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.
The South African government is advancing its digital infrastructure through significant updates to network power grid standards and 5G technology. The introduction of the draft standard SANS 61850-8-1:20XX Ed 2.1 represents an important step in modernising power grids to enhance efficiency and communication.
The following standard integrates advanced technologies such as GOOSE (Generic Object Oriented Substation Event), SMV (Sampled Measured Value), PRP (Parallel Redundancy Protocol), and HSR (High-availability Seamless Redundancy), which will improve the reliability and security of power systems while supporting modern networking technologies like IPv6.
In parallel, the draft standard SANS 301908-24:2024 Ed 1 focuses on advancing 5G technology by specifying the technical requirements and measurement methods for 5G base stations. Aligning with 3GPP Release 15, this standard features Massive MIMO for handling numerous simultaneous connections, Beamforming to enhance signal quality and reduce interference, and a focus on power efficiency to support greener, more energy-efficient 5G networks. These updates collectively aim to modernise South Africa’s digital infrastructure, ensuring more reliable power systems and faster, more efficient 5G connectivity.
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released its regulatory fee schedule for fiscal year 2024, targeting a collection of $390 million. The FCC has introduced favourable terms for instalment payments to ease the financial impact, including reduced interest rates and removing down payments due to the significant increase in fees from the previous year.
Fee payors requesting waivers, reductions, deferrals, or instalment payments must provide detailed financial documentation with their applications. Concurrently, the FCC is conducting its annual assessment under Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act to evaluate the deployment of advanced telecommunications capabilities across the US, seeking input on broadband metrics, speed benchmarks, and methodologies for identifying unserved areas.
Additionally, the FCC proposes new rules to enhance consumer protection against illegal and unwanted calls and texts, including expanded blocking requirements and a new SIP code 603+ for notifying blocked calls on IP networks. The proposed rules also include penalties for providers that fail to prevent the use of their networks for illegal calls.
In other regulatory matters, the FCC is considering changes to the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) framework to improve federal protection and commercial spectrum access in the 3.5 GHz band, with comments due by early October and replies by early November 2024. The Commission is also evaluating a proposal to allow non-geostationary satellites to operate in the 17.3-17.8 GHz band, aligning US regulations with international standards and managing shared use with geostationary satellites and terrestrial services.
Nokia has partnered with Team Telecom Armenia to deploy its 25G PON (Passive Optical Network) fibre technology. The initiative aims to deliver ultra-high-speed broadband with symmetrical speeds of up to 20 Gb/s, specifically targeting business-to-business (B2B) subscribers. The 25G PON solution supports a wide range of PON technologies, from GPON to 25G PON, providing considerable flexibility for network operators and allowing them to tailor their networks to various needs.
This technology, powered by Nokia’s Quillion chipset, enables Team Telecom Armenia to utilise its existing fibre infrastructure while addressing the growing demand for higher capacity and improved broadband services. The upgrade will enhance connectivity and support advanced applications such as enterprise solutions, 5G mobile transport, and network wholesaling, meeting the increasing need for high-performance network features.
Nokia’s senior vice president for network infrastructure, Matthieu Bourguignon, emphasised that this collaboration represents a significant advancement in ultra-high-speed broadband for the Caucasus and Central Asia regions. He highlighted the initiative’s dual impact: improving connectivity for individuals and businesses in Armenia and contributing to the country’s broader economic and social development.
Similarly, Hayk Yesayan from Team Telecom Armenia noted the project’s role in setting new standards for internet speed and reliability in Armenia, stressing the commitment to future-proofing the network and ensuring superior online experiences for customers now and in the future.
Brazil enhanced its commitment to digital inclusion and connectivity at the G20 meeting on the Digital Economy in Maceió. The Brazilian government is driving significant projects such as the National Strategy for Connected Schools, which aims to connect 138,000 public schools by 2026.
The following initiative demonstrates Brazil’s dedication to integrating educational institutions into the digital landscape and providing students access to essential digital resources. Additionally, Brazil is developing new metrics to evaluate the economic accessibility of digital services, ensuring that connectivity is widespread and affordable for all socioeconomic groups.
Brazil also enhances its focus on emerging technologies like AI and blockchain as part of its broader digital strategy. At the meeting, discussions are centred on effectively leveraging these technologies while addressing cybersecurity and data protection challenges. Brazil is advocating for the establishment of international standards to guide the responsible use of these technologies, aiming to build global trust and confidence.
Why does this matter?
The dual approach, improving digital infrastructure and regulating emerging technologies, reflects Brazil’s commitment to advancing global digital equity and fostering sustainable growth.
The Philippine President has directed the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to prioritise connectivity in remote and isolated areas of the Philippines. That initiative is part of the National Digital Connectivity Plan (NDCP) 2024-2028, which will serve as the strategic blueprint for achieving comprehensive digital connectivity across the country.
The focus is establishing connectivity in underserved regions as a foundational step before expanding further. To implement this plan, Marcos has suggested rolling out free Wi-Fi in designated areas and utilising government facilities to create a market for telecommunications companies. This approach aims to integrate Wi-Fi costs into government budgets once connectivity is established. By leveraging government facilities such as barangay offices and local government units, the initiative intends to stimulate demand and support for telecommunications infrastructure.
The $288 million Philippine Digital Infrastructure Project is a significant component of the plan, which Marcos has approved. Funded by the World Bank, this project aims to complete the national fibre backbone and extend high-speed internet to disadvantaged areas. It involves the construction of a public broadband network designed to enhance digital infrastructure nationwide.
As of July, the DICT has made notable progress, with 13,462 free Wi-Fi sites established across various cities and municipalities, benefiting approximately 9.8 million Filipinos. This initiative is supported by Republic Act 10929, which mandates free internet access in public places, including hospitals, transport terminals, and government offices, ensuring broader access to digital resources.
Huawei is significantly contributing to Malawi’s digital transformation through its comprehensive Smart Village Program, which aims to bridge the digital divide in rural areas. This program integrates smart agriculture technologies, expands access to financial services, and enhances education and healthcare through digital solutions.
As part of this initiative, Huawei will establish technical training centres in rural regions to equip young people with crucial digital skills in AI, cybersecurity, and smart agriculture. That effort is a key component of Huawei’s larger $430 million investment plan for Africa, which includes funding for cloud development, talent development, and long-term technological progress.
The initiative supports Malawi’s MW2063 agenda, which envisions transforming the country into an industrialised upper-middle-income nation by 2063. It also builds on previous collaborations, such as the launch of Malawi’s National Data Centre in 2022, marking a significant advancement in the nation’s digital infrastructure.
In addition to Malawi, Huawei’s regional impact extends to other African countries, including Zambia and Uganda, where it is involved in smart village projects, and Kenya, where it contributes to smart city initiatives. These efforts aim to enhance connectivity and drive technological innovation across the continent.
Kuwait is set to introduce 5G technology by the end of 2024. Specifically, telecommunications companies will roll out the new service on a coordinated date once all preparations are completed and approvals are granted by the Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA).
To operate 5G services, mobile operators must secure a license costing $1 million, with payment required within six months of the license issuance. Additionally, the frequency bands allocated for this new technology are 2600 MHz and 2300 MHz, utilising a dual access system with time division. Consequently, operators must adhere to specific terms, conditions, and annual licensing fees as part of their operational obligations.
The following move is part of Kuwait’s broader Vision 2035, which aims to enhance the country’s digital services and user experiences across various sectors. By phasing out 3G services by 2025 and preparing to introduce new frequencies and 5G-Advanced, Kuwait is strategically positioning itself as a leader in global technology.
Why does this matter?
Moreover, the initiative underscores Kuwait’s commitment to modernising its telecommunications infrastructure. This modernisation is essential for supporting the country’s ambitious digital transformation and technological advancement goals, aligning with its Vision 2035 objectives.
Mobily is leveraging AI to revolutionise the telecommunications industry, particularly in the Middle East. By aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, Mobily is using AI to drive growth and innovation. The company’s AI-driven solutions improve network efficiency, enhance customer experience, and boost business agility, positioning Mobily as a leader in the region’s telecom sector.
Through predictive maintenance, Mobily ensures network reliability, while AI-powered customer service chatbots and analytics platforms optimise performance and provide personalised services to meet the growing demands of digital consumers. Mobily also places a strong emphasis on enhancing the customer experience through AI. The company uses AI to offer personalised support, analyse customer data to deliver tailored recommendations, anticipate needs, and provide proactive service. AI-powered tools like chatbots and virtual assistants streamline customer service, resulting in faster response times and improved satisfaction.
Additionally, Mobily ensures its use of AI adheres to strict ethical standards, prioritising data privacy, transparency, and fairness. With robust encryption, user consent practices, and bias mitigation strategies, Mobily safeguards customer information while building trust through ethical AI use.
Mobily also focuses on building and developing AI talent. The company collaborates with universities to create internship programs and invests in continuous learning initiatives for its employees, fostering a culture of innovation and ensuring that the organisation stays ahead in AI advancements. Furthermore, Mobily emphasises cross-departmental collaboration to integrate AI effectively across marketing, operations, and other business units.
Portugal’s new centre-right government has upheld the previous administration’s ban on Chinese equipment in its 5G networks, citing security concerns. This move, initially imposed in May 2023 by the country’s cybersecurity board (CSSC), also applies to 4G platforms supporting 5G, dealing a setback to Chinese tech giant Huawei’s attempts to expand its presence in Portugal.
Infrastructure Minister Miguel Pinto Luz confirmed the continuation of the ban, emphasising the importance of maintaining security measures, especially in light of the growing geopolitical tensions between global powers. While Portugal’s position aligns closely with US policy, it is stricter than that of other European nations, as Huawei challenges the ban in court.
Telecom operators like Altice, NOS, and Vodafone have already opted not to use Huawei’s technology in their 5G networks. However, a recent study suggests the exclusion could cost Portugal’s economy over 1 billion euros, including significant replacement costs. The minister, however, downplayed the financial impact, stating operators have ample time to transition.
