify how companies manage money across borders while maintaining visibility, control, and compliance.”
Key features include customizable dashboards for payments, invoices, and workflows; support for USD, CAD, GBP, EUR, and more; virtual cards; automated payroll/invoicing; currency swaps; and real-time tracking.
Security measures cover two-factor authentication, KYC/KYB verification, and team access controls.
As cross-border trade and remote work boom in Africa, the platform aids firms dealing with international suppliers, teams, and customers. It is now available for organizations scaling globally.
Anti Graft Agencies Raise Alarm over Rising Crypto-Linked Financial Crimes
NITDA Takes Over National Digital Architecture System
NDIC Insures 99 Percent of Bank Customers
FG Shifting Focus to “Meaningful Connectivity” to Drive Inclusion – Minister
CBN Bars Chronic Loan Defaulters from Accessing Loans
Spotify’s Loud & Clear Report Reveals Over ₦60Bn Revenue for Nigerian Artists in 2025
Madonna University Taps Tech Guru Adote for Strategic Board Role
China Threatens to Shut Nigeria’s Satellite Over $11.44m Unpaid Debt
MTN Nigeria Posts Record N1.70 Trillion Pre‑Tax Profit, Declares N20 Dividend for 2025
Jumia Tech Week 2026 Begins with Tech Deals on Smartphones, Electronics, and Everyday Technology
General News2 days agoNCC to Curb SIM Fraud, Strengthen Digital Security with New Platform
General News2 days agoKidnappers Now Use Banks to Collect Ransoms — Expert
Broadcasting2 days agoNBC Boss Urges Content Ceators to Participate in DSO
E-Financial2 days agoCBN Says Bank Customers Won’t Lose Deposits because of Recapitalisation
News2 days agoFrancis Okafor Stuns China, Emerges Second-Place Winner @ Tencent OpenClaw Hackathon
E-Business2 days agoJury Finds Meta, Google Liable for Woman’s Social Media Addiction
Telecom2 days agoIFC Invests $45m to Green African Telecom Sites
E-Financial1 day agoBreaking…..Kuda Lays Off Many Employees in Broad Restructuring