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.
Global semiconductor sales surged in Q3 2024, with a 23.2% year-over-year growth and a 10.7% quarter-over-quarter increase, fueled by rising demand from industries like AI, big data, and electric vehicles. Countries around the world, including China, the US, and the EU, are investing heavily in semiconductor development to secure a competitive edge in the global chip market.
The EU is focusing on photonic technology, committing €133 million to establish a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) pilot line in the Netherlands by 2025. This initiative aims to enhance Europe’s position in the growing photonic chip market, driven by the demand for more efficient data transmission for cloud computing and AI applications.
Japan has also made a significant move, announcing a ¥10 trillion ($65 billion) investment by 2030 to support its semiconductor and AI industries. This funding is part of a broader strategy to boost chip production and innovation, with a focus on the collaboration between Rapidus, IBM, and Belgium’s Imec.
South Korea is ramping up its semiconductor support through a proposed Semiconductor Special Act, which includes financial backing and workweek exemptions for semiconductor manufacturers. The bill reflects the country’s commitment to strengthening its semiconductor industry, with plans for a ₩26 trillion funding initiative and an ₩800 billion fund to support the semiconductor ecosystem by 2027.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has called for an economic partnership agreement with the European Union, emphasising the need for collaboration in semiconductors and shared democratic values. Speaking at a Taiwan-EU investment forum in Taipei, Lai highlighted the importance of secure supply chains and stronger ties to counter growing authoritarian threats.
The EU, under its European Chips Act, has sought to deepen cooperation with Taiwan to boost semiconductor production and reduce reliance on Asia. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s (TSMC) new chip plant in Dresden, Germany, underscores Taiwan’s role in strengthening European industry and supply chains.
While Maria Martin-Prat of the European Commission praised Taiwan as a trusted economic partner in her video address to the forum, she did not mention plans for a formal agreement. Taiwan, diplomatically isolated from most global organisations, has been pursuing trade deals with like-minded partners, recently securing an Enhanced Trade Partnership with Britain and seeking membership in the CPTPP.
Foxconn, the world’s leading contract electronics manufacturer, is set to report a 7% year-on-year rise in third-quarter profit, driven by strong demand for AI servers. The company, best known for assembling Apple‘s iPhones, posted its highest-ever quarterly revenue, with a 20% increase from the previous year, attributed to booming AI-related sales. Foxconn’s net profit for July-September is expected to reach T$46.3 billion, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of profit growth.
In addition to its positive financial performance, Foxconn continues to expand its operations globally. It is building the world’s largest manufacturing facility in Mexico, dedicated to bundling Nvidia’s GB200 superchips for next-generation computing platforms. The company’s optimistic outlook is reflected in record-breaking sales for October and expectations of further revenue growth in the fourth quarter.
Foxconn‘s share price has surged more than 100% in 2024, significantly outperforming the broader market. The company will update its full-year outlook during its earnings call on Thursday, where it is expected to provide additional insights into the continued growth of its AI business.
MasOrange, Telefónica, Vodafone, and the i2CAT research centre have introduced Europe’s first multi-operator Open Gateway API lab. The lab provides a developer-friendly environment that simplifies creating and testing applications using standardised telecom APIs. This initiative, part of the global GSMA-led Open Gateway programme, focuses on turning telecommunications networks into programmable platforms, enhancing industry-wide collaboration.
Operating under the CAMARA open-source framework, the lab is designed to accelerate API adoption, encouraging joint use cases and performance consistency. i2CAT will play a critical role in ensuring API integration and developing new capabilities tailored to industry demands.
Víctor del Pozo of MasOrange described Open Gateway as a transformative step for designing and marketing digital services, while Telefónica‘s Irene Bernal emphasised the lab’s potential for multi-operator cooperation and driving opportunities across the digital ecosystem. The collaboration is seen as a pioneering public-private partnership, showcasing Spain‘s leadership in fostering digital innovation.
Sergi Figuerola of i2CAT noted the significance of integrating cutting-edge research into telecom network platforms, highlighting the lab as a model for technological collaboration. Through strategic cooperation, the lab will enhance digital services and create a more unified and efficient telecom infrastructure across Europe.
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.
Meta Platforms is gearing up to introduce advertising to its Threads app early next year, aiming to tap into a new revenue stream while competing with X (formerly Twitter). The Information reported that a limited number of advertisers will be allowed to publish ads on Threads starting in January, with the initiative spearheaded by Instagram’s advertising team. Threads, which launched in July 2023 amidst the upheaval at X under Elon Musk’s ownership, has rapidly grown to 275 million monthly active users, as announced by CEO Mark Zuckerberg in October.
Despite the app’s quick expansion, Meta remains cautious about its immediate profitability. CFO Susan Li, during a recent post-earnings call, indicated that Threads is not expected to be a significant revenue driver by 2025. She emphasised that the company is prioritising consumer value, and monetisation features are not yet a primary focus. A Meta spokesperson echoed this sentiment, confirming that Threads currently has no ads or monetisation strategies.
The timing for the introduction of ads on Threads could be opportune, given the instability at X. Since Elon Musk‘s acquisition of X, the platform has experienced disruptions and a decline in ad revenue, as some advertisers feared their brands could appear alongside controversial or harmful content. Musk’s management style and significant policy changes prompted many brands to reconsider ad spending on the site. Notably, X has taken legal action against a global advertising alliance and some major companies, accusing them of conspiring to boycott the platform and contributing to revenue losses.
Meta‘s plans to monetise Threads come as it seeks to entice disillusioned advertisers from X. However, the company is carefully balancing the need to develop Threads as a welcoming and user-friendly environment while exploring advertising opportunities. The rollout of ads and additional features is set to shape how Threads evolves as a major social media contender in the years to come.
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.
Europe’s largest tech company, ASML, projected an annual sales growth of 8% to 14% over the next five years, driven by strong demand for its advanced chip-making tools amid a global boom in AI. ASML’s CEO Christophe Fouquet highlighted the company’s advanced EUV technology as pivotal in meeting the growing AI demand, positioning the firm well for continued profitability.
Ahead of its investor day in the Netherlands, ASML forecasted revenue between €44 billion and €60 billion by 2030, with stable gross margins between 56% and 60%, reassuring analysts who had been concerned by recent earnings shortfalls. The company’s shares rose by 2.6% in early trading, buoyed by its steady outlook on AI-driven growth despite weaker demand in other chip segments.
ASML faces challenges in China, where US and Dutch export restrictions prevent it from selling its most advanced EUV and certain DUV tools. However, ASML continues to supply older DUV models to Chinese buyers, even as China’s share of ASML’s total sales has dropped significantly.
Amazon has launched ‘Amazon Haul,’ a low-cost shopping service aimed at capturing budget-conscious consumers in the US The platform offers a range of products priced primarily under $10, with some items starting at just $1. Accessible through the Amazon app, the service caters to customers looking for affordable essentials and aligns Amazon with popular discount rivals like Temu and Shein.
The move comes as Amazon adapts to changing consumer habits, with CEO Andy Jassy noting a shift toward cheaper items and basic goods. Available via an app update, users can explore ‘Haul’ by simply searching for it within the Amazon interface. The company hopes this initiative will appeal to customers seeking value in a tightening economy.
By tapping into the growing market for low-cost ecommerce, Amazon aims to strengthen its position against rising competition from Chinese platforms. With its vast product range and customer base, ‘Amazon Haul’ could redefine how Americans shop for everyday low-cost items.
