Stakeholders are urging a concerted effort to close Africa’s digital infrastructure gap, which is seen as a critical factor for the continent’s economic growth and prosperity. Specifically, the disparity between Africa’s large population and its small contribution to global GDP underscores the need for enhanced digital connectivity.
Stakeholders believe that Africa can unlock its economic potential and improve its overall quality of life by addressing infrastructure deficiencies, such as the significant fibre network gaps. Therefore, they advocate for increased investment in broadband services and expanded fibre networks to drive sustainable development and technological advancement.
Industry leaders call on governments and private sector entities to collaborate more effectively in creating supportive regulatory frameworks for digital infrastructure. In particular, such regulations are essential for fostering investment and ensuring that digital growth is rapid and sustainable. Governments, regulatory bodies, and businesses can develop policies that promote fair competition and infrastructure expansion by working together. Consequently, this collaborative approach is crucial for overcoming existing barriers and enabling Africa to leverage digital technology for enhanced innovation and economic opportunities.
Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP) is poised to transform the digital landscape across Eastern Africa by enhancing connectivity and accessibility. The initiative aims to bridge the digital divide by expanding high-speed internet and modern communication systems to rural and underserved areas.
By lowering the cost of internet access, particularly in landlocked countries where prices are higher, EARDIP will make digital services more affordable and accessible. This expansion is crucial for ensuring more people can participate in the digital economy and improving access to essential services such as e-commerce, online education, and telemedicine.
Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP) also focuses on creating a unified digital framework to strengthen regional integration and enhance cybersecurity. The project will establish a comprehensive digital network and harmonise ICT regulations to facilitate smoother cross-border communication and trade. Additionally, it will implement a regional cybersecurity framework to protect digital infrastructure and users from threats.
By developing interoperable payment systems and supporting legal frameworks for remote transactions, EARDIP aims to make cross-border trade more efficient and cost-effective. These efforts will promote a more cohesive regional market, drive economic growth, and position Eastern Africa as a competitive player in the global digital economy.
The Somali government is committed to enhancing its digital infrastructure by strengthening the regulatory framework for submarine cable landings. That initiative is part of a broader strategy to align Somalia’s telecommunications policies with international standards and support the country’s economic development objectives.
To advance this goal, the National Communications Authority (NCA), in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), has organised a consultation workshop from 10 September to 11. The workshop focuses on critical issues such as licensing, environmental considerations, and infrastructure sharing, aiming to create a more robust and efficient regulatory environment for submarine cables.
As Somalia is already connected by five international submarine cables—2Africa, Djibouti Africa Regional Express 1 (DARE 1), Eastern Africa Submarine System (EASSy), Gulf2Africa (G2A), and PEACE—and is set to join the Africa-1 cable network by late 2024, the government’s regulatory improvements are poised to bolster the country’s digital connectivity significantly. The enhanced framework aims to streamline the process of introducing additional submarine cables, which is expected to lower internet costs and broaden access.
The World Bank’s research indicates that each doubling of international capacity typically results in a 7% reduction in fixed broadband prices and a 13% decrease in mobile internet costs. These changes will make internet services more affordable and accessible, fostering greater economic growth and social development across Somalia.
The GSMA and Connect Europe underscore the urgent need for Europe to enhance its digital infrastructure to remain globally competitive. They highlight that current over-regulation and structural issues are stifling investment and innovation within the telecom sector.
Supporting Mario Draghi’s recommendations, they advocate for a revised EU Telecoms Act and a new industrial strategy to create a more conducive environment for growth. Furthermore, they emphasise the importance of scaling the telecom sector to effectively compete with major global players such as the US and China. Reforms to merger regulations are essential to prevent Europe from falling further behind in the global digital economy.
Reducing regulatory burdens is also needed to better align with market dynamics, promote investment, and encourage innovation. This includes implementing fair competition rules for telecom operators and Big Tech companies to ensure equitable commercial outcomes.
The GSMA and Connect Europe also urge the adoption of harmonised spectrum licensing procedures across member states to stimulate growth and encourage cross-border investment. They advocate for longer-duration licenses and fewer restrictions to create a unified market and enhance regulatory alignment. Additionally, they stress the need for immediate legislative action to address these issues, secure Europe’s digital and economic future, and prevent further decline in competitiveness in an increasingly digital and globalised world.
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.
Russia’s Digital Development Ministry has introduced a draft order proposing substantial discounts on the radio frequency spectrum for fifth-generation mobile networks (5G). Specifically, the policy aims to significantly reduce costs for telecom operators by setting discount ratios of 0.001 for the millimeter-wave range (24.25-29.5 GHz) and 0.1 for other frequency ranges. Consequently, operators will pay ten times less for low-frequency ranges and 1,000 times less for millimeter-wave frequencies compared to standard rates.
Furthermore, the ministry anticipates that these reductions will accelerate the development of 5G infrastructure. By lowering the costs associated with deploying new base stations and advancing technologies, the policy is designed to enhance communication quality and support industry growth. Thus, the initiative is expected to foster a more dynamic and technologically advanced telecom sector.
Russia’s Digital Development Ministry plans for this order to take effect on 1 January 2025. The policy builds upon a previous discount scheme for LTE frequencies, which resulted in savings of approximately 20 billion rubles annually for operators. With LTE technology now firmly established and covering over 90% of the population, the ministry has determined that additional support measures are no longer necessary, allowing for a focus on advancing 5G technology.
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.
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.
