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Huawei says Spectrum Cloudification Could help African Telcos

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Spectrum cloudification technology developed by Huawei and Indonesia’s Telkomsel could have benefits for Africa, and Huawei says the technology could be rolled out on the continent in the future.

This is according to Peter Zhou, chief marketing officer of Huawei Wireless Solution, speaking at a press event at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

“There is no problem for Huawei and Telkomsel to gradually deploy this kind of technology to other regions. It would definitely be very useful for South Africa and that kind of area because of the lack of spectrum and the need to improve the coverage and capacity,” he says.

The companies were announcing the successful commercial deployment of the CloudAIR 2.0 solution, which aims to reshape the air interface with the concept of cloudification, sharing air interface resources such as spectrum, power and channel.

Trials on Telkomsel’s live network showed the application of spectrum cloudification technology increased the LTE user downlink speed throughput by 116%, from 50Mbps to 108Mbps. In addition, the implementation of channel cloudification technology improved the carrier aggregation coverage for outdoor areas by 21.4%, as well as two to three times user experience improvement for indoor areas.

Telkomsel is Indonesia’s largest mobile operator with more than 190 million subscribers. The telco says despite growing numbers of 4G subscribers, many 2G subscribers will remain for a long time. This poses a big challenge for the operator to maximise spectrum efficiency, despite limited spectrum, by scheduling its 2G and 4G resources based on demand.

“Furthermore, in order to meet the rapid development of 4G business, Telkomsel has deployed LTE technology in 2 300MHz, 2 100MHz, 1 800MHz and 900MHz at the same time. However, the high frequency band uplink signal becomes a coverage bottleneck due to high propagation, high penetration loss and limited transmitting power of the terminal. This situation results in poor user experience at the cell edge, especially in indoor areas,” the telco says.

In response to these issues, the new solution addresses the problems through two technologies: spectrum cloudification (dynamic spectrum sharing) and channel cloudification.

The original CloudAIR solution from Huawei has been around since 2016 and has helped maximise spectral efficiency in India and Thailand. The new version improves on the original through innovations from Telkomsel.

“The CloudAIR 2.0 solution has enabled us to achieve a convergence of the multi-band network that maximises capacity and coverage requirements and enhances the user experience effectively,” says Edward Ying, director of planning and transformation at Telkomsel.

The spectrum cloudification technology realises the deployment of different radio access technologies in the same spectrum and can dynamically allocate and adjust spectrum resources according to the changes of traffic.

Meanwhile, the channel cloudification technology combines the advantage of larger downlink bandwidth of high band and better uplink coverage of low band. The coordination between LTE high band and low band channel cloudification can significantly improve the coverage of high band and improve the cell edge user experience, especially for LTE indoor coverage areas.

For now, CloudAIR 2.0 is only available in Indonesia but Zhou believes this type of solution would make a lot of sense in a market like SA, which like Indonesia struggles with a lack of spectrum.

“There are plans to implement the technology and software in Huawei’s global roadmap, so this means this type of product will gradually be deployed in other markets and other regions and also provide the benefit to the people there.

“Like in Africa, because the situation is quite similar, lack of spectrum and people needing to improve their user experience of using smartphones and the carriers wanting to also start improving the efficiency of their investment so this could be a very beneficial technology,” Zhou says.


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NCC Orders Telcos Inform Subscribers of Data Breach within 48 Hours

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Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed telecom operators in the country to notify affected customers of any data breach within 48 hours ( that is two day) of detecting such unauthorised infringement.

NCC Orders Telcos Inform Subscribers of Data Breach within 48 Hours

This directive was  contained in the revised Internet Code of Practice 2026 by the NCC, on Friday.

The document seeks to define the rights and obligations of telecom operators in handing the rights of internet users to an open internet.

In the move to protect customer information, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are to take necessary measures to protect customers’ data from unauthorised use, disclosure, access or breach.

Telecom operators must now notify affected customers within 48 hours of detecting a compromise through text message, email or any other effective means. As contained in Chapter 3.4 of the regulation titled “Data Breach Notifications,”

The telecoms companies are also directed to notify the NCC of such a breach not later than 48 hours after determining such a breach.

Where full details of the breach are not immediately available, the provider shall issue a preliminary notification within the same period and furnish a comprehensive update within Fourteen (14) days thereafter, or within such extended period as the Commission may approve,” part of the section reads.

The guidelines, according to NCC, are in tandem with the provisions contained in the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023 and Part VI of Schedule 1 of the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations 2024.

The regulation also joins other agencies’ policies, ensuring protection. Agencies such as the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) protect consumers against misuse of personal data, identity theft, financial loss, and reputation damage.

The review comes at a time when privacy becomes core amid frequent breaches and illegal harvest of data such as biometric, national IDs, financial information, traffic and usage, and others.

Regulations are necessary for the proper handling, consent, and regulatory compliance regarding sensitive data, ensuring it is only processed for legitimate purposes.

Under Chapter 3.5, the Internet Code of Practice 2026 addressed the handling of harvesting of transactional data by notifying and getting approval from the NCC of any usage by a third party. It noted that the NCC approval will be defined by a review and assessment of such access and “its potential effects on national considerations, consumer information and personal data.”


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Globacom Promotes Valentine Gifting with Huge Discounts on Smartphones

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Globacom has announced a Valentine Smartphone promotion, which provides incredible savings on a variety of high-end smartphones from top manufacturers including Tecno, Samsung, and Infinix.

Starting on February 9, the promotion provides substantial price reductions on a number of Samsung models, including the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy A07, Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G, and Galaxy A26 5G. Customers who buy any of the phones will also receive a complimentary travel pouch and charger, as well as up to 18GB of extra data for six months, only available on the Glo network.

Along with other Infinix models, Tecno devices are also offered at attractive discounts, giving customers a large range of smartphones to fit a variety of tastes and price ranges.

The goal of the Glo Valentine promotion is to provide customers with the best possible deals on carefully chosen smartphones that are renowned for their cutting-edge technology, stylish designs, and dependable performance. The offer, which includes alternatives to suit a range of budgets and lifestyles, reaffirms Globacom’s dedication to customer happiness, digital adoption, greater data usage, and client centricity.

The company revealed that the promotion aligned with customers’ expectations during celebratory seasons, when demand is highest for quality smartphones at affordable prices. The company added that its partnership with trusted global and regional brands such as Samsung, Infinix, and Tecno ensures that customers enjoy premium features without compromising on value.

“The Valentine season is about connection, and what better way to stay connected than with a smartphone that fits your needs and aspirations,” the company stated. “This promo gives our customers the chance to get their dream smartphones at some of the best prices of the year, along with generous data bonuses to keep them connected,” the company disclosed.

Customers are encouraged to visit Gloworld outlets nationwide to take advantage of the Valentine Smartphone Promo while stocks last.

 


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GBB Expands Broadband to 13 Underserved Communities In 2025

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Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) has recorded a significant milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey by advancing broadband connectivity to 13 underserved institutions and communities nationwide in 2025, reinforcing its position as the nation’s digital backbone and a trusted partner in national development.

Guided by its mandate to enable a digitally inclusive Nigeria, GBB deliberately extended connectivity to locations within reach of its infrastructure footprint, particularly institutions with strong potential for productive use but limited readiness for immediate commercial engagement. Through this effort, the organisation continues to unlock opportunity, stimulate innovation, and support sustainable growth across critical sectors of the economy.

The expansion reached three Federal Universities, two Local Government Areas, and eight Federal Secretariats, strengthening digital capabilities in education and public administration while enhancing service delivery across the country.

GBB also extended reliable broadband connectivity to strategic and cultural landmarks such as the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, underscoring its commitment to supporting national infrastructure that drives economic activity, mobility, and global connectivity.

These deployments highlight Galaxy Backbone’s resolve to bridge the digital divide and empower institutions that shape Nigeria’s future. They demonstrate the measurable national impact of GBB’s infrastructure investments and reflect the tangible progress of the Integrated Digital Transformation Strategy (IDTS), further solidifying the organisation’s role as the platform upon which government institutions and communities can confidently build their digital future.

More importantly, the milestone illustrates that GBB’s work extends beyond technology by enabling education, improving governance, supporting economic participation, and connecting citizens to opportunity.

The initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broadband penetration objectives and complements national programmes such as Project 774 – Universities’ Hostel Connectivity, ensuring coordinated, scalable, and sustainable impact across the country. Commenting on the achievement, Galaxy Backbone noted that every new connection brings Nigeria closer to a more inclusive digital economy while reinforcing the infrastructure required for innovation and national competitiveness.

As implementation continues, GBB remains committed to expanding access, pushing boundaries, and delivering on the promise of a fully digital nation, with further updates expected as additional phases of the deployment progress.

Galaxy Backbone Limited is the Federal Government’s digital infrastructure and shared services provider, dedicated to delivering secure, reliable, and scalable ICT solutions that support efficient governance, innovation, and sustainable national development.

 


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