Telecom
Ericsson, MIT Technology Review Insights Release a Report on How Operators are Preparing for 5G
Ericsson, in collaboration with MIT Technology Review Insights, released a report titled “The 5G Operator” to examine how telecom operators are preparing for 5G opportunities and challenges.
5G network technology gives telecommunications operators the ability to deliver many new applications and services in dynamic ways. Low-latency connectivity, ultra-high broadband speeds, and mobile edge computing capabilities will create myriad innovative business opportunities as well as consumer experiences.
Many of 5G’s clearer use cases—such as autonomous vehicle fleets, internet of things, and management of fully-automated factories—are enterprise-focused, which gives operators a path to new revenue creation.
But such services are still only just emerging, and carriers do not possess all the vertical-industry knowledge or specific application development experience to effectively explore the seemingly infinite service opportunities that 5G presents.
There is a growing understanding that operators cannot do it alone, and that an innovative ecosystem of partners will be crucial to future success.
This report explores how IT and network executives at leading operators worldwide are creating a roadmap to 5G, including strategies for rethinking network operations, IT, business support systems (BSS), and business processes to accommodate a growing number of digital service partners in rapidly expanding ecosystems. The key findings are as follows:
- Collaboration is the operating model for 5G delivery. 5G provides telecoms operators with powerful technological capabilities that can dramatically accelerate the digital transformation of companies across industries and geographies.
But executives interviewed for this report state that getting the full value of 5G is not something they can do on their own. To take advantage of the infinite possibilities will require an ecosystem of partners, and partner collaboration will become the baseline for success.
Partnerships will include hardware and software companies, traditional and digital players, and large and small innovators—all of which can bring specific application and domain expertise needed to exploit new niches.
- Scaling 5G services will require an ‘app store’ style of customized connectivity. To be an effective innovation partner in the 5G era, BSS functions such as billing, service creation, and catalog management must be open and agile, and provide opportunity for partners to “plug-and-play.”
One implication of this is that BSS capabilities, empowered by AI, analytics, and automation, will provide building blocks for partners to employ by themselves in a type of “app store.”
The goal for becoming truly scalable and innovative is to become close to “zero touch,” which will require greater network and IT integration for the automation of key BSS functions such as “configure, price, quote.”
- Rich data sets offer infinite opportunities for automation, AI, and real-time insight. With increasingly rich data sets, operators are becoming their customers’ partners in business intelligence, AI, and in generating new opportunities for value creation.
This requires operators to become more embedded in their customers’ digital businesses using increasingly virtualized and automated capabilities, provisioning uniquely defined services around specific customer requirements.
- Cloud migration is a key success factor for BSS. Cloud migration is certainly at the top of the agenda for network operators in their preparation for 5G.
But there is less maturity in moving network functions to the cloud than there is in IT, and there is little appetite for moving stable applications to a cloud environment where they may be more costly or challenging to virtualize.
Customer experience is one capability that executives agree should be moved to the cloud—a virtualized, on-demand service delivery platform is the foundation upon which new innovative services will be created swiftly, in collaboration with the carrier, its service partners, and customers.
- 5G will be an organizational as well as technological transformation. From sales and marketing to operations, IT, network management, pricing, and billing, there will be enormous changes that operators must plan for in 5G roadmaps.
The internal processes of telecoms operators are usually more aligned to consumer than enterprise segments, and this will need to change as connected devices soon outnumber human subscribers and complex enterprise services are deployed at scale.
A huge shift is the closer integration of network and IT teams, processes, and platforms, as service provisioning becomes more virtualized and new offers are developed with partners in cloud-native environments.
Airtel Nigeria has upgraded its My Airtel App with a fully integrated eShop feature, transforming the platform into a complete digital shopping destination. With this update, customers can now enjoy a full retail experience directly within the existing subscriber app—beyond simply buying airtime or data.
The eShop feature offers a wide selection of products ranging from Airtel-branded items such as Home Broadband (HBB) devices and everyday retail items such as electronics, home appliances, fashion, and beauty products.
Speaking on the new feature, Director of Marketing at Airtel Nigeria, Ismail Adeshina, emphasized the brand’s ongoing focus on innovation and customer-centricity.
“At Airtel, we understand that today’s customers value convenience above all else. This update is part of our broader mission to simplify digital experiences and make everyday transactions easier and faster. By integrating the eShop directly into the My Airtel App, we’re eliminating unnecessary steps and giving users the freedom to do more within a single platform,” he said.
The update enhances the app’s functionality by allowing customers to access the eShop directly from the home screen, eliminating the need for external redirection to web browsers or third-party platforms.
“We’re moving beyond basic connectivity towards building a digital ecosystem that supports the lifestyle needs of our customers. Whether it’s purchasing a device, recharging, or shopping for everyday items, we’re putting more power and choice in the hands of our users,” Adeshina added.
The My Airtel App continues to serve as a key platform for Airtel subscribers, offering self-service options, quick access to bundles, account management tools, and now, a more robust digital shopping channel.
Telecommunications subscribers in the country could soon be paying 5 percent more for data and voice services if President Bola Tinubu signs Nigeria Tax Bill 2024 into law.
Passed in the Senate on May 8, 2025, the bill reintroduces a controversial 5 percent excise tax on telecom services, a move telecom operators, subscribers and consumer rights groups have strongly opposed.
The bill revived the excise tax first introduced in the Finance Act of 2020 during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had suspended the tax in July 2023, citing concerns that it could exacerbate inflation and hinder access to digital services, especially for low-income Nigerians.
The 2020 Finance Act had expanded the list of goods and services subject to excise duty, including telecom services.
However, the measure drew immediate and widespread criticism from telecom operators and consumer advocacy groups, who argued that the additional cost would burden citizens and increase the price of essential services in an already fragile economy.
Excise duty is a tax on certain goods produced or sold within a country and other activities as may be specified in the enabling law, including services.
As contained in the 2022 Finance Act, the tax is chargeable on all services regulated by the Nigerian Communications Commission (“NCC”) listed as postpaid and prepaid services at the rate of 5% for 2022, 2023 & 2024.
According to a report by PWC at the time, prior to the suspension of excise duty on certain goods in 2009, excise duty was applicable on recharge cards/vouchers.
The telecommunication companies are to pay the tax based on the excisable value of postpaid and prepaid services.
In July 2023, President Tinubu signed an Executive Order suspending the “5% Excise Tax on telecommunication services as well as the Excise Duties escalation on locally manufactured products.”
Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI) has released its annual Travel Trends 2025 report, revealing the latest consumer spending insights and motivation when it comes to travel.
Cross-border movement is often influenced by the most pressing economic factors of the moment, such as exchange rates and geopolitical tensions. However, these are not the only factors driving consumers’ travel spending decisions, including those in Africa. Personal and purpose-driven factors remain powerful even when economic uncertainty looms.
Building on the resilience of the global travel sector seen last year, the 2025 report highlights how destinations across the African continent are increasingly appealing to tourists and, creating additional opportunities for local markets to develop tourism.
“Africa is emerging as a global leader in purpose-driven travel, where nature, wellness, and culinary experiences are redefining the continent’s tourism landscape. These trends present a powerful opportunity to drive inclusive growth, support local economies, and position Africa as a key player in the future of global tourism,” said Mark Elliot, division president, Africa, Mastercard.
Whether drawn by Namibia’s wellness retreats, South Africa’s wilderness experiences or Morocco’s vibrant culinary scene, travelers are expanding their horizons beyond traditional hotspots.
“Tourism is playing an important role in Africa’s growth story. Travelers are increasingly drawn to the continent’s natural beauty, culinary diversity, and wellness experiences. While economic and geopolitical factors matter, the pursuit of meaningful, purpose-driven travel remains strong. The Mastercard Economics Institute’s report sheds light on how countries are tapping into this trend to attract visitors and boost local economies,” said Khatija Haque, chief economist EEMEA, Mastercard Economics Institute.
By exploring a full range of travel motivations, the report identifies the main themes shaping travel today:
Africa trends:
- Nature-fueled adventures: South Africa and Zambia dominate cross-border spending around national park areas. Spending around South Africa’s major national parks far outpaced that of other countries, with nearly a quarter of the cross-border spending occurring within these zones. Zambia is also highly ranked as an outdoor adventure destination.
- Culinary crossroads: Marrakech ranks highly on the foodie list with its median restaurant hosting tourists from many different countries, often to enjoy meals of tagine and b’stilla. Cape Town is also on the list, with its bobotie dish proving popular with visitors.
- Wellness in the wild: Africa is establishing itself as a global leader in wellness-centered travel as consumers prioritize rejuvenation and self-care. Namibia, South Africa and Botswana are among the top destinations for travelers seeking spa-style and nature-based retreats and immersive eco lodges. Kenya is also ranked among the top 20 destinations for wellness In the Mastercard Wellness Index 2025.
Other global trends:
- Spa, summit and savor: Personal passions and goals motivate travel choices. Adventure-seekers are heading to the Nordics, where Finland’s national parks account for 7.1% of cross-border spending in the country.
- Summer destination draws: The Asia-Pacific region commands the list of trending summer destinations. Flight booking data reveals the top global destinations gaining most momentum for June-September travel, relative to last year. Tokyo is the number one trending spot for summer 2025, followed by Osaka and then Paris.
- Fuelled by fans: Fans travel internationally to see their favorite teams and athletes play. Case in point? During Shohei Ohtani’s World Series debut, spending by Japanese visitors in Los Angeles surged by 91%, six times the broader cross-border boost.
- Money matters: Despite geopolitical tensions and fluctuating prices, the factors that motivate consumers to travel are often more complex than just economic. But currency depreciation can make certain destinations, like Japan, more attractive due to their better value for money.
- Wheeling and dealing closer to home: In general, business travelers favor longer trips within their own regions, driven by hybrid work models and geopolitical uncertainty. However, there are exceptions, with UK businesses spending a growing share of their travel budgets in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Mastercard is dedicated to helping the global tourism sector grow through market analysis and high-frequency, data-driven insights that enhance the travel experience. By empowering destinations and businesses to better understand evolving consumer trends, Mastercard is helping to shape a more connected and resilient future for travel across Africa.
You can view the full “Travel Trends 2025: Purpose-driven journeys” and other reports and insights from the Mastercard Economics Institute can be found here.
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