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Get the latest announcements from MEF Members across the mobile ecosystem globally in this weekly review of member news…

Nokia wins multi-billion 5G extension deal from Bharti Airtel for its India operations

Nokia has secured a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar contract extension with Bharti Airtel to roll out 4G and 5G infrastructure across major cities and regions in India. The deal involves deploying Nokia’s advanced 5G AirScale portfolio, which includes base stations, baseband units, and energy-efficient Massive MIMO radios powered by ReefShark System-on-Chip technology. These upgrades will significantly enhance Airtel’s 5G capacity and coverage while modernizing its 4G network with equipment that is also compatible with 5G, ensuring a seamless network evolution.

Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and MD, Bharti Airtel, said: “Airtel has been a pioneer in network innovation, consistently pushing the boundaries for delivering cutting-edge connectivity solutions. This strategic partnership with Nokia will future proof our network infrastructure and provide customers with unparalleled user experience along with a network that will be eco-friendly to minimize environmental impact.”

Pekka Lundmark, President and CEO of Nokia, said: “This strategic agreement further solidifies our long-standing collaboration with Airtel and our footprint in India. Our industry-leading AirScale portfolio and AI-based services will enhance the energy efficiency of Airtel’s network, enabling premium 5G capacity and connectivity with the highest quality of service for subscribers.”

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Enea signs multi-year support contract worth over USD 4 million

Enea has finalized a three-year support and maintenance agreement for the Stratum Network Data Layer project with a leading North American network operator. Covering 2025 to 2027, the contract focuses on supporting 4G and 5G networks and has a committed value of $4.2 million, with the potential to reach $5.2 million. The contract will be recognized incrementally over the period, building on previous agreements announced in October 2024.

“As I stated already when we announced the software contract October 22, it is very gratifying to be given the trust from this customer to extend our collaboration for a further three years. With the support and maintenance part added to this deal, it now shows the full value of this deal. ” says Anders Lidbeck, President and CEO, Enea.

From November 11 to 14 in Cape Town, Digital Virgo participated in strategic panels focused on Direct Carrier Billing (DCB) and financial inclusion, showcasing its expertise. Alongside key side events, the company reinforced partnerships and celebrated receiving MTN’s “Best Partner for Digital Services” award. The week underscored Digital Virgo’s dedication to innovation and collaboration within the digital ecosystem.

On November 13, during AfricaCom, Digital Virgo participated in the MEF Leadership Forum Africa, organized by the Mobile Ecosystem Forum (MEF). The team contributed to two strategic panels, demonstrating leadership in Direct Carrier Billing (DCB) and financial inclusion.

In the panel titled “Understanding the DCB Landscape in South Africa,” Cilliers Niemann, Sales Account Manager for South Africa, explored the sector’s growth potential and its unique dynamics. He highlighted DCB’s ability to deliver accessible digital services to unbanked populations and stressed the importance of compliance and collaboration among ecosystem players, from operators to content providers, in fostering a sustainable digital ecosystem.

“Indeed, the sustainability of the ecosystem relies not only on the regulator but also on all players and in particular digital content providers to implement and practice compliant operations.” Cilliers Niemann, Sales Account Manager, South Africa.

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Joint Announcement: Identidad Technologies Appointed as Exclusive Global Service Manager for Movilgate’s International Telecommunications Initiatives

Identidad Technologies has entered into a strategic partnership with Movilgate, assuming responsibility for managing its international services, including A2P messaging, ILD, numbering, and other offerings. This partnership designates Identidad as Movilgate’s exclusive global service manager, focusing on collaborations with major global operators, the commercialization of international traffic, SIP services, and other international initiatives.

Identidad has pledged its resources to support Movilgate’s growth and market expansion, leveraging its technological expertise and innovative strategies. The initiative will be led by Luisa Sánchez, VP of Global Sales & Marketing, and María Mercedes Salazar-Wichmann, Associate VP of Managed Services and Numbering, ensuring effective collaboration and execution to drive growth and achieve the partnership’s goals.

“We are excited to announce this strategic partnership with Movilgate, a company whose network, reputation, and local expertise are unmatched in the region. This collaboration represents a significant investment from Identidad as we bring our advanced technology and extensive experience in international telecommunications to complement Movilgate’s strong market presence.” said Andrés Sanchez, CEO of Identidad Technologies. “By combining our strengths—Movilgate’s established reputation and connections with regional operators and Identidad’s technological innovation and expertise—we believe this partnership will position us as the undisputed leader in A2P messaging, followed by the development of other products, like voice, numbering, RCS, etc., across the Southern Cone of South America. Together, we are committed to driving growth, delivering unparalleled value, and setting new standards in the industry.”

UK shoppers at risk of email fraud this holiday shopping season

Proofpoint, Inc., a leading cybersecurity and compliance firm, has unveiled research showing that 40% of major UK online retailers lack essential cybersecurity measures, heightening risks of email fraud for customers, employees, and partners during the pre-festive shopping season. With Brits expected to spend £800 million more than in 2023 during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the surge in email communications from retailers creates a prime opportunity for cybercriminals to exploit shoppers through phishing and other fraudulent schemes.

“Black Friday-themed fraudulent emails often take advantage of recipients’ desire to cash in on increasingly attractive deals, creating tempting clickbait for users. These messages may use impersonated branding and tantalising subject lines to convince users to click through, at which point they are often delivered to pages filled with advertising, potential phishing sites, malicious content, or offers for counterfeit goods. As with most things, if an offer seems too good to be true or cannot be verified as legitimate marketing you’ve signed up for, recipients should avoid clicking on any links,” said Matt Cooke, Cybersecurity Strategist at Proofpoint.

Twilio Unveils the Honorees of the 2024 AI Startup Searchlight Awards

Twilio (NYSE: TWLO) celebrated its 16th anniversary at SIGNAL London 2024 by announcing the honorees of its second annual AI Startup Searchlight Awards. Sixteen startups were recognized for leveraging Twilio’s communication tools—such as Voice, Email, and Messaging—alongside advanced AI, large language models, and big data to revolutionize customer engagement. The awards highlight Twilio’s mission to “unlock the imagination of builders” by showcasing innovative applications of its platform that deliver impactful, inspiring user experiences.

“There is no better way to celebrate our 16th year than by spotlighting the creators and innovators who are reshaping the future of customer engagement with Twilio,” said Inbal Shani, Chief Product Officer, Twilio Communications. “These startups, with their bold ideas and dedication to transforming consumer experiences, demonstrate how Twilio’s products can drive change in ways we only imagined 16 years ago.”

“This year’s honorees represent the true breadth of AI applications, spanning industries from healthcare and finance to real estate,” said Thomas Wyatt, President of Twilio Segment. “With 500+ applicants, it’s clear that startups worldwide are reimagining what customer engagement can be, and Twilio is proud to support this wave of innovation.”

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