Zimbabwe’s telecoms regulator is urging the government to introduce mandatory handset registration in a bid to tackle rising cybercrime and improve the safety of mobile money transactions.

Hasha Myambo, an engineer at the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), called for handset registration to complement the country’s existing SIM card database. He argued that this would enhance transaction security and help rebuild trust in Zimbabwe’s digital infrastructure.

While SIM card registration has been in place since 2013, Myambo is advocating for the creation of a national database of mobile phone IMEI numbers. He noted that this could play a crucial role in combating fraud, especially as more unconnected users come online and become vulnerable to digital threats.

One of the key benefits of the proposed system, according to Myambo, would be the ability to block lost or stolen handsets from accessing mobile networks – helping to curb device theft and unauthorised use.

Myambo also highlighted that POTRAZ is working with ICT stakeholders and other regulators to develop a national strategy aimed at integrating ICT into economic and social development. He added that the regulator is shifting away from a “command and control” model in favour of a more collaborative approach to drive Zimbabwe’s digital economy forward.

This Industry Viewpoint was authored by Avishay Shraga, Sr. Director (CTO), Head of Security Technologies at Sony Semiconductor Israel

The key to modern asymmetric cryptography is to create an equation that is easy to solve in one direction but difficult to reverse by an adversary in the other direction. Traditionally, this was done through modular arithmetic, where a large prime modulus and a generator were used to generate a key, although … [visit site to read more]

Inflight connectivity tech firm SkyFive says it has signed a MoU with Kazakh telecoms operator Freedom Telecom to provide inflight connectivity to airlines and other aircraft operators using SkyFive’s air-to-ground (A2G) solution.

Under the deal, SkyFive and Freedom Telecom will deploy A2G coverage for Kazakhstan’s main air route, which they say is also a key overflight corridor for routes between Europe and Asia. 

Skyfive said this will enable foreign airlines equipped with A2G to seamlessly roam into the new network, which will be compatible with other SkyFive A2G networks.  

SkyFive CCO Dirk Lindemeier said the deal marks its entry into the Central Asian aviation market. 

“Kazakhstan is important in its own right, represents a significant step toward a contiguous A2G corridor across the Eurasian supercontinent, and is a major addition to our global A2G footprint,” he said in a statement on Tuesday. 

SkyFive – which was spun off from Nokia in 2019 – has launched services across Europe and has established an A2G network in Saudi Arabia. It is developing others in Australia, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey, according to Aviation Week. 

In October 2024, SkyFive and Viasat signed of a roaming agreement between the European Aviation Network (EAN) and SkyFive’s Middle East networks.  

Freedom Telecom received regulatory approvals to provide A2G connectivity earlier this year. Freedom Telecom CEO Kairat Akhmetov said that its A2G deal ties into its broader strategy to provide connectivity to airports across the country. 

“Freedom Telecom has already provided free Wi-Fi coverage to the international airports of Almaty and Astana, and we are committed to extending connectivity to all airports across Kazakhstan by the end of this year, » Akhmetov said.  

Freedom Telecom says it has already launched free Wi-Fi in 150 locations across Kazakhstan, with plans to achieve blanket Wi-Fi coverage across all cities.

The operator also said it has constructed over 2,500 km of fibre infrastructure and connected 24,000 households to high-speed broadband internet in the last two years.

In February, Freedom Telecom said it was investing around US$200 million to develop a “West-East” fiber-optic hyper-highway and Tier-4 data centers in a bid to position Kazakhstan as an alternative route for international data transit between Europe and East Asia. The project is slated for completion sometime in 2026.

ICT solutions and smart devices giant Huawei, and Ektech, a solutions distributor, have announced a partnership to develop the internet service provider (ISP) market in Brazil.

The announcement was made at a special certification ceremony held at Huawei’s headquarters in São Paulo.

The collaboration aims to strengthen the infrastructure of regional ISPs by offering access to innovative technologies and high-performance connectivity solutions. With a portfolio that includes connectivity solutions for next-generation fibre optic networks, the partners say the alliance will enable Brazilian ISPs to expand their coverage, optimise their services and offer higher-performance connections to end users.

The initiative will, they add, provide technical training, specialised support and joint initiatives to build capacity in the sector, ensuring that providers have access to the best practices and technologies available in the market. In addition, Huawei and Ektech will develop flexible and accessible business models, enabling ISPs of all sizes to modernise their operations and expand their services efficiently.

Patrick Canton, President of Ektech, highlighting the importance of the synergy between the two companies, says: « Huawei’s expertise in cutting-edge technologies, combined with our capillarity and knowledge of the local market, will allow Brazilian ISPs to have access to robust and efficient solutions, ensuring sustainable growth and greater competitiveness. »

Huawei has four business units in Brazil: a group dedicated to operators, which offers telecommunications equipment and infrastructure; one that meets the needs of the corporate market, providing ICT solutions and infrastructure; Huawei Cloud; and Huawei Digital Power, whose smart solutions are focused on the generation, distribution and storage of photovoltaic energy.

The company also develops projects in the area of smart automotive solutions and devices for the end consumer, such as smartwatches, routers and smartphones.

Five bits of FTTx news, one in the Midwest, one in the Midatlantic, and three in the UK from this week’s news: … [visit site to read more]

NBCC (India) Limited, a central public sector enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with RailTel Corporation, a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) or government-owned establishment under the Ministry of Railways, to collaborate on developing data centre projects.

The collaboration extends from concept to commissioning across India and overseas for a period of five years.

NBCC has Navratna status, a designation granting CPSEs enhanced financial and operational autonomy, allowing them to make larger investments and enter into international collaborations without needing government approval.

Formerly known as National Buildings Construction Corporation, NBCC’s operations include project management consultancy, engineering, procurement and construction, and real estate development.

RailTel meanwhile, is a PSU and one of the largest neutral telecom infrastructure and ICT solutions and services providers in the country, owning a pan-India optic fibre network covering several towns and cities and rural areas of the country.

Under the terms of the MoU, NBCC will offer project management consultancy services for the construction of data centre buildings and associated civil and passive infrastructure. RailTel will provide expertise in planning, designing, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, and operations and maintenance of IT-related infrastructure for the data centres.

This collaboration is designed to leverage the core competencies of both organisations, enabling them to supplement each other’s capabilities and enhance client acquisition and service delivery efficiency on a long-term, sustainable basis.

It seems as if a day doesn’t go by without another billion dollar data center campus project getting announced. But yesterday we saw one go the other way all of a sudden. Microsoft has pulled back from its plans to build three data center campuses in the Columbus OH metro area. … [visit site to read more]

Poland-based telecoms infrastructure company Emitel has signed an agreement with Orange to build several hundred new mobile towers across the country.

In a statement, Emitel said the new towers will be used for the installation of base stations and other telecommunications equipment. The infrastructure will be rolled out nationwide under a Build-to-Suit model over the coming years.

“We are pleased that Orange Polska has once again placed its trust in us by commissioning a significant infrastructure project,” said Emitel CEO Maciej Pilipczuk. “As an experienced technology partner, we guarantee the highest standards of execution and efficiency in delivering even the most demanding investments.”

As of the end of 2024, Emitel operated 762 towers and counts all of Poland’s major mobile network operators as tenants.

“Our many years of experience in building and managing telecommunications infrastructure enable us to support the expansion of mobile networks in Poland, meeting the growing needs of both operators and end users,” Pilipczuk added.

Two infrastructure expansion projects and two customer wins; … [visit site to read more]

Finnish development financier and impact investor Finnfund says it has closed a US$5million equity investment with Netwey, a Mexican internet service provider (ISP), to expand its fibre optic network and improve internet accessibility.

This investment, says Finnfund, aims to bring unlimited high-speed internet to more low-income households, bridging the digital divide. The digital infrastructure and solutions sector is one of Finnfund’s key strategic priorities and its most rapidly growing sector, although this is the group’s first digital sector investment in Latin America.

The investment is part of a US$10 million equity round in collaboration with IDB Invest, a multilateral development bank committed to promoting the economic development of its member countries in Latin America and the Caribbean through the private sector.

As Finnfund explains, more than 21 million Mexican households in underserved areas lack adequate internet access, with many in lower socioeconomic tiers. It agrees that significant investments have been made in fibre optic infrastructure but says that these investments have been largely concentrated in high-income urban centres, leaving a significant part of the country underserved.

The aim, therefore, is to broaden Netwey’s fibre optic network, enabling more low-income households to access high-speed internet. Increasing digital connectivity, Finnfund says, supports economic growth, facilitates inclusive access to critical services, and provides possibilities for small businesses to connect with global value chains.