Global village: Telecom giants expand connectivity worldwide through network sharing, AI solutions

Telecom giants are forging strategic partnerships and deploying new technologies to expand connectivity and enhance digital security across multiple continents. MTN Group and Airtel Africa‘s network-sharing agreements aim to bridge the digital divide in Africa, while Bell and MTS are introducing specialized security and testing solutions in Canada and Russia, respectively. These initiatives reflect the telecom industry’s shift toward resource optimization, expanded coverage, and service diversification in response to evolving market demands.

The big picture: Major telecom operators across three continents are launching strategic initiatives focused on infrastructure sharing and specialized B2B services to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency.

• MTN Group and Airtel Africa are establishing network-sharing agreements in Uganda and Nigeria to expand coverage and improve service quality.
• Bell has introduced a Security-as-a-Service solution hosted on its Canadian sovereign cloud to strengthen cybersecurity offerings for businesses.
• Russian operator MTS has launched an AI-powered testing service for application and website development that promises significant resource savings.

Network sharing strategy: MTN Group and Airtel Africa’s collaboration aims to improve cost efficiency while expanding digital connectivity in rural and remote regions across multiple African markets.

• The agreements comply with local regulatory requirements while enabling both operators to deliver enhanced mobile services to millions of customers.
• MTN Group’s CEO emphasized the “strong structural demand for digital and financial services” driving their strategic approach to infrastructure deployment.
• The companies are actively exploring similar sharing opportunities in additional markets including Congo-Brazzaville, Rwanda, and Zambia.

Security service expansion: Bell’s new SECaaS solution leverages its Canadian sovereign cloud to provide comprehensive cybersecurity protection for business customers.

• The service offers real-time threat detection and containment capabilities while ensuring data remains protected within Canadian borders.
• Bell’s Business Enterprise Cyber Intelligence Centre provides specialized expertise and support for the security platform.

AI-driven testing innovation: MTS Web Services introduces automated, AI-powered testing capabilities for applications and websites, potentially transforming development workflows.

• The service supports over 300 iOS and Android devices along with approximately 100 different browser configurations.
• MTS claims the solution can detect up to 60% of errors early in development while reducing tester resource requirements by up to 30%.
• The platform offers both cloud-based and on-premises deployment options to meet varying customer requirements.