Low-Earth orbit satellite communications player Starlink does not threaten local data sovereignty across Africa, however the service does raise concerns over the security and integrity of data when in transit, warns industry expert. In an exclusive interview with ITWeb Africa, Andrew Cruise, MD, Routed, advocated for internet service providers (ISPs), wireless internet service providers (WISPs)...
A U.S. Trade and Development Agency-funded feasibility study for Nigeria’s Hotspot Network Limited has led to the issuance of financing for the deployment of 120 solar-powered rural telecommunications base stations across 22 States in Nigeria. The project will utilize renewable energy to provide last-mile mobile connectivity to underserved rural communities that lack the requisite power...
Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) has extended network coverage from 2G to 4G LTE in 45 settlements in the country’s Okavango and Northwest regions. The development is part of the company’s efforts to improve network performance and increase mobile data use. The network renovation and expansion initiative, according to BTC Managing Director Anthony Masunga, will inspire...
Avanti Communications has disclosed plans to connect over 10,000 hard-to-reach rural communities across Africa in the next five years. This is just as the firm has been named the market-leading high-throughput satellite capacity partner in sub-Saharan Africa for the second year running. The results, from the 20th edition of the NSR Satellite Capacity Supply &...
– Frehiwot argues the telecom regulator should fund universal access in uneconomic areas, citing costs – However, regulators maintain telecom companies bear the responsibility due to their universal access obligations The state-owned ethio telecom and the Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA) are at odds over who should bear the cost of expanding telecom infrastructure to unprofitable...
Ericsson and MTN have partnered to provide mobile broadband services to remote rural areas in Benin. The deal will see Ericsson support MTN’s planned rural coverage across 29 sites with three-sector dual-band Radio 6626 and compact microwave radio MINI-LINK products from its Radio System portfolio. In addition, Ericsson will also support the project with Enclosure...
The concept delivers a huge economic benefit to millions of individuals who live in rural areas and have been impeded by significant communication barriers President Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday witnessed the signing of rural telecommunication projects that will provide communication services to 8.5 million people who have no access to the network. The contracts will...
MTN Group and Huawei are partnering to deploy an affordable connectivity solution, RuralStar, in Ghana, which provides online access to remote and rural communities. The two penned a memorandum of understanding (MoU) yesterday at the Mobile World Congress to strengthen strategic cooperation in environmental, social and governance matters. With RuralStar, MTN says, the solution overcomes...
Minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire, recently revealed that the government will have a Starlink pilot phase in at least 500 schools countrywide. Provided by billionaire Elon Musk’s high-speed satellite internet venture, Starlink is scheduled to be up and running in Rwanda by February 22, according to Ingabire. Though the list of schools that will benefit...
The Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) has completed 50% of its mobile connectivity programme in rural areas of the country, reports GhanaWeb. Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee earlier this week, GIFEC CEO Prince Ofosu Sefah revealed 1,008 of the 2,016 mobile sites being deployed under the Ghana Rural Telephony and Digital Inclusion Project had been...
