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Huawei @ITU Unveils Innovations, Calls for Faster Spectrum Allocation

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At ITU Telecom World 2015 in Budapest, Hungary, Huawei shared its theme, “Open ROADS to a Better Connected World”.

At its booth, Huawei showcased its latest concepts and its global experience in areas such as facilitating the telecom industry’s transformation using ICT, spectrum allocation, and building a Better Connected World.

ITU Telecom World 2015

Zou Zhilei, president of Huawei Carrier BG, said, “Huawei is committed to working with its customers and industry partners to build a Better Connected World.”

At this year’s ITU Telecom World, Huawei will share its global experience and unveil its innovative products and solutions in areas such as ICT-enabled transformation, gigabit spectrum, and NBN 2020 (national broadband network). The company aims to embark on an open ROADS to a Better Connected World together with its customers and industry partners.

In order to capitalize on data dividend and information dividend, the telecom industry must transform itself using ICT.

ICT enterprises should transform from asset-heavy companies to more agile and efficient ones, and offer a user experience characterized by ROADS, which stands for real-time, on-demand, all-online, DIY, and social.

To offer such an experience, operators must reshape their IT systems, changing them from internal supporting systems into value-added production systems.

They must also go digital with open cloud infrastructure, agile digital operation, and innovative cloud services.

Spectrum is the engine that drives national economic development. More spectrum resources can accelerate the adoption of broadband by individuals and households, and support the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart cities. All these can fuel ICT innovation.

Over the next five years, mobile broadband deployment needs at least 2 GHz of spectrum.

Zou Zhilei also mentioned that the frequency bands, which have been identified at World Radiocommunication Conference 2007 (WRC-07) and WRC-12, should be allocated as soon as possible as the industry chain was ready a long time ago.

At the upcoming WRC-15, all industry partners should work together to push for the allocation of Sub-700 MHz, L-Band, and C-Band to pave the way for the innovation of IoT, 4.5G, and 5G.

He said: “We call for spectrums to be allocated at reasonable prices with large spectrum release, so that governments and operators can jointly promote the development of the MBB industry and share the benefits of the digital economy empowered by ICT.”

In its NBN 2020 vision, Huawei proposes building ultrafast, ubiquitous, and affordable national broadband networks. As ICT develops, high bandwidth has become an essential. The question of how to provide ubiquitous, ultrafast and affordable connections is critical to NBN development.

Huawei believes that, in order to realize the NBN 2020 vision, the data rates over broadband networks should be redefined and multiple parties such as operators and service providers should engage in NBN construction.

In addition, measures such as encouraging infrastructure synergy, subsidizing remote areas, open access and stimulate demand should be taken to reduce NBN construction and operation costs.

Accompanied by Zou Zhilei, VIP guests, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, ITU Secretary-General Zhao Houlin, officials from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and executives from Deutsche Telekom, Telenor, and the three major Chinese operators, visited Huawei’s booth at ITU Telecom World on October 12.

They appreciated Huawei’s efforts in promoting ICT-enabled transformation and industry innovation, and they were amazed by Huawei’s smart city solutions, watches, and virtual reality experience showcased at the booth.

ITU is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies, and it is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. Over 4,000 government officials, corporate executives, and industry leaders from more than 100 countries are attending this year’s ITU Telecom World, which is being held in Europe for the first time within four years. ITU Telecom World serves as a global platform to help apply ICT innovations to social and economic development, and this year’s theme is “Better Sooner, Accelerating ICT Innovation to Improve Lives Faster”.

Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider.

It aims at building a better connected world, acting as a responsible corporate citizen, innovative enabler for the information society, and collaborative contributor to the industry.

 

 


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NCC Bars Ex-Officials from Joining Telecom Firms for 5 Years

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Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced strict corporate governance rules that will bar its top officials from taking up roles in telecom companies they regulate until five years after leaving office.

NCC Bars Ex-Officials from Joining Telecom Firms for 5 Years

Under the new Corporate Governance Guidelines for the Communications Industry, the Chairman, Executive Vice-Chairman, and Board Commissioners, both executive and non-executive, are barred from being appointed to any position in a licensed telecom company until five years after their exit from the Commission.

Similarly, Directors of Departments at the NCC face a three-year cooling-off period before they can take jobs with any licensee under the Commission’s supervision.

The move, announced on August 11, 2025, seeks to enhance transparency, accountability, and ethical standards in Nigeria’s fast-growing telecommunications industry.

Departmental directors face a three-year cooling-off period before joining any licensee under the agency’s oversight.

This policy aims to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure impartial regulation.

By creating a clear separation between regulators and the industry, the NCC hopes to curb undue influence and maintain public trust.

]The guidelines reflect a global trend in regulatory bodies enforcing cooling-off periods.

Similar measures exist in industries like finance and energy to safeguard against regulatory capture.

For Nigeria’s telecom sector, this is a significant step toward aligning with international best practices.

The NCC’s new framework also targets telecom operators’ internal governance.

Board chairmen or vice-chairmen are barred from holding executive powers or serving as MD/CEO of a licensee.

Former board chairmen and non-executive directors must wait five years before assuming executive roles in the same company or its affiliates.

Additionally, no more than two family members can serve on a licensee’s board simultaneously.

These measures aim to promote balanced board structures and reduce nepotism.

Dr Aminu Maida, executive vice-chairman, NCC, emphasised the importance of these reforms.

“Corporate governance is no longer a soft requirement. It is now a strategic imperative,” he said during the guidelines’ launch in Lagos.

Maida highlighted that robust governance correlates with better business performance, citing an NCC internal review. Companies with strong governance frameworks consistently outperform peers in service delivery, financial management, and regulatory compliance.

Nigeria’s telecom sector is a cornerstone of its digital economy. With over 222 million active mobile subscriptions as of Q1 2025, the industry supports critical sectors like finance, healthcare, and education.

However, challenges like cybersecurity threats, energy shocks, and rising consumer demands have exposed governance weaknesses. The NCC’s new rules aim to address these by fostering transparency, accountability, and innovation.

The guidelines apply to all communications companies holding individual licences and paying Annual Operating Levies (AOL) under the AOL Regulations 2022.

The NCC has indicated flexibility in applying the rules across different licence categories, with phased compliance measures to be communicated in writing. While the rules may cause short-term disruptions for operators, the NCC insists that long-term benefits, like improved service quality and market trust, will outweigh these challenges.

 


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Airtel, Vodacom sign Network Infrastructure Agreement to Drive Digital Inclusion

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Airtel Africa and Vodacom Group have announced a strategic infrastructure sharing agreement in key markets including Mozambique, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), subject to regulatory approvals in the various countries.

The agreement marks a transformative milestone in promoting digital inclusion and expanding access to reliable connectivity across Africa.

The initial partnership focuses on sharing fibre networks and tower infrastructure, to accelerate the roll-out of digital services in these markets, increasing connectivity for customers while reducing operators’ infrastructure costs and improving speed to market.

By leveraging existing infrastructure, the collaboration aims to deliver improved connectivity, faster internet speeds, and more reliable services. This will not only enhance customer experience but also assist with providing access to digital services for a broader population, particularly those in underserved areas, helping to bridge the digital divide in Africa.

Vodacom Group’s chief executive officer Shameel Joosub said: “Providing connectivity to empower people is at the core of our strategy. Our partnership with Airtel Africa is a proactive step forward in creating a sustainable, inclusive, and connected digital future for the continent.

Through infrastructure sharing, we can provide cost-effective services to more people, more rapidly, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age. As we fulfil our ambition to connect 260 million customers by 2030, the need for scalable and cost-efficient network solutions becomes increasingly significant.

This partnership provides us with the opportunity to narrow the digital divide, empowering more individuals and communities through digitalisation across the continent. It is aligned with our purpose to connect for a better future,” concludes Joosub.

Airtel Africa’s chief executive officer Sunil Taldar said: “This partnership is aligned with our unwavering commitment to delighting our customers by always making our network available to them even in the remotest locations.

“Working with Vodacom, we will open greater access to digital and financial opportunities which will transform the lives of our customers while complying with all regulatory requirements.

“Even as competitors, it has become a business imperative for us to collaborate in the provision of critical infrastructure required to build resilient network with strong capacity to support the emerging digital technologies as well as the growing need for data-enabled products and services.

“Accelerating the deployment of fibre connectivity is a key enabler in the acceleration of 4G and 5G technologies in Africa to deliver the high-speed, low-latency, and reliable connections needed for modern digital applications.

“This partnership allows for further opportunities for both operators to enhance network performance, extend coverage, and increase mobile, fixed, and financial services leveraging a broader footprint on the continent.”


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Truecaller Crosses 100m Users in MEA Region

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Truecaller, a global caller ID and spam prevention platform, has reached 100 million active users in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, representing a 19% year-over-year increase.

According to the platform, the region’s main markets include Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Algeria, Ghana, and Jordan.

Truecaller is routinely utilised on 20% to 45% of connected cellphones in these areas, including Android and iOS devices, according to the business.

The app has gained traction across the African continent with its concept of resolving communication issues for individuals and businesses by blocking unsolicited calls.

It has also collaborated with local businesses, forming major partnerships including a recent cooperation with Telecom Egypt to change consumer communication and experience by providing safe, customised, and seamless calling experiences.

Truecaller’s CEO, Rishit Jhunjhunwala, stated that the service has grown organically in markets such as MEA and India due to the mobile first environment, which uses a user’s mobile number as the primary identifier of calls. He under-lined that the MEA market provides a growth-enabling environment.

“We’re continuing to strengthen our organisation and our partnerships in the region, because we believe that the MEA is poised for significant growth for many years ahead,” said Jhunjhunwala.


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