Korea and UK discuss joint roadmap for 6G standardisation cooperation
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:53

Korea and UK discuss joint roadmap for 6G standardisation cooperation

South Korea's Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA) said it has discussed a joint roadmap with the UK aimed at strengthening cooperation on 6G standardisation and international standards activities. The discussions took place during the final reporting session for the 2025/26 UK Knowledge Sharing Program held in Seoul, attended by officials from South Korea's ministry of science and ICT, the UK department for science, innovation and technology, and telecommunications industry representatives from

LG Uplus completes more than two million SIM updates and replacements
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:51

LG Uplus completes more than two million SIM updates and replacements

LG Uplus said cumulative SIM update and replacement cases linked to its International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) system transition have exceeded two million. According to the operator, 750,461 SIM updates and 1,264,066 SIM replacements were completed between 13 April and 17 May, bringing the combined total to 2,014,527 cases. LG Uplus said the cumulative processing rate currently stands at 11.8 percent.

Fujitsu and Science Tokyo establish quantum and HPC research collaboration
JAPAN 05:49

Fujitsu and Science Tokyo establish quantum and HPC research collaboration

Fujitsu and Institute of Science Tokyo have established a joint research organisation focused on quantum computing hardware and high-performance computing (HPC) technologies. The new "Fujitsu Quantum and HPC Infrastructure Collaborative Research Cluster" will support research into quantum hardware technologies and the development of specialist talent in Japan. The initiative forms part of Fujitsu's Small Research Lab programme and operates under Science Tokyo's collaborative research cluster system.

NTT Data to acquire Microsoft partner WinWire Technologies
UNITED STATES 05:47

NTT Data to acquire Microsoft partner WinWire Technologies

NTT Data has agreed to acquire WinWire Technologies, a Microsoft-focused cloud and AI services provider headquartered in California. NTT Data said the acquisition is intended to strengthen its capabilities in AI, data engineering and cloud-native application development, while supporting its broader enterprise AI strategy and expansion in North America.

KDDI adopts AI-based project management platform Proever
JAPAN 05:45

KDDI adopts AI-based project management platform Proever

KDDI has introduced the Proever project management platform developed by Management Solutions to support management of large-scale development projects across its network and cloud services operations. Management Solutions said the platform was adopted by KDDI's Network Development Division and Cloud Service Development Department as part of efforts to improve visibility and coordination across multiple projects linked to the operator's expansion into areas including digital transformation, finance and ener

Keppel signs 25-year Bifrost subsea cable agreement with Telstra International
ASIA 05:43

Keppel signs 25-year Bifrost subsea cable agreement with Telstra International

Singapore's Keppel has signed a definitive 25-year Indefeasible Right of Use agreement with Telstra International for a fibre pair on the Bifrost subsea cable system. The agreement follows a binding term sheet signed by the companies in January 2026. Bifrost is a subsea cable system connecting Singapore and the west coast of the United States through routes via Indonesia, with landing points in Singapore, Guam and Grover Beach, California, as well as branching connections to Indonesia, the Philippines and O

LG Uplus launches Galaxy Buddy5 mid-range smartphone
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:41

LG Uplus launches Galaxy Buddy5 mid-range smartphone

LG Uplus has launched the Galaxy Buddy5, a new mid-range smartphone priced at KRW 528,000, as part of its exclusive Galaxy Buddy 5G smartphone series. The device is based on Samsung Electronics' Galaxy A17 5G model and is available exclusively through LG Uplus retail stores and the operator's online store. The Galaxy Buddy5 is the fifth model in the operator's Galaxy Buddy series, which was introduced in 2021.

Japan's mobile subscribers pass 233 million as all four operators post full-year gains
JAPAN 05:39

Japan's mobile subscribers pass 233 million as all four operators post full-year gains

Japan's four mobile network operators collectively held approximately 233.1 million subscribers at the end of March 2026, according to figures published by the Telecommunications Carriers Association (TCA), with every operator recording net growth over the twelve-month period covered by the data. NTT Docomo remained the largest operator, ending the fiscal year with 93,076,400 subscribers, up from 91,592,800 at the start of the period in June 2025, a net addition of around 1.48 million connections. 

Freeview to launch DVB-I based streaming television platform in New Zealand
NEW ZEALAND 05:37

Freeview to launch DVB-I based streaming television platform in New Zealand

Freeview New Zealand has announced plans to launch Freeview NextGen, a new free-to-air television platform based on the DVB-I standard that will allow viewers to access live TV channels over broadband connections without requiring dedicated applications, satellite dishes or aerial connections. The company said the service is expected to launch in the third quarter of 2026 in partnership with television manufacturers Hisense and TCL. Freeview claimed the platform is the first nationwide free-to-air televisio

South Korean government warns of intervention over planned Samsung strike
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:35

South Korean government warns of intervention over planned Samsung strike

South Korean prime minister Kim Min-seok has warned that the government could consider emergency arbitration measures in response to a planned strike at Samsung Electronics, according to Yonhap, citing government sources. The warning came as Samsung and its largest labour union agreed to resume government-led mediation talks on Monday, four days before an 18-day strike is scheduled to begin.

KT expands May membership promotions across retail, dining and entertainment
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:34

KT expands May membership promotions across retail, dining and entertainment

Korea Telecom (KT)  has announced an expanded set of membership promotions for May, covering food delivery, retail, leisure and cultural activities as part of its KT Membership programme. The operator said its customer reward programme will run from 18 to 31 May, with members able to choose between a 50 percent discount at coffee chain A Twosome Place, capped at KRW 5,000, or an KRW 8,000 discount on Norang Tongdak orders through food delivery platform Baedal Minjok for purchases above KRW 16,000. KT said t

One NZ launches refurbished smartphone sales pilot
NEW ZEALAND 05:32

One NZ launches refurbished smartphone sales pilot

One New Zealand has launched a pilot programme to sell refurbished smartphones, becoming what it claims is the first mobile operator in New Zealand to offer refurbished handsets directly to customers. The refurbished devices are currently available through the operator's online store and include Apple iPhone 12, 13, 14 Pro and 15 Pro models. One NZ said the phones have been tested, cleaned and restored before resale and are sold with a 24-month warranty.

JAPAN 05:30

KDDI adds bitcoin-linked and savings options to au PAY points

KDDI and au Payment Corporation have added two new products to their au PAY Points Investment service, expanding the platform to include a bitcoin-linked investment option and a principal-protected savings product. The new "Bitcoin-linked Course" allows users to simulate exposure to bitcoin price movements using Ponta loyalty points, while the new "Point Savings" option offers an annual interest rate of 0.10 percent on deposited points without the risk of balance reductions.

CANADA 05:28

Goldman Sachs Alternatives completes acquisition of QScale

Goldman Sachs Alternatives has completed the acquisition of Canadian data centre developer and operator QScale through its infrastructure investment business, with QScale's founders and management team reinvesting in the company and remaining in operational leadership roles. QScale, which is headquartered in Quebec, said its flagship Q01 campus in Levis uses Quebec's hydroelectric power grid and cold climate cooling conditions to support high-density computing operations.

SINGAPORE 03:38

IMDA suspends review of proposed M1-Simba deal amid spectrum investigation

Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has suspended its assessment of the proposed consolidation between M1 and Simba pending the outcome of an investigation into the alleged unauthorised use of radio frequency spectrum by Simba. During the merger review process, IMDA said it learnt that Simba may have been using radio frequency bands that had not been assigned to the operator to provide mobile services. According to the regulator, this could constitute unauthorised use of spectrum in brea

GLOBAL 00:31

The week in telecom: US operators mount rural satellite challenge, Cisco cashes in on AI boom

Some big moves in the US mobile market last week, as SpaceX secured the FCC's approval for acquiring a large chuck of mobile spectrum, and the three mobile operators agreed a rural coverage alliance. Cisco meanwhile is the latest to report soaring results thanks to AI investment at the same time as cutting jobs, and Telenor and Nokia have each brought in new blood to revive their mobile businesses.

UNITED STATES 15 MAY

Three regional fibre providers plan new network across Upper Midwest

Three US regional backbone fibre providers - WIN Technology, Range and DCN - have announced the joint Heartland Fiber Project to extend high-capacity fibre network infrastructure across seven the Upper Midwest. The new long-haul fibre route will cross seven states - Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado - and establish a future path conduit to support growth between Denver and Chicago. 

UNITED STATES 15 MAY

Spectrum TV customers get discovery+ access at no extra cost

Charter Communications' Spectrum brand and Warner Bros Discovery have announced availability of the discovery+ streaming app to eligible Spectrum TV customers in the US at no extra cost. This will give Spectrum TV customers access to the ad-supported discovery+ tier, which normally costs USD 5.99 per month. They can upgrade to the ad-free plan (which usually costs USD 9.99 per month) by paying the USD 4 difference. 

IRELAND 15 MAY

Digital Infrastructure Ireland appoints new CEO

Digital Infrastructure Ireland (DII), digital infrastructure and data centre industry group (formerly Host in Ireland), has appointed Ronan Kenny as CEO with effect from 01 July 2026. He joins the group from UK wholesale fibre network operator AllPoints Fibre Networks, where has served as  Managing Director and Chief Technology Officer (CTO). DII chair Maurice Mortell said he has "extensive, strong leadership and deep industry expertise" to help Ireland retake its place as a "leading destination for digital

GLOBAL 15 MAY

Acronis appoints Chief Revenue Officer to lead global sales operations

Acronis, global cyber security, ha appointed Jim Tedesco as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) to lead its worldwide sales and go-to-market execution. In this role, he will also have responsibility for Professional Services and Solution Engineering. He has over 30 years of executive leadership in sales, operations and customer success positions; most recently as SVP and GM of Customer Success at a major back-up and replication software provider.

UNITED KINGDOM 15 MAY

AI upskilling firm Multiverse valued at USD 2.1 bln in latest funding round

Multiverse, London-based education technology company specialising in AI upskilling and adoption for businesses, has announced raised USD 70 million in primary funding to support an expansion across Europe. The funding values Multiverse at USD 2.1 billion, an increase of USD 400 million from the last funding round, and was led by Schroders Capital. 

PORTUGAL 15 MAY

Indra Space leads Portugal-Spain quantum link project

Spain's Indra Space is leading the IberianQCI project, a European initiative to establish a quantum communications link between Portugal and Spain, reported Economia Online. This hybrid fibre-optic and space-based system will connect the national quantum communication infrastructures of both countries, integrating them into the broader EuroQCI network.

UNITED KINGDOM 15 MAY

New alliance set up to boost digital infrastructure in north of England

The London Internet Exchange (LINX) has announced a partnership with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and Cooperative Network Infrastructure (CNI) to set up the Digital Infrastructure North Alliance. The partnership aims to boost digital infrastructure across the north of England, and was announced at the Digital Infrastructure North 2026 (DIN26) summit in Manchester. 

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 15 MAY

BH Telecom undertakes reorganisation with consultants

BH Telecom is currently undergoing a company-wide reorganisation in conjunction with international consultants, reports Indikator, saying this was one topic discussed during a visit from the country's vice-president, Igor Stojanovic. The reorganisation focuses on restructuring its workforce and organisational structure, the report said. One challenge is the lack of qualified staff, especially engineering personnel, given that the labour market offers significantly higher salaries for experts in this field t

Just In

05:53

Korea and UK discuss joint roadmap for 6G standardisation cooperation

05:51

LG Uplus completes more than two million SIM updates and replacements

05:49

Fujitsu and Science Tokyo establish quantum and HPC research collaboration

05:47

NTT Data to acquire Microsoft partner WinWire Technologies

Commentary

5 MAY 10:55

KPN: the art of making one-offs structural

4 MAY 14:25

Open Dutch Fiber outlook: time to restart roll-out?

20 APR 10:36

Netflix back to organic growth and doing just fine

11 FEB 12:29

Odido shareholders face tricky exit after abandoned IPO

Background

00:31

The week in telecom: US operators mount rural satellite challenge, Cisco cashes in on AI boom

11 MAY 00:53

The week in telecom: Lumen, NTT turn to data centre market to revive growth, Hutchison exits UK

3 MAY 23:05

The week in telecoms: big tech faces costs of AI boom and Wi-Fi market consolidates

27 APR 14:33

Virgin Media O2: from coax to fibre and 80% coverage in 2028