Samsung TV Plus grows to over 100 mln monthly viewers
GLOBAL 07:32

Samsung TV Plus grows to over 100 mln monthly viewers

Samsung's free TV service on its smart TVs has passed 100 million monthly active users, the company announced. Samsung TV Plus is available in over 30 countries, offering more than 4,300 free channels. The company is experimenting with new content and advertising to help grow the platform, and said viewing time rose 25 percent in the past year. 

Telenor to exit Thai market with sale of True stake for NOK 39 billion
THAILAND 07:29

Telenor to exit Thai market with sale of True stake for NOK 39 billion

Telenor has agreed to sell its stake in Thai operator True for a total value of NOK 39 billion. Telenor has signed an agreement with Arise Digital Technology, a company owned by Khun Suphachai Chearavanont, to sell 24.95 percent of the shares in True at THB 11.70 per share. In addition, Arise and Telenor have agreed a mutual put/call option for the sale of the remaining 5.35 percent two years after closing of the initial sale at THB 11.70 per share.

Meta brings advertising to Threads as user base passes 400 mln
GLOBAL 07:23

Meta brings advertising to Threads as user base passes 400 mln

Meta is rolling out advertising on its social network Threads. It started testing ads with advertisers last spring and is now making the services available worldwide. This comes over two years after the launch of Threads and the platform exceeding over 400 million monthly active users.

LG Uplus deploys RTK-based AI safety monitoring at Busan New Port
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 07:00

LG Uplus deploys RTK-based AI safety monitoring at Busan New Port

LG Uplus has announced plans to deploy an AI-based safety monitoring system at Terminal 5 of Busan New Port, using real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning technology to improve worker and equipment safety in port operations. The system, developed in collaboration with terminal operator BNCT and port IT specialist CyberLogitec, combines centimetre-level positioning with AI-based CCTV analysis. 

KDDI launches Osaka Sakai AI data centre
JAPAN 06:58

KDDI launches Osaka Sakai AI data centre

KDDI has begun operations at its Osaka Sakai Data Centre on 22 January, bringing a new AI-focused facility online in the Osaka metropolitan area. The site is intended to support the on-premises use of GPUs and Google's Gemini generative AI models, with an initial focus on applications in pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and other data-intensive industries.

SKT strengthens AI governance following enactment of Korea's AI law
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 06:56

SKT strengthens AI governance following enactment of Korea's AI law

SK Telecom (SKT) has announced a company-wide strengthening of its AI governance framework in response to the implementation of South Korea's AI Basic Act, alongside the launch of an internal campaign aimed at promoting safe and trustworthy AI use. The operator said it has begun a "Good AI" internal initiative, designed to embed AI governance practices across daily operations. 

South Korea enacts AI law with focus on safety and industry support
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 06:55

South Korea enacts AI law with focus on safety and industry support

South Korea has brought into force a comprehensive law governing the use of AI, becoming what it says is the first country to implement a nationwide legal framework covering both AI safety and industry development. The Basic Act on the Development of Artificial Intelligence and the Establishment of a Foundation for Trustworthiness, known as the AI Basic Act, took effect on 22 January, according to the ministry of science and ICT. 

Japanese operators sign disaster agreement with Sasebo authorities
JAPAN 06:53

Japanese operators sign disaster agreement with Sasebo authorities

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Sasebo District, NTT Docomo, KDDI, SoftBank, Rakuten Mobile and Okinawa Cellular have signed an agreement on mutual cooperation to ensure communications in the event of a disaster. Through this agreement, the operators will ensure communication systems during both normal times and disasters, conduct regular joint training, and cooperate in quickly restoring lifelines in the event of a disaster, thereby providing safety and security to customers and the local community.

NTT Data restructures US venture, backs Chicago expansion
UNITED STATES 06:50

NTT Data restructures US venture, backs Chicago expansion

NTT Data and Tokyo Century are reshaping their US data centre partnership in Chicago as part of a broader expansion supported by Japan's government-backed ICT investment fund. Tokyo Century said it will transfer a 30 percent stake in NTT Global Data Centers Joint Venture CH, LLC to JICT US, a US subsidiary of the Fund Corporation for the Overseas Development of Japan's ICT and Postal Services. 

SK Broadband pilots multimodal AI customer service for on-screen guidance
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 06:48

SK Broadband pilots multimodal AI customer service for on-screen guidance

South Korea's SK Broadband (SKB) has begun a pilot of a 24-hour AI customer service system that combines voice interaction with real-time on-screen information, aiming to reduce reliance on IVR menus and live agents. The service, described by the operator as "seeing and speaking" AI consultation, allows customers to speak their query while relevant information is simultaneously displayed on their smartphone screen. 

KKE opens 5G test facility to support OpenAirInterface-based R&D
JAPAN 06:46

KKE opens 5G test facility to support OpenAirInterface-based R&D

Japan's Kozo Keikaku Engineering (KKE) has opened a new facility in Tokyo to support hands-on testing and evaluation of 5G base station technology based on open-source software. The facility, named OAILAB, began operations on 22 January and is located at the company's headquarters in Nakano Ward.

Japanese carmakers and chip suppliers to share data
JAPAN 06:43

Japanese carmakers and chip suppliers to share data

Japanese automakers are preparing to work with semiconductor suppliers to share detailed information on automotive chips, as the industry seeks to strengthen supply chain resilience against geopolitical tensions and natural disasters, according to Nikkei, citing industry sources. The initiative, led by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association and the Japan Auto Parts Industries Association, will involve around 20 semiconductor suppliers, including Renesas Electronics, Rohm and Germany's Infineon Techn

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 06:40

Samsung SDS posts modest revenue growth in 2025

Samsung's cloud services business Samsung SDS reported provisional full-year results for 2025 showing revenue of KRW 13.93 trillion and operating profit of KRW 957.1 billion, up 0.7 percent and 5 percent respectively from the previous year. Fourth-quarter revenue fell 2.9 percent year on year to KRW 3.54 trillion, while operating profit rose 6.9 percent to KRW 226.1 billion.

JAPAN 06:37

NTT's A2P SMS service leads Japan's enterprise market again

NTT Group's application-to-person (A2P) SMS service, operated by NTT Docomo Business X, ranked first by revenue share in Japan's domestic enterprise SMS market for the seventh consecutive year, according to a market survey published by Deloitte Tohmatsu MIC Research Institute. The finding was included in the research firm's "MIC IT Report" dated December 2025, which assessed the Japanese A2P-SMS market, covering messaging sent by businesses to consumers. 

SINGAPORE 06:36

IMDA launches practical digital sustainability tools for businesses

Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has introduced a set of new resources aimed at helping businesses adopt digital sustainability practices in a more practical and measurable way. The launch includes a Digital Technologies for Sustainability Playbook, a Practical Green Software Guide for Enterprises and a carbon calculator with Singapore-specific emission factors for cloud services.

AUSTRALIA 06:34

Norwood hits record H1 revenue as Optus deployment advances

Australian telecom vendor Norwood Systems has reported preliminary unaudited recognised revenue of AUD 2.1 million for H1 FY2026 stating it has had "continued execution momentum" with tier-1 telecommunications customers. It highlighted progress on its Optus Voicemail deployment and the completion of a proof-of-concept for its Call Protect solution with a tier-1 Asia-Pacific operator.

JAPAN 06:32

Inet opens new 'inet annex' data centre in Yokohama

Japanese IT services provider Inet (stylised as INET) has opened a new data centre facility, known as inet annex, in Yokohama. The site is designed to operate in conjunction with Inet's existing company-owned data centres in the city. Inet said the new facility was developed in response to sustained growth in demand for data centre and cloud services, which has pushed utilisation rates at its existing sites to high levels. The inet annex facility has been established within premises operated by NTT East Jap

AUSTRALIA 06:30

Sharon AI secures up to USD 200 mln from Digital Alpha, partners with Cisco

Australian neocloud provider Sharon AI has announced an investment partnership with Digital Alpha, under which Digital Alpha will provide up to USD 200 million through an equity and revenue share arrangement. The transaction is accompanied by a strategic technology partnership with Cisco. According to the company, the funding is intended to support the expansion of Sharon AI's AI and high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

UNITED KINGDOM 21 JAN

CityFibre best suited to acquire rural altnet Gigaclear - Point Topic

CityFibre is the best potential candidate to acquire heavily-indebted UK rural fibre broadband provider Gigaclear, according to new research from Point Topic. The report examines Gigaclear's network value, competitive market position and potential suitors. Point Topic says Gigaclear and CityFibre have a complementary network footprint, with an overlap of only 0.3 percent or just over 12,000 premises.

UNITED KINGDOM 21 JAN

Channel 4 appoints head of new in-house production business

UK broadcaster Channel 4 has appointed Sarah Dillistone to head up its in-house production business. This newly-created role supports the group's Intellectual Property strategy. She will be responsible for setting up in-house production capabilities as part if its Fast Forward strategy to grow and diversify revenues. The in-house production team will focus initially on factual entertainment, reality and entertainment content. They will be able to pitch to Channel 4 and other media platforms, with production

UNITED STATES 21 JAN

Total Wireless extends partnership agreement with UFC

Total Wireless, pre-paid 5G mobile brand of Verizon, has signed a multi-year partnership renewal agreement with mixed martial arts (MMA) organisation UFC. This will see Total Wireless remain the Official Wireless Partner of UFC in the US. It will also become the exclusive Broadcast Headset Partner of UFC, with exclusive Total Wireless branding on all headsets worn by the color commentary team for all UFC events. 

UNITED KINGDOM 21 JAN

Currys reports peak group revenue growth of 6 percent

UK electricals retailer Currys has reported group like-for-like revenue growth of 6 percent for the 10 weeks (peak period) to 10 January 2026. UK & Ireland like-for-like revenue grew by 3 percent year-on-year during this period; with Currys gaining market share with strong sales in mobile, and seeing growth in computing and appliance sales. UK MVNO iD Mobile ended the period with 2.5 million subscribers, up 19 percent year-on-year, after adding almost one million subscribers in two years. Like-for-like reve

UNITED STATES 21 JAN

Lightpath extends fibre network build in Greater Columbus region

UK wholesale fibre connectivity provider Lightpath has won a third major network award in the Greater Columbus (Ohio) market. This builds on a network currently under development, and will add 55 route miles of underground, multi-conduit network infrastructure extending SW of Columbus toward Cincinnati. This brings the total Lightpath network under construction in the Greater Columbus region to a total of 304 route miles.

UNITED KINGDOM 21 JAN

ORG opposes blanket UK social media ban for under 16s

The Open Rights Group (ORG) has warned that a blanket ban on social media for under 16s in the UK would be a "damaging and ineffective response to online harms". The digital rights advocacy group said it would extend "age-gating" to millions of people and silence young people, creating serious risks to data protection, privacy and freedom of expression. ORG was responding to the launch of a public consultation by the UK government into a potential ban on social media use for under 16s.

Just In

07:32

Samsung TV Plus grows to over 100 mln monthly viewers

07:29

Telenor to exit Thai market with sale of True stake for NOK 39 billion

07:23

Meta brings advertising to Threads as user base passes 400 mln

07:00

LG Uplus deploys RTK-based AI safety monitoring at Busan New Port

Commentary

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Background

19 JAN 00:42

The week in telecom: Apple holds on to smartphone crown, Ericsson slims down and CommScope changes name

16 JAN 09:51

Belgian mobile market under pressure from Digi, broadband impact still to come

15 JAN 08:55

Fairphone still a small player but market share growing in Netherlands

12 JAN 00:04

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