Telecom
Ericsson Spectrum Sharing now Commercially Available
Ericsson has announced that its unique dynamic spectrum sharing solution has become commercially available for the first time. It has the capacity to allow communications service providers to quickly and cost-effectively launch 5G on a nationwide scale.
In the words of Fredrik Jejdling, Executive Vice President and Head of Networks, Ericsson: “For the first time, our customers do not have to re-farm spectrum before deploying a new ‘G’ and can quickly get 5G on the same footprint as they have with 4G today. In the next 12 months, more than 80 percent of the commercial 5G networks we support will use our spectrum sharing solution to achieve broad 5G coverage.”
Ericsson Spectrum Sharing allows both 4G and 5G to be deployed in the same band and on the same radio through a software upgrade and dynamically allocates spectrum based on user demand on a 1 millisecond basis. Ericsson’s dynamic spectrum sharing is the most economically feasible way to deploy 5G on existing bands – enabling wide 5G coverage from day one – making more efficient use of spectrum and enabling superior user performance.
Similarly, Julian Bright, Senior Analyst, Ovum/Omdia, says: “Spectrum is a scarce and costly resource that should be used efficiently. Ericsson Spectrum Sharing will mean that service providers can rapidly roll out 5G on their FDD bands without the need to re-invest. It means they can use both their new and existing bands for 5G high-speed, high-capacity services. Dynamically allocating spectrum between 4G and 5G is going to be the best way to start deploying 5G.”
It will be recalled that Ericsson with its sole mobile network vendor and strategic partner, Swisscom was the first communications service provider in Europe to launch commercial 5G services in April 2019. In December 2019, Swisscom achieved nationwide 5G coverage and is upgrading their network with Ericsson Spectrum Sharing.
According to Christoph Aeschlimann, Head of IT, Network & Infrastructure Group division, Swisscom,: “ESS is key for a fast adoption of 5G. It’s a win-win approach for customers and operators. Customers benefit from 5G in no time and operators use their precious spectrum in a most efficient manner.
“We are proud of being part of the ESS journey from the very beginning. In the meantime, we already reached a nationwide coverage with 90 percent of the population with 5G.”
It noteworthy that in May 2019, Telstra launched its commercial 5G network in Australia and has now rolled out 5G coverage in 32 metropolitan and regional cities around the country with the help of Ericsson, its key 5G network partner.
Channa Seneviratne, Network and Engineering Infrastructure Executive, Telstra, says: “Ericsson Spectrum Sharing will continue to play a crucial role in helping Telstra pave the way for a faster rollout of 5G, allowing us to serve the needs of 4G and 5G customers in the same location at the same time.
“These milestones are especially important for Telstra and the Australian landscape, where expanding 5G coverage over wide areas quickly and efficiently are key to providing more Australians with access to 5G services.”
Interestingly, after going commercially live with 5G on 3.5 GHz band in Doha, Ooredoo is taking the next step to make its ‘Supernet’ fully 5G-enabled across the country with Ericsson Spectrum Sharing.
Waleed Al Sayed, Chief Executive Officer, Ooredoo Qatar, says: “As we take the next leap into being connected, Ericsson Spectrum Sharing comes as a unique innovation that dynamically shares spectrum between 4G and 5G carriers based on traffic demand.
This enables us, as mobile operators, to use our spectrum assets efficiently by driving 5G-wide coverage roll-out quickly, smoothly and cost efficiently. This will help us achieve our strategic objectives, enabling us to enhance our customers’ internet experience and enrich their digital lives.”
Also, Polish service provider, Play, has deployed Ericsson Spectrum Sharing on its commercial network.
Jean Marc Harion, CEO of Play, says: “The 5G network in Legionowo is yet another proof of Play’s technological advancement in 5G and an important milestone in our strategy to continuously expand and modernize our network. With Ericsson Spectrum Sharing, we are taking a significant step towards being ready for commercial introduction of 5G when the devices become available.”
Ericsson Spectrum Sharing software can run on any of the five million 5G-ready radios Ericsson has shipped since 2015. Ericsson has been collaborating with ecosystem chipset partners including Qualcomm Technologies Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, on advancing dynamic spectrum sharing using mobile devices powered by Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 865 and 765 Mobile Platforms with Snapdragon 5G Modem-RF Systems, and MediaTek (Dimensity 1000) as well as key device makers like Oppo, Sony, Xiaomi, LG, vivo and WNC (Wistron NeWeb Corp.) to scale the solution globally.
Vivo, Chinese smartphone maker has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Credit Direct, Nigerian consumer finance company to launch a device financing programme in the country.
L-R: Toni Liu, CEO, vivo Nigeria, and Chukwuma Nwanze, MD/CEO, Credit Direct, at the MoU signing in Lagos
This initiative aims to remove barriers to smartphone ownership while supporting Vivo’s expansion strategy in Nigeria.
Under the terms of the agreement, customers can purchase a Vivo smartphone by paying 20% upfront and spreading the remaining balance over six months.
Credit Direct will provide the financing.
Both companies target sales of more than 200,000 devices in the first year.
“People who need smartphones but cannot pay upfront can now do so through a payment plan that does not strain their monthly income. Our mission has always been to make financial solutions a universal opportunity, and this is exactly what this represents in practice. I am truly excited about what we can achieve together,” said Chukwuma Nwanze, chief executive officer of Credit Direct.
This initiative comes as smartphone financing programs gain momentum across Africa, where device affordability remains a key barrier to mobile internet adoption.
According to the GSMA, the median cost of an entry-level smartphone in Nigeria fell from $84 in 2018 to $18 in 2024, reducing its share of average monthly income to 26%.
However, currency depreciation and rising living costs have offset much of this progress.
For the poorest 40% of Nigerians, an entry-level smartphone still represents 56% of monthly income, while it accounts for 73% for the poorest 20%, highlighting persistent affordability constraints among vulnerable households.
Despite these challenges, smartphone ownership reached only 27% in Nigeria in 2024, according to the GSMA, leaving significant room for growth.
Data from StatCounter shows that Vivo held a 1.18% market share at the end of March 2026.
The company remains far behind market leader Tecno with 18.72%, followed by Infinix at 16.28%, Samsung at 15.4%, Apple at 14.15%, and Xiaomi at 8.17%.
Other players such as Oppo, Itel, and Huawei also operate in the market.
Nigeria’s foremost payments and financial inclusion dialogue platform, Payments Forum Nigeria (PAFON 3.0), will hold this Friday, April 24, 2026, at the prestigious Lagos Oriental Hotel, Lekki Road, bringing together regulators, fintech leaders, banks, policymakers, agent networks, cybersecurity experts, innovators, and ecosystem stakeholders to shape the future of digital payments in Nigeria.
Payments Forum Nigeria (PAFON 3.0
With the theme: “Fair Digital Payments as a Catalyst for Deepening Financial Inclusion in Nigeria,” PAFON 3.0 comes at a defining moment for the country’s digital economy as stakeholders seek practical pathways to close the inclusion gap, strengthen trust in payment systems, and accelerate access for underserved populations.
Why PAFON 3.0 is Different
“Unlike routine conferences, PAFON is a solutions-driven forum designed to bridge policy conversations with market realities.
“The event uniquely convenes fintech operators, agent banking networks, cooperatives, payment innovators, cybersecurity professionals, and thought leaders under one roof to tackle real challenges affecting Nigerians at the grassroots”, said Peter Oluka, co-convener of Payments Forum Nigeria.
“From digital trust and cybersecurity to agency banking, embedded finance, stablecoins, eNaira, SME growth, and healthcare financing, PAFON 3.0 is positioned as one of the most strategic gatherings in Nigeria’s payments ecosystem this year”, Oluka added.
High-Profile Keynote Speakers Confirmed
This year’s edition will feature a distinguished lineup of keynote speakers and industry leaders, including Prof. Adewale Peter Obadare, chief visionary officer, Digital Encode, and Dr. Jameelah Sherrief-Ayedu, vice president, FintechNGR & CEO, Credit Registry
Other confirmed speakers include, Dennis Ajalie, managing director, TeamApt Ltd.; Mr. Chika Nwosu, managing director, PalmPay Nigeria; Uche Uzoebo, MD/CEO, Shared Agent Network Expansion Facilities (SANEF Limited): Special Guest of Honour; Chike Onwuegbuchi, Chairman, Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association of Nigeria (NITRA); Mojeed Abayomi Agboola, national president, Financial Inclusion Agents Multipurpose Cooperative Society (FIAMCS); Ibirogba Oluwagunwa, chairman Lagos Chapter, Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria (AMMBAN); Sarafadeen Atanda Fasasi, and president, Association of Financial Inclusion Agents of Nigeria (AFIAN).
Fireside Chat on Africa’s Next Innovators
Another standout session will explore the future of digital currencies and regional interoperability: Stablecoins vs. eNaira: Orchestrating a Unified Digital Payment Rail for West Africa
This special fireside chat, hosted in collaboration with Lagos Blockchain Week, promises fresh perspectives on the next phase of Africa’s payment innovation journey.
Chuwuemeka Enoch Mbaebie, Lead convener of LBW will host the session alongside Senator Ihenyen, Lead Partner of Infusion Lawyers and Founding Trustee of the Virtual Asset Service Providers Association (VASPA); Victoria Oluebube Igboanugo, marketing lead, Lagos Blockchain Week; Chidubem Emelumadu, ecosystem lead (Africa), Lisk, and Harrison Obiefule, Nigerian lead for Superteam.
More Activities Lined Up
Attendees will also experience product demo of Myitura Healthcare Financing Solution;
Townhall Meeting on The State of Agency Banking in Nigeria led by AMMBAN; Goodwill messages from leading institutions and industry associations, and strategic networking with decision-makers across banking, fintech, regulation, media, and innovation ecosystems
PAFON 3.0 is expected to attract C-suite executives, startup founders, regulators, investors, digital payment operators, development institutions, policymakers, and professionals seeking to understand where Nigeria’s payment future is heading.
Participation
Participation is free.
The application deadline for the fifth edition of the MTN Media Innovation Programme (MIP) has been extended to April 25, 2026, organisers have announced.
MTN Nigeria Media Innovation Programme
The extension offers additional time for qualified media professionals and digital content creators across Nigeria to apply for the fully funded programme aimed at advancing storytelling and media innovation.
The initiative is sponsored by MTN Nigeria in partnership with the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University (PAU).
Organisers said the 2026 cohort would admit 25 fellows, an increase from the previous 20, in line with MTN Nigeria’s 25th anniversary and its continued commitment to strengthening the country’s media ecosystem.
Launched in 2022, the six-month certificate programme provides participants with training in media innovation, leadership and digital transformation.
It features academic sessions at PAU, industry engagements and an international study visit, including sessions at the University of Johannesburg.
According to the organisers, the programme has produced a growing network of alumni contributing to Nigeria’s media landscape through leadership roles, new media ventures and impactful storytelling.
The programme is open to practitioners across print, broadcast, digital and social media, with applicants expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to innovation and professional development.
Interested applicants can submit their entries through the School of Media and Communication website.
Shortlisted candidates will undergo a rigorous selection process, with successful applicants expected to commence the programme in May 2026.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek reports that the initiative is part of broader efforts to equip media professionals with the skills needed to adapt to the evolving digital economy.
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