Today’s telecom news includes announcements on e&, Mafab Communications, MTN Nigeria, Replus Engitech, HEG, Indus Towers, among others.
e& Launches U6GHz Commercially, Opening a New 5G-Advanced Capacity Layer
e& has launched the U6GHz spectrum band, covering 6425–7125 MHz, on its live network in the UAE, becoming the first operator globally to put the band into commercial service. The deployment uses 350 MHz of contiguous TDD spectrum and advanced 256TRx and Retina MIMO technologies to expand 5G-Advanced capacity. Field tests achieved peak throughput of 10 Gbps, coverage comparable with existing C-band networks and more than 50 Gbps of single-cell capacity. The initial deployment targets high-value areas and is designed to support fiber-like wireless connectivity for enterprises and consumers. The launch also provides a real-world reference for future U6GHz deployments, spectrum planning and next-generation network evolution.
Mafab’s 5G Spectrum Transfer to MTN Raises Nigeria Competition Concerns
Mafab Communications is preparing to transfer its key 5G spectrum assets to MTN Nigeria nearly five years after unexpectedly winning a major position in Nigeria’s first 5G spectrum auction. The proposed transaction would place additional high-capacity spectrum with Nigeria’s largest mobile operator and has triggered renewed debate over market concentration, infrastructure access and regulatory oversight. Mafab had initially entered the market as a new 5G competitor, but its planned exit could reduce the number of operators controlling scarce 5G resources. The development comes as Nigerian telecom operators continue expanding high-speed networks and investing in capacity. The transaction’s implications for competition will depend on regulatory review and the final structure of the spectrum transfer.
Replus and Indus Towers Target 1.5 GWh of Telecom Battery Storage
Replus Engitech, a subsidiary of HEG Advanced Materials, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Indus Towers to dedicate 1.5 GWh of battery energy storage system production capacity to telecom applications over the next two years. The agreement builds on a ₹217.56 crore purchase order from Indus Towers for lithium-ion battery banks, awarded earlier in September. Replus currently operates a 1 GWh automated manufacturing facility in Pune, with plans to scale capacity to 6 GWh. The partnership is aimed at strengthening energy-storage solutions for telecom infrastructure and supporting the replacement of conventional diesel-generator backup systems. The agreement also expands Replus’ clean-energy focus following HEG Advanced Materials’ corporate restructuring earlier this month.
