China's Spacesail demos direct-to-cell satellite calls on standard smartphones
CHINA 05:51

China's Spacesail demos direct-to-cell satellite calls on standard smartphones

Chinese satellite internet company Spacesail has announced it successfully routed voice calls directly through a satellite using standard smartphones, Xinhua news agency reports. During the field test, users had access to full signal strength and voice quality that matched standard terrestrial 5G networks, Spacesail said. Also, its compatibility with existing mobile networks paves the way for integrated space-ground communications, the company added.

Digital Realty announces Kansas City expansion and new acquisitions
UNITED STATES 05:36

Digital Realty announces Kansas City expansion and new acquisitions

Digital Realty has announced a series of transactions valued at more than USD 1.6 billion aimed at expanding its hyperscale data centre development capacity, increasing its ownership of African data centre operator Teraco and growing its private capital business. The company has acquired approximately 1,440 acres of land at Astra Enterprise Park near Kansas City for approximately USD 475 million in cash and operating partnership units. The site is intended to support future hyperscale data centre developmen

Telstra executive Hannah Chong joins Digicel Pacific board
OCEANIA 05:34

Telstra executive Hannah Chong joins Digicel Pacific board

Digicel Pacific has appointed Hannah Chong to its board of directors, succeeding Oliver Camplin-Warner, who is stepping down after serving on the board since the company's acquisition by Telstra-led investors. Chong currently serves as executive for network strategy and commercial engineering at Telstra, where she is responsible for areas including network investment planning, network economics, spectrum strategy, standards and technology strategy.

Sky NZ to provide coverage of Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games
NEW ZEALAND 05:30

Sky NZ to provide coverage of Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Sky New Zealand has outlined its broadcast plans for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, including free-to-air coverage on Three and expanded live coverage across its pay television and streaming platforms. The broadcaster said Three and ThreeNow will serve as its free-to-air Commonwealth Games outlets throughout the event, carrying a daily simulcast of Sky Sport's dedicated Games coverage from 7pm until 6pm the following day, alongside scheduled news programming and a nightly edition of Crowd Goes Wild.

China PC shipments down 2% in Q1, full-year outlook projects 14% drop
CHINA 05:29

China PC shipments down 2% in Q1, full-year outlook projects 14% drop

Mainland China's PC and tablet markets declined by 2 percent and 5 percent year-on-year, respectively, in the first quarter of 2026, according to a report from Omdia. Total PC shipments fell to 8.9 million units, while tablet volumes declined to 8.3 million units. PC shipments in mainland China are expected to plunge 14 percent to 36 million units in 2026, while tablet shipments are forecast to drop 11 percent to 32 million units.

Uztelecom launches new educational platform
UZBEKISTAN 22 JUN

Uztelecom launches new educational platform

Uzbekistan national operator Uztelecom has launched its new educational platform Uztelecom Talim. Developed by its unit TMS Hub and available for testing, the platform provides an education and training environment for the company's employees. The operator plans to expand functions of the platform gradually and eventually introduce it for the wider consumer market. 

Instagram app expands to Samsung smart TVs, tries horizontal videos
UNITED STATES 22 JUN

Instagram app expands to Samsung smart TVs, tries horizontal videos

Instagram is expanding on smart TVs, with a new distribution deal with Samsung in the US and additional features for its smart TV app. The social network launched on Google TV last year and it has been working since then to improve the experience. It's available now for Samsung smart TVs from 2020 or newer, in the US only to start. Along with its presence on Amazon Fire TV and Google TV, Instagram is available across the majority of connected TV devices in the US, parent company Meta said.

NBI on track to complete Carlow network build by end-2026
IRELAND 22 JUN

NBI on track to complete Carlow network build by end-2026

National Broadband Ireland (NBI) is on schedule to complete its main County Carlow network build by end-2026, with the National Broadband Plan (NBP) rural network roll-out entering its final stage. The State Intervention Area of the NBP covers 8,000 premises across County Carlow. Overall, the network will reach 566,000 homes, farm and businesses across rural Ireland. 

Nextlink Internet extends contract with Aviat Networks
UNITED STATES 22 JUN

Nextlink Internet extends contract with Aviat Networks

US rural ISP Nextlink Internet has extended a contract with Aviat Networks, provider of wireless transport solutions, for a BEAB programme-funded network deployment. This will see Nextlink install Aviat high-performance microwave, E-band and multi-band systems to expand wireless internet connectivity to thousands of unserved locations across its 12-state operating area. 

Ethio Telecom backs launch of new Mesob govt app
ETHIOPIA 22 JUN

Ethio Telecom backs launch of new Mesob govt app

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has inaugurated the unified Mesob application at the Digital for Excellence summit in Addis Ababa. The application consolidates public services from multiple government institutions into a single interface. Abiy said the one-stop service operates as critical economic infrastructure, saving citizens' time, eliminating corruption gaps, and strengthening institutional integrity. At the core of this transformation is Ethio Telecom, which serves as the primary technical partne

UK govt could force social media firms to prioritise PSB news content - report
UNITED KINGDOM 22 JUN

UK govt could force social media firms to prioritise PSB news content - report

The UK government is considering forcing video platforms and social networks to give priority to BBC and other public service broadcasting (PSB) content, reports The Telegraph newspaper. According to unnamed sources at the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, the proposals would give priority to news from PSBs, including ITV and Channel 4, to help tackle disinformation and maker it easier for internet users to access "trusted news sources". A consultation on the proposals is expected to be published in th

Consumer Cellular launches new SpeakEasy brand for over 75s
UNITED STATES 22 JUN

Consumer Cellular launches new SpeakEasy brand for over 75s

Consumer Cellular, US mobile service for over 50s, has launched its first standalone brand within the Consumer Cellular offering called SpeakEasy. This new brand is targeted at adults aged 75+, helping them stay connected with uncomplicated, wireless solutions. SpeakEasy is launching with two devices older American to choose from - a flip phone or smartphone; with all plans including nationwide coverage, unlimited talks and texts.

UNITED KINGDOM 22 JUN

NatureTime natural world content launches on ITVX

UK broadcaster ITV has signed a content agreement with Blue Ant Media to make its NatureTime natural world programming brand available on the ITVX streaming platform. NatureTime documentaries and series will be available on ITV in summer 2026 as part of a co-branded block and FAST channel. The partners will also launch content on a new YouTube channel called ITV NatureTime. 

GLOBAL 22 JUN

Mavenir unveils agentic telecoms layer built to TM Forum spec

Mavenir is preparing to launch a TM Forum-compliant framework for agentic telecoms implementations. The Agentic Service Assurance Framework complies with TM Forum's IG1251 and IG1453 specifications, and was announced ahead of the alliance's DTW Ignite event in Copenhagen.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 22 JUN

TrendAI launches in UAE

TrendAI, the enterprise AI security business of Trend Micro, has officially debuted in the UAE with a prominent brand reveal on Ain Dubai. This regional launch follows Trend Micro's global rebrand earlier 2026, which consolidated its enterprise cybersecurity business under the TrendAI identity.

POLAND 22 JUN

Plus discounts Samsung, Motorola, Xiaomi flagship smartphones

Polish operator Polkomtel, trading under the Plus brand, has introduced a promotion of Samsung, Motorola and Xiaomi smartphones with discounts up to PLN 1,000. The Samsung Galaxy S26+ 5G 12/256GB is available for PLN 4,899, down by PLN 700, and the S26 Ultra 12/256GB model costs PLN 6,099, down  by PLN 400. The Samsung Galaxy A57 8/128GB is offered for PLN 1,999, the Galaxy Watch 8 40mm LTE is available for PLN 999, down by PLN 300, and the Galaxy Buds 4 are offered for PLN 499, down by PLN 50. 

RUSSIAN FEDERATION 22 JUN

Yandex places RUB 60 bln in bonds

Russian internet company Yandex has completed the issue of two series of non-convertible bonds totaling RUB 60 billion on the Moscow Exchange. The floating-coupon issue totaled RUB 40 billion with a three-year maturity, and the fixed-coupon issue amounted to RUB 20 billion, with a two-year maturity.

INDIA 22 JUN

Airtel's marketing head, Connected Homes CEO resigns, moves to Singtel

Bharti Airtel has announced that Siddharth Sharma has resigned from his role of CEO Connected Homes and director of marketing, effective immediately. Siddharth will pursue an external professional opportunity. He is moving to a senior executive leadership role within the Singtel Group, an investor in Airtel.

EUROPE 22 JUN

5G availability soars to almost 80 percent across 29 European markets - Opensignal

Opensignal has published market research exploring 5G performance and adoption in most EU markets plus the UK, Switzerland and Norway. The insights are based on sample connection data collected in Q1 2026. These figures show that user devices were in reach of a 5G signal more than 78 percent of the time, with the figure rising above 90 percent in a handful of markets, namely Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and Cyprus. This indicates that 5G infrastructure has reached maturity across the EU and aligned stat

SWITZERLAND 22 JUN

Swisscom introduces spam call alert on Callfilter

Swisscom has introduced the new 'Warning: suspected spam' alert function for its Callfilter. The alert warns of a suspected fraud call through a message on the display. Customers can decide whether or not to take the call. The new function is part of the Callfilter service, which is activated by default for all customers. The function can be disabled or re-enabled free of charge at any time.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 22 JUN

Commvault partners with UAE Cyber Security Council to boost cyber resilience

The UAE Cyber Security Council (CSC) and Commvault have launched a dedicated Innovation Centre of Excellence in Abu Dhabi, as part of efforts to strengthen the national digital resilience and safeguard critical infrastructure. The CoE will serve as a regional hub for cyber resilience research and innovation and digital infrastructure protection. It will also provide a central venue for executive, customer, and partner engagements, as well as dedicated workstations and demonstration areas showcasing Commvaul

LITHUANIA 22 JUN

Telia Lithuania acquires 5G frequencies for almost EUR 10 mln

Telia Lithuania acquired two blocks in the 1,500 MHz band for almost EUR 10 million in an auction organized by the regulator RRT. The company received the largest share of these frequencies sold, at 40 MHz, sand said it will use the spectrum for further development of the 5G network. A total of three 20 MHz frequency blocks were sold at the auction. 

GERMANY 22 JUN

Vodafone Germany expands 5G network at University Hospital Frankfurt

Vodafone Germany has expand the 5G network at the University Hospital Frankfurt. The company said it installed over 650 antennas in the main building of the campus and across the hospital grounds, ensuring almost full coverage both indoors and outdoors. Additionally, Vodafone laid approximately 24,000 meters of Cat7 cables and 10,700 meters of fibre-optic cable. The network infrastructure at the hospital campus is also equipped with 458 Distributed Antenna Systems, seven GPS antennas, 59 indoor radio units

COTE D'IVOIRE 22 JUN

Orange Cote d'Ivoire expands B2B digital push

Orange Côte d'Ivoire has doubled down on local business digitalisation in a showcase of its unified cloud, cybersecurity and connectivity solutions, Ecofin reported. At the Orange Business Days – After Work event in Abidjan, the operator highlighted its specialised subsidiary OC2S as the preferred partner for enterprise digital transformation and presented dedicated cyber and connectivity solutions for multiple industries. In addition, Orange Money launched the OM Business mobile application for businesses

Just In

05:51

China's Spacesail demos direct-to-cell satellite calls on standard smartphones

05:36

Digital Realty announces Kansas City expansion and new acquisitions

05:34

Telstra executive Hannah Chong joins Digicel Pacific board

05:30

Sky NZ to provide coverage of Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Commentary

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Background

21 JUN 22:52

The week in telecom: sovereignty debate comes to VivaTech, Ericsson succession and Fox buys Roku

1 JUN 00:13

The week in telecom: EU telcos push sovereign services as governments question foreign tech investors

23 MEI 23:42

The week in telecom: Starlink ready to go public, Singapore telco M&A and Google courts AI subscribers at I/O

18 MEI 00:31

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