Apax buys out partner Warburg Pincus in Dutch operator Odido
Private equity group Apax has agreed to buy out its co-shareholder Warburg Pincus in the Dutch telecom operator Odido. They bought the former T-Mobile from Deutsche Telekom in 2022. The takeover follows stalled plans for an IPO of Odido. No financial details of the acquisition were disclosed, and completion of the deal still depends on regulatory and other approvals. Apax said it's committed for the long term to Odido, and will continue to invest in the network, customer experience and digital inclusion pro
Apax buys out partner Warburg Pincus in Dutch operator Odido
Private equity group Apax has agreed to buy out its co-shareholder Warburg Pincus in the Dutch telecom operator Odido. They bought the former T-Mobile from Deutsche Telekom in 2022. The takeover follows stalled plans for an IPO of Odido. No financial details of the acquisition were disclosed, and completion of the deal still depends on regulatory and other approvals. Apax said it's committed for the long term to Odido, and will continue to invest in the network, customer experience and digital inclusion pro
Ericsson, Verizon complete pre-6G call to assess 7 GHz penetration and coverage
Ericsson has completed a pre-standardisation 6G field trial in partnership with Verizon, with the aim of validating transmitter reach and indoor penetration in the 7 GHz centimetre band. 7 GHz is high on the list of candidates for 6G standardisation as it could deliver on the twin objective of adding bandwidth and wide-area coverage to rollouts.
Ericsson, Verizon complete pre-6G call to assess 7 GHz penetration and coverage
Ericsson has completed a pre-standardisation 6G field trial in partnership with Verizon, with the aim of validating transmitter reach and indoor penetration in the 7 GHz centimetre band. 7 GHz is high on the list of candidates for 6G standardisation as it could deliver on the twin objective of adding bandwidth and wide-area coverage to rollouts.
Apple to launch Apple Intelligence AI platform in China using Alibaba AI models
Apple plans to launch its Apple Intelligence AI platform in mainland China this December, as part of the upcoming iOS 27.3 update, Bloomberg reports. The rollout would end a lengthy delay caused by Chinese regulatory requirements, but the initial version will exclude several of Apple's newer AI capabilities. According to the same source, the debut will include the AI features first rolled out in the US two years ago on the iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Apple to launch Apple Intelligence AI platform in China using Alibaba AI models
Amazon launches new Bee personal AI devices with Pro subscription
Amazon is relaunching the Bee personal AI device with two new models. Acquired by Amazon last year, Bee is a handheld device to record voice notes and AI interactions. The new range includes the Bee Frontier for USD 75, which can be worn as a wristband or clipped on clothing, and the Bee Eclipse for USD 99, offering a small pad that attaches magnetically to the back of a smartphone. In addition, the new Bee Pro subscription is available for USD 12 per month for unlimited conversation storage, a desktop app
Amazon launches new Bee personal AI devices with Pro subscription
FCC universal service system struck down again in federal appeals court
The US Federal Communications Commission exceeded its authority in setting up the Universal Service Administrative Company, a US federal appeals court ruled. The company administers the levy collected from telecom operators to subsidise basic communications services in rural and low-income areas. However, the FCC lacked the legal authority in 1997 to establish the company, as Congress never gave the regulator that power. This is considered a violation of the Government Corporation Control Act.
FCC universal service system struck down again in federal appeals court
Netflix names Disney exec Peter Rice as new chief content officer
Netflix has hired Peter Rice as its Chief Content Officer. He starts 26 October, replacing Bela Bajaria, who is leaving Netflix after nearly 10 years. A former top Disney executive, Rice will lead Netflix's global content organization, overseeing scripted and unscripted series, film, live events and other content across all regions.
Netflix names Disney exec Peter Rice as new chief content officer
NBI continues fibre network roll-out in Carlow, Offaly, Limerick
National Broadband Ireland (NBI) will complete the National Broadband Plan (NBP) roll-out in Carlow in the coming weeks. The State Intervention Area covers 9,000 premises across County Carlow, representing a government investment of EUR 32 million. NBI also confirmed that 4,519 premises across County Offaly have now connected to the NBP network - from a total of 12,788 eligible premises.
NBI continues fibre network roll-out in Carlow, Offaly, Limerick
Vodafone UK, 3 UK confirm pricing for new iPhone Duo
Vodafone UK and 3 UK are both accepting pre-orders for the new Apple iPhone Duo foldable smartphone. Vodafone customers can get the new iPhone Duo with GBP 50.46 per month (GBP 100 upfront) with an Unlimited SuperMobile plan; or from GBP 27.45 per month (GBP 100 upfront) on a standard plan with 1GB data - both when trading in an eligible device.
Vodafone UK, 3 UK confirm pricing for new iPhone Duo
Meeza partners with Microsoft to launch sovereign private cloud service in Qatar
Qatari managed IT services company Meeza has announced plans to bring Microsoft sovereign private cloud to organisations in Qatar. The new offering has Azure Local as its foundation and will be delivered directly from Meeza's local data centres. Supported by Meeza's end-to-end managed services and connectivity, it enables enterprises to run critical, regulated and sensitive workloads on high-performance, cloud-consistent infrastructure residing within Qatar.
Meeza partners with Microsoft to launch sovereign private cloud service in Qatar
Vodacom retains Safaricom control as court fast-tracks appeal
Vodacom Group says it will retain its controlling stake in Safaricom until a fast-tracked appeal is determined. It said it remains the registered holder of the Safaricom shares purchased from the Kenyan government on 30 June. The company added that the purchase price paid to the state will be preserved until the appeal is heard.
Vodacom retains Safaricom control as court fast-tracks appeal
CSL acquires US IoT eSIM connectivity provider Simpl Wireless
UK-based CSL Group, global provider of critical connectivity, has announced the acquisition of US-based Simpl Wireless, IoT eSIM connectivity provider. CSL provides managed IoT connectivity across more than 3 million connections in the transport, utility, healthcare, building security and infrastructure sectors. The acquisition gives the group a US base, local team and carrier partnerships to deliver services to customers across North America.
