13 November 2024

Martha Suarez, President of the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance

Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) have an important role to play when it comes to bridging the digital divide. They have the capacity to reach unserved and underserved areas and have consistently shown their intention to deploy access networks to low-income areas where bigger operators have yet to reach. The local nature of WISPs enables them to understand the needs and limitations of rural and remote users, thereby serving smaller communities better.

There are already a significant number of WISPs operating across Africa. If these are to break down the barriers to reliable connectivity – coverage, service and affordability – spectrum access will be essential. License-exempt spectrum access in the 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz bands is a necessary element of the WISP business model and remain the primary way for subscribers to access internet services.

07 November 2024

Ethio Telecom and the GSMA have concluded in their report, ‘Driving Digital Transformation of the Economy in Ethiopia: Opportunities, Policy Reforms and the Role of Mobile,’ that Ethiopia’s digital economy could generate ETB 1.3 trillion as a contribution to GDP by 2028.

This joint report on the country's digital transformation believes that such performance can be achieved through investments in mobile technologies and ongoing reforms in telecommunications, which will boost key areas such as public services, agriculture and manufacturing.