UphivaBETAR
Browsing Category
Telecoms
6 posts
COMESA Clears Vodacom’s Safaricom Stake: What 55% Ownership Means for East Africa’s Telecoms Map
COMESA’s unconditional clearance of Vodacom’s Safaricom stake increase — raising ownership to 55% — marks the first time a South African telco holds majority control of East Africa’s dominant operator. BETAR analyses the strategic, regulatory, and market implications.
Airtel-Starlink Direct-to-Cell in Kenya: The End of the Coverage Excuse
A March 2026 Kenya pilot confirmed that direct-to-cell satellite connectivity works on ordinary smartphones — no hardware needed. BETAR analyses what Airtel and Starlink’s breakthrough means for Africa’s operators, regulators, and tower economics.
Nigeria Has Two Real-Time Fraud Systems Going Live at Once. They Don’t Talk to Each Other.
The NCC TIRMS scam-flagging mandate goes live in April 2026, same month CBN mandates AI AML baselines. Two regulators, two fraud systems, no shared architecture.
MTN Spent Its War Chest on Towers. Now What?
MTN’s $2.2B IHS Towers acquisition consumes 60% of its fintech war chest. The balance sheet impact, dividend risk, and what it means for MoMo’s product ambitions in 2026-2027.
Airtel and Starlink Have Proven Direct-to-Cell Works in Kenya. Now Comes the Hard Part.
Airtel and Starlink’s direct-to-cell trial in Kenya has passed the technical test. The harder question is whether satellite connectivity will translate into meaningful rural coverage gains.
Airtel and Starlink Have Proven Direct-to-Cell Works in Kenya. Now Comes the Hard Part.
Airtel Kenya and Starlink have confirmed a direct-to-cell pilot serving rural communities with no tower infrastructure. The regulatory, competitive, and infrastructure implications for Africa’s connectivity landscape are structural — not incremental.
