The Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA) highlights the urgent need for comprehensive action to address digital poverty in the UK, stressing that millions of individuals and families lack access to essential digital resources. According to recent data, up to 19 million adults and 1 in 5 children are affected, underscoring a significant gap in digital inclusion that needs immediate attention. The DPA’s CEO, Elizabeth Anderson, emphasises that as digital technology becomes more integral to everyday life, access to digital devices, broadband connectivity, and digital skills should be considered fundamental rights.
DPA’s recent initiatives, including Tech4Families and Tech4Youth, focus on bridging the digital divide by providing access to devices, internet connectivity, and essential digital skills training. These programs are crucial for supporting underserved communities and helping them overcome the barriers posed by digital poverty. By targeting families, young people, and young carers, the DPA aims to ensure that those most in need receive the support required to participate fully in the digital world.
DPA’s End Digital Poverty Day raises awareness and drives action against digital exclusion. In collaboration with Currys and Virgin Media O2, the DPA emphasises the urgency of eliminating digital poverty by 2030, underscoring digital access as a fundamental right and calling for broad support to bridge the digital divide.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) have formed a strategic partnership to leverage data and technology to transform Nigeria’s digital landscape, aligning closely with President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda.’ By combining NITDA’s expertise in digital transformation with NBS’s data-driven insights, the collaboration is expected to significantly improve public service delivery, drive sustainable economic growth, and enhance policy-making.
In particular, the partnership focuses on data exchange and integration, facilitating more informed decisions across sectors such as infrastructure development, resource allocation, and urban planning, ensuring that initiatives are grounded in accurate and timely data. Moreover, the partnership emphasises fostering innovation and economic growth.
NITDA and NBS aim to create a digital ecosystem that supports tech startups and entrepreneurship, positioning Nigeria as a leader in the global digital economy. That collaboration is designed to attract foreign investment and create job opportunities, contributing to long-term economic prosperity.
Additionally, the partnership is committed to bridging the digital divide through digital skills development. By promoting digital literacy and modernising data processes with tools like Geographic Information Systems (GIS), NITDA and NBS will enhance decision-making and governance while empowering more Nigerians to participate in the digital economy and fostering inclusive growth.
The South African Internet Service Providers’ Association (ISPA) has expressed concerns about the ‘Next Generation Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy for Economic Development,’ specifically regarding how SMMEs will gain access to high-demand spectrum. While the policy aims to broaden access, ISPA emphasises the need for precise mechanisms that allow smaller enterprises to provide affordable mobile data services.
In addition, efficient spectrum allocation to SMMEs could significantly drive economic recovery and increase competition, thereby challenging the dominance of major players in South Africa like Vodacom, MTN, and Telkom. Moreover, ISPA commends the policy’s emphasis on expanding Wi-Fi networks, particularly in low-income areas, as this is a crucial element in improving affordable internet access. Furthermore, it recognises the potential of community networks to address universal internet access, helping to bridge the digital divide and connect underserved communities more effectively.
The Internet Service Providers’ Association also welcomes the policy’s provision for offering free monthly data to indigent households, urging that clear qualification criteria be established. By reducing the cost of communication, this measure could help more South Africans access digital services. ISPA further notes the importance of reviewing universal service obligations (USOs) to ensure that mobile network operators contribute to the policy’s broader goals of increasing access and affordability, particularly for low-income and rural communities.
Mauritius has launched the Mobil ID digital identity card as a significant milestone in its digital transformation journey. That initiative allows citizens to manage personal information, such as updating addresses or reporting lost physical IDs and supports secure electronic document signing. Designed with dual authentication features, the Mobil ID enhances security and protects against identity theft while streamlining administrative processes for businesses and government agencies.
The launch of the Mobil ID is a key component of the broader ‘Digital Mauritius 2030’ strategy. The ambitious initiative aims to transform the country into a digitally-driven economy by enhancing digital infrastructure, expanding 5G networks, modernising public services, and developing digital skills. The Mauritian government is committed to maintaining technological advancement while ensuring robust data protection, which positions the nation at the forefront of digital innovation and demonstrates its leadership in advancing technology across Africa.
Mauritius has also become the first African country to adopt a digital identity card that meets international ISO standards. Developed in collaboration with Thales and Harel Mallac Technologies, the Mobil ID sets a new benchmark for digital identity systems in the region, reflecting Mauritius’s commitment to leading digital innovation.
TechUK calls on the government to address the critical issue of digital adoption among SMEs, which has been identified as a major barrier to economic growth and competitiveness. The organisation’s recent report underscores that over a quarter of UK SMEs still lack basic digital tools, impeding their productivity and ability to integrate advanced technologies like AI. By prioritising SME digitisation, the government can help close this gap, potentially adding up to £232 billion to the UK economy and enhancing the country’s position as a leading global economy.
To achieve this, TechUK recommends implementing a comprehensive strategy that includes creating a cross-departmental Forum to coordinate digital initiatives, appointing a Minister specifically responsible for digitisation, and developing a detailed digital adoption plan with clear targets for 2030. Expanding the Made Smarter Adoption programme to cover a broader range of sectors is crucial for ensuring that SMEs receive the necessary support to embrace digital technologies and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
TechUK urges the government to prioritise digital adoption to keep UK businesses competitive. Without basic tools, SMEs struggle with advanced technologies like AI. A strong support framework is needed to help SMEs overcome these challenges and embrace future tech.
Thailand is set to auction spectrum in the 2.1 GHz and 2.3 GHz bands in the first quarter of 2025. This strategic initiative is part of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission’s (NBTC) broader spectrum management strategy for 2025-2030. By making these frequencies available, Thailand aims to advance its telecommunications infrastructure, supporting the development of 5G-Advanced (5G-A) and setting the stage for future 6G systems.
The current licenses for the 2.1 GHz and 2.3 GHz bands, held by National Telecom (NT), will expire in September 2025. Despite NT’s request for an extension, private operators such as True Corporation and Advanced Info Service (AIS) are advocating for an auction due to high demand and the need to facilitate the transition to next-generation networks. That push highlights the importance of these spectrum bands in meeting the growing demands of telecom operators and advancing Thailand’s technological capabilities.
In addition to the upcoming auction, Thailand’s spectrum management strategy includes future plans for the 3.5 GHz band currently used by digital TV broadcasters. The NBTC plans to auction this band in 2027, aligning with recommendations from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) that favour its use for mobile networks. The transition of this spectrum from digital TV to mobile use will further support Thailand’s efforts to enhance its 5G capabilities and prepare for the next generation of telecommunications technology.
SoftBank Corp. and Nokia have embarked on a groundbreaking partnership to advance communication technologies, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 10 September 2024. This collaboration focuses on developing AI-driven Radio Access Networks (AI-RAN) and exploring 6G technologies. Leveraging Nokia’s virtualised Cloud RAN platform and conducting field tests with centimetre waves, which are crucial for 6G, the partnership aims to push the boundaries of current communication systems.
The joint effort by SoftBank and Nokia is set to transform connectivity by delivering faster, more flexible, and wider-range solutions. This innovation could revolutionise various sectors, such as smart cities, industrial automation, and new business models. The goal is to address the growing demand for high-speed and adaptable communication networks, significantly impacting societal and economic landscapes.
In this collaboration, SoftBank will apply its extensive experience as a network operator, while Nokia will contribute its global leadership in network technologies. Together, they aim to achieve high-speed, reliable, and elastic communication networks, addressing the challenges of the digital society and advancing the telecommunications industry.
European Commission recommendations from Mario Draghi’s report focus on transforming the telecom sector through regulatory and financial reforms. The report advocates for easing mergers and acquisitions (M&A) to enable market consolidation, expected to drive economies of scale and enhance investment capacity.
It also proposes redefining telecom markets at the EU level and standardising spectrum licensing rules to improve efficiency and competition across Europe. These changes aim to create a more robust and innovative telecom environment that can better meet the demands of the digital age.
In addition to telecom sector reforms, the European Commission report highlights the need for ‘commercial investment sharing’ to address the financial impact of high data traffic from major tech firms. It suggests that large online platforms, such as Amazon and Google, should contribute to the costs of telecom infrastructure investments. That proposal seeks to balance the burden on telecom operators with the benefits derived from these tech giants’ extensive use of their networks. By implementing this approach, the report aims to ensure that the costs of maintaining and expanding network capacity are more equitably shared.
Furthermore, the European Commission outlines strategies for advancing digital infrastructure and technology. The report calls for creating an EU-level body to develop uniform technical standards for network APIs and edge computing. It also recommends expanding high-performance computing (HPC) resources and investing in AI through public-private partnerships. These measures are designed to enhance Europe’s technological capabilities and foster innovation. Additionally, the report emphasises the need for sovereign cloud solutions and reducing dependencies on non-EU tech providers by boosting domestic production in critical areas such as semiconductors. These initiatives aim to strengthen Europe’s digital infrastructure and ensure a more resilient and competitive tech ecosystem.
The Dutch government announced on Tuesday that ASML will now require a licence to supply spare parts and software updates for chipmaking equipment previously sold to Chinese customers. This applies to equipment that has since been classified under new export restrictions.
The move follows the government’s decision last Friday to add two additional chipmaking tools to its national control list, aligning its policies with the United States. The restrictions aim to curb the export of advanced technology to China.
ASML, a major supplier of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, has previously expressed concerns over the potential impact of such restrictions on its business. However, the company must now comply with the new rules for sales to Chinese clients.
The Netherlands Foreign Ministry confirmed the updated regulations, stating that the licences will help control the flow of sensitive technology in line with international agreements.
Wireless data consumption in the United States reached over 100 trillion megabytes in 2023, marking a 36% rise from the previous year, according to a survey by the wireless industry association CTIA. The increase of 26 trillion MBs is largely driven by the growing adoption of 5G devices and a rise in wireless connections, which totalled 558 million, up 6% from 2022.
As more industries, including drones, self-driving vehicles, and space exploration, rely on wireless technology, the demand for spectrum continues to soar. However, challenges remain, with Congress having let the Federal Communications Commission’s spectrum auction authority lapse in March 2023, the first time in 30 years.
CTIA CEO Meredith Attwell Baker highlighted the urgency for more licensed spectrum to support innovation and economic competitiveness. The Biden administration has made efforts to free up additional spectrum, but the pace has drawn criticism from Republicans who argue that the process is moving too slowly.
Despite the surge in wireless data usage, Americans spent slightly less time on phone calls, with minutes dropping from 2.5 trillion in 2022 to 2.4 trillion in 2023. Text messaging remained stable at 2.1 trillion messages.
