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Alcatel Receives 15 Recognitions at MWC 2016

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‎In an action-packed week for Alcatel at MWC, the brand was honoured with 15 recognitions in all, with the IDOL 4 and IDOL 4S being named jointly for two of the best at MWC.

At the recent event, Alcatel announced its new branding and strategy as well as a new lineup of products – the IDOL 4 series smartphones and PLUS 10 2-in-1.

Alcatel has achieved a top 5 position within the global handset market, proving the brand’s goal to become number 4 in the United States and number 2 in Latin America.

Thanks to the successful launch of the IDOL 3 last year, Alcatel has built the foundation for a solid market position to continue to gain momentum with the new flagship IDOL 4 and IDOL 4S.

At an affordable price point starting from 279€, the IDOL 4 series will benefit from a wide distribution including carrier channels, major retail chains, online stores as well as e-tailers, making point of sales much easier for the consumers.

This strategic decision will position the IDOL 4 series within the fastest growing market segment and make the trending technology affordable for all consumer groups. Shipping starts as soon as May 2016 to 50 markets globally within the first 3 months.

“This was a superexciting year for us at MWC,” said Dan Dery, chief marketing officer at Alcatel. “After we rolled out our new branding and our premium IDOL 4 series, we were thrilled to receive multiple awards and recognitions. This indicates that we’re moving in the right direction and we are making technology that makes sense to mass market consumers.”

The IDOL 4 Series‎
Citing the premium look and feel, the packaging that becomes virtual-reality goggles and “clever” software, Android Central named IDOL 4 and IDOL 4S “Top Picks” for MWC 2016. 9TO5Google also had kudos for both devices in the series.

Praise for top-of-the-line IDOL 4S was seconded by Engadget, Phonearena, InternationalWeek, Android Authority, Mobile Geeks, International Business Times, WHAT HI-FI and Pisapapeles.

After it beat out other entries from Sony, LG and HTC, AndroidPIT recognized IDOL 4 Best Affordable Smartphone of MWC 2016, noting how Alcatel “managed to outperform the competition,” making it an “easy choice” when the top-flight specs were considered. IDOL 4 was also cited as Best Affordable Smartphone by Tom’s Guide.

PLUS 10 2-in-1‎‎
The innovative 2-in-1 device PLUS 10, powered by the latest Windows operating system, was chosen as a Top Pick of MWC 2016 by Windows Central, as one of the Hottest Tablets and Laptops from MWC 2016 by NETWORKWORLD, and among 12 of the Best Phones and Tablets by WHAT HI-FI.

Alcatel is a member of TCL Communication, an international multicultural company which designs, develops and markets globally a growing range of mobile and Internet devices.

TCL Communication is a public company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (2618.HK) and part of TCL Corporation, one of the largest consumer electronics companies in the world.


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MTN Nigeria Non-Executive Director Mazen Mroue Quits to Focus on Group Role

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Mazen Mroue, a non-executive director at MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, has resigned effective February 27, 2026, to prioritise other responsibilities within the MTN Group, the company announced in a Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) filing.

MTN Nigeria Non-Executive Director Mazen Mroue Quits to Focus on Group Role

MTN Nigeria

 

The notice, signed by company secretary Uto Ukpanah, stated: “This is to enable Mr. Mroue to focus on other priorities within MTN Group Limited. The Board wishes to express its appreciation to Mr. Mroue for his immense service to MTN Nigeria and wishes him success in his future endeavours.”

Mroue joined MTN Nigeria’s board on June 1, 2022, bringing over 28 years of telecom experience. A veteran MTN executive, he previously served as CEO of MTN Uganda and MTN Liberia, non-executive director at MTN Cyprus, and held leadership roles at MTN Ghana.

Since February 2022, he has been MTN Group’s Chief Technology and Information Officer, overseeing technology strategy and governance. Earlier, as MTN Nigeria’s COO from August 2018 to January 2022, he also sat on the MTN Nigeria Foundation board.

The exit follows MTN Nigeria’s stellar 2025 results, posting a ₦1.70 trillion profit before tax—reversing a ₦550.3 billion loss in 2024 driven by forex woes—marking one of the telco’s strongest rebounds.


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Google Adds Yorùbá, Hausa to AI Search, Boosting Access for Millions of Nigerians

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Google has rolled out support for Yorùbá and Hausa languages in its AI-powered Search features—AI Overviews and AI Mode—enabling millions of Nigerians to get quick answers, summaries, and conversational web exploration in their mother tongues.

Google Adds Yorùbá, Hausa to AI Search, Boosting Access for Millions of Nigerians

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The update forms part of Google’s push to cover 13 African languages, including Afrikaans, Akan, Amharic, Kinyarwanda, Afaan Oromoo, Somali, Sesotho, Kiswahili, Setswana, Wolof, and isiZulu, selected based on high search activity across the continent.

Now, a Kano student can ask complex questions in Hausa, while an Ibadan trader seeks business tips in Yorùbá—both receiving culturally nuanced AI responses via text or voice on Android, iOS, or web.

Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s West Africa Communications Manager, said: “Building truly global Search requires nuanced local understanding. With Gemini-powered AI, we’ve made advanced capabilities relevant in Yorùbá and Hausa, so Nigerians converse naturally with Search in their mother tongues.”

To use: Open the Google app, tap AI Mode, and query in Hausa or Yorùbá for personalised guidance—breaking language barriers and making technology reflect Nigeria’s diverse identity.


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MultiChoice Shuts Down Showmax After 11 Years Amid Streaming Wars

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MultiChoice is closing its continental streaming platform Showmax after 11 years, notifying subscribers Thursday of the board’s decision to discontinue the service in the near future to refocus on sustainable digital offerings.

MultiChoice Shuts Down Showmax After 11 Years Amid Streaming Wars

MultiChoice

The email assured no immediate disruption: “You can continue streaming as usual, and no action is required from you at this time.” Showmax, launched in South Africa in 2015 and expanded across Africa, offered movies, series, documentaries, and sports to rival Netflix and others amid rising online entertainment demand.

The shutdown follows Canal+’s approved takeover of MultiChoice last year, with the French giant offering ZAR 125 per share for remaining stakes.

The deal mandates HDP ownership boosts, local content investment, and splitting MultiChoice’s SA broadcasting arm into an independent entity to meet regulations.

MultiChoice prioritised subscribers during the transition, promising advance notice on timelines.

Showmax’s exit signals consolidation pressures in Africa’s cut-throat streaming market, where global players dominate despite local content strengths.


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