In Africa and the Middle East, there remains limited interest in the release of mmWave spectrum for 5G/IMT or localised use. While several regulators in these regions have consulted on mmWave awards, few concrete mmWave policies have been implemented to date. Where there are active mmWave policies in place, regulators… Read more...

Countries in Africa continue to implement unlicensed 6 GHz policies in the 5925-6425 MHz range, while the Ivory Coast, Namibia, Burundi and Mauritania are planning to implement licensed policies for Upper 6 GHz spectrum. Meanwhile, both South Africa and Zambia are considering both unlicensed and licensed policies in the upper… Read more...

While trailing other regions of the world, nations in Africa are progressively developing policy frameworks for the assignment of spectrum for use by private networks. PolicyTracker’s updated private networks benchmark now includes eight countries in the region, up from four at the end of 2024. Read more...

Nations in Africa represent fourteen percent of the nations and territories included in PolicyTracker’s updated 3.3-4.2 GHz benchmark, including seven new nations in the region. In Africa, the amount of spectrum assigned in the 3.5 GHz range is in the order of 200 to 300 MHz, with spectrum assigned per… Read more...

Countries in Africa continue to implement unlicensed 6 GHz policies in the 5925—6425 MHz range, while the Ivory Coast is considering licensed upper 6 GHz spectrum. While nations in the Americas have typically implemented unlicensed 6 GHz policies, there is also recent interest in licensed upper 6 GHz spectrum in… Read more...

MTN has 295 million customers in 19 markets across Africa and the Middle East, according to its results for the year ended 31 December 2023. It provides voice, data, financial technology, digital, enterprise, wholesale and API services. It continues to focus on its "Ambition 2025" strategic priorities, which include building… Read more...

Vodafone calls itself the largest pan-European and African telecoms company, with 323 million mobile customers according to its FY23 annual report. It operates mobile and fixed networks in 17 countries, with stakes in another five countries through joint ventures and associates. It also partners with 46 countries outside its footprint,… Read more...

Nations across Africa continue to implement unlicensed 6 GHz policies that are largely focused on the lower portion of the band (5925—6425 MHz) in line with the African Telecommunication Union’s (ATU) recommended use of this range. In line with CEPT and European Commission harmonisation decisions, most European nations have opened… Read more...

Since PolicyTracker’s last 3.3—4.2 GHz benchmark in August 2021, 34 nations that have assigned or plan to assign spectrum in the range, or both, have not changed their policy status whereas eight nations have progressed from the planning stage to the assignment of spectrum in the range. Read more...

MTN remains Africa's largest mobile operator, with 285 million customers in 19 markets across Africa and the Middle East, according to its 30 September 2022 trading update. It remains focused on bridging the financial and digital divide and ensuring the resilience of its networks. Its priority is to expand the… Read more...