Today’s telecom news includes announcements on MTN Group, Ethio Telecom, Safaricom Ethiopia, Telstra, Ericsson, among others.
MTN Supercharges South Africa’s Connectivity with ZAR 480 mn Network Boost
MTN Group is investing more than ZAR 480 million to strengthen and expand its telecom infrastructure across South Africa’s Free State and Northern Cape provinces in 2026. The funding includes ZAR 300 million for the Free State and over ZAR 180 million for the Northern Cape, aimed at improving 4G performance and accelerating 5G deployment. Major towns including Kimberley, Welkom, Bethlehem, and Upington will benefit from enhanced network reliability and wider digital access. MTN plans to increase 5G population coverage to 82 percent in the Free State and 75 percent in the Northern Cape. The investment is expected to support digital inclusion, business growth, remote education, and improved access to online services across underserved communities.
Ethiopia’s Telecom Revolution Needs $5 bn and a Third Operator to Bridge Connectivity Gap
Ethiopia needs nearly USD 5 billion in fresh telecom investment and a third mobile operator to strengthen competition and meet its Digital Ethiopia 2030 targets, according to former Ethio Telecom CEO and current Safaricom Ethiopia executive Andualem Admassie. He stated that Ethiopia currently has fewer than 15,000 telecom towers combined between Ethio Telecom and Safaricom Ethiopia, while the country requires about 30,000 additional towers to match regional standards and improve connectivity. Admassie also urged regulators to allow independent tower infrastructure companies, enabling operators to focus on telecom services rather than infrastructure development. Safaricom Ethiopia has already invested over USD 3 billion, including licensing and operational costs, while advocating for a more neutral telecom regulatory environment.
Telstra and Ericsson Ignite Australia’s 6G Race with AI-Powered Network Vision
Telstra and Ericsson have signed a strategic agreement to accelerate 6G research and innovation, aiming to position Australia at the forefront of next-generation connectivity. The partnership will focus on joint 6G trials, AI-native network development, and contributions to evolving 3GPP standards. Under the deal, Telstra engineers will access Ericsson’s advanced 6G testbed facilities in Sweden, while Ericsson teams will collaborate with Telstra at its Gold Coast Innovation Centre to evaluate 6G performance across diverse geographic environments. Both companies see 6G as a transformative technology capable of enabling intelligent, sensing-based networks for industries such as public safety, agriculture, and weather monitoring. The initiative also supports Telstra’s long-term Connected Future 30 strategy and broader global momentum toward commercial 6G deployment in the next decade.
SHAFANA FAZAL
