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This Industry Viewpoint was authored by Michael Bacon, Director of Enterprise Solutions Marketing, Accedian

Enterprises use service level agreements (SLAs) to define network service requirements and guide service assurance, but there is often a disconnect between the performance customers need and the performance a provider actually delivers and reports. This misalignment isn’t trivial. … [visit site to read more]

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news, articles, event and product updates posted on Developing Telecoms.
Subscribe to our FREE weekly email newsletters for the latest telecom info in developing and emerging markets globally.

The global network operator Arelion continues to invest in its North American footprint, adding diversity and depth to the company’s offerings. Yesterday they revealed plans to launch of a new fiber route between Denver and the San Francisco Bay Area. … [visit site to read more]

Underlining the massive streaming potential of the mobile phone user market in Africa, Wi-flix, described as the fastest-growing streaming platform in Africa, has expanded its presence to Zambia following the launch of packages with mobile telecommunications giant MTN.

MTN Zambia subscribers now have access to thousands of hours of unlimited premium content with the launch of Wi-flix in the Zambian market. Users can take advantage of daily, weekly, and monthly data packages starting at prices low enough to make the service accessible to all customer segments, according to Wi-flix.

Already available in Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria, the streaming service is now providing over 30,000 hours of entertainment to Zambian audiences.

Louis Manu, Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer of Wi-flix, points out that the partnership agreement with telecoms giant, MTN Zambia provides the company with “the opportunity to leverage on MTN’s recently deployed 5G high-speed internet connectivity”.

Bright Yeboah, Co-Founder & Chief Operations Officer of Wi-flix says, “Our presence in Zambia is instrumental in our mission to democratize content and ensure affordable premium entertainment is accessible to everyone on the continent and those in the diaspora,” He adds: “This also presents an opportunity for film producers, directors and aggregators in Zambia and elsewhere with quality content to monetize their works on our streaming platform.”

The Netherlands-based company, which launched in 2020, offers entertainment that can be accessed on mobile phones, tablets, smart TVs or streaming devices.

Some new metro fiber, some financing, an integration update, and a buildout update: … [visit site to read more]

India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is reportedly planning to carry out  another round of 5G spectrum auctions in January and February next year. Spectrum in 11 bands, ranging from 600MHz to above 37GHz, is likely to be put up for sale.

Limited competition for spectrum is predicted. Only Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel are expected to be involved, indicating subdued bidding intensity and a quick end to the next auction. Vodafone Idea (Vi) has cash flow issues, so probably won’t participate.

Adani Group is also unlikely to compete again. In fact it acquired 26GHz millimetre wave spectrum in August 2022, which required it to start offering service within a year and has yet to do so, though it had been assumed it would roll out private 5G network services.

A lot of useful spectrum has gone already. As we reported at the time, in August last year market leader Reliance Jio led the way with acquisitions of spectrum in the 700MHz, 800MHz, 1800MHz, 3300MHz and 26GHz bands at a cost of Rs88,078 crore (some US$11.2 billion) out of a little over US$19 billion spent by all participants.

That said, Bharti Airtel and Vi have permits expiring in 2024 in some areas of the country, so this could influence their approach to the auction. 

In addition, this is, it seems, the first time that spectrum in the bands above 37GHz has been put up for sale.

It’s also worth mentioning that state-run operator BSNL is seeking spectrum in 700MHz, 3300MHz and 26GHz bands. Apparently, after a decision is made on how much spectrum needs to be given to the state-owned company, the remaining unsold spectrum will be put up for sale.