France launches 3.8-4.2 GHz spectrum award for 5G private networks
French telecom regulator Arcep has confirmed the launch of a 5G spectrum award dedicated to industrial applications. Previously limited to trial authorisations, the 3.8-4.2 GHz band will now be permanently allocated for deployments of 5G private networks in blocks of up to 100 MHz. As part of this award, candidates are invited to apply for ten-year licences in mainland France, subject to annual fees set by government decree. The launch follows the consultation process completed by Arcep earlier this year to
France launches 3.8-4.2 GHz spectrum award for 5G private networks
French telecom regulator Arcep has confirmed the launch of a 5G spectrum award dedicated to industrial applications. Previously limited to trial authorisations, the 3.8-4.2 GHz band will now be permanently allocated for deployments of 5G private networks in blocks of up to 100 MHz. As part of this award, candidates are invited to apply for ten-year licences in mainland France, subject to annual fees set by government decree. The launch follows the consultation process completed by Arcep earlier this year to
Orange Poland, APG to acquire fibre operator Nexera
Orange Poland and APG, on behalf of the pension fund ABP, have agreed the acquisition of Polish wholesale operator Nexera. The acquisition will expand the fibre network of their existing joint venture Swiatlowod Inwestycje by around 800,000 homes passed. The enterprise value of the transaction is PLN 1.5 billion, including around PLN 1 billion in bank debt.
Orange Poland, APG to acquire fibre operator Nexera
Orange Poland and APG, on behalf of the pension fund ABP, have agreed the acquisition of Polish wholesale operator Nexera. The acquisition will expand the fibre network of their existing joint venture Swiatlowod Inwestycje by around 800,000 homes passed. The enterprise value of the transaction is PLN 1.5 billion, including around PLN 1 billion in bank debt.
Italian Supreme Court confirms TIM's EUR 1 bln licence fee refund
Italy's Supreme Court has upheld a lower court ruling ordering the government to pay Telecom Italia (TIM) a refund of EUR 1 billion for licence fee payments dating back 27 years, confirmed the operator in a statement. The decision by Italy's highest court concerns the restitution of the licence fee TIM paid in 1998, the year after the country's telecommunications sector was deregulated. In a short statement, TIM said the amount now due covers the original licence fee of just over EUR 500 million plus revalu
Italian Supreme Court confirms TIM's EUR 1 bln licence fee refund
Korean consumer panel orders SKT to pay KRW 100,000 per hacking victim
South Korea's Consumer Dispute Mediation Commission, part of the Korea Consumer Agency (KCA), has ruled that SK Telecom (SKT) must provide compensation worth KRW 100,000 per person to customers affected by a USIM data breach earlier this year, ordering a combination of bill discounts and loyalty points. According to figures cited by the commission, the breach affected approximately 23.24 million users, including mobile virtual network operator customers. If compensation were applied across all affected user
Korean consumer panel orders SKT to pay KRW 100,000 per hacking victim
The week in telecoms: YouTube, Instagram take on TV market and WBD rejects Paramount
There are always new competitors on the horizon in the telecom sector, and the past week was no different. Instagram is coming to TVs, YouTube wants more of the pay-TV market, and Revolut launched on the mobile market. Warner also confirmed it's going with Netflix as merger partner not Paramount, and several telcos are changing their board line-ups for the new year.
The week in telecoms: YouTube, Instagram take on TV market and WBD rejects Paramount
Finland extends 5G network security controls to base stations
Finland has approved new regulations on mobile network security, extending additional protections to 5G base stations. As a result, operators may be prohibited from using so-called high-risk suppliers for these parts of the network, in addition to existing restrictions on core network elements. The new regulation entered into force on 19 December and replaces the previous security regulation issued in May 2021, the communications agency Traficom announced.
Finland extends 5G network security controls to base stations
Ooredoo Qatar powers connectivity at key events
Ooredoo Qatar announced it successfully delivered high-capacity connectivity across a series of major international sporting championships and conferences hosted in Qatar throughout this year. The events collectively welcomed more than 1.5 million spectators and delegates, and the network handled over 300 TB of mobile data traffic and six million voice calls, while maintaining a 99.99 percent call setup success rate, the company said in a statement.
Ooredoo Qatar powers connectivity at key events
Telefonica to air 2026 Spanish Super Cup and Afcon at no extra cost
Telefonica confirmed that it will air games from the forthcoming Spanish Super Cup and Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournaments at no extra charge on its Movistar Plus+ OTT platform. The four-team Super Cup competition includes the winners and runners up of last year's La Liga and Copa del Rey tournaments (Barcelona and Real Madrid) as well as the third and fourth placed La Liga teams (Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao). It will be broadcast live from Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) to all Movistar Plus+ subscribe
Telefonica to air 2026 Spanish Super Cup and Afcon at no extra cost
Poland adopts legislation implementing Digital Services Act
The lower chamber of the Polish parliament has adopted the law implementing the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA). The DSA aims to more effectively protect internet users and strengthen their rights on online platforms and in e-commerce transactions. The goal is to create a safer and more transparent digital environment in Poland. The bill will enter to the force after signing by the president.
Poland adopts legislation implementing Digital Services Act
MTS Belarus to offer localised AI solutions based on MTS Cloud
MTS Belarus announced plans to launch localised AI solutions in 2026. The operator plans to develop its own architecture of AI agents and an applied LLM platform. The solutions for businesses will be based on the MTS Cloud infrastructure, operated from two data centres of the operator.
MTS Belarus to offer localised AI solutions based on MTS Cloud
Kinea Investments purchases minority share in Brazil's Winity Telecom
Kinea Investimentos, through its Kinea Equity Infra I fund, has purchased a minority share in Brazilian wholesale telecom services provider Winity Telecom. Andre Figueira of Kinea told daily Valor Economico that the investment is driven by the significant growth in data consumption in Brazil, which necessitates robust connectivity infrastructure.
