Internet

ST Digital ignites DRC's digitalisation

The OADC Texaf – Kinshasa facility, with a 2MW capacity, sets a new standard as a cornerstone of the DRC’s growing digital ecosystem. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

ST Digital, a leading provider of cloud services in Africa, has announced its expansion into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through a partnership with the OADC Texaf – Kinshasa data centre

This collaboration places ST Digital at the forefront of the region's digital transformation, utilising the advanced infrastructure of the DRC’s first operational open-access, carrier-neutral, and Uptime Institute Tier-III certified data centre.

The OADC Texaf – Kinshasa facility, with a 2MW capacity, sets a new standard as a cornerstone of the DRC’s growing digital ecosystem. It is also on course to obtain ISO27001 post-live certification, reinforcing its dedication to the highest levels of security and operational excellence. Currently housing a number of top national and international carriers, the facility offers a dynamic, carrier-neutral, open-access interconnect ecosystem. This makes it an attractive environment for content providers like ST Digital to deliver high-quality services to the DRC’s expanding population.

In rapidly developing markets such as the DRC, content providers are pivotal to the digital landscape. With the country's growing population driving digital transformation, colocating in the OADC Texaf – Kinshasa data centre will allow ST Digital to address the rising demand for content as connectivity improves, giving more people reliable Internet access. “Our facility offers the ideal environment for this growth, providing secure, carrier-neutral, open-access, reliable and scalable infrastructure that supports the delivery of diverse digital content across the region,” noted Mohammed Bouhelal, managing director of OADC Texaf.

With a population exceeding 100 million and over 16 million people in the bustling city of Kinshasa, the DRC is witnessing substantial growth in content consumption, fueled by increased connectivity and ongoing digitalisation efforts. As both the government and private sector continue to invest in digital infrastructure, the demand for localized, high-quality content is expected to rise rapidly. ST Digital’s entry into the DRC market, via the OADC Texaf – Kinshasa data centre, strategically positions the company to meet this growing demand and deliver faster, more reliable content to millions of users.

“The DRC’s digital transformation is creating immense opportunities for content providers, and our expansion into this market is a key part of our growth strategy. By partnering with OADC Texaf – Kinshasa, we can ensure that our content reaches audiences with the speed, security and quality they expect. This move will not only benefit our business but also contribute to the overall digitalisation of the DRC, enhancing access to information and entertainment for a wider population,” said Jean-Francis AHANDA, general manager Data Centre Services, ST Digital.

MTN & ZTE launch Africa's 5G maritime

MTN South Africa and ZTE deploy Africa's first 5G ultra-range maritime coverage in Mossel Bay, boosting connectivity, tourism, and local fishing. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

MTN South Africa and ZTE Corporation , a global leader in integrated ICT solutions, have introduced Africa’s first 5G ultra-range maritime coverage at Mossel Bay, Western Cape, South Africa

The ultra-range 5G network in Mossel Bay will provide high-speed, dependable internet access to previously unreachable maritime areas, offering unparalleled connectivity across the region's waters.

This achievement marks a milestone in maritime communications, delivering speeds of over 210Mbps at 22 kilometers from shore. The upgraded connectivity will benefit fisheries, shipping, tourism, sea rescue, and marine research by improving operational efficiency and data transmission. It will also promote marine ecological protection through advanced 5G applications such as live streaming and video technologies.

Charles Molapisi, CEO of MTN South Africa, expressed, "By launching Africa's first 5G maritime network in South Africa, MTN is setting a new benchmark in connectivity. This innovation not only strengthens our position as a leader in digital transformation but also opens up new horizons for economic growth and technological advancement across the continent."

MTN South Africa’s CTO, Rami Farah, added, "We are incredibly proud to be pioneering this transformative technology in South Africa. By integrating 5G Ultra Maritime Coverage, we are not only expanding our network's reach but also opening new avenues for economic growth and enhancing the travel experience for tourists. This initiative is a testament to our commitment to driving innovation and supporting local communities."

Luca Shen, CEO of ZTE South Africa, highlighted, "Our collaboration with MTN represents a significant step forward in maritime technology. ZTE is dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions that address the unique needs of different regions. With our 5G Ultra Maritime Coverage, we are setting a new standard for connectivity and enabling Africa to harness the full potential of its maritime resources."

The rollout of 5G Ultra Maritime Coverage aligns with MTN and ZTE’s broader strategy to leverage technology for socio-economic development. This initiative supports the African Union and South Africa’s vision for a digitally connected continent and country, contributing to key sustainable development goals such as economic growth and innovation.

With this 5G Ultra Maritime Coverage, advanced applications like real-time vessel tracking, enhanced navigation, and remote monitoring will improve safety and efficiency in maritime operations. Local fishermen will gain access to better tools for planning, communication, and market information, enabling them to increase their economic security by accessing global markets and optimising their operations.

"Our 5G network covers 44% of the South African population, up from last year’s 25%, marking a 19% increase. As we move forward, we will continue to expand our 5G presence, having already deployed 900 new 5G sites in 2024," concluded Molapisi.

BeammWave revolutionises digital beamforming

BeammWave’s world-first demo of distributed digital beamforming reshapes 5G and beyond, proving a groundbreaking solution for mmWave tech. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The Swedish company BeammWave has solidified its leadership in digital beamforming with the world's first demonstration of distributed digital beamforming

This demonstration, initially presented to customers earlier this summer, has now been integrated into the BeammWave Advanced Development Platform (ADP1). BeammWave asserts that this milestone not only validates the BeammWave concept but also addresses the technical challenges and slow adoption of mmWave technology in 5G.

Per-Olof Brandt, co-founder and cheif technical officer of BeammWave, explained, “We defined this concept back in 2013 and then also defined what design criteria that needed to be met for the concept to be viable for high-volume smartphones. We have since proved first through simulations, then on component level and now we have shown it in Over-The-Air system setup using 5G modulated data.”

Stefan Svedberg, CEO of BeammWave, added, “This is a game changer not only for 5G, but it will also have an impact on how higher frequency spectrum can be used in future generations like 6G and how it can drive the new use cases that everyone has been waiting for.”

Nokia and iSAT Africa revolutionise connectivity

Nokia and iSAT Africa partner to transform rural Liberia with cutting-edge network tech, bridging the digital divide for underserved communities. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Nokia has announced a strategic collaboration with iSAT Africa to improve rural connectivity in Liberia, aiming to bridge the digital divide and provide reliable, affordable network access to underserved communities

This three-year project will cover around 200 sites in Liberia’s rural areas.

The initiative will utilise Nokia's Rural Connect solution, featuring the advanced AirScale radio portfolio, including Massive MIMO radios, remote radio heads, and base stations. iSAT Africa will also benefit from Nokia’s MantaRay Network Management solutions, which offer a unified, automated network view to enhance monitoring and management, addressing the challenges of limited coverage and the significant digital divide in rural regions.

This partnership aims to expand network coverage beyond urban centers, driving socio-economic development in Liberia’s remote areas. The 200-site deployment will extend iSAT Africa's network reach, providing mobile network operators with a cost-effective and efficient solution. This expansion will facilitate access to essential services in rural communities, fostering social and economic progress in the region.

Osama Said, customer team head, West Africa and Enterprise at Nokia, commented, “We are proud to collaborate with iSAT Africa on this important initiative to enhance connectivity in rural Liberia. Our Rural Connect solution ensures robust coverage in remote areas, enabling voice and data services for communities that have been historically underserved. This partnership represents a significant step toward reducing the digital divide and fostering socio-economic development.”

Rakesh Kukreja, founder and managing director at iSAT Africa, added, “Our partnership with Nokia underscores our commitment to reducing the digital divide and enabling greater connectivity across Liberia. The Nokia Rural Connect solution offers lean, energy-efficient, and easy-to-deploy technologies that allow us to extend coverage into underserved areas. This deployment will strengthen our position as a leader in providing Networks-as-a-Service and improve lives by enabling reliable voice and data services and connecting the unconnected.”

This collaboration highlights both companies' dedication to advancing digital inclusion and delivering the benefits of connectivity to all corners of Liberia.

Accenture and MTN complete ORAN Trials

Accenture and MTN finalise ORAN proof-of-concept in South Africa and Nigeria, aiming to enhance customer experience and cut costs.

Accenture and MTN have completed a proof-of-concept to assess the potential of an Open Radio Access Network (ORAN) solution aimed at enhancing customer experience and reducing operational costs

Successful live network trials were conducted in South Africa and Nigeria, following an initial phase of testing ORAN solutions in MTN SA’s lab before moving to real-world deployment.

Accenture highlights that this solution will assist communication service providers (CSPs) in addressing various challenges, such as managing high mobile traffic, competing in a saturated market, attracting and retaining customers, and differentiating their services while also focusing on cost efficiency.

"ORAN has the potential to introduce innovation and efficiency, revolutionising how networks are built and services are delivered to customers," remarked Accenture.

Nitesh Singh, Accenture Africa's lead for communication, media, and technology, explained, "To tackle these challenges, CSPs need to invest in radio access networks to enhance performance, customer experience, and create new revenue streams. This project allowed us to collaborate with MTN, leveraging the Rakuten communications platform, and develop a next-generation network that sets new benchmarks for mobile communications in South Africa and across the continent."

MTN’s Amith Maharaj added, "We believe that ORAN will eventually allow us to significantly reduce total cost of ownership, with a wider ecosystem, and unlock the benefits of cloud-native deployments with increased flexibility and scalability."

Qualcomm supports African tech

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Paratus Group partners with Green Telecom to launch Paratus Tanzania, boosting East African connectivity for tourism, mining, and enterprise sectors. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Paratus expands to power Tanzania’s connectivity

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Kaspersky and Smart Africa collaborate to enhance cybersecurity skills, policies, and infrastructure, strengthening Africa’s digital security landscape. (Image source: Kaspersky)

Redefining cybersecurity for Africa’s digital age

NAPAfrica reaches 5Tbps, reinforcing its role as Africa’s leading IXP, improving local traffic, reducing costs, and boosting performance. (

NAPAfrica powers Africa’s fastest data surge

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This strategic collaboration focuses on providing broadband Internet access to remote areas, helping to bridge the digital divide in the region. (Image source: Adobe Stock)