Telecom
AMOTEL Appoints WTL as First Supplier for GSM, Data Networks
World Telecom Labs (WTL) has been appointed by AMOTEL to bring voice and data to remote rural villages close to Lake Tanganyika in Katavi Region. Later to take the services to other villages in Kigoma, Njombe and Kilimanjaro regions.
In June AMOTEL became the first licensed Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) in Tanzania with a mission to embrace new innovations and developments to serve the rural areas.
AMOTEL has entered a business agreement to operate as an MVNO through a national telecom company called Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL).
AMOTEL will be deploying WTL’s new Vivada system (Village Voice and Data) to build low OPEX, low-CAPEX networks in three villages that are not currently covered by any kind of network.
The proof of concept project is being financed by the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF) as part of its US$9.6 million investment to improve connectivity in Tanzania which was announced in April.
The BuddeComm research group estimates that Tanzania’s mobile penetration rate was 75% in 2015 whilst fixed lines were 0.3% and Internet 26%.
Professor Robert Mabele, board chairman of Mkulima African Telecom Company Limited, MTC-AMOTEL, said “We know that connectivity in rural areas leads to economic development and improvements in the quality of life. AMOTEL is a company which takes its responsibilities very seriously and we are determined to make a difference.
“We evaluated a number of rural systems and WTL’s Vivada was consistently top across our scoring criteria. The build has already started and we are extremely impressed with the experience and enthusiasm of the WTL team.”
WTL’s Vivada has been specifically developed to provide operators large and small with a cost-effective, quick to deploy and sustainable system for rural GSM and data connectivity. It runs on less than 200W which can be supplied by solar with battery back-up.
Vivada recognises that multiple revenue streams will ensure a sustainable business model. It can deliver services to all types of pre and post-paid customers with varying telecoms budgets including GSM for every type of handset; WiFi connectivity for smartphones, tablets, laptops and PCs – and connectivity to cybercafés and hotspot call cabins.
Vivada includes a micro GSM base station, WiFi routers and modems, backhaul integration, billing software, VoIP switches and an SMS server. Details of the entire package can be found at www.wtl.be/ss7-softswitch-sbc-sms-gateways-and-solutions/vivada-rural-connectivity
Traffic from the village is validated by WTL’s real-time charging system and voice calls are then converted into VoIP and compressed using WTL’s award-winning VoIP SBC which uses patented technology to minimise the amount of backhaul bandwidth required. Calls are transferred to a hub in Dar es Salaam where a WTL switch routes it onwards.
Leigh Smith, WTL managing director, said “We are well-established in Africa as an innovative technology company which understands the market and can customise its offering. The challenges in building and maintaining networks in rural areas are well-documented and haven’t changed much over the years.
“Our rural offering has been developed with these challenges in mind and is proving to be very attractive to operators who are looking for reliable ways to deploy low-CAPEX, low-OPEX networks in rural areas.”
WTL will be exhibiting at this year’s AfricaCom show and is shortlisted with its customer Interconnect Clearinghouse Nigeria Limited (ICN) in the Best Network Improvement category for their work in increasing capacity in Nigeria.
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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