Latest news with #GlobalSystemforMobileCommunicationsAssociation
Daily Maverick
02-05-2025
- Daily Maverick
After the Bell: recalculating… rerouting on Starlink
So … hold on to your hats, I'm going to do something I very seldom do. I'm going to CHANGE MY MIND. It's terrible I know, but every now and then, you should try it – it's mind bending. Literally. As the old joke goes: I used to think indecision was the key to flexibility… but now I'm not so sure. To digress for a moment, changing your mind is actually a good thing, even though it has a bad rap because somehow it feels inconsistent and indecisive. In fact, one of the proven fallacies of life is that people don't change their minds enough. I consider it a matter of pride that my opinions are like software updates – frequent, inconvenient and I often forget why I installed the last one. In any event, I've written in the past that SA should allow Starlink to operate locally, mainly on the basis that it's a more efficient method of connecting rural dwellers to the internet. The gap between the ability of urban and rural dwellers to connect to the internet is falling as rural dwellers have joined the global rush for smartphones. The Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) report in 2024 found that as of 2023 around 56% of adults in rural areas in SA were mobile internet subscribers, compared to 77% in urban areas. This is not a huge proportion, but the rural-urban gap has shown slight improvement over the years — reducing from 43% in 2017 to 32% in 2019. The progress has been modest since then, the report found. In some regions, the divide has even widened; for instance, in sub-Saharan Africa, the gap increased from 49% to 54% in 2023, reflecting a reversal to pre-pandemic levels. But this is not actually the point; the problem is cost. There are lots of ways of skinning this cat; costs and contracts vary widely. But essentially, it costs about R70 to download one gigabyte (GB) data on a smartphone, compared to around R1.50/GB on a fibre network. This R70/GB is high by international standards, but even at the international rate, which is about 30% lower, it's still face-rippingly expensive to use the 5G or even 4G network for basic work internet. That is not going to change much, I don't think, for the obvious reason that unit economics of internet access for rural dwellers is just different to urban areas. There are ways to get around this problem using terrestrial systems, but Starlink would solve this problem very quickly and very easily. In broad principle, it's ridiculous that SA has not licensed Starlink. But there is a problem now. The owner of Starlink, Elon Musk, has become a political figure. You can agree with his views or disagree with them. But Musk's decision to join the administration of Donald Trump means Starlink is now effectively part of a political and national machine. You could say, that is partly true of any large business: they are governed by the laws of their home state. But in democracies at least, there is a difference between public and private realms; different incentive systems operate. If Musk continues to be associated with the Trump administration, it effectively introduces a new political risk to the equation. Just ask Ukraine. And there is an alternative coming: Project Kuiper. Project Kuiper is basically Amazon's competitor to Starlink, and the first operational launch took place on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, late last month. What I didn't know about this project before the launch is that the Federal Communications Commission is requiring Amazon to deploy at least half of its satellite constellation – approximately 1,600 satellites – by 30 July 2026, and the remainder by 30 July 2029. That is just amazingly fast. Obviously, Kuiper is massively behind Starlink, which has already deployed more than 8,000 satellites and serves 5 million-plus users globally. The pricing plan for Project Kuiper has not been announced, but the pricing of the standard terminal was: about $400. That was much less than Starlink's $600. But, then, guess what happened? Starlink reduced its prices for terminals to $339. Starlink prices are comparable to high-end fibre contracts, but I bet those will come down too by the time Kuiper gets properly operational. Kuiper satellites will sit higher in the sky, but other than that, the two systems are pretty comparable. The point is that SA, and the world for that matter, will soon have a choice. When President Cyril Ramaphosa met Musk last year, Musk was in a position to demand to be the sole provider of this unique service. But that power will diminish as Kuiper and many other projects come on line. There is a good argument that rather than bowing down to Musk's current requirements, SA should hold its horses a bit until competition has taken hold. You could say, 'well, it's not much of a choice'. It's true that Amazon's founder Jeff Bezos is also a big-time billionaire and also seems to be in the thrall of the Trump administration. But the difference is that Amazon is already very active in SA and has been, generally speaking, a model corporate citizen. Bezos is also not the CEO – although he is the executive chairman and does own 8.6% of the company. But compare that to Musk who owns approximately 42% of SpaceX, the parent company of Starlink. It's fantastic that rural South Africans (like me!) and Africans for that matter, will at last be able to really tap into the world on a truly functional basis. Like telephony, this tech is going to be life-changing. It's fantastic that entrepreneurs like Musk have made this happen. Kudos to him; it's a fabulous achievement. But any and every country should guard against becoming beholden to agents of a political party or government, whether they are bonkers billionaires or autocratic states. And sometimes paying the developmental cost is a price worth paying. DM
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Yahoo
The Pixel 10's model number might have just leaked
The headlines today might be dominated by the not-so-surprise launch of the iPhone 16e, but it's not all that's happening. A GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications Association) entry might have just revealed the official model numbers for the Pixel 10 lineup, and that means the device is nearing approval — and could be roughly six months away. Initial reports point at least four distinct models: the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold, according to The only missing entry would be the Pixel 10A, but it's expected to make an appearance later in the year. According to this leak, the Google Pixel 10 will be numbered GLBW0 and GL066. The Google Pixel 10 Pro will be G4QUR and GN4F5. The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL will be GUL82. The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold will be GU0NP. The fact that these devices now have model numbers indicates Google has registered the phones with the GSMA, and it's viable proof that the Pixel 10 series is on the way. Previously, we'd only heard less-verifiable rumors and hints at the codenames for each series (for the Pixel 10, the names are supposedly based on horses — Frankel, Blazer, Mustang, and Rango), but model numbers are more solid. The Google Pixel 10 lineup is expected to bring a major leap in performance, especially with a new set of Tensor chips. Google is said to be moving to TSMC's foundries to produce the next set of chips, and the resulting products should yield more efficient phones. Estimates place the Pixel 10 lineup about six months out, which fits with the typical release date of Pixel phones. The Pixel 9 dropped on August 22, which is almost six months away to the day from now.
Arab News
17-02-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Dollar pricing, high upfront costs could deter bids for Pakistan's 5G auction — Jazz CEO
KARACHI: Aamir Ibrahim, the CEO of Jazz, Pakistan's largest telecom company, has warned that cellphone operators could opt out of participating in a planned 5G spectrum auction if the government set high upfront prices and priced in US dollars over rupees, arguing that such a model would make little business sense for market players. The South Asian country of 240 million people hopes to use the auction as a way to boost the economy and promote advanced telecoms technology among its over 165 million mobile phone users. According to a recent report by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), 5G could contribute over $1.5 billion to Pakistan's GDP by 2030, and also improve connectivity, service quality, and innovation in agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, education, and health care. However, the National Economic Research Associates (NERA), a US-based consultancy hired by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) last year to oversee the 5G spectrum action, has identified major obstacles that could delay the rollout, which was planned for mid-2025. These include administrative restrictions on Internet services, low utilization of existing spectrum, auctioning the 5G spectrum in foreign instead of local currency, a delay in the Competition Commission of Pakistan's (CCP) decision on the acquisition of Telenor Pakistan by Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) and litigation over spectrum availability in the 2.6 GHz band. Speaking to Arab News in an interview last week, Ibrahim said Jazz, Pakistan's leading digital service provider with around 71 million subscribers, had held discussions with the government on the structure of 5G licensing, which needed to be 'investor-friendly and consumer-beneficial.' 'Some of the key recommendations have been that we have to delink the price of the spectrum from dollars to rupees and the reason for that is that we earn our revenues in rupees. So, we can't really have a huge cost impact on dollars, which we can't necessarily predict,' Ibrahim said. Indeed, Pakistani telecom operators face a currency mismatch, as they charge customers in rupees but pay hefty regulatory fees — including license renewals and spectrum costs — in US dollars. This exposes them to exchange rate volatility, making long-term financial planning difficult, especially as the rupee has sharply depreciated in recent years. Ibrahim said Jazz had also sought 'relief' from the government regarding payment terms, including the upfront component of the auction and the duration of the payment cycle, saying buyers of the 5G spectrum would need to invest up to $1 billion over time to import compatible equipment and upgrade their networks. 'There are less than two percent of all of our customers in Pakistan who have a 5G-compatible phone, and that's why it's important that the whole pricing mechanism of 5G has to be commensurate with the business potential,' the Jazz CEO said. Ultimately, he said, higher prices upfront or initially would make a 'weak business case': 'And the operators may not be interested in participating in the auction, which again will not be beneficial for the government.' The Jazz CEO said his company has conveyed these concerns as part of its recommendations to the government, and that they had resonated with NERA's recommendations on what 'we as an industry have been asking the government.' He agreed that a main concern for investors was also the delay in the approval of PTCL's acquisition of Telenor Pakistan, which has been awaiting clearance from the Competition Commission. 'It has taken quite a long time … it's not a good signal for a foreign investor if a merger approval process takes more than 14 months,' Ibrahim said, adding that the prolonged delay was creating uncertainty, discouraging investment and making Pakistan's telecom sector appear less business-friendly. Additionally, the delay was affecting strategic planning for telecom operators, particularly in terms of competition and resource allocation. 'Because then we don't necessarily know whether the spectrum is going to be made available for four players or for three players. So, that's a requisite that I think has to be addressed before we move forward with the 5G auction.' The 5G rollout has also been delayed due to ongoing legal disputes over spectrum allocation. A portion of the 2.6 GHz frequency band — essential for 5G deployment — remains tied up in litigation, leaving insufficient spectrum for optimal performance. Last year, the Islamabad High Court ruled against China Mobile Pakistan Limited (Zong) for unauthorized use of the additional spectrum beyond its license period, further complicating the regulatory landscape. Asked about the litigation, Ibrahim alleged that one operator had 'illegally occupied the spectrum for a very long time,' without naming the company. 'We want all operators to comply with the same rules and regulations that exist for others,' he said, adding that whether it was 50 MHz or 68 MHz, the spectrum must be released. He stressed that Pakistan ideally needed 100 MHz slots per operator, but spectrum constraints and subdued pent-up demand had hindered expansion. 'The 2,600 MHz band is a very desirable spectrum that should be released before the 5G auction,' Ibrahim said. 'A couple of things certainly appear to be roadblocks, and I hope these roadblocks are taken out of the way very quickly.' Commenting on the timeline for the rollout of 5G services in Pakistan, the Jazz CEO admitted it would not happen 'overnight.' 'It will take a while before the rollout starts, it's not going to be the case that one day somebody buys 5G spectrum and the next day they switch it on and the whole country is lit up,' he said. 'It takes a while to plan for the network, import the equipment, upgrade the equipment and start deploying the services. And you go pocket by pocket, city by city. So, it takes a while, but I think the journey can start within a few months of the auction results being concluded.'
Express Tribune
29-01-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
'Pakistan has lowest spectrum in region'
Listen to article ISLAMABAD: The Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) has criticised Pakistan over its spectrum policy, saying that the country has the lowest spectrum in Asia-Pacific and the rising cost of spectrum is unsustainable that poses threat to the development of mobile services. GSMA has issued a paper which highlights that mobile network infrastructure is crucial for Pakistan's digital transformation, serving as the backbone for wide-reaching connectivity and socio-economic growth, whereas countries including the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Bangladesh and Indonesia have more spectrum compared to Pakistan. It said while 'Digital Pakistan' was the government's flagship initiative, launched in 2018, to enhance digital infrastructure and enable rapid delivery of innovative digital services, Pakistan faced several challenges that threatened the sustainability and growth of mobile infrastructure. An analysis of GSMA Intelligence showed that if spectrum had been fully assigned in previous auctions, additional benefits of $300 million, or Rs80 billion, would have been realised in the national economy. The GSMA paper referred to past auctions in Pakistan that resulted in unsold spectrum, like in 2014 and in 2021, leading to reduced spectrum supply for mobile operators. "This has contributed to slower 4G rollout and adoption," it added. Pakistan's upcoming spectrum auction should focus on enhancing digital infrastructure rather than maximising government revenue. It added that 600 MHz, which was set to be made available in the upcoming auction, including over 500 MHz in core mid-bands such as 2.3 GHz, 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz, would be essential for addressing the current shortfall. It pointed out that excessive spectrum pricing had serious consequences for the industry and consumers, and referred to the study of GSMA Intelligence and others that said there was a causal link between high spectrum prices and slower mobile data speeds, worse coverage and slower rollout.
Egypt Today
29-01-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
NTRA to block activation of non-compliant mobile devices starting February
Cairo – January 29, 2025: Starting February 1, 2025, the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) will introduce technical measures aimed at blocking the activation of mobile phones that do not comply with internationally recognized standards, particularly those established by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA). This initiative is part of the NTRA's ongoing efforts to enhance the telecom market in response to concerns about the detrimental effects of non-compliant devices on service quality and public health. The NTRA stressed that devices that fail to meet international specifications directly affect the quality of services provided to users, and could also pose potential health risks. The authority urged consumers to check whether new phones meet the required standards before making a purchase by verifying the device's 15-digit International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number using the "Telephony" app. This follows the recent implementation of new customs duties on imported mobile phones, which went live in January. Citizens were also advised to ensure they receive a tax invoice when purchasing any new mobile device and to report any violations through the authority's official channels, such as the My NTRA app, the hotline 155, or through customer service centers of mobile network providers. The NTRA has warned traders and distributors against selling non-compliant devices, stating that legal action will be taken against those who violate the regulations in coordination with the Consumer Protection Authority. The NTRA also reminded the public that Egypt's Telecommunications Regulation Law No. 10 of 2003 prohibits the import, manufacturing, marketing, or sale of any telecommunications equipment without an official license from the authority.
