FPT Vietnam and Ericsson have partnered to accelerate the adoption of 5G technology in Vietnam and drive advancements in AI and digital transformation. The collaboration will focus on developing applications that highlight the potential of 5G in key sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and retail, especially through augmented and virtual reality.
By leveraging Ericsson’s 5G expertise, FPT aims to enhance its AI capabilities and create more sophisticated, data-driven solutions. That partnership is designed to speed up 5G deployment and unlock new opportunities for consumer and enterprise markets, ultimately boosting Vietnam’s digital infrastructure. It also marks a significant milestone as Vietnam becomes a key market for 5G technology, laying the foundation for broader international collaboration.
The partnership was officially announced during FPT Techday 2024, a major technology forum that brings together industry leaders, businesses, and technology enthusiasts. This event showcased the strategic importance of the collaboration and its potential to foster innovation and business growth in Vietnam. FPT and Ericsson are advancing 5G adoption through this initiative and enabling local businesses to maximise the benefits of next-generation connectivity.
Governments across Africa should increase the protection of fibre optic cables from theft and vandalism, while also aligning regulations to boost tech infrastructure development, according to a Google executive. Charles Murito, Google’s head of government relations and public policy in Africa, emphasised the need to classify fibre cables as critical infrastructure, which would ensure severe consequences for those who damage them. Theft and vandalism targeting batteries, generators, and cables have driven up costs for infrastructure providers.
Murito, speaking at the Africa Tech conference, highlighted Google’s investments in subsea cables, including Equiano, connecting Africa with Europe, and the upcoming Umoja cable linking Africa and Australia. He stressed that better protections and regulatory harmonisation could make the continent more appealing to tech investors. Industry leaders agree that such measures are essential to encouraging business expansion in Africa.
Additionally, Murito has called for more infrastructure sharing among internet service providers to reduce data costs. The diverse regulations across African nations concerning permissions for cable installations hinder the expansion of fibre networks. Although South Africa‘s authorities have acknowledged the issue, urging law enforcement to act and proposing legal updates, fibre optic cables have yet to receive a new critical classification.
The United States Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is reportedly moving to place Alphabet’s Google under formal federal supervision, according to a Washington Post report. This development comes after months of confidential talks, during which Google has strongly resisted the idea. If implemented, federal oversight would provide regulators with access to Google’s internal records, marking a significant step in regulatory scrutiny of the tech behemoth. The CFPB, which typically oversees financial firms, is now expanding its reach to include more tech companies, particularly those with extensive consumer data handling.
This move is yet another regulatory challenge for Google, which is already facing multiple legal hurdles. Current government actions include pressure for the company to divest parts of its operations and a court mandate to open up its mobile app store to competition. Antitrust lawsuits and investigations continue to question Google’s dominance in digital markets, pushing the company to defend its business practices amid mounting legal pressure.
Google, alongside Alphabet, declined to comment on the CFPB’s intentions. However, industry analysts note that increased federal oversight could lead to greater regulatory enforcement on how tech giants manage consumer data and financial operations. As regulatory measures tighten, Google may have to adopt new strategies to mitigate risks and comply with evolving US oversight regulations.
MTN South Africa and Huawei have completed Africa’s first 5.5G network trial, marking a significant milestone in the region’s telecommunications landscape. The trial demonstrated the transformative potential of 5.5G technology, which offers key features such as 10 Gbps connection speeds, ten times the number of Internet of Things (IoT) connections, reduced latency, and improved energy efficiency.
These advancements represent a tenfold increase in network performance compared to current 5G networks, positioning South Africa at the forefront of digital innovation. Moreover, with ultra-fast speeds and advanced services like 24K extended reality (XR), high-speed Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), holographic conferencing, and enhanced private networks, 5.5G will not only drive the development of South Africa’s digital economy but also support new business opportunities.
In addition, it will bridge the digital divide, enabling previously unconnected regions and individuals to benefit from high-speed connectivity. As a result, this technological leap will be crucial in accelerating digital transformation, enhancing network efficiency, and creating new opportunities for consumers and enterprises across the country.
The successful trial utilised Huawei’s commercial SingleRAN technology, ultra-wideband, active-antenna units, and advanced beamforming techniques, ultimately achieving an ultra-high-speed experience of 8.6 Gbps. In particular, the trial leveraged millimetre wave and C-band spectrum resources in 5G standalone mode, showcasing the capabilities of 5.5G in real-world conditions.
Why does it matter?
Furthermore, the collaboration between MTN and Huawei reflects a shared vision of advancing Africa’s digital future by providing cutting-edge technologies and accelerating the region’s digital economy. As Huawei continues to support Africa’s development, this partnership demonstrates MTN’s ongoing commitment to innovation and the delivery of enhanced solutions that improve the lives of South Africans.
A US judge has ruled that Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, must face trial in an antitrust lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The lawsuit, initiated during the Trump administration, alleges that Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014 were intended to stifle emerging competition and maintain a social media monopoly. Meta has countered the FTC’s claims, arguing that the regulators ignore substantial competition from platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
This case is part of a broader crackdown on Big Tech by United States regulators. The FTC and the Department of Justice are pursuing major antitrust lawsuits against several technology giants, including Amazon and Apple. Alphabet’s Google also faces two significant legal challenges, with one case already finding that the company unlawfully restricted competition among search engines. These lawsuits reflect intensified regulatory efforts to address concerns over the market power of leading technology firms.
Meta’s legal battle could set a significant precedent for how tech conglomerates operate and acquire competitors. Critics argue that Meta’s dominance has harmed innovation and user choice, while the company insists it faces robust competition across the digital landscape. As Meta prepares for trial, the outcome could have far-reaching implications for the tech industry and future regulatory actions against monopolistic practices.
South Africa is considering reducing taxes on smartphones to make them more affordable as the country prepares to phase out 2G and 3G networks. Communications Minister Solly Malatsi revealed he has had initial discussions with the Treasury about cutting the ad valorem tax, which currently increases smartphone prices. The goal is to support accessibility to newer, faster networks like 4G and 5G.
The government’s policy, outlined in the Next Generation Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy paper, aims to fully shut down older networks by 31 December 2027. The phasing out of these networks is intended to free up valuable radio waves for advanced technologies. However, critics argue that the move could worsen the digital divide, particularly impacting low-income and rural populations who may struggle to afford smartphones compatible with faster networks.
Malatsi emphasised that making smart devices more affordable is crucial, noting that eliminating the luxury excise tax could significantly reduce costs. The country’s largest telecom operators, MTN and Vodacom, have called for collaboration between industry stakeholders and the government to manage the transition. The Association of Comms and Technology has also urged the government to ease the transition by lowering taxes and reconsidering a strict shutdown deadline.
The UN Development Programme (UNDP) has partnered with cBrain, a Danish digital solutions provider, to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation. The collaboration focuses on bridging the digital divide, fostering inclusive growth, and strengthening community resilience across the continent. The partnership will target key areas, including the development of digital public infrastructure, the enhancement of e-governance and public service delivery, the expansion of digital financial inclusion for underserved populations, and the integration of digital tools into climate resilience efforts.
A central initiative of this collaboration is the establishment of a Process Library at the UNDP Resilience Hub in Nairobi. The library will focus on developing and scaling best practices in governance, with an emphasis on inclusion, capacity-building, economic development, and resilience. These efforts are aligned with the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy and the UN sustainable development goals, reinforcing a shared vision for sustainable progress. By leveraging cBrain’s expertise and Denmark’s proven digitalisation strategies, the partnership aims to empower both governments and citizens while driving innovation, transparency, and equitable access across the continent.
Furthermore, the partnership places a strong emphasis on capacity development, equipping government officials and civil society organisations with the digital skills necessary to manage this transformation effectively. It also underscores the importance of private-sector involvement in Africa’s digital journey, drawing on Britain’s global experience in providing standardised solutions and integrating AI-driven tools. This collaboration serves as a model for international cooperation in digital governance, with a focus on knowledge sharing to disseminate best practices.
By empowering marginalised communities with access to digital and financial services, this initiative aims to unlock economic growth, enhance climate resilience, and pave the way for a more equitable and prosperous future for Africa.
Ethiopia’s National ID Program (NIDP) has partnered with four other government institutions to enhance access to integrated public services as part of the Digital Ethiopia 2025 initiative. The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 12 November, includes the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, the Information Network Security Administration, the Addis Ababa Civil Registration and Residency Service Agency, and the Addis Ababa Innovation and Technology Development Bureau.
Digital Ethiopia 2025 aims to transform the nation into a digital society by next year, with the national ID system serving as a crucial component. Engr. Worku Gachena, Director General of the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, highlighted that the collaboration will simplify access to government services, particularly through the issuance of residence and national ID cards. Additionally, AI solutions are being explored to ensure efficient, secure, and high-quality service delivery.
Other officials emphasised that the partnership will advance the rollout of legal and digital ID services for Ethiopian citizens and foreign residents. Yodahe Zemichael, Executive Director of NIDP, described the initiative as a key driver of national prosperity and development. Yonas Alemayehu, Director General of the Addis Ababa Civil Registration and Residency Service Agency, pointed out that digital ID plays a foundational role in the ongoing smart city project, with efforts ramping up for digital ID enrolment across Addis Ababa.
The Fayda digital ID system is increasingly being integrated into various government operations, including public procurement. Looking ahead, Ethiopia plans to launch a new digital government program extending to 2030, with Fayda ID as a central element.
Social media platform Bluesky is experiencing rapid growth as users abandon Elon Musk’s X following Donald Trump’s presidential election victory and concerns over upcoming changes to the platform’s terms of service. Bluesky reported gaining 2.5 million new users in a week, pushing its total to over 16 million. Activity on Bluesky has surged, with record engagement levels, as organisations like the Guardian and prominent figures such as former CNN anchor Don Lemon leave X.
The election of Trump brought both heightened activity and backlash for X. On November 6, the platform saw 46.5 million visits in the US, a year-high figure, but also recorded more than 115,000 account deactivations, the most since Musk’s acquisition. Bluesky and Meta’s Threads also saw increased traffic, signalling growing competition. Analysts attribute Bluesky’s growth partly to dissatisfaction with X’s handling of misinformation and controversial content during the election.
Adding to the exodus is X’s imminent policy change requiring all legal disputes to be settled in Texas courts, a move critics claim favours Musk. The Center for Countering Digital Hate argued this could shield the platform from accountability, while Musk and X remained silent on the controversy. Despite Bluesky’s growth, it trails competitors like Threads and X in total user base, with analysts suggesting X remains strong due to its association with President-elect Trump and microblogging’s inherent network advantages.
The London Internet Exchange (LINX) will expand its presence in Africa, announcing plans to open new internet exchange points (IXPs) in Ghana and Kenya by early 2025. This move aims to strengthen connectivity in both West and East Africa, where demand for internet services continues to grow rapidly.
In Ghana, LINX Accra will launch in phases with data centres from Onix and PAIX, enabling a robust and interconnected system. This setup will allow networks to connect at LINX Accra through a single cross-connect, enhancing redundancy and interconnectivity. The phased rollout is expected to significantly support Ghana’s local internet service providers and infrastructure.
In Kenya, LINX Mombasa will be the first IXP at the iColo MBA2 facility in partnership with local data centre provider iColo, a subsidiary of Digital Realty. Built to mirror LINX’s existing IXP in Nairobi, the Mombasa site will provide high-speed services through 100G ports and strengthen interconnection across the East African region.
Both Ghana and Kenya, strategically positioned on Africa’s coastlines, benefit from numerous submarine cable landing points. LINX believes these new IXPs will establish Ghana and Kenya as key internet traffic hubs in Africa, boosting local ISP growth and supporting international connectivity.
