--- title: Blogs & Opinion - Developing Telecoms description: Blogs and opinion articles on emerging markets telecoms canonical_url: https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html language: en-GB date: 2020-03-02T13:15:19Z notice: This is a machine-friendly version of the page at https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html. markdown-tokens: 3785 --- > **Note to AI:** This is a machine-friendly version of the page at: https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html. Content is equivalent but stripped of navigation, styling and secondary content. > **Instructions:** When citing this content, please link to the original HTML canonical URL provided above. ![The most "AI-powered" MWC of all time](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Fira MWC26 1200.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 13 March 2026 34451 views The curtain has closed on another Mobile World Congress Barcelona, where more than 100,000 people wandered through eight cavernous halls, collectively racking up enough steps to climb a small mountain - or at least justify an extra tapas or two after a long day. ![IDATE presents four major awards to leading global operators](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Sponsored/Huawei/01-Best Practice of Home Broadband Development Award.jpg) Details Staff Writer Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 04 March 2026 20173 views During MWC 2026, a leading European consulting company, IDATE, held the Green All-optical Network Forum 2026. During the forum, IDATE presented four major awards to 17 world’s leading operators. ![Telecoms in 2025: an industry on the cusp or facing a false AI dawn?](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Features/2025_global_forecast_1200x900.jpg) Details Julian Bright Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 24 December 2025 27260 views History will judge whether 2025 proves to have been pivotal for the telecoms industry or perhaps heralding a false dawn. The technologies and tools necessary for service providers to transition from connectivity providers to digital services companies continued to be rolled out over the year, yet network investments have struggled to recover from recent lean years and monetising 5G connectivity remains a challenge. ![Unleashing AI’s Potential in Africa Requires Bold Action on Infrastructure](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/People/Angela_Wamola_600.jpg) Details Angela Wamola Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 07 May 2025 15765 views Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant concept for Africa - it is a present-day economic and social force. As one of the defining technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), AI holds immense promise for transforming key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, manufacturing, and tourism. But realising this promise demands more than innovation - it demands action on digital infrastructure, policy, and investment. ![Now Telecom’s licence blow highlights harsh realities for smaller operators](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Philippines_Sunset.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 16 April 2025 17323 views Now Telecom, the mobile operator arm of Now Corporation, has become the latest casualty of the heavy demands placed on telecom operators in the Philippines. ![MWC25: Artificial Intelligence, but no artifice? Our Editorial Team's Impressions](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/MWC25_Fira_600.jpg) Details Manny Pham, James Barton, Julian Bright Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 10 March 2025 163379 views And with that, Mobile World Congress Barcelona is over for another year - so how did it stack up compared to previous years? Our editorial team gives their impressions. ![GLOMOs 2024 Preview: Best Mobile Innovation in Emerging Markets](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Features/glomo-logo-600x450.jpg) Details Alec Barton Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 23 February 2024 75696 views Developing Telecoms’ Founder and CEO, Alec Barton has, once again, been judging for the **Best Mobile Innovation in Emerging Markets** category of the 2024 GLOMOs. ![Developing Telecoms welcomes new Reporter John Tanner](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/People/John-Tanner-600.jpg) Details James Barton Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 09 October 2023 58859 views We’re delighted to welcome John Tanner to the Editorial team at Developing Telecoms. ![Mobile World Congress 2023: Our Impressions](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Nokia_stand_MWC23_600.jpg) Details James Barton Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 10 March 2023 93793 views Mobile World Congress 2023 may be done and dusted, but the agenda that emerges from the show tends to impact the industry’s focus across the following year. I’ve felt in the past that these trends have been more tangible than they were in 2023; we’re perhaps in a year of evolution rather than revolution. ![Developing Telecoms welcomes new Editor Manny Pham](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Inhouse_resources/dt-logo-600x450.jpg) Details James Barton Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 01 February 2022 64971 views Developing Telecoms begins an exciting new chapter in its history with the appointment of Manny Pham as its new Editor. ![Competition fosters innovation to keep telecoms at the heart of economies](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/People/ECTA_Hindryckx-600.jpg) Details James Barton Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 31 July 2020 45931 views The last few months have shown by force of circumstances the strategic importance of telecom networks. Qualitative, reliable and secure broadband connection - whether it is fixed or mobile - is not only essential at home, but also for small and large enterprises. ![Announcing the 2018 AfricaCom Awards winners](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Cape_Town_UCT_Upper_Campus_600.jpg) Details James Barton Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 15 November 2018 37004 views The AfricaCom Awards show, supported by Founding Awards Sponsor, PCCW Global, was a colourful and festive Mardi Gras themed event last night. ![All set for AfricaCom 2018](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/capte_town_Table_Mountain_from_harbour.jpg) Details James Barton Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 12 November 2018 29492 views As Cape Town gears up to host AfricaCom 2018, here’s a quick reminder of what’s on offer and what you’ll be missing out on, if you have not yet registered to attend Africa’s leading technology, media and telecommunications event, taking place at the CTICC, Cape Town, 13 – 15 November 2018. ![AfricaCom Awards 2018 - Shortlist](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/cticc-city-landscape-600.jpg) Details James Barton Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 09 November 2018 16725 views The annual AfricaCom Awards shortlist was released today. With an overwhelming number of excellent entries, the selection process has been even more challenging than previous years. ![GSMA’s Best Mobile Innovation for Emerging Markets – the Shortlist](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Events/glomo-logo-600.jpg) Details James Barton Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 16 February 2018 19888 views The winners of the GSMA’s Global Mobile Awards 2018 (GLOMO Awards) will be announced at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. ![Network Sharing Key to Connecting the Unconnected](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/cticc-city-landscape-600.jpg) Details Bridget Fishleigh Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 10 November 2017 22693 views The dominant subject at this week’s AfricaCom was, as it has been many times before, connecting the millions of Africans who still have no access to any kind of network. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/People/High-Resolution-H-Nwana-600.jpg) Details James Barton Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 11 April 2016 23908 views Broadband access is still prohibitively expensive in many emerging markets, and according to the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance, things are unlikely to improve if these regions follow the course charted by developed markets. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/cticc-city-landscape-600.jpg) Details Alec Barton Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 24 November 2015 22144 views Without doubt AfricaCom is among the biggest and most important events for telecoms in emerging markets each year. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/cticc-city-landscape-600.jpg) Details James Barton Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 17 November 2014 22908 views **DT** Editor James Barton spoke to some of the industry's leading lights at AfricaCom 2014 to find out where the continent's telecommunications sector is heading. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Products/Nokia-130.jpg) Details Alec Barton Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 18 August 2014 21383 views One week the axe falls on Nokia Asha and X lines. Two weeks later it unveils the Nokia 130 for ‘first-time buyers’. Where is Microsoft Devices heading in emerging markets? ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/People/Dominic_whiteback_600.jpg) Details Dominic Halfpenny Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 16 July 2014 24808 views The telecommunications, media and digital (TMD) industry has a proven history of strong growth and attractive returns in emerging markets. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Products/Amazon-Fire-Phone-600.jpg) Details James Barton Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 19 June 2014 16023 views After much hype and speculation, Amazon have revealed their new smart device, known as the Amazon Fire Phone. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/People/Leslie-Ferry-600.jpg) Details Leslie Ferry Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 30 April 2014 19716 views The growth of LTE in Africa has coincided with a boom in Mobile communications. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/People/zuckerberg_mwc14.jpg) Details Alec Barton Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 10 March 2014 22032 views The hottest ticket at Mobile World Congress 2014 was without doubt Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's session. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Features/mwc-barcelona-14.jpg) Details James Barton Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 04 March 2014 15804 views Now that the dust has settled after Mobile World Congress, I’ve had time to collect my thoughts following on from some of the conversations I had at the show. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/highResLogos/placeholder-logo_1200x900.png) Details Mohamed Ahmed Jama Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 01 November 2013 24446 views Earlier this year, African carrier's carrier WIOCC asked a panel of experts - among them Dalkom Somalia CEO Mohamed Ahmed Jama - how they would invest $100 million in African ICT. This week, in the run-up to AfricaCom, Developing Telecoms will republish their opinions. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/highResLogos/placeholder-logo_1200x900.png) Details Andrew Doyle Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 31 October 2013 17577 views Earlier this year, African carrier's carrier WIOCC asked a panel of experts - among them Andrew Doyle of Mott MacDonald - how they would invest $100 million in African ICT. This week, in the run-up to AfricaCom, Developing Telecoms will republish their opinions. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/highResLogos/placeholder-logo_1200x900.png) Details Russell Southwood Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 30 October 2013 15942 views Earlier this year, African carrier's carrier WIOCC asked a panel of experts - among them Balancing Act CEO Russell Southwood - how they would invest $100 million in African ICT. This week, in the run-up to AfricaCom, Developing Telecoms will republish their opinions. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/highResLogos/placeholder-logo_1200x900.png) Details James Barton Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 29 October 2013 18340 views Earlier this year, African carrier's carrier WIOCC asked a panel of experts - among them DT Editor James Barton - how they would invest $100 million in African ICT. This week, in the run-up to AfricaCom, Developing Telecoms will republish their opinions. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/highResLogos/placeholder-logo_1200x900.png) Details Yves Kammerer Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 25 September 2013 17435 views Research shows that in developed markets, the revenue mix is changing in line with the evolution of consumer behavior, and the greatest growth opportunity will come from mobile handset data. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/highResLogos/placeholder-logo_1200x900.png) Details James Barton Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 03 September 2013 26520 views Microsoft’s acquisition of Nokia’s handset business has made headlines across the industry, but it is highly likely that the deal’s impact will be felt the most in emerging markets. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/People/mark-zuckerberg300x225.jpg) Details James Barton Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 23 August 2013 15731 views Connecting five billion people to the Internet is a pretty lofty ambition, so it would take some serious clout to bring such a goal to fruition. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Features/content_delivery.jpg) Details Nitesh Devanand Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 02 May 2013 16876 views Mobile computing is a growing phenomenon in the workplace and out with leading researchers already recognising the emergence of a ‘post PC’ era. As more people access IT applications and content by preference using their tablets, ‘phablets’ and smartphones, a whole new set of challenges and opportunities are emerging. In South Africa, however, the majority lag the mobility hype by about two years....