Today’s telecom news includes announcements on Airtel, Axian Telecom, Wananchi Group, stc Group, Nokia, Orange, ZTE, among others.
WBA Appoints Boingo’s Derek Peterson as Chairman, AT&T’s Cameron Dunn as Co-Chair
The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) has announced leadership changes with the appointment of Dr. Derek Peterson, CTO of Boingo Wireless, as Chairman of the WBA Board of Directors, and Cameron Dunn, Assistant Vice President – In-Building Solutions at AT&T, as Co-Chair.
Dr. Peterson, a WBA board member since 2012 and Acting Chair since July 2025, will lead efforts to advance the organization’s mission of enabling seamless, interoperable Wi-Fi experiences worldwide. At Boingo, he drives innovation in next-generation wireless technologies such as 5G, Passpoint, CBRS private networks, and Wi-Fi 7, managing connectivity across airports, military bases, venues, and enterprises.
Cameron Dunn, with more than 25 years in mobile telecommunications, will support the WBA board as Co-Chair. At AT&T, he oversees investment strategy and technology development for the company’s in-building connectivity portfolio, focusing on advancing mobility solutions and next-generation network deployments.
Axian Telecom Takes Over Wananchi Group in KSh 9.6 Billion Deal, Boosting East Africa’s Broadband Future
Axian Telecom has acquired a 99.63 percent stake in Wananchi Group for KSh 9.6 billion, marking a major investment in East Africa’s fixed‑broadband market. The deal strengthens Axian’s presence across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Malawi through Wananchi’s brands Zuku (consumer) and Simbanet (enterprise). Customers can expect improved network reliability, expanded coverage, and enhanced service offerings. Strategically, the acquisition accelerates innovation in fibre, SD‑WAN, and cloud services while providing Wananchi with access to fresh capital and pan‑African infrastructure expertise.
stc Group Rockets MENA Into 6G Era with Groundbreaking 7 GHz Trial
stc Group, in partnership with Nokia and the Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST), conducted the MENA region’s first 6G trial on the 7 GHz spectrum band. This innovation positions Saudi Arabia as a regional front‑runner in next‑generation networks, enabling ultra‑fast connectivity, immersive digital experiences, and infrastructure for smart cities and Industry 4.0. The trial demonstrates significant investment in technology and digital transformation, while enhancing customer experience by promising richer, faster mobile services.
Orange & ZTE Power Next-Gen Networks with AI and Open Architecture
Orange and ZTE are deepening their long‑term strategic partnership to modernise Orange’s network across multiple affiliates. ZTE has delivered core OCS/CCS solutions to 14 Orange affiliates over two decades, evolving from traditional infrastructure to IaaS/CaaS and modern OSG architecture. Innovation is central: ZTE’s OSG evolution strategy focuses on API transformation, CI/CD pipelines, and AI‑powered voice services aligned with GSMA Open Gateway standards for network monetisation. Customer focus is reinforced through affiliate feedback on product satisfaction, network performance, and future requirements, ensuring agility and improved user experience.
Shafana Fazal
