Mobile

Lyca Group unveils reorganisation to boost growth, expand in Africa, streamline operations, and enhance global digital capabilities. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Lyca Group has announced a strategic reorganisation aimed at fostering growth, optimising operations, and enhancing its digital capabilities

A major component of this strategy involves strengthening its Mobile Network Operator (MNO) presence in Africa, building on its current operations in Uganda. The company plans to expand into additional African markets by early 2025. Additionally, Lyca intends to launch new digital brands in Spain and the USA, highlighting its global growth ambitions.

“This paradigm change not only enhances our efficiency but also strengthens our ability to adapt to a rapidly changing industry, ultimately benefiting our customers, partners, and employees globally,” said Premananthan Sivasamy, deputy chairman of Lyca Group.

The reorganisation will centralise Lyca’s global business services into key hubs in strategic locations while creating streamlined, sales-focused operations in specific markets.

By utilising its existing service centres and establishing new ones, the company aims to improve customer experiences, drive cost efficiencies, and accelerate its market growth plans.

As part of its transformation, Lyca is focusing on enhancing digital capabilities to deliver innovative telecom solutions more efficiently. This effort includes reducing functional redundancies, automating processes, and redirecting cost savings toward growth and customer-centric initiatives.

“Lyca’s strategic reorganisation is a bold step forward, ensuring we remain a leader in delivering affordable, high-quality telecom solutions to our customers globally,” Sivasamy added.

Lyca remains committed to its workforce, retaining a smaller team in London to oversee advisory, compliance, and financial functions. Other roles will transition to existing and new service centres, allowing the company to reinvest in innovation and business development.

The company has also initiated a consultation process with employees to ensure a seamless transition, maintaining its commitment to high standards of service and collaboration.

Nokia and Turkcell pioneer quantum-safe cryptography, securing mobile networks today and preparing for future quantum computing threats. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Nokia and Turkcell have achieved milestone by demonstrating the world’s first implementation of quantum-safe IPsec network cryptography for mobile subscribers 

This achievement is a significant step forward in protecting mobile networks from future quantum computing threats. By adopting cutting-edge cryptographic standards, Nokia and Turkcell are proactively strengthening network security to ensure long-term resilience in mobile communications.

The rise of quantum computing poses serious risks to traditional cryptography, potentially enabling quantum attacks that can bypass current security measures. As this technology evolves, it is crucial for networks to adopt robust solutions to mitigate these emerging threats.

Safeguarding mobile communications

Turkcell’s mobile transport network now features quantum-safe IPsec cryptography, integrated as part of a defense-in-depth, crypto-resilient strategy. This landmark demonstration utilised Nokia’s widely deployed IPsec Security Gateway, showcasing its ability to safeguard critical data against quantum-era threats.

By embracing advanced cryptographic techniques, Nokia and Turkcell are not only enhancing security for today but also preparing for technological advancements in the future. Mobile users can trust that their communications remain protected now and in the years ahead.

Dr Vehbi Çağrı Güngör, Turkcell chief network technologies officer, remarked, “This test represents a significant milestone in the evolution of our network security. As part of our strategy to continually enhance the security of our mobile network, this collaboration with Nokia provides us with the confidence that our transport security can withstand the challenges of the quantum era. By demonstrating these quantum-safe cryptography capabilities today, we are preparing our network for the future.”

Rafael De Fermin, senior vice-president of Network Infrastructure Europe, Nokia, added, “Through our collaboration with Turkcell we’ve shown how our quantum-safe IPsec technology can protect mobile networks against the evolving security threat landscape. This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to safeguard the privacy and integrity of mobile technology. Our solutions provide a proactive defense-in-depth crypto-resilient approach against future network security challenges, ensuring that Turkcell’s network remains secure for years to come.”

This achievement underscores Nokia’s leadership in network security, particularly in the mobile telecom sector. The implementation of quantum-safe cryptography reinforces Nokia’s role at the forefront of creating secure, reliable network infrastructures. It also reflects the company’s dedication to addressing risks associated with emerging technologies like quantum computing.

MTN South Africa partners with KnowRoaming to introduce the Travel eSIM, offering cost-effective data roaming across 150+ destinations worldwide. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

South Africans can now access more affordable data roaming rates across over 150 destinations, thanks to MTN's Travel eSIM in collaboration with KnowRoaming

The Travel eSIM allows users to conveniently purchase data bundles, offering a cost-effective solution to manage international data usage and minimise the risk of unexpected charges.

Complementing MTN's existing International Roaming Data options, the Travel eSIM provides data bundles ranging from 1GB to 20GB, with prices customised per country. For example, a 1GB data bundle valid for seven days costs approximately US$3.60 in Dubai, US$4.10 in the UK, US$3.60 in the USA, or US$4.10 in Tanzania. For extended stays, a 5GB bundle valid for 15 days is priced at around US$12.10 in Dubai, US$13.70 in the UK, $14.80 in the USA, or $16.90 in Tanzania.

The service also offers regional multi-country bundles for travelers visiting multiple countries on one trip. For instance, a European Travel eSIM covering 39 countries is available from approx. US$3.60 for 1GB, seamlessly connecting to local networks as users move between countries.

“With a simple installation and a sign-up process that takes less than 5 minutes, Travel eSIM offers customers seamless internet connectivity in selected countries, giving them the freedom to choose from various country-specific or regional data roaming bundles. The service is entirely digital, eliminating the need for a physical SIM card,” remarked Jason Probert, general manager: digital services at MTN South Africa.

“Travel eSIM is data-only, allowing customers to use it for internet-based services such as WhatsApp, Instagram, or Facebook,” Probert added.

Compatible with eSIM-enabled devices, the service works in eligible countries and regions alongside MTN's existing international roaming options, ensuring flexibility and affordability. Notifications alert users when data is running low, and top-ups can be completed easily via the Travel eSIM website. Customers can also activate voice and SMS-only roaming bundles for use alongside Travel eSIM's cost-effective data bundles.