TechPression

Tag: internet connectivity

  • NIGCOMSAT and Hotspot partner to expand internet connectivity in rural Nigeria

    NIGCOMSAT and Hotspot partner to expand internet connectivity in rural Nigeria

    Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited has joined forces with Hotspot to bring high-speed internet access to rural and underserved communities across Nigeria. This partnership addresses the digital divide by leveraging advanced satellite technology and specialized rural connectivity solutions.

    Read also: Kenya unveils Jitume Digital Hub to equip youths with tech skills

    Launching in Rural Areas Soon

    The collaboration will roll out in phases, with the first phase set to launch within the next six months. Targeting select rural areas, the initiative promises to enhance internet connectivity using the NigComSat-1R Ka-Band platform.

    This effort is supported by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), which emphasizes the commitment to extend reliable internet services to the most remote parts of Nigeria.

    Bridging the Digital Divide

    Aisha Bantam, Assistant General Manager of Corporate Affairs at NIGCOMSAT, highlighted the significance of this partnership, stating, “By combining NIGCOMSAT’s extensive satellite infrastructure and Hotspot’s expertise in rural connectivity, this partnership will empower communities to bridge the digital divide and unlock new opportunities for socioeconomic development.

    At NIGCOMSAT, we are committed to leveraging our technological capabilities to drive digital transformation and improve the lives of Nigerians, especially those in underserved regions.”

    Commitment to Connectivity

    Mrs. Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, Managing Director and CEO of NIGCOMSAT Limited, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to ensuring no community is left behind in the digital age. “This collaboration with Hotspot highlights our unwavering dedication to connecting the unconnected and ensuring that no community is left behind in the digital age,” she stated.

    Hotspot’s CEO, Engineer Morenikeji Aniye, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, noting, “We are thrilled to work alongside NIGCOMSAT in this endeavour. At Hotspot, connecting the millions of unconnected persons remains a cardinal objective of our mission.

    By combining our expertise and resources, we can deploy innovative solutions that bring reliable and affordable internet access to rural communities, empowering them to participate fully in the digital economy and access essential services.”

    Read also: TLcom Capital secures $154M to expand to Egypt

    Future Prospects

    Hotspot has proposed targeting many rural communities across Nigeria with this service. The partnership between NIGCOMSAT and Hotspot represents a significant step towards digital inclusivity, providing essential internet connectivity to areas that have long been underserved.

    This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and foster socioeconomic development by enabling access to information, education, and essential online services.

    As the project progresses, the combined efforts of NIGCOMSAT and Hotspot will play a crucial role in transforming the digital landscape of rural Nigeria, ensuring that every community can thrive in the digital era.

  • Fibocom unveils FG360-MEA to enhance connectivity in the Middle East and Africa

    Fibocom unveils FG360-MEA to enhance connectivity in the Middle East and Africa

    Fibocom, a global leader in IoT wireless solutions and wireless communication modules, has introduced a regional version of the FG360 5G module series, specifically designed to cater to the frequency bands in the Middle East and Africa. 

    The variant, known as FG360-MEA, promises to empower telecom operators and device manufacturers to swiftly and cost-effectively deploy 5G solutions across the region.

    Read also: Huawei Kenya offers internet connectivity to special schools

    FG360-MEA: A High-Performance 5G Marvel

    The Fibocom  FG360-MEA is a high-performance Sub-6GHz 5G module, meticulously tailored for the Middle East and Africa markets. With optional configurations of 6 or 8 antennas, as well as 2 x 2.5G SGMII and 4 x PCIe Gen 3 interface settings, this module provides customers with the flexibility to design hardware that aligns with the diverse demands of these markets. Leveraging the Carrier Aggregation (CA) capability with a bandwidth of 200MHz, FG360-MEA delivers an unparalleled 5G experience characterized by increased speed, greater capacity, and reduced network latency. This is particularly beneficial for a wide array of terminals, including Customer Premises Equipment (CPE),  gateways, routers, industrial devices, medical equipment and Outdoor Unit (ODU).

    ODUs, are at the heart of the 5G revolution in MEA. These units are responsible for bridging the gap between 5G networks and end-users. ODUs are designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity even in remote and challenging locations.

    Revolutionizing 5G Connectivity in MEA

    The Middle East and Africa region is witnessing a robust surge in 5G subscriptions, driven by the growing demand for high bandwidth, low latency services, and the availability of cost-effective devices. This transformation is being led by a diverse range of devices and equipment, including outdoor units (ODU), gateways, routers, industrial devices, and medical equipment. The confluence of these innovations is set to usher in a new era of seamless connectivity, propelling MEA into the forefront of technological advancement.

    Ericsson’s Mobility Report, released in June 2023, predicts that 5G subscriptions will account for 32 percent of the total by 2028, with more countries issuing licenses and spectrum to enable 5G network investment. By launching the FG360-MEA, Fibocom takes significant strides toward enriching the 5G module solution, contributing to the acceleration of 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) commercialization in the Middle East and Africa markets.

    Boosting Connectivity with 5G + Wi-Fi 6

    The FG360-MEA module offers end devices the advantage of dramatically faster wireless connections through the combination of high-speed 5G and Wi-Fi 6. This is achieved by addressing the configurations of MT7915+MT7975, reaching speeds of up to AX1800/AX3600. Notably, engineering samples of FG360-MEA are now available for further exploration and adoption.

    Fibocom’s Commitment to Local Markets

    Lars Thyroff, General Manager of Fibocom Wireless EU GmbH, expressed pride in the launch of FG360-MEA, emphasizing the company’s dedication to providing innovative wireless solutions to the Middle East and Africa region. He stated, “By adopting multiple optimizations on FG360-MEA, the module solution will bring Gigabit wireless experience to both individual and enterprise users in the local market.”

    About Fibocom: Empowering Connectivity Across Industries

    Fibocom stands as a global leader in wireless communication modules and solutions, holding the distinction of being the first wireless communication module provider listed on China A-shares stock market (stock code: 300638).

    The company offers a comprehensive one-stop solution for various industries by integrating wireless communication modules and IoT solutions. With over two decades of experience in M2M and IoT communication technology, Fibocom is well-equipped to deliver reliable, secure, and intelligent connectivity services across industries. Their product portfolio includes cellular modules (5G/4G/3G/2G/LPWA), automotive-grade modules, AI modules, android-smart modules, GNSS modules, and antenna services. Together, they aim to empower digital transformation across industries such as ACPC (Always Connected PC), mobile broadband, smart retail, C-V2X, robotics, smart energy, IIoT, smart cities, smart agriculture, smart home, telemedicine, and more.

  • Senegal arrests Starlink marketers, suspends internet connectivity

    Senegal arrests Starlink marketers, suspends internet connectivity

    A week after cutting down access to the internet for the second time in two months, the government of Senegal is arresting those selling Starlink throughout the country for “illegally providing internet access and irregular marketing.” 

    The government cites these offenses as “illegal provision of internet access and irregular marketing.” 

    On Monday, the government of Senegal took five people into custody for selling Starlink terminals without having the necessary permit or authorization to do so. The five individuals who were apprehended by the Department of Urban Security of the National Police face a possible maximum sentence of five years in jail and a fine of sixty million CFA ($100,000). 

    In addition, the authority that regulates telecommunications has issued a warning to any service providers marketing Starlink as well as any other company with actions comparable to those of Starlink, instructing them to immediately suspend all service throughout the nation.

    A clean view of the sky is the only need for using the Starlink internet system that was built by SpaceX, an American private space exploration corporation founded by Elon Musk. Starlink is capable of delivering download speeds of up to 150 Mbps and only requires the user to have a view of the sky. 

    Read also: Senegal bans TikTok for “threatening national stability.”

    Starlink usage in Senegal

    Because of its terminals, Senegalese people would be able to access the internet through satellite, eliminating the requirement for a telecom provider in their country. Users of Starlink would still be able to connect to the internet even in the event that the government once again made the decision to shut down the internet. On the other hand, Starlink’s website indicates that the internet service provider is not now available in Senegal. 

    This arrest comes after a string of crackdowns by the Senegalese government, which has repeatedly limited its citizens’ access to the internet in an effort to exert more authority over its people. After demonstrations broke out in response to the arrest of a prominent opposition politician named Ousmane Sonko a month ago, the government took measures to limit access to the internet. Following Sonko’s re-arrest from the previous week, the government also temporarily blocked access to the internet. 

    According to Moussa Bocar Thiam, the country’s minister of communications, telecommunications, and digital economy, the ban on TikTok was lifted by the government last week, but it was reinstated the following day because the app is “favoured by people with bad intentions to spread hateful and subversive messages.” TikTok was banned because of this reason. 

    Senegal launches 5G commercially

    Internet shut down in Senegal

    In July, the government of Senegal had cut down access to the internet, citing the necessity of doing so in order to maintain public order. Telephone operators were forced to comply with the shutdown, according to a statement that was signed by Moussa Bocar Thiam, the minister of Communications, telephones, and Digital Economy, and uploaded on Twitter. 

    The statement stated, “Due to the dissemination of hateful and subversive messages relayed on social media in a context of disturbance to public order, the internet’s mobile data is temporarily suspended during certain time slots from Monday, July 31, 2023.”. 

    A prominent member of the opposition, Ousmane Sonko, was taken into custody the Friday prior.

    After Sonko’s detention, the government of Senegal disconnected the country’s internet connection at the beginning of June. The number of people using the internet in Senegal decreased by 37% compared to the day before, and for some carriers, it was almost at zero. As a result of the government shutdown in June, the United States reportedly lost an average of $300,000 each hour.