The week in telecom: Samsung rethinks phone range after Q3 loss; Mistral and Cohere mount AI challenge with telco backing
The slowdown in PC and smartphone sales was clear in quarterly results from Samsung and Intel last week, but telecom operators are getting a revenue boost from the higher handset prices. Other companies like MediaTek and ZTE are managing to pivot to new products, while Mistral and Cohere are strengthening their challenge on the AI market with the backing of telcos like Orange and BCE.
The week in telecom: Samsung rethinks phone range after Q3 loss; Mistral and Cohere mount AI challenge with telco backing
The slowdown in PC and smartphone sales was clear in quarterly results from Samsung and Intel last week, but telecom operators are getting a revenue boost from the higher handset prices. Other companies like MediaTek and ZTE are managing to pivot to new products, while Mistral and Cohere are strengthening their challenge on the AI market with the backing of telcos like Orange and BCE.
Instagram consolidates Spanish social network lead
Instagram continued as the most popular social network in Spain in the second quarter of 2026, according to a survey conducted by telecom regulator CNMC. The Household Panel survey of over 6,000 homes revealed that 61.1 percent of Spanish online consumers used Instagram in the April to June period, followed by Facebook (52.6%), TikTok (28.6%), X (16.6%), Pinterest (12.1%) and LinkedIn (11.6%). TikTok fell for the first time since entering the ranking.
Instagram consolidates Spanish social network lead
Instagram continued as the most popular social network in Spain in the second quarter of 2026, according to a survey conducted by telecom regulator CNMC. The Household Panel survey of over 6,000 homes revealed that 61.1 percent of Spanish online consumers used Instagram in the April to June period, followed by Facebook (52.6%), TikTok (28.6%), X (16.6%), Pinterest (12.1%) and LinkedIn (11.6%). TikTok fell for the first time since entering the ranking.
True EBITDA jumps 6% as mobile subscriber base nears 49 million in Q3
Thai operator True reported consolidated total revenue of THB 46.84 billion for the third quarter of 2026, which represents a slight decline of 0.8 percent year-on-year. This drop was mainly due to the reduction in network rental revenue following the expiration of the spectrum rental arrangement with NT on 3 August 2025, the company said. Total revenue rose 2.1 percent quarter-on-quarter, boosted by improvement in service revenue and product sales.
True EBITDA jumps 6% as mobile subscriber base nears 49 million in Q3
Liberia targets 15 new tower locations to boost rural connectivity
The Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) has deployed two technical assessment teams in the Western, Central and Southeastern regions to pinpoint critical coverage gaps. They identified fifteen candidate sites for new telecom towers to be paid for by the national Universal Access Fund (UAF). These will close network coverage gaps, particularly in remote regions where access to basic telecom services remains constrained. The survey work is complete but the regulator has not yet published a construction
Liberia targets 15 new tower locations to boost rural connectivity
Ziggo starts race car campaign to promote new 4, 8 Gbps broadband offers
Dutch operator VodafoneZiggo launched a new campaign to promote its top broadband plans, at 4 and 8 Gbps. The ads feature a Porsche 911 GT2 from the Ziggo Sport Tempesta Racing Team with a mobile billboard showing the message 'Absurdly fast internet' ('Absurd snel internet'). The car will drive through Amsterdam on 02 November and Utrecht on 3 November.
Ziggo starts race car campaign to promote new 4, 8 Gbps broadband offers
Gabonese govt plans to license Starlink and Eutelsat within months to serve remote regions
Gabon plans to harness satellite technology to extend high-speed internet access to remote regions, with authorities preparing to license Starlink and Eutelsat in the coming months, Ecofin reported citing ICT minister Mark-Alexandre Doumba. This satellite initiative builds upon an already robust mobile infrastructure base. Doumba noted that more than 200 villages nationwide still lack internet access. Some settlements are home to only 20 or 30 residents, making traditional cell tower installations economica
Gabonese govt plans to license Starlink and Eutelsat within months to serve remote regions
Batelco and Ericsson expand 5G reach with integrated AI capabilities
Beyon company Batelco has expanded its partnership with Ericsson to modernise its mobile broadband network in Bahrain, it was announced at Gateway Gulf 2026. Ericsson's advanced Radio Access Network (RAN) and cloud-native core technologies will be integrated to boost Batelco's network capacity, coverage and performance. Batelco is testing Ericsson's AI-native Scheduler for Link Adaptation, an intelligent RAN feature that adjusts data transmission rates based on real-time radio conditions to optimise downloa
Batelco and Ericsson expand 5G reach with integrated AI capabilities
Sonatel Group nine-month net profit rises 11%
Senegal-based operator Sonatel Group has posted its financial results for the first nine months of 2026, showing double-digit expansion in its top and bottom-line metrics despite regional headwinds. Revenues increased 10.5 percent year-on-year to XOF 1.58 trillion. Net profit rose 12.9 percent to XOF 354 billion, outpacing revenue growth as cost control measures took effect. EBITDA went up by 12.1 percent to XOF 769 billion, lifting the operating margin to 48.6 percent from 47.9 percent a year earlier. The
Sonatel Group nine-month net profit rises 11%
Dazn Italia inks deal to add free HBO Max to Family bundle
Sports streaming service Dazn has expanded its partnership with Skydance, the US entertainment giant formed after Paramount acquired Warner Bros earlier this year, to further enhance its Italian catalogue. Under the new deal, subscribers to the Dazn Family package will be able to sign up to HBO Max at no additional cost.
Dazn Italia inks deal to add free HBO Max to Family bundle
Beeline Russia launches free anti-fraud insurance for all customers
Russian operator Beeline introduced free insurance against telephone fraud for all its prepaid customers. The new service combines AI-powered protection with financial compensation in the event that scammers successfully deceive a user. The maximum reimbursement is RUB 500,000 per month. The insurance is provided at no extra cost, with no hidden fees or additional subscriptions required.
Beeline Russia launches free anti-fraud insurance for all customers
PSO completes 72% of Pomerania fibre projects with EU funds
Polish wholesale operator Polski Swiatlowod Otwarty (PSO) has completed 72 percent of the two fibre-optic network construction projects in the Pomerania region, carried out under the European Funds for Digital Development 2021–2027 (FERC) programme, which is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund. More than 10,000 addresses are now covered by the newly constructed network. In addition, PSO extended its network coverage to approximately 4,000 households in the same area, funding these investme
PSO completes 72% of Pomerania fibre projects with EU funds
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