10 May 2021

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the US signed a virtual memorandum of understanding agreement that covers the exchange of ideas in the area of telecommunications regulation and policy. 

According to ICASA president Keabetswe Modimoeng, the non-binding agreement “is a momentous collaboration that illustrates the confidence that our global counterparts have in ICASA. This collaboration places the Authority on solid ground to achieve international best practices, cutting-edge regulatory approaches and further validates South Africa’s standing in the global ICT arena.” 

The deal is against a backdrop of American attempts to unite the telecom markets of Europe, Africa and even Asia against Chinese tech giant Huawei. South Africa has always been unwavering in its support for the company. 

10 May 2021

Africell Holding is preparing to upgrade to 5G across the continent, in a bid to keep up with some of its African competitors. The group signed a multi-million US dollar agreement with wireless transport solution provider Aviat Networks, which will upgrade Africell Holding’s telecom networks and prepare them to migrate to the 5G when needed.

“With escalating demand for high-speed mobile Internet services in our markets, and with 5G in our sights, we sought an approach that offers us fast deployment, maximum flexibility, and lowest TCO,” said Younes Chaaban, CTO at Africell Holding. “Aviat’s backhaul and DCSG solution was the clear choice to meet all these challenges and support the rapid network growth of our transmission network well into the future.”

The deployment of the solutions will begin in Q2-2021.