Telecom
Telcos Preparing for Next Frontier in Service delivery
The liberalization of telecommunications sector of the country’s economy some nine years ago has witnessed a lot of transformation and challenges mostly associated with developmental stage in evolution of telecommunications in any society especially; one with infrastructural challenges such as is the case in Nigeria.
The sector has managed to surpassed such problems as government ownership of a monopoly telecommunications company, government funding of telecom infrastructure development, slow pace of network rollout, long waiting line for services and consumers limited to only one service provider among others. Today, Nigeria has become one of the fastest growing markets in the world for mobile communications.
It was not all rosy for the operators and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) the regulatory body in the first phase in development of the sector as they had to address problem of interconnectivity, effective competition, monitoring, compliance and enforcement as well as consumer education.
Having addressed these teething problems to greater percentage of success, telecommunications sector is now preparing to face the next frontier of the developmental process.
The next frontier
The question that arises is what are the expectation of both consumers and operators for the next frontier in this developmental process? This was explained by Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, executive vice chairman, NCC, that Nigerian operating companies are paying rather high bandwidth charges for satellite links in the country. This he said has discouraged extensive use of the satellite as alternative medium for long distance transmission requirements.
These high charges have prevailed in spite of the fact that the Nigerian business represents over 60% of the African business portfolio for a number of the International Satellite Organisations.
He emphasized the need to open up discussions on how to drive down the charges perhaps, by consolidating the requirement on a national basis and using that to negotiate better bandwidth prices.
“This is especially critical at this time when satellite can be employed to bridge the gap, while the roll out of the terrestrial alternatives is being implemented,” he said. This issue will be addressed in the next frontier as Glo 1, MainOne and West Africa Cable System will soon come on stream to complement South Altantic Undersea Cable (Sat-3). These initiatives are expected to provide enough bandwidth that will reduce the cost and over dependent on satellite.
National fibre optic ring project initiated by Globacom has reach 80 percent completion as well as those of MTN, and Zain will as reduce the high cost of network rollout even as NCC has expressed its readiness to ensure that such important transmission facility is shared by operators.
Outsourcing
Outsourcing is one of the features in the next frontier of development in telecommunications sector. However, some operators have adopted and are currently implementing outsourcing as the way to go in the emerging next phase of development in the sector. Outsourcing is the transferring of certain business functions from internal staff to outside contractors. Outsourcing commonly is applied to non-core functions, such as accounting, information technology, human resources, facilities management, fleet management, parts manufacturing, payroll, press relations, and real estate management for reasons that include lowering costs, avoiding liabilities, and allowing management to focus on the core business. Outsourcing also is an excellent way for management to shift or even avoid responsibility.
A recent report published by Analysys has emphasized the benefits of judicious outsourcing of business processes by telecommunication companies. According to the report, telecom companies need to have a relook at their outsourcing policy, and be open to agreements with third party outsourcing firms in areas that were formerly considered "core" concerns. By redefining their outsourcing outlook, companies can leverage the benefits of cost cuts, flexibility, and profit growth.
There are some key factors that telecom companies must consider in shaping their outsourcing policies, such as their market positioning, strategy, internal expertise and current efficiency. The Analysys report looks into the possible benefits that can be derived from outsourcing, and also the risks involved in handing over management of business processes to a third party. There is also evidence that outsourcing can help operators to achieve significant cost savings.
Number portability
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has indicated its preparedness to implement Number portability in the sector as part of next phase in the development of the sector. Number portability is a telecommunication network function, which allows subscribers to switch services, service providers, or locations without changing their telephone numbers. Near-term number portability is typically implemented by existing telecommunication services such as remote call forwarding. Long-term number portability can be implemented under the advanced intelligent network (AIN) platform. Portability is possible in fewer countries with respect to cellular service. There are restrictions, however. For example, it is generally not possible to port a number across landline and cellular domains. Neither can numbers be ported across countries.
The Dominican Republic is the most recent country out of over 30 that have implemented number portability; it did on September 30, 2009. It is the second country in the Caribbean to launch NP after Puerto Rico, and the fourth country in Latin America to have fixed and mobile NP. Brazil and Mexico launched its NP last year, while Panama has had fixed line NP in place for several years but does not have mobile NP.
The benefits of number portability are seen not necessarily in the amount of people porting to other operators but in the fact that operators are obliged to up their game and focus on quality service and customer retention. That obliges them to keep investing in their networks.
José Magana, analyst with Pyramid Research, reiterated that view, saying that experience in other markets shows that few numbers end up being ported and the benefits lie elsewhere.
"Even though number portability may not end in a lot of numbers being ported, it moves competition to other things like efficiencies and offering good quality services, offering better handsets. We’re positive that the DR’s move into number portability will be important and benefit customers," Magana said.
Service assurance
In the extraordinarily competitive telecom sector, customer satisfaction is the ultimate metric of success. The surest path to a strong business bottom line is assuring that customers receive the highest appropriate Quality of Service (QoS) across multiple applications and delivery mechanisms. At the same time, however, isolating and resolving technical problems across a complex telecom infrastructure, and evaluating them in the context of the customer experience, is no simple trick.
As a result, service assurance evolves as a discipline along two paths. First, within service management, growing from rudimentary root cause analysis—based on element managers and low-level network interfaces—to a more sophisticated, integrated and mature function of Operations Support Systems (OSS).
Second, service assurance will grow in relevance across the organization, developing gradually into a key business intelligence source which delivers performance and service delivery analytics to even the highest level of the organizational hierarchy.
Performance management
Just as it has grown and matured, the essential theory and implementation of service assurance will see significant change. The automation of fault management, for instance, will become important when networks reached a level of maturity and complexity that rendered simple readouts useless. An analysis layer will be required, and the fault management sector born.
Similarly, it becomes clear that the robustness of network architectures meant that network fault events will not always translate directly into degraded network performance. Performance management, as a subsection of service assurance, should be created to distinguish performance-impacting faults from those requiring a prioritized response—from lesser faults.
These two systems—fault management and performance management—have come to represent different views of network integrity and, considered as a whole, comprise a fairly comprehensive view of network robustness.
Are operators prepared?
Having gone pass different operating and environmental challenges in the course of service delivery, telecommunications operators have shown some level of preparedness for the next frontier in the developmental process of the telecommunications sector. Nigeria CommunicationsWeek investigations have revealed that most of components in the next phase are initiated by operators, such as undersea cable initiative, outsourcing and collocations of infrastructure. More so, industry watchers are of the view that the most important aspect in the next level rest on number portability which assert some level of responsibility on the operators that will require performance management and service assurance.
They however, expressed optimism that most of the operators in the country have their parent company or its affiliate operating in countries that have reach the level at which the country’s telecommunications sector is moving to, which will afford them the opportunity of adjusting their operations fast to meet with the expectations of the new frontier.
Telecom
GSMA Industry Services Unveils Circularity Services to Help Operators Reduce E-Waste and Unlock Value
GSMA Industry Services have announced the launch of its new Circularity Services offering, designed to help mobile operators and ecosystem partners extend the life of devices, reduce e-waste, and unlock greater value from existing assets.
The offering launches with two commercial partners: Closing the Loop, whose ‘One for One’ service links one new mobile device sold by an operator to the collection and responsible recycling of one end-of-life device, and RGX, a neutral, online marketplace for enterprise asset disposition.
As the mobile industry continues to grow, operators are increasingly looking for practical ways to both meet sustainability commitments and enhance commercial performance.
GSMA Circularity Services has been developed to address these challenges by providing access to trusted partners and proven solutions that support the recovery, reuse, refurbishment and responsible recycling of ICT assets – helping organisations deliver on customer needs, reduce costs and generate value from equipment that might otherwise sit idle.
The ‘One for One’ service provides a practical and measurable way for organisations to incorporate circularity into their device propositions. Vodafone, Samsung and T-Mobile have successfully used the customer-centric program for devices sold in Europe, while Google is a global user.
One for One leads to electronic waste reduction around the world and has created positive impact in countries where formal waste collection and recycling infrastructure is often limited. Closing the Loop is an award-winning social enterprise, supported by UNIDO, UNEP and GIZ.
Joost de Kluijver, Co-founder and CEO, Closing the Loop, said: “The GSMA is globally respected as a unifier of the mobile ecosystem, and we’re excited to work together to expand the value that our ‘One for One’ service can deliver across the industry.
“By linking one new device sold to the collection and responsible recycling of one end-of-life phone, we help operators take practical action on waste reduction while supporting their wider circularity ambitions.
“One for One is also a differentiator at the point of sale that adds clear, value for customers and the brand. Through this partnership, we look forward to helping more organisations use circular thinking to excite customers.”
Michael Jungwirth, Head of Sustainability, Vodafone Germany explains why One for One is important to them and the broader ecosystem: “E-waste is a global problem. That’s why our solutions must not end at national borders.
“With One for One, we take responsibility and set an example for the industry. Not just a sign of change, but a sign of action. We close the loop for our customers. For one new phone Vodafone brings into circulation, we retrieve an old one.”
Addressing another aspect of the circularity challenge, RGX provides a neutral, online marketplace for e-waste management and enterprise asset disposition that connects organisations with service providers through a single automated platform.
The service is designed to help businesses optimize returns from redundant devices and equipment through competitive bidding and effective resource management, while ensuring responsible disposal practices. Initially available in the United States, the offering is expected to expand internationally over time.
Sean Miles, Co-founder, RGX said: “Innovation is only as good as its ability to scale. Through our partnership with GSMA Industry Services, we have an opportunity to help a broader part of the mobile ecosystem put circularity into place.
“RGX helps organisations manage enterprise asset disposition and e-waste more efficiently through a trusted, transparent marketplace. By working together, we can help operators recover value from redundant equipment, support responsible recycling practices and help operators turn circularity ambitions into action.”
Roman Smith, Director, Global Environmental Sustainability, AT&T commented on their collaboration with RGX: “RGX has been a valued strategic collaborator as we’ve developed our retail e-waste initiative.
“Their platform and expertise have helped support practical circularity solutions, and we appreciate the work they’ve done with our teams to advance more sustainable device recovery and recycling opportunities”
Sianne Ryder, Chief Executive Officer, Events and Industry Services, GSMA, said: “The launch of Circularity Services, together with partners Closing the Loop and RGX, marks an important step in helping operators take practical action on circularity. By bringing together solutions that support both responsible recycling and asset recovery, we are making it easier for organisations to reduce waste while unlocking greater value from existing assets.
“Through these partnerships, operators can access proven services that help accelerate their circularity ambitions and respond to growing demand for more sustainable approaches to device lifecycle management. The opportunity is a win-win: circular approaches are both more sustainable and deliver meaningful operational and commercial benefits for the industry.”
MTN Nigeria has unveiled the Y’ello Street Museum beneath Falomo Bridge in Lagos, an immersive experience that chronicles 25 years of connectivity, culture, innovation and shared experiences, as the company marks its silver jubilee in Nigeria.
Designed as a walk-through journey across five generations of network technology, from 1G to 5G, the museum brings together technology, campaign artefacts, cultural memorabilia, iconic devices and personal stories that reflect how connectivity has transformed the way Nigerians communicate, work, create, learn and engage with the world.
Located beneath one of Lagos’ most recognisable landmarks, the museum transforms the urban space into a living archive of Nigeria’s digital evolution.
Visitors begin the experience in 2001, when MTN commenced operations with approximately 50,000 subscribers and devices such as the Nokia 3310, before progressing through successive eras of connectivity that have helped shape today’s digital economy.
Along the journey, visitors encounter moments that have resonated across generations of Nigerians, from popular entertainment platforms and cultural experiences to technological innovations that changed how people access information, consume content, discover talent, build businesses and stay connected.
The experience captures the evolution of mobile technology, digital services, music, storytelling, entrepreneurship, and everyday life over the past quarter century.
Speaking at the launch, Chief Financial Officer, MTN Nigeria, Modupe Kadri, described the museum as a tribute to the millions of Nigerians who have shaped the company’s journey.
“When we look back at the last 25 years, we recognise that this story has been shaped by millions of Nigerians. Our customers, government, and regulatory stakeholders, partners, employees, communities, and many others have been part of the progress we celebrate today.
“The Y’ello Street Museum is an opportunity to reflect on the moments, innovations and connections that have transformed lives, businesses and communities across the country, while appreciating everyone who has contributed to that shared history.”
Speaking about the experience, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, said the museum celebrates not only technological progress but also the memories and moments that connect people.
“Technology is most meaningful when viewed through its impact on people. The Y’ello Street Museum brings together memories, cultural moments and innovations that have shaped everyday life over the last 25 years.
“Many visitors will see their own stories reflected in this experience, from the devices they used and the entertainment they enjoyed to the connections that helped them learn, build businesses and create opportunities.
“Above all, it is a celebration of the customers and communities whose experiences have shaped this journey.”
The museum places MTN’s story within the broader context of Nigeria’s transformation over the last two and a half decades. As network technology evolved from voice services to high-speed connectivity, new opportunities emerged for communication, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, entertainment, education, and participation in the digital economy.
It also highlights the role connectivity has played in supporting Nigeria’s creative industries, enabling artists, performers, creators and businesses to reach wider audiences and participate in an increasingly connected world.
Through its blend of technology, culture and human-centred storytelling, the experience celebrates not only technological progress but also the ingenuity, resilience and aspirations of Nigerians.
Open to the public for seven days, the Y’ello Street Museum invites visitors to revisit the milestones, memories and moments that have defined a generation, while reflecting on the possibilities that the next chapter of connectivity and innovation can unlock.
Africa is facing a new wave of cybercrime driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI), with 55 per cent of reported cybercrimes on the continent now reportedly AI-enabled, according to the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL).
INTERPOL, in its African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026 released on Aug. 3, said cybercrime-related financial losses in Africa had more than doubled since 2024 to reach 484 million dollars.
The report also identified online scams as the most frequently reported form of cybercrime, with financial services, telecommunications and government institutions among the sectors most affected.
It further revealed that cybercriminals were increasingly using AI-generated synthetic identities, combining real personal information with fabricated elements to bypass biometric verification systems.
The findings have heightened calls for African governments and other stakeholders to develop homegrown, inclusive and rights-respecting approaches to AI governance and cybersecurity.
Paradigm Initiative (PIN), a pan-African organisation focused on digital rights and inclusion, said the growing use of AI in cybercrime underscored the need for a deeper understanding of the technology and its implications.
The organisation made the position known in a primer titled, “What is the Whole Fuss About AI?”, which examines emerging challenges associated with AI regulation across Africa.
PIN identified surveillance without accountability, the use of internet shutdowns as a regulatory tool and the adoption of “copy-and-paste” laws that fail to reflect local realities as some of the major challenges confronting AI governance on the continent.
The organisation said African countries needed to move beyond simply restricting emerging technologies and instead develop regulatory frameworks that protect fundamental rights while enabling societies to benefit from innovation.
According to PIN, stakeholders should consider three critical questions when developing or deploying AI systems: how society benefits from the technology, how inclusive standards can be created, and what avenues for redress exist when something goes wrong.
The organisation also stressed the importance of inclusivity in the development of AI systems and standards.
“A standard written without women, rural communities, people with disabilities or African languages will fail them by design,” the report stated.
PIN noted that although AI strategies were multiplying across African countries, safeguards remained inadequate, raising concerns about whether existing frameworks were rights-respecting, homegrown and sufficiently open to public participation.
The organisation said the response to AI-enabled cybercrime should involve a broad range of stakeholders, including governments, law enforcement agencies, technology companies, financial institutions, civil society organisations, researchers and digital platform users.
It argued that meaningful solutions required the participation of the right stakeholders in developing practical measures capable of addressing the abuse of AI while ensuring that the technology was harnessed for public good.
The organisation further maintained that African governments should not approach AI solely from the perspective of risk or restriction, but should develop dynamic frameworks capable of responding to both the opportunities and threats presented by the technology.
The latest INTERPOL findings underscore the growing sophistication of cybercriminals and the increasing scale of cyber threats across the continent.
With online scams, financial fraud and identity-related attacks becoming more sophisticated through AI, stakeholders are increasingly confronted with the need to strengthen cybersecurity systems while protecting citizens’ digital rights.
PIN said it remained committed to advancing digital rights and inclusion across Africa and supporting solutions capable of making the digital environment safer, more inclusive and resilient without compromising fundamental rights.
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