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Ericsson Expands its 5G Portfolio

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Ericsson has introduced a new radio product, AIR 3246, for Massive Multiple Input Multiple Output (Massive MIMO), which is a complement to Ericsson’s global 5G radio offering.

AIR 3246 supports both 4G/LTE and 5G NR (New Radio) technologies and is Ericsson’s first 5G NR radio for frequency division duplex (FDD).

This launch will enable operators – especially in metropolitan areas – to bring 5G to subscribers using today’s mid-band spectrum and boost capacity in their LTE networks.

Ericsson’s 5G Platform includes three previously launched time division duplex (TDD) radios capable of supporting 5G and Massive MIMO, as well as core, transport, digital support and security elements. The company has the most complete 5G portfolio in the industry, serving the needs of the first movers in 5G.

Fredrik Jejdling, Head of Business Area Networks at Ericsson, said: “We now expand the 5G platform that we introduced last February. The new radio will enable operators to enhance 4G capacity for their subscribers today and be ready for 5G tomorrow, using the same hardware. We also complement the products with a set of network services, simplifying the journey to 5G for our customers.”                     

Bridging from 4G to 5G
People are watching, sharing and streaming video and music more than ever. As such, the demands on a sufficient speed are ever increasing.

Ericsson analyzed 4G network performance statistics from metropolitan areas around the world, and found that the probability of a smart device suffering from insufficient speed can be as high as 20 percent during peak hours.

Massive MIMO is a key technology to bridge from 4G to 5G, adding intelligent capacity and boosting user experience.

Stefan Pongratz, Senior Director at the Dell’Oro Group, said: “Just as carrier aggregation has been key to adding needed capacity to mobile broadband networks, Massive MIMO has the potential to be the primary capacity enabler in the next upgrade phase, providing a smooth transition towards 5G. With an expected 2021 installed base of 10M LTE macro radios in high traffic and metro areas, service providers are expected to capitalize on the improved spectral efficiency made possible with Massive MIMO.”

FDD Massive MIMO is part of a trial with T-Mobile US, on three sites in Baltimore, Maryland. This will be the first time that standardized Massive MIMO will be used to carry commercial LTE traffic using mid-band FDD spectrum.

Neville Ray, Chief Technology Officer for T-Mobile, said: “T-Mobile’s racing forward at breakneck pace with Ericsson’s next-gen tech that advances LTE today and paves the way for 5G tomorrow. While the carriers scramble to prop up networks caving under the weight of unlimited, the Un-carrier’s rolling out advanced technologies to massively increase network capacity and data throughput for customers. Translation – we’re making America’s best unlimited network even better!”

Massive MIMO on FDD can increase network capacity up to three times and bring up to five times better user throughput, boosting performance for the end users. Today’s global base is primarily on FDD technology and devices, which separates uplink and downlink streams on different radio frequencies.

Commercially available in the second quarter 2018, AIR 3246 will be part of Ericsson Radio System.

5G Services – preparation to launch
Complementing the 5G core transformation services introduced earlier this year, Ericsson is now launching a set of services helping operators on the road to 5G in three steps: Prepare, Mobilize and Launch.

The services entail: Prepare for the first crucial steps based on learnings from Ericsson’s trials around the world; mobilize by setting up the technical and operational resources necessary for a successful 5G launch; and launch 5G services through complete and rapid network rollout and ensure smooth operations of the services.

These new 5G services use Ericsson’s Engineered Intelligence approach, which builds on the best of human and machine capabilities and are supported by automation, machine learning and artificial intelligence tools.

Ericsson’s 5G platform comprises the 5G core, radio and transport portfolios, together with OSS, BSS, network services and security.


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Enugu to Host The Gathering on 100 as MTN-Backed Youth Movement Expands Across Nigeria

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Nigeria’s fast-rising youth culture and innovation community, The Gathering on 100, is heading to Enugu, with registration now open for gamers, performers, DJs, creatives, and culture enthusiasts.

Enugu to Host The Gathering on 100 as MTN-Backed Youth Movement Expands Across Nigeria

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The Enugu edition will take place on June 19, 2026, at ICC Hall, Okpara Square, and will bring together a new audience for the platform’s signature blend of music, gaming, live performance, community engagement, and youth-driven entertainment.

The Gathering on 100 first gained national attention in Lagos, where it transformed the National Stadium, Surulere, into a continuous 100-hour ecosystem of activity from April 22–26, 2026.

The event combined culture, commerce, entrepreneurship, gaming, fashion, and live entertainment, attracting thousands of young participants and creating opportunities for emerging talent and businesses.

The movement most recently arrived in Aba, where thousands of young people gathered for a weekend of culture, commerce and entrepreneurship, reinforcing the platform’s growing appeal across different communities and audiences.

The move to Enugu is being framed by organisers as a deliberate expansion into one of Nigeria’s largest student and youth populations. Home to major institutions including the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Godfrey Okoye University and Coal City University, Enugu attracts thousands of young people from across the country each year, creating a vibrant community shaped by education, creativity, entertainment and entrepreneurship.

This concentration of young talent has helped fuel a growing ecosystem of creators, performers, gamers, digital entrepreneurs and small business owners.

In recent years, the city has hosted an increasing number of technology, entertainment and youth-focused events, reflecting the growing demand for platforms that bring together creativity, opportunity and community.

These dynamics make Enugu a natural next stop for The Gathering on 100, a platform built around showcasing talent, fostering connections and creating opportunities for young Nigerians.

Registration for the Enugu edition is now open through The Gathering’s official website, with participation available across multiple categories including gaming, rap battles, DJ competitions, dance, live performances and entrepreneurship.

A key highlight of the event will be the Pitchathon, where emerging founders and business owners will have the opportunity to present their ideas before a panel of judges for a chance to secure grant funding and support for business growth.

The gaming segment will feature competitive tournaments and interactive experiences designed for both casual and serious players, while rap battles and DJ showdowns will spotlight rising talent from Enugu and neighbouring states.

Attendees can also expect a large scale rave experience, live entertainment and community driven activities designed to bring together different corners of the region’s youth culture under one roof.

Beyond the entertainment, organisers say The Gathering on 100 is designed to create real opportunities for young people to connect, collaborate and gain visibility for their talents, ideas and businesses.

As the movement continues its expansion across Nigeria, the Enugu edition is expected to showcase the city’s unique blend of creativity, ambition and cultural influence while providing a platform for the next generation of innovators, performers and entrepreneurs.


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Prof. Dzidonu Urges Universities to Produce Deep Thinkers for AI Age

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Professor Clement K. Dzidonu, President of Accra Institute of Technology (AIT), has said that the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, automation, and digital transformation demands graduates who are capable of independent thinking, continuous learning, innovation, and responsible leadership.

Prof. Dzidonu Urges Universities to Produce Deep Thinkers for AI Age

Professor Clement K. Dzidonu, President of Accra Institute of Technology (AIT).

Professor Dzidonu noted that universities exist not merely to award degrees but to develop capable human beings who can think critically, solve problems creatively, adapt to changing circumstances, and contribute meaningfully to society.

He reiterated AIT’s commitment to producing graduates who are technically competent, ethically grounded, intellectually curious, and globally competitive.

The Accra Institute of Technology (AIT) has officially welcomed newly admitted students into its academic community at a colourful matriculation ceremony held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the university’s Knowledge City Campus-Kokomlemle in Accra.

Speaking on the theme, “Preparing the Sovereign Learner for a World of Opportunity, Possibility and Difference,” the President encouraged students to adopt the Opportunity–Possibility–Difference (OPD) Perspective by recognizing opportunities, exploring possibilities, and creating meaningful differences in their lives and communities. He urged them to see beyond examinations and certificates and focus on building capability, character, and courage.

The ceremony marked a significant milestone in the lives of the new students as they formally became members of the AIT scholarly community, joining a university renowned for excellence in technology-driven education, innovation, research, and professional development.

The matriculating class comprises students pursuing programmes in Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, Occupational Health and Safety Management, Project Management, and doctoral studies.

Addressing the matriculating class, the President of AIT, Professor Clement K. Dzidonu, congratulated the students on their admission and challenged them to embrace what he termed “The Age of the Sovereign Learner.” He emphasized that the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, automation, and digital transformation demands graduates who are capable of independent thinking, continuous learning, innovation, and responsible leadership.

Professor Dzidonu further challenged the students to make the most of the opportunities available to them at AIT by attending lectures consistently, acting ethically, managing their time wisely, and committing themselves to lifelong learning.

He reminded them that success at the university would depend not only on the resources and support systems provided by AIT but also on their personal commitment to excellence and self-development.

On behalf of the newly admitted students, Mr. Samuel Peace Kamara delivered the matriculants’ acceptance speech, expressing gratitude to the university’s leadership, faculty, and staff for the warm reception extended to the new students.

He pledged, on behalf of his colleagues, that they would uphold the values of the university, work diligently in their studies, and strive to become responsible professionals capable of making meaningful contributions to society.

The ceremony concluded with a formal declaration admitting the students into membership of the university community and a call on them to embrace the opportunities before them, pursue excellence, and contribute positively to national and global development.


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FG Debunks Claims of Plans to Introduce Telecoms, Fuel Taxes

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Federal government has dismissed reports suggesting it plans to introduce new taxes on telecommunications services and petroleum products, describing the claims as false and misleading.

FG Clears the Air on New Fuel and Telecom Tax Reports

The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Federal Ministry of Finance and signed by Mrs Maryann Duke, Senior Special Assistant on Communications and Press Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

According to the ministry, reports linking the alleged taxes to recommendations contained in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV Consultation on Nigeria do not reflect the position of the government.

It explained that recommendations contained in IMF consultation reports are advisory in nature and do not constitute policy decisions or binding obligations on the Federal Government.

“The Federal Government is not considering the introduction of any new taxes on telecommunications services or petroleum products,” the statement said.

The ministry also clarified that existing tax arrangements relating to petroleum products remain unchanged.

It stated that the Value Added Tax (VAT) waiver on fuel remains in force and has not been removed.

According to the statement, any fuel surcharge can only be introduced through a ministerial order published in the Official Gazette, noting that no such action is currently under consideration.

The ministry added that the current policy framework has helped cushion the impact of fluctuations in global fuel prices on households and businesses across the country.

On telecommunications services, the government said the excise duty introduced before 2023 had already been repealed under the country’s new tax laws.

It stressed that the duty is no longer in effect.

The ministry urged Nigerians, businesses and media organisations to disregard reports suggesting that new taxes would be imposed on telecommunications services and petroleum products.

It reiterated that Nigeria’s tax reform agenda remains focused on improving revenue administration, promoting economic growth and attracting investments rather than increasing the tax burden on citizens.

The ministry further assured that any future tax policy changes would be communicated through official channels and implemented in accordance with due process and existing legal provisions.

It reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency and responsible economic management aimed at supporting sustainable growth and protecting the welfare of Nigerians.


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