Telecom
Ericsson Intelligent Deployment Breaks Traditional Network Rollout Processes
With the introduction of 5G and cloud-based applications like virtualization, network deployment is becoming more complex and in need of revision.
Ericsson Intelligent Deployment uses technologies like AI and ML to reduce 5G rollout complexity and offer communications service providers innovative ways to make more intelligent investment decisions.
Widespread adoption of cloud-based services and virtualization, network deployments, upgrades, and expansion are making network deployment and evolution more complex. These include increased levels of the following:
- Spectrum complexity and an increasing volume of parameters to be monitored
- Small-cell densification, making logistics and integration more challenging
- Hardware volumes, driving an increase in number of network elements to put in place
- Multi-vendor deployment models, with the arrival of Cloud RAN and edge
- Critical use-case performance, requiring more accuracy and agility
Communications service providers (CSPs) need to take into account these newly emerging considerations and revise their approach to network deployment – leveraging the latest available technologies.
A new reality for network deployment
Network rollout has traditionally been viewed as a series of sequential phases based on design, engineering, installation, and acceptance. Many of these phases have been, to a large extent, manual and labor-intensive processes.
Today, CSPs require more from network deployments, with more stringent performance requirements from 5G than they did from 4G. 5G offers exciting new opportunities having Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) in suburban areas, private network solutions in industrial areas with multiple connected factories and warehouses, and also high-performing consumer services in dense, urban environments.
With all the complexity that comes with 5G, it becomes more and more important to continuously optimize network upgrades, evolution, and maintenance. It is no longer enough to just put a network in place. It is vital that CSPs get a fully digitized view of the network that has been deployed and to know exactly what can be done on a particular site in the future without having to physically visit that site.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are now commonly used many different industry sectors. The use cases for AI and ML include everything from consumer services through to agriculture and farming, security and surveillance, manufacturing and production.
Advanced algorithms employed in AI and ML offer us a way to escape labor-intensive mundane business tasks by automating them and performing data analysis at speeds of which we could only dream.
Digitized network deployment is here
Network deployment that is digitized from design to acceptance, considering the performance required for each use case as well as topology, current and future traffic demands, is no pipe dream. It’s here and now.
We have combined tools that leverage international data standards with proprietary data and processes to provide CSPs with unified digitized experiences during deployment, expansion, upgrades, and, maintenance of their networks.
Ericsson Intelligent Deployment offers CSPs quick return on investments with fast and efficient rollout and fast site activation. It delivers standardization and digitalization of the full network lifecycle using a modular suite of capabilities that focuses specifically on network deployment. Ericsson Intelligent Deployment offers:
- Fast time to market by standardizing data in a single user interface
- Lower OPEX through better control of the network lifecycle
- Transparency through access to data from the end-to-end deployment process
- Cost efficiency, sending drones instead of engineers for the site surveys
- Accuracy through capturing more data and adding granularity
- Flexibility in planning OPEX and CAPEX availability and change management
Redesigned network deployment for the 5G age
Ericsson Intelligent Deployment is designed to enrich and improve our service-delivery capabilities. It represents a modular, future-proof, data-driven, and holistic approach to network deployment and network lifecycle management.
As a trusted partner to service providers around the world, we at Ericsson are committed to delivering the most reliable, most efficient, and accurate network deployments, and operations.
We believe that Ericsson Intelligent Deployment ticks all of those boxes so CSPs can break free of traditional network rollouts and make even smarter investment decisions to capture the potential of the 5G era.
Do you want to learn more about one of the many capabilities that Intelligent Deployment offers to its customers? Click and download our paper on Intelligent Site Engineering.
Telecom
Catholic Bishops Raise Caution on Use of Artificial Intelligence
Most Reverend Lucius Ugorji, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), the Archbishop of Owerri has raised caution on the deployment of Artificial Intelligence.
Ugorji called for a balance that prioritises human welfare alongside technological progress, mindful of ethics and morals, as well as risks such as job displacement, threat to world peace, spread of falsehood through propaganda, manipulation of the human person, and privacy concerns through advanced hacking and deepfakes.
The clergyman raised the concern during the ComWeek Public Lecture in Abuja on Artificial Intelligence, noting that the exclusive use of technology in religious formation, pastoral care, and education has enhanced theological knowledge, accessibility and mission of the universal church.
Keynote Speaker at the event, Father Anthony Akinwale, deputy vice chancellor of Augustine University Lagos, dismissed the speculations that the intellectual roles of humans will be replaced by Artificial Intelligence, explaining that AI relied on humans to function and did not have a mind of its own to choose to or not to obey commands with which it was programmed.
Akinwale further cautioned that AI should be solely used for the common good of mankind and not for destructive purposes.
Most Reverend David Ajang, chairman on Social communication of the Catholic Bishops Conference, called for a reflection on the power of communication as a divine gift, “one that holds the potential to bridge divides, enlighten minds and unite hearts in the pursuit of truth and common good”.
Telecom
9mobile Refreshes Its MoreBusiness ComboPak with Additional Benefits
9mobile, Nigeria’s customer-centric telecommunications company has refreshed its ‘MoreBusiness ComboPak’ offerings with additional benefits to enable new and potential customers enjoy more value on calls, data, SMS and CUG for their Businesses.
The ‘MoreBusiness ComboPak’ product offering is a flexible and customizable plan with an array of add-on services. The plan gives customers benefits of extra cost-saving tariff within the bundle, and 100% bonus data upon repurchase of select bundles.
With the update, 9mobile customers on this plan will also enjoy free incoming calls while roaming on select networks in the following 10 countries: UK, UAE, South Africa, Kenya, Spain, Egypt, France, Germany, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia when they recharge ₦5,000 and above in a month.
A further benefit of the plan is the ‘Add-on solutions’. With this, companies and institutions will enjoy seamless business operations’ continuity and optimization through Close User Group (CUG), Fleet Tracking, Cloud PBX, Cloud Services, and Device Financing. Others are International Call Bundles, Roaming Bundles, and Special International Destinations Calling.
Commenting on the development, Nneka Owolabi, Director Enterprise Business, highlighted the telco’s unwavering commitment to ensure customers and subscribers enjoy premium customer experience, and wholesome value for their subscription on the 9mobile network.
“At 9mobile we have proven time and again that premium customer experience is important for us. It is the essence of our operations. That is why we have reintroduced the ‘MoreBusiness ComboPak’ for customers and subscribers, particularly businesses to enjoy value for their loyalty to us, and upscale their businesses”, he said.
Owolabi also stated that the ComboPak combines all business needs in one affordable bundle with cheaper voice calls, data subscription, SMS, and CUG, saying “It’s a ComboPak offering that keeps you, and your business stay ahead of trend”.
“What 9mobile ‘MoreBusiness ComboPak’ does is to create and sustain an ecosystem where people, in this case, customers and subscribers, and businesses run systematically with a combination of our tools efficiently. This is certain to revolutionize the way Nigerians communicate, stay connected, and transact businesses effectively”.
Subscribers to ‘MoreBusiness ComboPak’ plan will enjoy unique voice calls, SMS & data.
The service allows flexibility to move across packages based on your needs. For ₦1,000 ComboBasic bundle cost, customers will dial *246*4*33# to enjoy 60k/MB Browsing, 12k/sec in bundle calls, 12k/sec out of bundle calls, ₦2.60/SMS, and CUG; while for ₦1,000 ComboValue bundle cost, customers will dial *246*4*30# to enjoy 700MB, 30 National call minutes, 11k/sec out of bundle calls, 10 National SMS, and CUG.
For customers with ₦2,000 ComboPremier bundle cost, all they need to do is to dial *246*4*33# to enjoy 2.1GB, 60 National call minutes, 11k/sec out of bundle calls, 25 National SMS, and CUG. Customers subscribing to ₦5,000 ComboBlack bundle cost will enjoy benefits of 7GB, 300 National call minutes, 11k/sec out of bundle calls, 25 National SMS, and CUG.
The unique value adds on the ‘MoreBusiness ComboPak’ plan for customers also includes: Bundled Plans – for customers to enjoy flexible and customizable plans with an array of add-on services, and extra cost saving tariff within bundle.
Unlimited Add-ons – this is Add-on solutions – include CUG, Fleet Tracking, Cloud PBX, Cloud Services, Device Financing, Shared Data, International call bundles, Roaming Bundles, and Special International Destinations Calling, for customers.
This is in addition, to free data offer which is a 100% bonus data upon repurchase of select bundles.
Convenience has been embedded into the ComboPak plan for Subscribers also to check account balance by dialling *310#, and data balance by dialling *323#, while migration or opting out of the plan is absolutely free.
Telecom
MTN Nigeria’s Uto Ukpanah Named Global Corporate Secretary of the Year
MTN Nigeria’s Company Secretary, Uto Ukpanah, is the first ever winner of the “Global Corporate Secretary of the Year” award by the Corporate Secretaries International Association (CSIA). She was honoured with the award at an event on April 23rd, 2024, in Kuala, Lumpur, Malaysia.
The CSIA Global Awards was instituted to recognise the efforts of corporate secretaries and governance professionals that not only impact their organizations but also international platforms. Of the three main award categories- Global Corporate Secretary of the Year, Rising Corporate Secretary of the Year and Governance Professional of the Year, Uto was awarded the Global Corporate Secretary of the Year for her hard work, diligence and professionalism by a distinguished jury of expert practitioners and thought leaders in the corporate governance field.
Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria congratulating her on the recognition said, “At MTN, we understand the critical role strong governance plays in driving sustainable growth and fostering trust among stakeholders. Uto’s exemplary leadership underscores our commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity and transparency. We are proud of Uto’s commitment to corporate governance. She deserves the recognition.”
Ukpanah, the pioneer winner of this award has worked with MTN Nigeria for over 18 years. She is a corporate lawyer with extensive experience in company and commercial law. Her contributions in developing sustainable corporate governance structures in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors have been instrumental in fostering transparency and ethical business practices.
Ukpanah’s dedication to ethics and corporate social responsibility advisory services has positioned her as a respected leader in the industry, driving positive change and setting high standards for corporate excellence. This is seen in her active participation on the ‘Code of Corporate Governance Committee,’ ‘9to5 Woman,’ ‘Bankers Committee on Corporate Governance’, among others.
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