Nokia, Reflex Expand Broadband Reach in South Africa
Nokia has announced a new collaboration with Reflex to improve broadband access and quality across South Africa. The deployment aims to deliver faster and more reliable connectivity through a wider network of Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
Reflex is expanding its network to accommodate more subscribers while lowering operational costs. The company is also reducing energy usage and space requirements. This development is part of a broader strategy to modernize and scale Reflex's infrastructure.
Nokia revealed that Reflex will deploy its advanced Broadband Network Gateway (BNG) solution. This upgrade uses the Nokia 7750 Service Router (SR-1) platform, enabling faster ISP onboarding and a better broadband experience for users across the country.
According to the announcement, Reflex's network will now benefit from: More efficient use of space and power
Future-ready infrastructure for continued expansion
South Africa is experiencing rising demand for high-speed broadband, especially due to increasing digital adoption in both urban and rural areas. However, many regions remain underserved.
Nokia reported that replacing Reflex's legacy BNGs with its scalable solution will help bridge the digital divide. The upgrade will empower ISPs to extend services to more communities nationwide.
The company emphasized the role of scalable and sustainable networks in supporting South Africa's evolving connectivity needs.
Toni Pellegrino, Managing Director for South Africa and Head of Network Infrastructure for Southern and Eastern Africa at Nokia, stated that neutral host models are key to solving connectivity challenges.
He said that Reflex can now onboard multiple ISPs and subscribers with less equipment, reduced energy use, and lower upfront investment. This shift supports a more inclusive and sustainable digital future.
Charles Castle, Commercial & Sales Executive at Reflex Carrier Solutions, highlighted the company's commitment to a carrier-grade Tier 1 network.
He added that Reflex, as a value-added Nokia reseller, trusts Nokia's technology enough to deploy it in its own core network.
Castle explained that by integrating Nokia's 7750 SR-1 and Carrier-Grade NAT, Reflex adds capacity and intelligence while cutting complexity, space, and power needs.
He stated the result is a secure, scalable platform with high-speed performance and consistent uptime. ISPs using Reflex's VISP offering can now launch new services within days instead of months.
Reflex's deployment of Nokia's technology is set to optimize operations and expand broadband reach across South Africa. The move supports a more inclusive digital economy and strengthens connectivity nationwide.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tahawul Tech
6 days ago
- Tahawul Tech
Nokia and Verizon secure deal to provide 5G to UK FTZ
Verizon Business and Nokia recently secured a deal to provide 5G networks to multiple logistics, manufacturing and innovation sites across Thames Freeport. Thames Freeport will use the operator's private 5G networks to improve port operations with AI-based data analytics, autonomous vehicle control, real-time logistics orchestration and research and development. Nokia is the hardware and software vendor for the networks, which includes its digital automation cloud (DAC) platform and its on-premises edge computing platform, MX Industrial Edge (MXIE). A representative for Verizon told Mobile World Live there will be at least three private networks covering as many locations, and some with multiple sites, which could expand as the deployment progresses. The representative explained the deployment is in early stages and the networks are likely months away from going live. Verizon noted Thames Freeport is a designated UK free trade zone designed to ramp economic growth in the area while creating high-value jobs and attracting global investments. It is part of a long-term effort to revive the UK's River Thames Estuary region. The private 5G networks will play a direct role in reviving the local economy by providing job training and reskilling initiatives to foster innovation and R&D collaborations among Freeport tenants and outside corporate, government and research entities. The project has created 1,400 jobs and plans to reach 5,000 by 2030, with a focus on high-skilled training for the local communities. Thames Freeport CEO Martin Whiteley stated the investment in private 5G networks is 'the backbone of a technological transformation fuelling our long-term multi-stakeholder mission'. Thames Freeport and its tenant companies, including Ford, DP World and Forth Ports, will manage the private 5G infrastructure. Source: Mobile World Live Image Credit: Stock Image/Nokia
Zawya
24-06-2025
- Zawya
Nokia, e& and MediaTek achieve multi-gigabit speeds with six-component carrier aggregation
Enables e& UAE to maximize existing spectrum assets and strengthen its position as the world's fastest mobile network Powered by Nokia's Massive MIMO radios and baseband solutions, validated end-to-end with MediaTek's flagship 5G device Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Nokia, in collaboration with e& UAE, the flagship telecommunications arm of e& in the UAE, and MediaTek, today announced the Middle East's first successful demonstration of six-component carrier (6CC) aggregation in 5G Standalone (SA). The trial combined 400 MHz of e& UAE's 5G mid-band spectrum, unlocking multi-gigabit peak throughput rates that would allow subscribers to download UHD movies in seconds. For e& UAE, the milestone further solidifies its position as the world's fastest mobile network while future-proofing radio access network investments. The trial utilized e& UAE's commercial spectrum across 3.5 GHz, 2.6 GHz, 2.1 GHz and 1.8 GHz bands and delivered a throughput of 5.8 Gbps. Nokia supplied its latest high-capacity equipment from the AirScale portfolio, including Habrok 64 Massive MIMO radios, dual-band radios, baseband solutions and carrier aggregation software. MediaTek provided a prototype smartphone powered by its flagship 5G chipset, which supports 6CC carrier aggregation. Mark Atkinson, Senior Vice President and Head of Radio Access Networks at Nokia, said: 'Together with our long-standing partners, e& and MediaTek, Nokia is once again pushing the limits of technology by aggregating six mid-band component carriers. Our industry-leading carrier aggregation solutions help maximize 5G performance with existing spectrum assets, paving the path to Advanced 5G. Multi-gigabit speeds are a true game-changer for end-user experience in the UAE's competitive market for both consumers and enterprises.' Abdulrahman Al Humaidan - Vice President Access Network at e& UAE, said: 'Aggregating six mid-band carriers lets us squeeze every bit of performance out of the spectrum that we have available for 5G. This breakthrough shows that 5G Advanced isn't a distant vision, but a concrete enabler for multi-gigabit speeds across the UAE without waiting for new frequencies. Working with Nokia and MediaTek, we now have a clear blueprint for scaling this capability nationwide.' He added: '5G is redefining what's possible — from ultra-fast downloads to real-time connectivity that powers everything from mobile streaming to smart cities. At e&, we're pushing the boundaries of 5G performance to ensure people across the country experience the full potential of next-generation speed and reliability. This isn't just about faster connections — it's about enabling the UAE's digital future.' Nokia and e& UAE are paving the way for future enhancements to 5G networks by providing the critical technology foundation that supports the growing demand for data and digital services in the region. HC Hwang, General Manager of Wireless Communication System and Partnership at MediaTek said: 'Successfully completing the 6CC carrier aggregation trial in partnership with e& and Nokia marks a significant leap forward in 5G technology advancement. This achievement, conducted on our new M90 modem platform, underscores MediaTek's commitment to pushing download speeds, enhancing network performance, and delivering unparalleled connectivity.' About Nokia At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, which is celebrating 100 years of innovation. With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future. Media Inquiries Nokia Communications, Corporate Email: Follow us on social media LinkedIn X Instagram Facebook YouTube About e& e& is a global technology group committed to advancing the digital future across markets in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe. With the group's financial performance in 2023 showing a consolidated net revenue of AED 53.8 billion and a net profit of AED 10.3 billion, e& continues to maintain its position as a financial powerhouse, reflected by its strong credit rating and solid balance sheet. Founded in Abu Dhabi over 48 years ago, e& has evolved from a telecom pioneer into a technology group. Its footprint now spans 38 countries, offering a comprehensive portfolio of innovative digital services ranging from advanced connectivity, entertainment, streaming and financial services to AI-powered solutions, cloud computing, ICT, cybersecurity and IoT platforms. The Group is structured around five core business pillars: e& UAE, e& international, e& life, e& enterprise and e& capital, each catering to distinct customer and market needs. These pillars empower e& to lead in various sectors, from telecom and digital lifestyle to enterprise services and venture investments. The ongoing strategic investments in AI, IoT, 5G and cloud services reinforce its leadership in the global technology landscape, driving the future of smart connectivity and innovation. Driven by innovation, sustainability and a commitment to digital empowerment, e& is set on creating a smarter, more connected future for individuals, businesses and communities. To learn more about e&, visit About e& UAE e& UAE embodies the telecom arm of e& in the UAE, with a mission to maximise stakeholder value, deliver an unparalleled customer experience and optimise business performance for sustainable growth and success. Leveraging the latest world-class technologies, e& UAE will grow core and digital services, enriching consumer value propositions with digital services catering to new consumer lifestyles and emerging demands beyond core telecom services, including health, insurance and gaming. e& UAE will continue to act as a trusted partner to enterprises in meeting their connectivity needs and beyond. Bolstering its leadership position as a digital telco that champions customers in a hyper-connected digital world, e& UAE will pivot the new sustainable demand into future spaces such as private networks, autonomous vehicles, and AI. To learn more about e& UAE, please visit:
Arabian Post
14-06-2025
- Arabian Post
AI Browser Agents Mark New Era with H Company Launch
Runner H, Surfer H and Tester H, three autonomous AI agents developed by Paris-based H Company, make web-native task automation available across consumer and enterprise settings. The framework integrates advanced vision–language models that perceive browser interfaces and predict actions like clicking buttons or filling text fields, executing them via a headless browser. Runner H acts as the orchestrator. It receives natural‑language instructions, composes workflows using specialised sub‑agents and interacts with platforms such as Google Drive, Slack and Notion. In corporate pilots across France and abroad, Runner H has already begun generating revenue, even as the company offers a limited-edge free version for individual users. Surfer H is a browsing‑focused agent powered by an open‑sourced model called Holo‑1. Built on Alibaba Cloud's Qwen with H Company's enhancements, Holo‑1 records a 92.2 % success rate on the WebVoyager benchmarking suite—surpassing competitors including Google's Project Mariner and OpenAI's Operator—while reportedly cutting per‑query costs by over five‑fold. ADVERTISEMENT Tester H is tailored for web automation and testing, converting English-language prompts into scripted interactions like form‑filling or button‑clicking. The tool rides on the back of the company's 2024 acquisition of Mithril Security, integrating security‑focused mechanisms while aiming to simplify QA workflows for engineers. Benchmarks show Runner H outperforming market alternatives. On WebVoyager, its VLM–LLM pipeline yielded a 67 % task‑completion rate—exceeding Emergence AgentE at 61 % and Anthropic's Computer Use agent at 52 %. The backbone of Runner H comprises a 3‑billion‑parameter H‑VLM for interpreting GUI elements and a family of internal LLMs optimised for decision‑making and code generation. H Company introduced these agents alongside its Studio platform in March. The Studio provides a unified interface for designing, editing and running web automations, with self‑healing UI selectors and workflow version control. The platform currently operates in a private beta, yet H Company envisions expanding access to developers and broader audiences soon. Founded by former DeepMind researchers and headquartered in Paris, H Company has grown to a team of around 70, with an office in London and plans to open in the United States. Its vision is to redefine AI—from dialogue assistants to action‑driven agents capable of autonomously executing tasks across software and services. AI‑powered automation is gaining momentum. Open-source browser agents such as OpenAI's Operator, Anthropic's Claude Computer Use, and various community initiatives are rapidly evolving. Notably, H Company is contributing to that momentum by publishing research on its Vision‑Language and Large Language Models, and by releasing Holo‑1 under an open‑source licence, accelerating accessibility for developers. H Company is refining capabilities via reinforcement learning, agent debugging tools, memory, planning modules and community support. Their research emphasises modularity and cost‑efficiency—showing VLMs can outperform large generalist models in task‑grounding while operating at a fraction of the size and serve‑time cost.
