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Nokia Launches Next-generation AirScale 5G Portfolio Powered by ReefShark Technology

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Nokia today announced the global launch of its latest range of industry-leading AirScale 5G products covering baseband, remote radio heads, and massive MIMO active antennas with digital beamforming. The innovative solutions are powered by the latest generation of Nokia’s ReefShark System-on-Chip (SoC) chipsets and deliver the highest capacity and network performance while enabling efficient deployments and operation. The rollout of the new products is already underway.

Nokia introduces its new generation of ReefShark-powered AirScale massive MIMO antennas with both 32TRX and 64TRX products, as well as 8T8R remote radio head solutions. The 32TRX is the industry’s lightest, at 17kg, simplifying and speeding up site deployments. Notably, this low weight is achieved at the same time as supporting high radio frequency bandwidth (200 MHz occupied bandwidth and 400 MHz instantaneous bandwidth) and delivering high radio frequency power output, without compromise. Both the new 32TRX and the new 64TRX massive MIMO antennas support both fragmented spectrum and network sharing cases.

Nokia also introduces its new SoC-based baseband plug-in cards to boost the capacity of the AirScale System Module. The new ReefShark-powered plug-in cards deliver up to eight times more throughput and serve up to eight times more cells compared to previous generations. They are easily installed and simplify the upgrade and extended operation of all AirScale deployments. Nokia’s baseband module can support 90,000 connected users simultaneously and has 84 Gbps throughput. The highly efficient ReefShark powered plug-in cards also reduce power consumption by up to 75 percent. Nokia’s modular AirScale baseband enables mobile operators to scale capacity flexibly and efficiently and as their 5G business evolves.

Nokia Single RAN software now includes 5G, accelerating 5G rollouts and cutting overall radio access network TCO (Total Cost of Ownership), by unlocking network efficiencies with common transport, common operability, common software delivery, and increased hardware sharing. The combination of Nokia’s Single RAN software and the new baseband plug-in cards offer multi-mode (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G) and multi-band and supports the latest fronthaul interfaces (eCPRI) on a single baseband platform, simplifying the network and lowering costs.

Nokia’s AirScale baseband architecture is designed to be future-proof and support the increasing demands for wireless traffic. By keeping the L1 and L2 (Layer 1 and Layer 2) computing separate from L3 (Layer 3) and Transport baseband plug-in units, capacity can be added when and where it is needed in the network. Network modernization can be simply achieved either by software upgrade or by adding new plug-in units into the existing baseband.

Nokia’s ReefShark chipsets will also play a critical role in future Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) capabilities. Nokia has already introduced AI/ML features in areas such as predictive load balancing, anomaly detection, and intelligent traffic steering. All Nokia ReefShark platforms are AI/ML ready and Nokia is carrying out proof of concepts with customers this year in innovative areas such as Massive MIMO beam pattern optimization, energy-saving, advanced traffic steering, advanced packet scheduling, and alarm pattern discovery.

Patrick Filkins, Senior Research Analyst, IoT and Mobile Network Infrastructure, IDC, commented: “5G networks are absolutely critical for improving network capacity and performance, particularly when higher bandwidth is in demand. Nokia’s new portfolio addresses these concerns by enabling mobile operators to flexibly scale capacity while helping to smoothly transition to 5G from existing technologies easily and cost-effectively. The integration of Nokia’s ReefShark SoCs across both radio and baseband boosts performance and capacity and the new massive MIMO antennas set a new benchmark for low weight without compromising on performance. These solutions will help mobile operators to address the increasingly dynamic mobile services space that urgently requires more capacity.”

Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks, Nokia, said: “Our new generation of ReefShark-powered AirScale radio and baseband products is evidence of the successful transformation of our business and ability to deliver market-leading products to our global customers. Nokia’s new portfolio enables communication service providers to offer both consumer and enterprise customers with cutting-edge 5G experiences with premium speeds, capacity, and connectivity underpinned by seamless, simple, and efficient ‘plug-in’ deployment. Our new AirScale products are O-RAN ready. They consume less energy and highlight our commitment to climate change. We’re excited to see our customers deploying these products and see the transformative impact of 5G technology.”

Is the CEO and Founder of Investors King Limited. He is a seasoned foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and other prominent platforms. With over two decades of experience in global financial markets, Olukoya is well-recognized in the industry.

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Telecommunications

MTN Nigeria Strengthens Working Capital By Raising N50bn In New Commercial Paper

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MTN Nigeria Communications PLC (MTN Nigeria) has disclosed plans to raise N50 billion through its latest issuance of commercial paper (CP) to boost its working capital.

The plan is under N250 billion Commercial Paper Issuance Programme.

Not only that this Series 11 and 12 CP issuance is expected to strengthen MTN Nigeria’s short-term working capital, it will also diversify its financing base.

A notification to the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the investing public further revealed that this proposed issuance is part of MTN Nigeria’s ongoing strategy to tap the debt market as a flexible funding source to meet immediate financial needs.

It builds upon the company’s series of CP issuances in the past year as it pursues a robust approach to balance its capital structure.

The funds are expected to support the company’s operational and growth requirements as it seeks to expand its infrastructure, improve service delivery, and cater to the increasing demand for telecommunications and digital services across Nigeria.

MTN’s financial statement as of September 2024 suggests it has negative working capital of about N1.49 trillion

The cash flow is necessary in order to enable the company meet cash flow demands and service short-term debt without over-relying on long-term financing

This approach provides financial flexibility, allowing MTN Nigeria to manage interest costs and adjust its debt profile in line with operational cash flow, which is critical for a company with significant external loans.

The issuance also serves the broader purpose of diversifying MTN Nigeria’s financing sources, reducing reliance on bank loans, and maintaining a balance between short- and long-term debt.

This financial strategy not only enhances MTN’s liquidity but also positions it to better withstand the economic challenges in Nigeria’s volatile business environment.

While the company has yet to disclose specific terms of the Series 11 and 12 notes, further details are expected to be shared in the coming weeks.

 

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MTN Nigeria Posts 33.6% Revenue Growth Despite Subscriber Drop in 2024

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MTN Nigeria Communications Plc’s total subscribers decreased by 0.9% to 77 million in the nine months ended 30 September 2024.

In the company’s unaudited financial statements, active data users increased by 5.1% to 45.3 million while mobile money wallets decreased by 21.8% to 2.8 million.

Service revenue rose by 33.6% to N2.4 trillion. See other details below.

Key Financial Highlights points:

● Total subscribers decreased by 0.9% to 77.0 million, impacted by the NIN-SIM regulations
● Active data users increased by 5.1% to 45.3 million
● Active mobile money (MoMo PSB) wallets decreased by 21.8% to 2.8 million
● Service revenue increased by 33.6% to N2.4 trillion
● Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) decreased by 5.3% to N860.2 billion
● EBITDA margin decreased by 14.9 percentage points (pp) to 36.3%
● Loss after tax was N514.9 billion (Q3 2024 profit after tax of N4.1 billion)
● Profit after tax (PAT) adjusted for the net forex loss was N118.5 billion, down 59.2%
● Earnings per share (EPS) was negative N24.51 kobo (positive N5.65 kobo adjusted for the forex loss, down 59.2%)
● Closing retained earnings and shareholders’ funds of negative N723.0 billion and N573.6 billion, respectively
● Capital expenditure (capex) excluding leases was down 27.8% to N217.6 billion
● Positive free cash flow of N536.8 billion, an increase of 21.9%

Commenting on the company’s performance, MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola “In the first nine months of 2024, we sustained the growth in our underlying operating performance – underpinned by our resilient business model and operational agility –despite challenging conditions.

The inflation rate remained elevated amidst rising energy prices and naira depreciation. Inflation averaged 32.8% in the nine months (Q3 2024: 32.8%) compared to an average of 24.5% in 2023 (Q3 2023: 25.5%). To curb inflation, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) increased the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 8.5pp to 27.25% during the period, resulting in higher funding costs, although this helped reduce volatility and improve liquidity in the forex market.

The higher inflation and interest rates weighed on consumers’ spending power and impacted business activity. However, we remain focused on enhancing operational efficiency and driving the growth of our commercial operations.

Additionally, the naira closed at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) in September 2024 at N1,542/US$ (December 2023: N907/US$), exerting pressure on business activity. The improvement in liquidity in the foreign exchange (forex) market has helped us reduce our exposure to foreign currency-denominated
obligations.

We continued to manage the effects of the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) industry-wide NIN-SIM directive, which has impacted the evolution of our customer base. Having implemented the directive with all our subscribers fully compliant, we continue our drive towards reconnecting those affected to reduce churn
while extracting increased value from the market.

Sustained commercial momentum notwithstanding the macro headwinds

Our commercial momentum drove broad-based growth across all revenue segments, demonstrating the underlying strength and resilience of the business. We recorded an increase in service revenue of 33.6%, which was ahead of the average inflation rate in the period. This growth was led by data and supported by voice, fintech and digital
services.

We recorded a 9.8% increase in voice traffic and a 42.1% increase in data traffic. In addition, data usage per user grew by 31.2% to 11.3GB, supported by the rising demand for data and digital services, which has contributed to revenue growth.

In the fintech business, we focused on executing our growth strategy, prioritising increasing wallet quality, focusing on advanced services and the MoMo PSB app to enhance the user experience and engagement. We have introduced cross-border remittances with thirteen fellow African countries to boost adoption and monetisation.

Taking advantage of their interoperability, we are now leveraging the existing network of agent and merchant ecosystem in the industry to bring our services closer to our customers.

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Elon Musk’s Starlink Suspends Internet Subscription Price Hike for Nigerian Users 

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Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has suspended its earlier announced price increase for Nigerian users.

A message from the Starlink Team on Thursday noted that the suspension of the price hike is temporary, adding that the latest decision is to navigate regulatory challenges.

Investors King had on October 2 reported that the internet service inflated its prices owing to rising inflation in Nigeria.

The monthly subscription fee had risen by 97 percent, from N38,000 to N75,000, as customers expressed displeasure over the significant increment.

Starlink had also said that new users would also face a higher cost for the Starlink kit (hardware for installation), which was to be priced at N590,000, a 34 percent increase from the previous price of N440,000.

Meanwhile, about 22 days after, the internet company rescinded its decision to increase the price, citing some regulatory challenges.

Even though the company stated that the increment would have enabled it to deliver reliable service for its users, it pointed out that it could no longer proceed with it in the meantime.

According to the company, it needed regulatory support to make the improvements necessary for a better customer experience.

While assuring customers who had already subscribed to packages carrying the hiked prices that their account would be credited, the company declared that users could still cancel their services.

The message by Starlink to its customers read, “Last month, we increased the monthly service price for Starlink in Nigeria to account for inflation, helping us maintain operations and continue delivering reliable service.

“Today, we are temporarily suspending this price increase as we navigate regulatory challenges.

“If you’ve already been charged at the higher rate, a one-time credit will be applied to your account to cover the difference. You also have the flexibility to cancel your service at any time.

“We remain committed to providing high-speed Internet in Nigeria, but we need regulatory support to make the improvements necessary for a better customer experience. Without these approvals, our ability to continue delivering service is at risk.

“Thank you for choosing Starlink and supporting our mission to bring affordable, high-speed internet to more people as many people around the world as possible.”

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