DJ Zinhle launches her own mobile network, Bestie Connect, for her followers

Modern Generation Z spends a significant amount of time on phones and social media, often without realizing how time passes from morning until late evening. The phone has become an integral part of this group's daily life. However, some members of Generation Z are trying to change this habit by distancing themselves from social networks and reducing the frequency of checking their phones, as they are tired of using applications for many hours.

This process is called digital detox. Digital detox implies a temporary break or reduction in the use of phones and social media. The goal here is not a complete abandonment of phone use, but rather minimizing the time spent on it and preventing mindless constant checking.

According to a Guardian report from October 27, 2026, 19-year-old Nelisa Mokaunzi used the Opal app to reduce screen time. This application blocks Instagram and other distracting apps, requiring the user to solve mathematical problems to regain access to them.

Furthermore, some young people are opting out of smartphones in favor of simpler phones that lack social media and other frequently used applications. The report mentions 23-year-old Kendall Shaw, who started using such 'light' phones that only provide essential functions like calls and messages.

Another example is 19-year-old Shreya Nallamotu, who developed a device called Brick. This device allows users to block selected applications on their phone using just eight dollars worth of NFC tags.

Some young people now prefer meeting friends in person instead of spending hours on social media. Applications like People Enjoy (P.I.E.) inform about upcoming concerts, events, and other local happenings. According to the report, the number of users of this application grew from 120 thousand in July to 300 thousand in August.

26-year-old Han Choi decided to delete his social media applications to dedicate more time to training and socializing with friends. This demonstrates Generation Z's desire not to spend all their time on screens; they want to use technology while controlling how much time they spend on their phones.

MTN South Africa, in collaboration with Huawei, successfully conducted a proof of concept demonstration and achieved the first commercial validation in the industry of enhanced microwave spectrum reuse capability. This feature is based on Huawei's CCIC (Co-Channel Interference Cancellation) microwave solution and is designed to increase capacity by more efficiently utilizing existing licensed spectrum.

The new capability allows for more efficient use of microwave spectrum, helping MTN build capacity in areas where additional spectrum is either limited or difficult to obtain. The demonstrated solution showed a significant improvement in spectrum utilization efficiency while maintaining network performance, which contributes to rapid capacity growth and accelerated deployment of 5G services.

MTN South Africa is one of the leading providers of mobile and digital services in the country, and MTN Group is the largest mobile operator on the African continent. Due to the expansion of commercial 5G services, MTN South Africa faces growing demand for high-capacity microwave backhaul networks. This has created an urgent need to maximize the use of licensed spectrum while controlling associated costs.

Obtaining additional spectrum is traditionally expensive and often requires lengthy regulatory procedures. Furthermore, strong interference in low-frequency bands can significantly degrade the quality of backhaul service. At major hub sites, further network expansion is often limited by insufficient spectrum availability and the complexity of obtaining new spectrum licenses.

To solve these problems, MTN South Africa implemented the Huawei CCIC solution. This technology continuously analyzes co-channel interference in real-time and generates compensating signals to suppress it. By overcoming the limitations of physical isolation in traditional microwave systems, this solution enables more efficient reuse of existing microwave spectrum, supporting capacity expansion where spectrum is constrained. In a deployed configuration, it demonstrated a significant increase in spectrum reuse efficiency.

This achievement allows operators to use existing frequencies for both capacity growth and targeted expansion, optimizing spectral resources and reducing operational costs.

Spectrum Scarcity

Rodni Reddy, Senior Transmission Planning Manager, Tivashan Naidu, Senior Transmission Specialist, and Rim Al Saba, Senior Transmission Specialist at MTN South Africa stated that 'the CCIC solution directly addresses spectrum scarcity issues. It enhances spectral efficiency and optimal spectrum utilization during capacity expansion, eliminating spectrum limitations that have historically constrained hub site growth. This allows us to maximize our existing spectrum assets while simultaneously improving operational efficiency and reducing spectrum-related costs.'

Nkosinathi Nzima, General Manager of Transport and OSS (Operations Support Systems), noted: 'This phase demonstrates how targeted innovations can help us effectively expand capacity in constrained areas, increase the value of licensed spectrum assets, and create a scalable, future-ready transmission network. This deployment supports our broader strategic goal of expanding network capacity while maintaining investment discipline and operational efficiency.'

Alex Singh, Vice President of Key Account Management for MTN Group at Huawei, emphasized: 'Huawei is committed to continuous innovation in microwave transmission technologies. The CCIC solution significantly improves spectral efficiency, enhances network performance, and optimizes the total cost of ownership for operators. By enabling higher capacity and more efficient microwave backhaul networks, this solution helps accelerate the large-scale deployment of 5G services.'

This implementation shows the potential of CCIC technology in helping operators maximize the value of existing spectrum assets, expand network capacity more efficiently, and support the growing demand for 5G connectivity.

About Huawei

Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure and intelligent devices. With 213,000 employees working in over 170 countries, the company serves more than three billion people worldwide.

Huawei strives to enable digitalization for every person, home, and organization towards a fully connected, intelligent world. In 2025, Huawei achieved revenue of C¥880.9 billion, reinvesting 21.8% (C¥192.3 billion) in Research and Development (R&D), with approximately 53.7% of its employees working in R&D. As a private company wholly owned by its employees, Huawei focuses on customer-centric innovation and open collaboration to create long-term value and drive technological breakthroughs globally.

The First Lady of Uzbekistan, Ziroat Mirziyoyeva, has been appointed as the chairperson of the Global Network for Support of Children with Serious Illnesses for a two-year term. This international initiative was announced during the Second International Congress on Childhood Cancer, held in Samarkand as part of the World Summit on Child Well-being, according to the press service of the Zamin Foundation.

The new network will unite first ladies and spouses of heads of state to promote international cooperation, exchange experiences, and provide assistance to children suffering from serious and life-threatening diseases, including cancer.

The initiative was presented by Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo, Vice President of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Director of St. Jude Global in the United States. Mirziyoyeva's appointment to the chairmanship was officially formalized during the congress.

Addressing the event, the First Lady of Uzbekistan called on the international community, governments, scientists, and humanitarian organizations to join forces to meet the needs of children requiring medical care.

Mirziyoyeva stated: 'Illness and suffering do not recognize political borders, nationality, or income level. Let us unite for the future well-being so that no child and no family is left alone with their pain.'

The Second International Congress on Childhood Cancer was held under the slogan 'From Treatment to Quality of Life.' Participants included representatives of healthcare bodies from Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Russia, as well as the World Health Organization, the International Society of Pediatric Oncology, the European School of Oncology, foreign university hospitals and medical centers, research organizations, and civil society groups.

The network is intended to strengthen international cooperation in the field of supporting children with severe ailments. Mirziyoyeva's appointment underscores Uzbekistan's efforts to develop services in pediatric oncology and expand children's access to quality healthcare.