Firmus doubles valuation en route to USD 2 billion equity raise
AUSTRALIA 06:08

Firmus doubles valuation en route to USD 2 billion equity raise

AI infrastructure developer Firmus has raised USD 2 billion in equity funding at a valuation of around USD 10.5 billion, bringing its equity haul in the past year to over USD 3 billion. The transaction features follow-on contributions from Nvidia and Coatue Management, the investment management firm founded by portfolio manager Philippe Laffont. Liquidity and trading firm Jane Street also participated along with vehicles managed by Blackstone's funds, including the Tactical Opportunities unit.

Mavenir appoints ex-Nokia software specialist to lead neocloud diversification, forward deployment
GLOBAL 06:07

Mavenir appoints ex-Nokia software specialist to lead neocloud diversification, forward deployment

Mavenir has hired the former Nokia product manager Jitin Bhandari as executive vice president for forward deployment engineering. Bhandari will also lead on Mavenir's platform entry in the neocloud segment, selling software tools and cloud-native expertise to operators of GPU-specialised data infrastructure. The forward deployment brief involves establishing a dedicated practice to forge strong developer ties with Mavenir's core telecoms client base as well as growth activity with neocloud operators.

Smart Communications powers SM Supermalls' Tech & Play Month campaign
PHILIPPINES 05:16

Smart Communications powers SM Supermalls' Tech & Play Month campaign

Philippines operator Smart Communications has announced its support for SM Supermalls' Tech & Play Month 2026, a nationwide campaign featuring activities focused on gaming, technology, creators, and fan communities. The campaign brings together gamers, creators, collectors, and technology enthusiasts through events and activities held at SM Supermalls across the country.

Pakistani watchdog cuts eSIM charges, allows 10 free eSIM transfers
PAKISTAN 05:01

Pakistani watchdog cuts eSIM charges, allows 10 free eSIM transfers

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has reduced the charges for issuing eSIMs by domestic mobile operators. The maximum charge for issuing an eSIM or converting a physical SIM into an eSIM will be PKR 1,500 across Pakistan, down from PKR 2,000.

Sohu revenue jumps 7% to USD 136 million, returns to profit in Q2
CHINA 10 AUG

Sohu revenue jumps 7% to USD 136 million, returns to profit in Q2

Sohu posted second-quarter revenues of USD 136 million, which represents an increase of 7 percent year-on-year. Revenues declined 4 percent quarter-on-quarter. Marketing services revenues fell 3 percent to USD 15 million, year-on-year. Online game revenues rose 10 percent year-on-year to USD 116 million, but declined by 7 percent quarter-on-quarter.

Airtel, ITI to jointly deliver connectivity, cloud, cybersecurity services for enterprises
INDIA 10 AUG

Airtel, ITI to jointly deliver connectivity, cloud, cybersecurity services for enterprises

Indian operator Airtel, through its Airtel Business unit, has partnered with ITI, a government-owned telecoms and technology manufacturer, to provide digital and telecom services to businesses in India. The partnership will combine the capabilities of Airtel Business and ITI to help enterprises update legacy systems and strengthen cybersecurity.

Elisa Estonia acquires Pro IT
ESTONIA 10 AUG

Elisa Estonia acquires Pro IT

Estonian operator Elisa has acquired the company Pro IT, a provider of IT solutions working in Estonia and Latvia. Pro IT offers comprehensive IT solutions to companies in various fields of activity, from traditional offices and the financial sector to the largest start-up companies in Estonia. The company is one of the leading IT services partners in the hospitality sector, serving more than 50 hotels in Estonia and Latvia.

Tele2 Lithuania wins fastest mobile network award in H1 from Ookla
LITHUANIA 10 AUG

Tele2 Lithuania wins fastest mobile network award in H1 from Ookla

Tele2 Lithuania has received the Fastest 5G Mobile Network Award from Ookla for the first half of this year. Tele2 Lithuania said it invested EUR 11.7 million in the network quality in January to June, up by 15 percent year-on-year. The operator deployed 16 new base stations raising the footprint to over 1,600 units. Its 5G network covers 90 percent of the country's population.

Intel raises USD 15 bln in share sale to fund growth plans
GLOBAL 10 AUG

Intel raises USD 15 bln in share sale to fund growth plans

Intel announced plans to raise USD 15 billion in an underwritten public offering of its shares. The stock sale is expected to support investment in production capacity and product development as the chipmaker works to meet the booming demand for AI computing equipment. Intel said it will use the proceeds for capital expenditure and working capital, among other corporate expenses.

Tencent expands global access to Hy3 AI large language model
GLOBAL 10 AUG

Tencent expands global access to Hy3 AI large language model

Tencent has expanded international access to Tencent Hy3, formerly known as Tencent Hunyuan, following its official release on 6 July. The model is now available to developers, businesses and individual users through several Tencent products and third-party platforms.

Ethio Telecom charts network progress under ZTE contract
ETHIOPIA 10 AUG

Ethio Telecom charts network progress under ZTE contract

Ethio Telecom and ZTE are advancing a large-scale network modernization programme to expand high-speed mobile connectivity and accelerate Ethiopia's digital transformation. Following an agreement concluded at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, Ethio Telecom CEO Frehiwot Tamru met with a ZTE delegation led by executive vice president and COO Xie Junshi to review implementation across ZTE's footprint in the country. To date, work has been completed across 879 sites, including 462 radio access network (R

Iraq's telecom regulator moves to shut down Korek Telecom network
IRAQ 10 AUG

Iraq's telecom regulator moves to shut down Korek Telecom network

Iraq's Communications and Media Commission (CMC) has initiated actions to shut down Korek Telecom's network following the expiration of its contract and the cancellation of a prior settlement agreement, Shafaq News reported. According to the CMC, the settlement was voided after Korek failed to meet its contractual, legal and financial obligations. The regulator has already placed a hold on the operator's movable and immovable assets and confirmed it is proceeding with steps to deactivate all Korek network c

OMAN 10 AUG

Ooredoo Oman partners with Mindware to bring Google AI tools to business email

Ooredoo Oman has partnered with value-added distributor Mindware and Google Cloud to launch a new generation of AI-enabled workplace solutions for businesses across the country. Through this collaboration, Ooredoo becomes one of Oman's first telecommunications providers to offer enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) direct access to Google Cloud's advanced AI tools.

KAZAKHSTAN 10 AUG

Kcell net profit falls in Q2

Revenues at Kazakhstan mobile operator Kcell totaled KZT 69.884 billion in the second quarter of this year, up by 8.4 percent year-on-year. Services revenues amounted to KZT 55.762 billion, up by 4.33 percent, and EBITDA increased by 6.27 percent to KZT 27.725 billion. Nevertheless, the net profit dropped by 18.35 percent to KZT 3.618 billion. Kcell said ARPU declined by 5.69 percent to KZT 1,756, while mobile data traffic soared by 73.12 percent. 

SAUDI ARABIA 10 AUG

STC network supports Saudi defence health services to perform remote robotic surgery

Saudi Arabia's ministry of defence health services and STC Group have successfully performed the first remote robotic surgery between healthcare facilities in Riyadh and Dhahran. Using high-reliability communications and robust digital infrastructure, the procedure allowed specialists to conduct complex surgery over long geographic distances. The operation demonstrated seamless integration between medical staff and specialist technical network teams, ensuring high standards of precision, efficiency and pati

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN 10 AUG

Mercado Libre sales up 50% to USD 10 bln in Q2

Latin American e-commerce and fintech giant Mercado Libre reported revenues up 50 percent year-on-year to a record USD 10.2 billion in the second quarter. Operating income reached USD 683 million, down 6.7 percent, with net income coming in at USD 466 million, down 11.0 percent, attributed to a strategy of prioritising long-term investments in free shipping, credit card expansion and its Meli+ subscription service over short-term profitability.

NETHERLANDS 10 AUG

Delta allows customers to opt out of ESPN channels and higher TV price

Delta is offering customers the possibility to opt out of the ESPN channels recently added to its TV package and not pay the extra EUR 2.50 per month added to the price. This is available with the Basis TV Compact package the Dutch operator confirmed to the news site Totaal TV. Customers need to contact the customer service if they want the alternative subscription. 

UGANDA 10 AUG

MTN Uganda brings out unified streaming platform MTNTV with free and premium versions

MTN Uganda has launched the digital entertainment platform MTNTV, bringing together local and international television, radio, movies, sports, news and on-demand entertainment into a single streaming service. MTNTV is available on smartphones, tablets, smart television sets and web browsers. It offers more than 60 live television channels, 53 radio stations, films, TV series, children's programming, live sports, exclusive African originals, and content from local Ugandan creators.

BELARUS 10 AUG

BeCloud introduces small business e-mail service

Belarus' state-owned infrastructure operator BeCloud introduced its new email service Post Box. Available bot for state-owned and private entities, the service can provide up to three email addresses per user. It's designed so small organisations do not need to purchase their own internet domain for email. The service includes technical support and hosting at the national data centre.

POLAND 10 AUG

Poland to spend PLN 35 mln on launch of AI sandbox

The Project Centre Digital Poland (CPPC) announced a call for applications to create a central portal for the Polish AI Sandbox and a safe environment for testing AI solutions. The AI Sandbox is a planned controlled testing environment designed to let companies safely trial artificial intelligence systems under regulatory supervision.

POLAND 10 AUG

Beskid Media annual revenue grows 10%

Revenues of Polish ISP Beskid Media, working in the Silesia and Lesser Poland regions, totaled over PLN 49.1 million in 2025, reports Telko.in from a corporate statement. The turnover grew by around 10 percent year-on-year. Telecommunications services generated 99.5 percent of all income. The company's net profit increased to PLN 16.2 million from PLN 12.1 million the previous year, while operating costs grew from PLN 28.9 million to PLN 30.4 million.  

SLOVAKIA 10 AUG

Slovakia exceeds 2 mln fixed internet subscribers in 2025, over half on fibre

Slovakia reached around 2.01 million fixed internet customers at the end of 2025, reports Zive from a statement from the national telecommunications regulator RU. The market grew by 2.8 percent year-on-year and was served by 664 registered operators and ISPs. The nine largest providers served around 76 percent of the whole subscriber base.

KUWAIT 10 AUG

Ooredoo Kuwait offers 3 months' free instalments for Samsung Galaxy Z foldables

Ooredoo Kuwait has announced a promotion from 05 August to 03 September for Samsung's latest Galaxy Z foldable smartphones. Under its new '3 Months on Us' campaign, it is covering three months of device instalments for customers at no extras cost. The Galaxy Z Flip8, Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra are paired with an Ooredoo mobile plan with 5G Advanced connectivity and unlimited access to selected digital services.

ANGOLA 10 AUG

Angola targets launch of national cybersecurity centre in 2026

Angola plans to establish a National Cybersecurity Centre later this year to strengthen digital resilience and defend critical infrastructure against cyber threats, Telecommunications, Information Technologies, and Social Communication Minister Mario Oliveira announced. The initiative follows the National Assembly's specialised committees approving the proposed Cybersecurity Law. The new entity will serve as Angola's central hub for monitoring digital threats, preventing attacks, and executing rapid inciden

Just In

06:08

Firmus doubles valuation en route to USD 2 billion equity raise

06:07

Mavenir appoints ex-Nokia software specialist to lead neocloud diversification, forward deployment

05:16

Smart Communications powers SM Supermalls' Tech & Play Month campaign

05:01

Pakistani watchdog cuts eSIM charges, allows 10 free eSIM transfers

Commentary

2 JUL 11:26

Canal Plus misses chance to strengthen Dutch business, time for exit?

23 JUN 09:56

ACM blocks Delta/Glaspoort deal - what can KPN do?

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?

Background

9 AUG 23:44

The week in telecom: Starlink's mobile ambitions and LEO challengers, plus Hollywood studios try streaming shorts and sports

2 AUG 23:37

The week in telecom: Telcos resist economic slowdown in Q2 while big tech gears up for more AI investment

26 JUL 23:19

The week in telecom: Samsung works on foldable challenge, US telcos try FMC

19 JUL 23:41

The week in telecom: OnePlus exits tough smartphone market and Apple takes on OpenAI