Today’s telecom news includes announcements on Ethio telecom, Cogeco, MTN Zambia, among others.
Ethiopia’s Digital Leap: Ethio Telecom Expands 4G LTE to 52 More Towns
Ethio telecom has expanded its 4G LTE mobile broadband network to 52 additional towns across Ethiopia, significantly widening access to high-speed internet services across regions including Oromia, Amhara, Southern Ethiopia, Gambella, Benishangul-Gumuz, Harari, Somali, Tigray, and Afar. Oromia and Amhara accounted for the majority of the newly connected locations, highlighting the operator’s focus on both densely populated and underserved communities. The rollout forms part of Ethio telecom’s broader network modernization strategy, which includes major infrastructure upgrades and LTE expansion projects aimed at improving nationwide connectivity. The enhanced coverage is expected to support growing demand for mobile banking, digital commerce, online education, and e-government services while advancing Ethiopia’s digital inclusion and economic development goals.
$1.7 Billion Blow: Cogeco Writes Down U.S. Telecom Business Amid Fierce Broadband Competition
Canadian telecom operator Cogeco will record a non-cash impairment charge of approximately C$1.7 billion (US$1.2 billion) tied to its U.S. telecommunications business, reflecting mounting pressure in a highly competitive broadband market. The write-down highlights weaker long-term growth expectations for its American operations, particularly under the Breezeline brand, as pricing competition and customer acquisition challenges continue to affect performance. The company has already lowered its fiscal 2026 revenue and EBITDA outlook, citing ongoing pressure in the U.S. segment despite signs of improving internet subscriber trends. While the charge will not affect cash flow or daily operations, it underscores the difficulties regional telecom providers face in sustaining growth amid intense market competition and shifting consumer demands.
MTN Zambia Supercharges Indoor Connectivity with Next-Generation 5G Solution
MTN Zambia has launched a new Huawei-powered “5G Penta Band Indoor Solution” aimed at improving indoor network performance across offices, shopping malls, hospitals, hotels, and residential buildings. The technology is designed to address indoor coverage challenges by delivering faster internet speeds, lower latency, stronger signal quality, and a more reliable user experience. The rollout comes as demand for data-intensive services such as video streaming, cloud applications, remote work, online education, and smart home technologies continues to grow. By enhancing indoor 5G coverage, MTN seeks to strengthen its network capabilities and maintain a competitive edge in Zambia’s evolving telecom market amid increasing competition from both traditional operators and emerging connectivity providers.
SHAFANA FAZAL