Author: Akin Naphtal

In a strategic move to enhance global satellite connectivity, Orange has announced a commercial partnership with Telesat, a leading satellite operator, to leverage Telesat’s advanced Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) network. Under the agreement, Orange will host a Telesat Lightspeed Landing Station at its Bercenay-en-Othe teleport in France. This station will connect to a point of presence (PoP) in Paris via the Orange Wholesale International Private Line (IPL). The telecom giant has also signed a capacity commitment for Telesat Lightspeed’s LEO services, which will be integrated into Orange’s global portfolio for businesses and telecom operators. Expanding Connectivity and Network ResilienceThe…

Samsung Electronics has announced a strategic partnership with Nvidia to accelerate the development of AI-powered Radio Access Network (AI-RAN) technologies, aiming to diversify computing platforms and drive the adoption of artificial intelligence in mobile networks. The collaboration, revealed in a recent announcement by Samsung, builds on successful interoperability tests conducted late last year at Samsung Research’s lab. The tests integrated Samsung’s Open RAN-compliant virtualized RAN (vRAN) with Nvidia’s accelerated computing platform, paving the way for seamless AI deployment in software-based networks. According to Samsung, the companies have successfully demonstrated a proof-of-concept that verifies how Nvidia’s accelerated computing can be integrated…

Accelera Digital Group (ADG) has appointed Niral Patel as its new Group CEO, marking a strategic leadership shift aimed at driving the company’s global expansion. Patel, a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in the technology sector, assumes the role effective immediately. The announcement, made today by ADG, confirms that Patel will be based in Nairobi as he spearheads the company’s growth across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. His mandate includes scaling business operations, forging strategic partnerships, and accelerating digital transformation initiatives. “As CEO, Niral will focus on scaling ADG’s operations, strengthening key alliances, and driving business…

Vodafone UK and Ericsson have successfully reduced the daily power consumption of 5G radio units by up to 33% in trial sites across London, in a development for network energy efficiency. The achievement marks a significant step in cutting operational costs and lowering carbon emissions without compromising user experience. The success stems from a trial of Ericsson’s AI and machine learning (ML) solutions, which dynamically manage network power usage. By integrating the Service Continuity AI App suite with Intelligent Energy Efficiency, Vodafone UK has demonstrated the potential of smart automation to optimize energy consumption across its 5G infrastructure. AI-Powered Energy-Saving…

French telecom giant Orange has unveiled plans to leverage its data center assets, positioning itself to take advantage of the growing global demand for data center infrastructure. Speaking at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Michaël Trabbia, CEO of Orange Wholesale, emphasized the strategic role of data centers in the company’s telecom infrastructure. He highlighted Orange’s commitment to retaining ownership of its network assets, even as other telecom operators have opted to sell off infrastructure such as towers and data centers. Strategic Shift: Monetizing Data Center AssetsTrabbia explained that Orange’s tower subsidiary, Totem, has created new revenue opportunities by allowing…

With a wealth of experience over 30 years, Ayotunde Coker, Chief Executive Officer of Open Access Data Centers, is at the forefront of Africa’s technological change, driving innovation, expansion, and the seamless integration of world-class digital solutions. His profound understanding of data infrastructure and business transformation has cemented his status as a leading force in the industry. Before his tenure at OADC, Coker was the CEO of Rack Centre, where he transformed the organisation into a beacon of excellence, earning it a reputation as a premier data centre provider in Africa. Under his leadership, Rack Centre became synonymous with world-class…

The global telecommunications industry is projected to generate $1.3 trillion in total revenue by 2028, despite facing slow growth and pricing challenges, according to PwC’s Global Telecom Outlook 2024-2028 report. The report revealed that total service revenue across fixed and mobile networks grew by 4.3% in 2023 to reach $1.14 trillion. However, the industry’s revenue growth rate is expected to decelerate, with PwC forecasting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of just 2.9% through 2028, below the projected inflation rate. Nigeria Among Fastest-Growing Telecom MarketsIn contrast to the global slowdown, Nigeria’s telecommunications sector recorded significant growth in 2024, with total…

Globacom has launched its e-SIM service, offering customers a seamless and modern alternative to physical SIM cards. As part of the rollout, customers who activate the eSIM and purchase a data plan worth N1,500 or more will receive an instant 5GB data bonus. In a statement released in Lagos, Globacom described the eSIM as a software-based digital chip embedded directly into smartphones and wearable devices, eliminating the need for traditional SIM cards. The innovation allows users to switch between numbers seamlessly without the hassle of inserting or replacing a physical SIM. “Customers on any network can enjoy ‘SIM-less’ freedom with…

NAPAfrica, Africa’s leading Internet Exchange Point (IXP), has reached a significant milestone by surpassing five terabits per second (Tbps) of traffic. This achievement cements its position as the fastest-growing IXP on the continent and one of the top ten globally by total traffic volume. With over 655 networks peering at its exchange points, NAPAfrica continues to play a crucial role in keeping African internet traffic local, reducing costs, and enhancing network performance. The exchange has witnessed remarkable growth over the years, with traffic peaking at 100 Gbps in 2016, reaching 500 Gbps in 2018, surging to 2 Tbps in 2021,…

Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Tecogen Inc., a clean energy company specializing in ultra-efficient on-site power, heating, and cooling solutions. Through this collaboration, Vertiv will integrate Tecogen’s advanced natural gas-powered chiller technology into its portfolio, providing data centers worldwide with alternative energy solutions to reduce grid dependency and support AI expansion. As the power demands of artificial intelligence and critical digital infrastructure continue to rise, some regions are experiencing strain on their electricity grids. Tecogen’s natural gas-powered chiller solutions, which have been used for over 40 years in high-demand sectors…