Viral rumors about a “Tesla Pi Phone” a  new phone, being developed by Elon Musk,  CEO and largest shareholder of Tesla and SpaceX, are entirely fake.

AI Generated Tesla Pi Phone and Elon Musk

Instead, the tech giant said on Monday it has filed an application with the US Federal Communications Commission for permission to deploy the constellation by 2028.

It said the system would provide voice, messaging, data and emergency services.

A quick fact-check revealed that Tesla Inc. has never manufactured, developed, or released a smartphone.

Videos and articles claiming a release (often priced between $150 and $800 with solar charging or satellite-only connections) rely on AI-generated concept art and recycled internet hoaxes dating back to 2021.

Musk has only mentioned a phone in hypothetical remarks, stating Tesla would build one only if major app stores completely blocked or censored essential apps like X (formerly Twitter).

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On Monday however, his company said that “Amazon looks forward to delivering on the promise of D2D [direct-to-device] connectivity, including to the millions of people living, travelling and working in places beyond the reach of existing networks today,”

The filing is the first step from Amazon into satellite mobile connections, which has until now been dominated by SpaceX’s Starlink service.

Musk’s group has signed partnerships with existing operators such as T-Mobile US and the UK’s Virgin Media O2 to provide phone services for customers where their conventional networks do not reach.

Starlink operates across more than 150 countries, offering high-speed internet connections through its constellation of satellites.

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Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has attributed rising mobile data consumption to increased use of smartphone applications, cloud services and emerging digital technologies.

Mr Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, ALTON

Mr Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, ALTON, disclosed this on Tuesday at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) conference in Lagos.

Adebayo said smartphones had transformed access to digital services, with many applications consuming data continuously, even when users were not actively browsing the internet.

He explained that automatic software updates, cloud backups, application synchronisation, video streaming, social media autoplay and location services significantly increased data consumption.

According to him, internet usage had changed considerably from a decade ago when consumers mainly relied on direct browsing with fewer digital applications running simultaneously.

He said growing adoption of artificial intelligence, cloud computing and other emerging technologies would further increase demand for reliable connectivity and greater network capacity.

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“The evolution of smartphones has fundamentally changed how consumers access digital services, with many applications now consuming data continuously,” Adebayo said.

He stressed that digital literacy had become increasingly important because consumers needed to understand how their devices and applications consumed mobile data.

He advised subscribers to monitor application activity, adjust device settings and use built-in data management tools to better control their data consumption.

Adebayo said greater understanding of digital tools would help dispel misconceptions about data usage and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.

Responding to allegations that operators deliberately depleted customers’ data, Adebayo dismissed the claims, insisting telecommunications companies had no commercial incentive to engage in such practices.

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He said every megabyte consumed on telecom networks was recorded through internationally standardised billing systems supplied by recognised technology vendors and regulated by authorities.

“Such a practice would be unlawful, unethical, commercially self-defeating and subject to stringent regulatory oversight by the Nigerian Communications Commission,” he said.

Adebayo explained that operators’ billing systems were designed to guarantee accuracy, transparency and verification, while genuine consumer complaints were investigated through established protection channels.

He added that the Nigerian Communications Commission’s complaint resolution mechanisms and technical audits provided consumers with credible avenues for seeking redress over billing concerns.

According to him, trust remains essential to expanding Nigeria’s digital economy because telecommunications infrastructure supported banking, healthcare, education, commerce and government services.

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He said the telecommunications sector had evolved beyond basic communication services into a critical driver of productivity, investment, innovation and national economic growth.

Adebayo noted that emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, financial technology, smart manufacturing and digital agriculture, depended on resilient telecommunications infrastructure.

He said Nigeria could only maximise these opportunities through sustained collaboration among government, regulators, telecommunications operators and consumers.

Adebayo reaffirmed operators’ commitment to improving customer experience, strengthening network resilience and promoting transparency in telecommunications service delivery.

He urged stakeholders to encourage evidence-based discussions on digital services, stressing that public trust remained indispensable for the sustained growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.

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(NAN)

By Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata

Birthdays offer moments for celebration, reflection and gratitude. But for leaders, the more enduring measure of their journey is often not only found in the years they have lived, but in the institutions they build, the systems they strengthen and the future they inspire.

Governor Soludo

As Governor Chukwuma Soludo marks his 66th birthday, it is an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable story unfolding quietly across the state; a story of how technology is gradually becoming a defining pillar of governance transformation. It is not just a story about computers, applications and digital platforms. Rather, it is the story of a leadership philosophy that understands technology as a strategic tool for improving public service delivery, strengthening institutions, increasing transparency and bringing government closer to the people.

Since assuming office, Governor Soludo has consistently demonstrated that digital transformation is not an isolated government project; it is an essential component of building a modern, efficient and responsive state, a commitment captured in his mantra: “Everything Technology, Technology Everywhere”. His administration’s vision of a liveable and prosperous Anambra is deeply connected to the effective use of technology to solve real problems and create systems that work for Ndi Anambra.

Across the world, governments that are preparing for the future are those that recognise that technology is no longer merely a support function. It has become a foundation for governance itself. In Anambra, this understanding has driven a deliberate shift towards building a digital ecosystem where technology supports decision-making, improves access to government services and enhances the relationship between the state and its people.

This shift is becoming increasingly visible across government. The ongoing standardisation of MDA websites is creating a unified digital identity for government institutions, while the adoption of the official .anambrastate.gov.ng email domain is strengthening trust, security and professionalism in government communication. Though these may appear to be quiet institutional reforms, together they are laying the foundations of a modern public service. They may not always make headlines, but they are steadily changing how government works and how citizens experience public service in Anambra.

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One of the most significant aspects of Governor Soludo’s digital agenda is the emphasis on sustainability and institution-building. Digital transformation is not simply about launching platforms. It requires the development of structures, policies, skills and systems that ensure technology continues to deliver value long after deployment. This philosophy has also shaped the work of the Anambra State ICT Agency, which has evolved into a strategic institution supporting the state’s digital ambitions.

From promoting digital standards across government institutions to strengthening cybersecurity awareness, advancing data protection compliance, improving digital infrastructure across MDAs and building the digital capacity of public servants, the ICT Agency continues to serve as an engine room for the state’s technology-driven transformation.

Behind these efforts lies a deliberate investment in governance systems rather than isolated technology projects, with one objective: building institutions capable of delivering better outcomes for Ndi Anambra. The true measure of digital transformation is not the sophistication of the technology itself, but the impact it creates in people’s everyday experiences. This is why platforms such as the SMART Anambra Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), represent an important shift in how government listens and responds. By creating structured channels for Ndi Anambra to communicate concerns and receive attention, technology becomes a bridge between citizens and government.

Likewise, the launch of SmartGov BETA, together with NORA, the AI-powered digital assistant for Anambra State Government services, demonstrates an emerging vision of a government that is available beyond office hours, responsive to citizens’ enquiries and increasingly driven by intelligent technology.

These initiatives are more than digital products; they represent a broader commitment to making governance simpler, faster and more citizen-centred. Ultimately, technology succeeds not because it is sophisticated, but because it improves everyday life.

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The next phase of governance will be shaped by artificial intelligence, data-driven decision-making and intelligent automation. Governor Soludo’s vision positions Anambra to participate meaningfully in that future. Through initiatives such as SmartGov BETA and NORA, alongside the institutionalisation of digital standards and emerging smart governance initiatives, the state is not merely keeping pace with change; it is helping define what technology-enabled governance can look like in Nigeria.

The quiet digital revolution taking root in Anambra may not always generate immediate headlines, but its impact will increasingly be felt in how Ndi Anambra interact with government, access services and participate in the development of their state.

As Governor Soludo marks his 66th birthday, the most meaningful reflection is perhaps not only on the milestones already achieved, but on the enduring systems being built for generations yet to come.

Leadership is ultimately measured by what remains long after the moment has passed: the institutions strengthened, the opportunities created and the lives transformed. The digital footprints emerging across Anambra are becoming an important part of that legacy. They reflect a vision of a state where technology is not an afterthought but a foundation for progress, and where innovation is not reserved for a few but serves the collective good.

While much has been accomplished, the work of building a truly digital government continues. What has been established, however, is a clear direction; one in which technology remains central to delivering better governance and improving the lives of Ndi Anambra.

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On this special occasion, the management and staff of the Anambra State ICT Agency celebrate Governor Chukwuma Soludo and express our profound appreciation for his unwavering commitment to building a digitally enabled Anambra. We are honoured to contribute to this vision and remain steadfast in our resolve to support the continued transformation of governance through technology.

Happy 66th Birthday, Mr. Governor. May God grant you continued wisdom, good health, strength and the grace to lead Anambra to even greater heights.