China smartphone market shrinks 0.8% in Q4, Apple reclaims top spot following 21% sales growth
CHINA 15:12

China smartphone market shrinks 0.8% in Q4, Apple reclaims top spot following 21% sales growth

China's smartphone market saw a slight decline in 2025, with fourth-quarter shipments falling 0.8 percent year-on-year to 75.8 million units, and full-year shipments dropping 0.6 percent to a total of 285 million units, according to a report from IDC. The study also shows that this contraction was primarily driven by rising memory costs, which prompted domestic brands to reduce shipments of low-end models to protect profit margins, as well as the fading impact of government subsidies that failed to stimulat

AccelerComm to supply physical layer solution to Airbus 5G NTN demonstrator
GLOBAL 15:11

AccelerComm to supply physical layer solution to Airbus 5G NTN demonstrator

AccelerComm, provider of 5G NTN physical layer technologies, announced its participation in a regenerative 5G NTN demonstrator project led by Airbus, aimed at realising standardised, software-defined orbital data transmission at lower cost than existing market players.

Free fined EUR 42 mln for failure to protect customer data
FRANCE 15:09

Free fined EUR 42 mln for failure to protect customer data

Free and Free Mobile, part of the Iliad group, have been fined EUR 15 million and EUR 27 million respectively for security failings that led to their databases being hacked in October 2024. This follows an investigation into the incident by French data protection watchdog Cnil, which received more than 2,500 complaints from individuals impacted by the security breach. The investigation found that the cyber attack concerned 24 million subscriber contracts, and concluded that a number of basic security measur

Zain Bahrain sign MoU with DOO to explore use of AI in customer service
BAHRAIN 15:06

Zain Bahrain sign MoU with DOO to explore use of AI in customer service

Zain Bahrain has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore potential collaboration with DOO, which provides automated customer service for enterprises using artificial intelligence (AI) agents, including in different Arabic dialects. The MoU establishes a structured framework through which Zain Bahrain can assess DOO's AI capabilities for potential alignment with its customer services, includes the exploration of advanced automation, multilingual support, intelligent engagement tools, and opport

Zoho launches 2 data centres in UAE
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 14:47

Zoho launches 2 data centres in UAE

Zoho has announced the launch of its data centres in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, strengthening its regional footprint and enabling greater control over performance, compliance and data sovereignty for customers. The centres form a part of AED 100 million investment in the UAE that the company had announced in 2023. They will host services from Zoho Corporation's main brands, namely ManageEngine (enterprise IT management) and Zoho (cloud business services).

Polish agency checks find field radiation at 5G base stations in line with legal norms
POLAND 14:41

Polish agency checks find field radiation at 5G base stations in line with legal norms

The Polish R&D Institute of Communications has completed a campaign on checking electromagnetic field radiation at mobile base stations, as well as access points on 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz wireless LANs at schools. The non-ionising field radiation levels also were measured at 5G base stations working on the 3,400–3,800 MHz band in 40 locations in the cities of Kielce, Lublin, Lodz and Opole. No cases of radiation exceeding the maximum allowed legal levels were registered.

MTS expands payments in Azerbaijan with QR codes
AZERBAIJAN 14:38

MTS expands payments in Azerbaijan with QR codes

Russian operator MTS has introduced QR codes for customers to pay for goods and services in Azerbaijan. As a result payments over the application My MTS without commission fee are available at more than 20,000 sales points across the country. Transfers to accounts at Azerbaijan banks are possible also over QR codes.

Telia Estonia's security service blocks 268 mln cyber-attacks on B2B customers in Q4
ESTONIA 14:36

Telia Estonia's security service blocks 268 mln cyber-attacks on B2B customers in Q4

Telia Estonia said that its cyber-security service Telia Turvanet blocked more than 268 million cyber-attacks on B2B customers of the operator in October to December of 2025. That's down from 441 million in the first quarter of 2025, while the total was more than 1.2 billion throughout 2025. The number of DDoS attacks doubled quarter-on-quarter in the fourth quarter.

Telefonica and Guardia Civil team up for cybercrime awareness campaign
SPAIN 14:35

Telefonica and Guardia Civil team up for cybercrime awareness campaign

Telefonica has teamed up with the Guardia Civil military police force and Spain's National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE) to launch a new edition of the "Together for your digital security" campaign, with a special focus on young people aged between 8 and 23 years old. The aim is to reduce criminal acts committed online that exploit user anonymity and make fraudulent use of AI, a problem that is increasingly affecting minors, above all on social networks.

Senegalese ICT ministry discusses telecom sector issues with Yas
SENEGAL 14:35

Senegalese ICT ministry discusses telecom sector issues with Yas

Senegal's ICT ministry officials has held talks with Yas Senegal as part of ongoing engagements with key players in the country's telecoms sector, TechAfrica News reported. The visit centred on discussing the strategic role of the sector in strengthening national sovereignty, enhancing economic competitiveness, promoting territorial cohesion and ensuring equitable access to essential services for citizens.

Altel replaces Amediateka with One FC
KAZAKHSTAN 14:25

Altel replaces Amediateka with One FC

Kazakhstan operator Altel plans to modify the lineup of its video service Qino, replacing the VOD service Amediateka with One FC from 31 January. The service Qino includes over 200 TV channels and eight online video services: OneFC, Megogo, Start, Wink, Qazaqsha, Viju, Plan B and Tvigle. 

Slovak Telekom adds channels from Music Box
SLOVAKIA 14:23

Slovak Telekom adds channels from Music Box

Slovak Telekom has added three music channels from Music Box to the lineup of its pay-TV service Magio TV, as well as to its video play-list Magio Music, reports Zive. The new channels are Music Box Hits, Music Box Dance and Music Box Classic.

GLOBAL 14:22

Global smartphone shipments rise 4% in Q4 - Omdia

Worldwide shipments of smartphone devices in the fourth quarter to December 2025 rose 4 percent year-on-year, according to the latest figures from Omdia. In FY 2025, the industry shipped 1.25 billion units, an increase of 2 percent from FY24. Sales were boosted by strong customer demand in the holiday season, offset partly by cost pressures. Apple led the market in Q4 with a 25 percent share, as iPhone 17 interest propelled the company to its highest-ever volumes in the December period. The US firm also ran

POLAND 14:21

Play gets PLN 450 mln loan for buying Ericsson equipment

Polish operator Play, controlled by Iliad, has concluded an agreement on a PLN 450 million loan with Bank Hadlowy, headquartered in Warsaw, reports the news agency PAP. The operator plans to use the funds for acquiring network equipment from Ericsson in the period to end-2027. The loan is due in March 2039.

MOZAMBIQUE 14:19

Mozambique starts tender to bring internet to 301 rural areas

Mozambique, through its Ministry of Communications and Digital Transformation, has launched a tender to accelerate broadband internet access in 301 rural locations, reported Luas. Funded by the World Bank as part of Mozambique's Digital Acceleration Project, this initiative aims to bridge the country's digital divide by providing high-speed internet and voice services to under-served communities. Phase 1 will see infrastructure built in 95 locations across the southern and central regions. In Phase 2, broad

PHILIPPINES 14:18

Smart, Lynk complete direct-to-device satellite service pilot in Catanduanes island

Philippines operator PLDT, its mobile unit Smart Communications, and technology partner Lynk Global have tested Direct-to-Device satellite service in the island of Catanduanes in the Bicol region. PLDT reports that these tests demonstrated the technology's potential in providing mobile services even in areas where cell services are unavailable.

UKRAINE 14:17

Vodafone Ukraine launches 5G pilot project in Lviv

Vodafone Ukraine said that it has launched a pilot project of 5G services in downtown Lviv. The train station and its surroundings are also planned to be covered soon, with 5G services provided on the 3,500 MHz band. The testing will run until the end of this year.

MALAWI 14:08

TNM provides staff bonus and salary rises after strong results in 2025

Malawian operator TNM said it closed 2025 on a strong financial and operational high and has rewarded employees with up to three months' salary as a bonus and a 20 percent salary increase effective January, Nyasatimes reported. TNM expects its net profit for the year ending 31 December 2025 to be between MWK 20.91 billion and MWK 22.88 billion, up by between 108 and 128 percent from MWK 10.05 billion recorded in 2024. Under the bonus structure, one third of the total amount was paid in December 2025 as a ye

NETHERLANDS 14:04

OctoNona takes over A2B Internet

A2B Internet, an Amsterdam-based provider of business internet and data centre services, has been acquired by rival OctoNona. The takeover gives the company owned by Photon Capital an expanded platform for connectivity and infrastructure services. It earlier bought Layer23, which focuses on Layer 2 Ethernet services, and Atom86, a specialist in IP transit and network infrastructure.

PHILIPPINES 14:03

Globe deploys battery charging hubs in typhoon-prone South Luzon and Bicol areas

Philippines operator Globe Telecom is deploying sustainable Battery Charging Hubs across South Luzon and the Bicol region, to enhance its network resiliency in typhoon-prone South Luzon and Bicol regions. These hubs are designed to address prolonged commercial power outages by ensuring that cell site backup batteries are quickly tested, recharged, and replaced.

SWITZERLAND 13:58

SCION Association trials enhanced data plane powered by upgraded border router

SCION Association, the Swiss-domiciled non-profit promoting the adoption of security-first internet architecture SCION, has announced plans to upgrade components in its open source border router for SCION connections. The association said it is working on a zero-copy underlay based on the Linux technology AF-XDP, which has been available for high-speed networking applications since August 2018.

ITALY 13:48

Tiscali latest to end free UK roaming

Tiscali has become the latest Italian operator to inform customers that it has ended free roaming for those visiting the United Kingdom, reports Mondo Mobile Web, citing an update to the company's website. Following the official departure of the UK from the European Union in 2021, the operator has notified customers that 'roam like home' is no longer be applied in the UK, which has been moved from the EU Zone to the Zone 1 list of foreign countries.

SWEDEN 13:45

ConnectD fined for breach of maximum small business contract duration

Swedish telecoms regulator PTS said it has decided to impose a fine of SEK 200,000 on the operator ConnectD for failing to obtain consent from small business customers for exceeding the maximum binding contract period. The watchdog's review has found that ConnectD did not provide a contract summary and that it applied 60-month tie-ins without valid consent. By law, the maximum binding period for contracts with small firms is 24 months, unless the customer gives their express agreement.

CHINA 13:39

China Unicom appoints Dong Xin as chairman, CEO

China Unicom (Hong Kong) has appointed Dong Xin as its executive director, chairman and CEO as well as a member of the company's Nomination Committee, effective immediately. Dong currently serves as chairman of China United Network Communications Group and China United Network Communications Corporation.

Just In

15:12

China smartphone market shrinks 0.8% in Q4, Apple reclaims top spot following 21% sales growth

15:11

AccelerComm to supply physical layer solution to Airbus 5G NTN demonstrator

15:09

Free fined EUR 42 mln for failure to protect customer data

15:06

Zain Bahrain sign MoU with DOO to explore use of AI in customer service

Commentary

2 JAN 13:21

Open Dutch Fiber's new management team takes up turnaround challenge

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 OKT 2025 11:11

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

Background

12 JAN 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