ZTE Uganda introduces Blade A36
UGANDA 09:16

ZTE Uganda introduces Blade A36

ZTE has introduced its Blade A36 smartphone aimed at Ugandan consumers seeking quality, durability and affordability. Jason Zhang, country director, said the Blade A36 embodies its vision of delivering world-class devices at prices that make sense for the market.  The cost in Uganda generally ranges from UGX 220,000 to UGX 250,000, depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions, typically with 4GB RAM (expandable to 6 GB dynamic) and 64 GB storage.

Xiaomi's Redmi Note 15 phones set for wider commercial availability from 15 January
GLOBAL 09:07

Xiaomi's Redmi Note 15 phones set for wider commercial availability from 15 January

Xiaomi has scheduled additional market entries on 15 January for its latest generation Redmi Note smartphones. While Xiaomi did not go into specifics on each territory's launch schedule, the Chinese release was in August 2025 and shipments to Indian consumers reportedly began on 06 January.

Global PC shipments up 9% in 2025 as supply constraints cloud 2026 outlook
GLOBAL 08:58

Global PC shipments up 9% in 2025 as supply constraints cloud 2026 outlook

Global PC shipments rose 9 percent in 2025 to 279.5 million units, driven by a strong fourth-quarter performance, according to new data from Omdia. Total shipments grew 10.1 percent year-on-year to 75 million units in the October to December period, as both notebooks and desktops recorded solid gains. Notebook shipments for the year climbed 8.0 percent to 220.4 million units, while desktops grew faster at 14.4 percent, reaching 59 million units.

E& signs fintech development MoU with Freedom Telecom
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 08:56

E& signs fintech development MoU with Freedom Telecom

Freedom Telecom International (FTI), a subsidiary of Freedom Holding Corp (FRHC), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with E& to explore collaboration opportunities in telecommunications and financial technology in international markets. The MoU sets a framework for applying the two organisations' respective strengths in fintech, digital financial services and telecoms innovation. They intend to assess opportunities for new digital value propositions, explore advisory capabilities, and examine areas fo

Omantel completes network upgrade to prepare for 5G Standalone
OMAN 08:46

Omantel completes network upgrade to prepare for 5G Standalone

Omantel said it has completed a major network upgrade with no disruption to customers, positioning it to deploy 5G Standalone use cases, including Voice over 5G, tailored network services, RedCap, large-scale IoT connectivity and ultra-low latency applications. Omantel said the upgrade reinforces its long-term technology roadmap and its commitment to building a resilient, future-ready network that delivers tangible value to the economy and society.

Sama X obtains licence to provide Starlink services in Bahrain
BAHRAIN 08:40

Sama X obtains licence to provide Starlink services in Bahrain

Starlink global reseller Sama X has been licensed by Bahrain's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) to the satellite internet services in Bahrain. Sama X offers turnkey services ranging from customer consultation to rapid installation and activation as well as local support, including a round-the-clock call centre serving in both English and Arabic. Sama X is backed by privately owned company Alghanim Industries. It will provide the high-speed internet service to every corner of Bahrain using Starl

Fastweb+Vodafone debuts new Sinner-backed convergent plus energy offer
ITALY 08:39

Fastweb+Vodafone debuts new Sinner-backed convergent plus energy offer

Italian operator Fastweb+Vodafone has launched a new advertising campaign starring tennis player Jannik Sinner and TV presenter Alessandro Cattelan, longstanding ambassadors of Fastweb and Vodafone Italia respectively, to promote its latest residential convergent offering. The corresponding ad features Sinner calling Cattelan, who responds by introducing three boys representing mobile, landline and energy services.

Space42 signs MoU with Abu Dhabi Police to advance autonomous mobility
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 08:27

Space42 signs MoU with Abu Dhabi Police to advance autonomous mobility

Space42 and Abu Dhabi Police have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop smart security and autonomous vehicle systems. Under the MoU, Abu Dhabi Police will support road safety initiatives and minimise traffic incidents by applying AI and autonomous mobility capabilities in police vehicles. The two parties will also provide joint training and field programmes and establish the foundations to expand the scheme to a broader range of applications in Abu Dhabi's transport network, in line with the lead

TIM hikes price of further landline plans by up to EUR 5/mth
ITALY 08:23

TIM hikes price of further landline plans by up to EUR 5/mth

Telecom Italia (TIM) has announced on its website that more existing landline customers will be subject to a price increase of EUR 2.99 to EUR 5 a month (including VAT) applied to their plans starting 01 February. The company attributed the increase to "economic needs arising from the need to sustain the investments connected to the increase in data traffic".

Pakistan to launch 5G spectrum auction on 26 February
PAKISTAN 08:10

Pakistan to launch 5G spectrum auction on 26 February

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced it will launch a 5G spectrum auction on 26 February. The Pakistani government will auction a total of 597 MHz of spectrum across six different bands. This includes 15 MHz in the 700 MHz frequency band, as well as small blocks (3.6 MHz and 20 MHz respectively) in the 1,800 MHz and 2,100 MHz bands, and large blocks of TDD spectrum (totaling 520 MHz) in the 2,300, 2,600 and 3,500 MHz bands, specifically for 5G services.

Lumos names COO ahead of CEO retirement in March
UNITED STATES 08:04

Lumos names COO ahead of CEO retirement in March

US fibre operator Lumos' CEO Brian Stading is retiring at the end of March, the company announced. He has led the company since it was formed in 2022 from the merger of Lumos Networks and NorthState and through its sale to T-Mobile and EQT last year. No new CEO was announced, but Lumos said it has promoted David Smith to the role of chief operating officer and Josh Many to chief network officer. 

Spanish e-commerce sales hit record EUR 28.3 bln in Q2
SPAIN 07:54

Spanish e-commerce sales hit record EUR 28.3 bln in Q2

The Spanish e-commerce market continued posting double-digit growth in the second quarter of 2025, reaching record sales of EUR 28.3 billion, up 22.6 percent year on year, according to the latest data from market regulator CNMC. The total number of transactions also climbed, by 16.8 percent, to more than 493 million.

SOUTH AFRICA 07:50

Icasa still working on rules for mobile data rollover

 The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) is working on new rules that will allow consumers to roll over their mobile data bundles, MyBroadband.co.za reported. Parks Tau, the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, said that Icasa is finalising the regulations for publication. Tau, who was responding to a Parliamentary question, said the regulations will address the rollover and transfer of data bundles to align with the Consumer Protection Act.

HUNGARY 07:44

One Hungary fined over misleading pricing

The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) has issued a HUF 352 million fine to One Hungary, the successor to Vodafone Hungary, for failing to clearly communicate inflation-linked price adjustments to consumers between October 2022 and May 2024. The GVH's investigation found that Vodafone Hungary's advertising of loyalty packages was misleading. While promotions highlighted monthly fees, they did not adequately inform consumers about the potential for annual price increases due to inflation. This meant custo

IRAN (ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF) 07:43

Iran shuts down internet amid widespread violence

Iran has shut down the internet across the country to curb growing unrest as videos showed anti-government protests raging across the country, Reuters reported. Iran's Ministry of information and communications technology said the decision to shut down the internet was made "by the competent security authorities under the prevailing circumstances of the country."

PAKISTAN 07:41

Pakistan to grant MVNO licences

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has officially launched the Mobile Virtual Network Operator policy framework, after receiving formal approval from the Federal Cabinet. This initiative allows new service providers to offer nationwide mobile and data services under their own brand names, without holding spectrum, using the existing infrastructure of established mobile network operators.

UNITED STATES 07:41

Starlink gets FCC approval to double satellite constellation

Starlink has received approval from the US Federal Communications Commission to double its satellite fleet. Under this grant, its owner SpaceX is authorized to construct, deploy and operate an additional 7,500 Starlink satellites as the second phase of its constellation, bringing the total to 15,000 satellites worldwide. The wider constellation is expected to support improved coverage, speed and latency from the satellite internet service, as well as the wider roll-out of direct-to-device mobile satellite s

AUSTRALIA 06:51

SKS Technologies completes Delta Elcom acquisition for AUD 12.5 million

Australian IT services company SKS Technologies Group has completed its acquisition of Sydney-based data centre specialist company Delta Elcom, following an earlier announcement in December. Delta Elcom is an electrical and communications contractor specialising in data centre infrastructure and complex technology projects. The business generates annual revenue of around AUD 25 million and provides design, installation and maintenance services across data centre construction, network cabling and integrated

AUSTRALIA 06:30

Meta removes almost 550,000 under-16 accounts in Australia

Meta said it had removed access to almost 550,000 accounts belonging to users it believes are under the age of 16, one month after Australia's social media age ban law came into force. The company said the removals took place by 11 December 2025 as part of its initial compliance with the legislation. In an update on its Australian and New Zealand policy blog, Meta said ongoing compliance would involve a multi-layered approach that it expects to refine over time. It reiterated concerns about the lack of an i

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 06:28

LG Uplus expands membership programme benefits for 2026

LG Uplus has announced an expansion of benefits under its flagship membership programme, U+2+, as it enters 2026, adding new food delivery, dining and leisure offers alongside incentives for long-term customers. From 13 January, eligible customers can access the updated benefits through the operator's U+one app. As part of the changes, LG Uplus will offer a two-month free subscription to Baemin Club, the paid delivery service from Baedal Minjok, marking the first time a Korean mobile operator has bundled th

JAPAN 06:26

NTT applies to shift telegram service to special correspondence framework

NTT East and NTT West have applied for government approval to operate their telegram service under Japan's special correspondence delivery regime, following amendments to the Telecommunications Business Act. The two operators said they have submitted an application to the minister for internal affairs and communications to begin operating as a licensed "specified correspondence delivery" provider. The move reflects legal changes that will remove telegram services from the scope of regulation under the Telec

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 06:23

Industry seeks clarity as Korean AI Framework Act looms

South Korea is preparing to enforce what it describes as the world's first comprehensive AI law, positioning itself as an early regulator of AI as global rules remain fragmented, according to the Korea Herald, citing industry sources. The AI Framework Act, passed in December 2024, is due to take effect on 22 January, with the government promising a one-year grace period before penalties are applied.

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 06:21

SK AX gains first government recognition for gen AI certification

South Korea's SK AX has received government recognition for its generative AI skills certification scheme, marking the first such approval in South Korea for a programme focused on generative AI capabilities. The company said its AI Competency Certification Platform had been approved under the "company qualification government recognition system" by the ministry of employment and labour and the human resources development service of Korea.

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 06:18

KT has lost over 210,000 customers since penalty waiver

More than 210,000 customers of Korea Telecom (KT) have left the operator for a different service provider after it began waiving early termination fees following its major data breach, according to Maeil Business, citing industry sources. As of 11 January, 210,603 KT users switched to rival carriers since 31 December, averaging more than 17,000 departures per day. On 8 January alone, 24,252 subscribers left KT, including 15,701 who moved to SK Telecom (SKT). On 10 January, as more users moved to other carri

Just In

09:16

ZTE Uganda introduces Blade A36

09:07

Xiaomi's Redmi Note 15 phones set for wider commercial availability from 15 January

08:58

Global PC shipments up 9% in 2025 as supply constraints cloud 2026 outlook

08:56

E& signs fintech development MoU with Freedom Telecom

Commentary

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15 DEC 2025 13:56

Video market set for slower growth ahead

8 DEC 2025 11:38

Netflix buys Warner Bros to deepen content catalogue

31 OCT 2025 11:11

KPN's mixed performance in Q3 raises questions for strategy day

Background

00:04

The week in telecoms: CES brings Wi-Fi 8 and more smart glasses, while Warner sticks with Netflix

5 JAN 00:52

The week in telecom: Finnish security check, M&A completions and telco job cuts

23 DEC 2025 10:32

Netherlands TV-video market grows 2.6% in Q3 to EUR 759 mln

22 DEC 2025 00:25

The week in telecoms: YouTube, Instagram take on TV market and WBD rejects Paramount