Story perspectives

Nokia and Fibertime Tackle Africa's Digital Connectivity Crisis

10/10/2025

Summary

Story summary

Nokia and Fibertime are expanding fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) in South Africa to address challenges in Africa's digital infrastructure.
The African Telecommunications Union reports that under 1% of Africans have fixed-line internet subscriptions, despite growth in international bandwidth.
New approaches, such as using submarine cable technology for terrestrial connections, aim to bridge connectivity gaps.
Regulatory hurdles, infrastructure needs, and vandalism present ongoing challenges to these initiatives.
Enhancing connectivity for landlocked countries could improve digital inclusion across the continent.

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Story summary

Nokia and Fibertime are expanding fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) in South Africa to address challenges in Africa's digital infrastructure.
The African Telecommunications Union reports that under 1% of Africans have fixed-line internet subscriptions, despite growth in international bandwidth.
New approaches, such as using submarine cable technology for terrestrial connections, aim to bridge connectivity gaps.
Regulatory hurdles, infrastructure needs, and vandalism present ongoing challenges to these initiatives.
Enhancing connectivity for landlocked countries could improve digital inclusion across the continent.