Telecom
Here’s How Africa can Adopt 5G and also Address Digital Divide
By Christoph Fitih
The African telecom service providers are not leaving any stone unturned to catch the 5G bandwagon. They have been, in fact, on the forefront of all the efforts made for the global rollout of 5G services.
Some service providers on the continent have already initiated trials and pilots of the 5G technology. While Vodacom recently launched Africa’s first commercial 5G network in Lesotho, a tiny country landlocked in the Southern Africa, others like MTN and Rain have also started 5G trials. Rain recently announced that it would be launching commercial 5G services soon.
The buzz in the African market around 5G is not without a reason. The excitement that the telecom operators in the region are showing is backed by the ‘revolutionizing’ potential behind 5G. Owing to its features like ultra-high internet speed, extremely low latency and 1000 times better bandwidth and ubiquitous coverage, 5G presents an excellent opportunity for the service providers to tackle the issue of difficult terrain and lack of infrastructure in the region.
Besides, 5G services would enable governments in the continent to take essential services like education, health, and security to the remotest areas through digital platforms. The technology allows service providers to offer many innovative use cases like remote surgery, autonomous driving and augmented reality.
The leap of faith
The action around 5G on the continent is nothing less than a leap of faith. Going beyond the glamourous use cases of 5G, there are other use cases of the technology which are extremely relevant for a growing and developing region like Africa.
At the same time, there is no running away from the fact that Africa continues to be struggling with providing basic connectivity to the people. Mobile penetration in Africa stands at meagerly 44%, while internet penetration is at a lowly 25-30% against the global average of 43%. And here is a dose of reality check – even as we talk about 5G in Africa, 60% of users on the continent are still on the primary 2G network, and by 2025 as many as 62% users are likely to be on 3G, 30% on 4G and only a tiny section of the users, 3%, are likely to be on 5G network.
These are anything but encouraging estimates for service providers bullish on 5G services in the region. However, 5G can help the administration and the service providers in addressing the digital divide, which in turn will bring down poverty and provide more opportunities for growth to the people.
A different approach
5G needs a whole new plan in terms of network architecture and the way communication networks are operated and managed today. For example, for the 5G network to achieve low latency of less than one millisecond, deep and better coverage, the service providers need to provide for network densification. This is accomplished through adding more cell sites, macro sites and deploying small cells to increase capacity and bandwidth of the network.
Again the service providers would need to leverage the concept of network slicing to live up to the potential of connecting millions of devices and providing customized services to each set of customers within the same network. Slicing, as the name suggests, means dividing the network into different slices with each part working standalone virtualised unit. This allows the service providers to offer fit-to-order services to a different set of customers within the same network without incurring additional cost.
Virtualization: The real solution
Service providers in Africa need to adopt virtualisation technology to tie all the loose ends, and successfully roll-out 5G in phases.
Virtualization is nothing but shifting the network from a hardware driven system to a software-driven system. A software-based network has many advantages – less use of heavy hardware, low consumption of energy and space, lower cost of setting up networks and a much more flexible network.
This addresses two issues that the service providers in the region face. One, by virtualizing their networks, they can not only save cost in maintaining existing networks, but the cost of expansion to unconnected regions also comes down drastically.
This ensures that while they can expand their 2G and 3G networks to new areas, they can also at the same time afford to spend on 5G trials and infrastructure building. Virtual networks also support the deployment of higher generation technologies like 4G and 5G on existing 2G/3G networks.
The 5G technology has a lot of potential for taking essential amenities like education and healthcare, among others, to remote areas of Africa at a very minimal cost. However, 5G is a fledgling technology that still needs a lot filling of gaps and adjustments in the existing networks. Adopting the concept of virtualization for expansion allows the service providers to bring down the cost of deploying networks in newer areas and at the same time prepare the networks for early adoption of 5G technology.
Christoph Fitih, is Director Sales – Africa, Parallel Wireless
In a recent revelation from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Airtel Nigeria has emerged as a standout performer in the country’s telecommunications sector, marking significant gains in market share over the past year.
According to the NCC data, by the end of March 2024, Airtel Nigeria has grown its market share over the last year into a remarkable 29%, solidifying its position as a leading telecom provider in the region.
In stark contrast, other mobile network operators such as MTN and 9mobile have faced considerable setbacks, with MTN witnessing a notable 3.19% decline in market share and 9mobile experiencing a 0.5% decrease.
Even Glo, a prominent player in the market, saw a decline, albeit less pronounced, with a 0.58% drop in its share of internet subscribers.
Airtel Nigeria’s success story goes beyond market share gains. The company has also witnessed a substantial surge in its share of internet subscribers, boasting an impressive 165% basis points increase.
This surge correlates with the launch of Airtel 5G, which the company began rolling out in June 2023 and underscores the telco’s continued push to grow its customer base nationwide.
Airtel Nigeria’s ascendancy in the telecom market comes at a pivotal moment when mobile network operators face challenges of rising operations cost and exchange rates volatility. The company’s recent results solidify its position as a frontrunner in Nigeria’s telecom landscape.
Google Developer Groups Lagos (GDGLagos) has announced a regional edition of the global #BuildWithAI hackathon, in partnership with SeerBit, Africa’s most trusted payment solutions provider and GOMYCODE.
This hackathon, taking place on Saturday, April 27th and Wednesday, May 1st, 2024, will empower participants to explore Google’s AI tools, Gemini and Vertex AI and develop innovative solutions for real-world challenges.
“We are excited to partner with Seerbit and GoMyCode to bring the #BuildWithAI hackathon to Lagos,” says Co-Organizer, GDGLagos, Femi Taiwo. “This event fosters innovation and empowers individuals to use AI to solve real-world problems. We encourage everyone interested in AI to join us for this inspiring event.”
Founder & CEO of SeerBit, Omoniyi Kolade articulated the profound impact of this collaboration, stating, “At SeerBit, we are committed to pioneering innovative solutions that enhance financial security and foster trust in digital transactions. Collaborating with GDG Lagos amplifies our quest to combat fraud effectively. Together, we aim to empower developers to harness the power of technology for the greater good, ultimately benefiting society as a whole.”
“At GOMYCODE, we are committed to unlocking the potential of innovators across Nigeria and beyond through accessible technology education. The ‘Build With AI’ hackathon with Google Developer Groups Lagos offers a hands-on chance for innovators to use AI for real-world solutions. We’re excited to create a space where technology meets creativity, empowering participants to actively shape the future,” Country Head, GOMYCODE Nigeria, Babatunde Olaifa said.
The #BuildWithAI hackathon aligns with Google’s global initiative to democratize access to AI technology. This regional event in Lagos offers a unique opportunity for developers, data scientists, designers, students, and anyone curious about AI to:
- Gain hands-on experience with Google’s cutting-edge AI tools, Gemini and Vertex AI.
- Tackle real-world challenges across various sectors like sustainability, finance, education, healthcare, and social good.
- Leverage SeerBit’s expertise in digital payments to create solutions with tangible applications.
- Develop in-demand skills with the support of GoMyCode’s training resources.
- Collaborate in teams and network with fellow AI enthusiasts.
- Compete for a chance to win a cash prize of NGN 1,000,000, office space to further develop their winning solution, and the opportunity to partner with SeerBit, with NGN 500,000 and NGN 250,000 for second and third place respectively.
The GDGLagos #BuildWithAI hackathon serves as a springboard for the global Google AI Hackathon, taking place online. This international event focuses on pushing the boundaries of what Generative AI apps can do with Gemini. Participants in the Lagos event are highly encouraged to consider entering the global competition as well.
GDGLagos will provide ongoing support and guidance to the regional winner as they prepare to compete on the global stage. This includes access to mentorship, resources and technical expertise to help them refine their solution and showcase their talent to a worldwide audience.
Startup founders, experienced developers, data scientists and expert resources and designated mentors will be available during the hackathon to provide guidance, refine ideas, answer questions and offer technical support to participants. This ensures they receive the necessary guidance to tackle the challenges and bring their innovative ideas to life.
Telecommunications service provider, Airtel Nigeria has collaborated with the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to provide with unlimited internet access at the institute’s inaugural edition of the Nigeria Public Relations Week.
The trailblazing event themed ‘Leveraging Public Relations as a Critical Asset for Nigeria’s Economic and Reputation Renaissance’ is set to run from Monday, April 22nd to Friday, April 26th, 2024, and will welcome thousands of delegates across Nigeria to the prestigious June 12 Cultural Centre, nestled in the heart of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Speaking on the strategic collaboration, Femi Adeniran, Director, Corporate Communications and CSR, Airtel Nigeria, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Airtel is proud to support the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations in its endeavor to advance the field of public relations.
“The relevance of public relations practice in Nigeria cannot be overstated, as it plays a vital role in shaping perceptions, managing reputations, and influencing public opinion. Hence, our support is a demonstration of our commitment to empowering individuals and organizations with innovative solutions that drive progress and create an enabling society.”
According to NIPR, through the PRWeek Organizing \Committee Chairman, Mr Yomi Badejo Okusanya, the NPRW will gather over 2,000 experts in the fields of economics, PR, and nation-building to discuss strategies for effectively communicating government policies and initiatives to the public.
Other activities at the NPRW will include conferences, the annual general meeting, workshops, induction of new members, breakout sessions with students as well as traditional rulers and a tour of some legacy projects in Ogun state.
With Airtel’s provision of onsite unlimited data connection, attendees and participants can enjoy unparalleled access to online resources, real-time updates, and interactive engagements throughout the duration of the event. This will significantly support the exchange of ideas, foster networking opportunities, and elevate the overall experience for all stakeholders involved.
Airtel Nigeria remains committed to offering unwavering support for initiatives aimed at driving innovation, collaboration, and nation-building.
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