Ofcom fines Virgin Media GBP 28 mln over contract cancellation practices
UNITED KINGDOM 06:22

Ofcom fines Virgin Media GBP 28 mln over contract cancellation practices

UK regulator Ofcom has fined Virgin Media GBP 28 million after finding the operator repeatedly made it unnecessarily difficult for customers to cancel their contracts, with millions of calls likely mishandled between January 2022 and September 2024. The regulator said Virgin Media's retention processes subjected customers to unreasonable effort, hassle and delays when attempting to switch providers, in breach of Ofcom's consumer protection rules.

Sunrise, Swisscom work together on fraud intelligence
SWITZERLAND 06:15

Sunrise, Swisscom work together on fraud intelligence

Swiss operators Sunrise and Swisscom have set up a consortium to exchange intelligence to protect customers from the risks of fraud. The LexisNexis Risk Intelligence Consortium, as it is called, is supported by LexisNexis Risk Solutions. The consortia enables members to share digital risk signals to detect and prevent fraud and financial crimes, and help assess credit application risk. The members of the consortium exchange feedback in real time, as an early warning system to prevent fraud.

Korea to require major platforms to tackle illegal and manipulated content
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:57

Korea to require major platforms to tackle illegal and manipulated content

South Korea has approved implementing regulations for its revised Network Act, requiring large online platforms to introduce formal policies for tackling illegal and manipulated content, while establishing new transparency, reporting and fact-checking obligations. The Presidential Decree, approved by cabinet ahead of the amended law taking effect, defines "large information and communications service providers" as online platforms with at least one million daily active users over the previous three months t

Naver Cloud partners with Mistral AI to target sovereign AI for manufacturers
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:49

Naver Cloud partners with Mistral AI to target sovereign AI for manufacturers

South Korean internet giant Naver Cloud has signed a strategic partnership with French AI company Mistral AI to jointly develop and commercialise sovereign AI solutions for the manufacturing sector, combining Naver Cloud's infrastructure with Mistral AI's manufacturing expertise. The companies said the partnership aims to offer an alternative to AI platforms from US technology companies by delivering AI tailored to the data sovereignty, regulatory and operational requirements of manufacturers in Asia and Eu

NTT Docomo Business launches secure remote valve monitoring solution
JAPAN 05:48

NTT Docomo Business launches secure remote valve monitoring solution

NTT Docomo Business has launched a secure remote valve diagnostics solution for power stations and other critical infrastructure in collaboration with Okano Valve Manufacturing and Meidensha. The service combines NTT Docomo Business's docomo business SIGN IoT network-as-a-service platform with Okano Valve Manufacturing's VQ-ORCL remote valve diagnostics technology and Meidensha's Remotier AI-based remote monitoring service for rotating equipment.

NTT Mobility launches remote operations platform for Level 4 autonomous transport
JAPAN 05:42

NTT Mobility launches remote operations platform for Level 4 autonomous transport

NTT Mobility has launched NTT Mobility Operation Assist, a remote operations support platform designed to help transport operators and local governments manage Level 4 autonomous buses and taxis. The service combines remote vehicle monitoring and operational support, with the aim of enabling a small number of operators to manage multiple autonomous vehicles through an N:M operating model. The company said the platform is intended to improve operational efficiency while supporting the long-term deployment of

KDDI iret launches AI-driven software development service on Google Cloud
JAPAN 05:39

KDDI iret launches AI-driven software development service on Google Cloud

KDDI iret, a subsidiary of KDDI, has launched AI-Driven Development on Google Cloud, a service that integrates AI across the software development lifecycle using Google Cloud technologies. The service is designed to support organisations from AI strategy and system design through application development, testing, deployment and operations. According to the operator, AI is used throughout the development process, from requirements definition to release, with the aim of reducing development time, limiting rew

NEC launches first AI service under Anthropic partnership
JAPAN 05:37

NEC launches first AI service under Anthropic partnership

NEC has launched its first service developed under its strategic partnership with Anthropic, introducing an AI-powered reporting service that automates product planning and marketing strategy development using consumer purchasing data. The NEC AI Insight Reporting Service uses Anthropic's Claude AI models together with Snowflake's Cortex AI platform to analyse consumer purchasing data and generate reports containing analytical findings and recommended marketing or product planning actions. 

Telstra blames network timing failure for nationwide mobile outage
AUSTRALIA 05:35

Telstra blames network timing failure for nationwide mobile outage

A failure in Telstra's network timing systems caused a nationwide outage that disrupted mobile voice and data services, payment terminals and transport networks, with the carrier restoring around 90 percent of affected services by mid-morning while investigations into the root cause continued. Chief financial officer Michael Ackland said the issue was first identified at about 4.30am AEST and was traced to multiple network nodes responsible for synchronising time across the operator's mobile network. 

Optus trials automation to restore mobile coverage during network outages
AUSTRALIA 05:33

Optus trials automation to restore mobile coverage during network outages

Optus has completed a live network trial of automated Cell Coverage Compensation technology designed to detect mobile network outages and restore coverage across its 4G and 5G network. The technology automatically detects planned and unplanned cell outages using real-time network events, including cell status changes and operational alarms, before adjusting neighbouring cells to compensate for lost coverage. 

SK Telecom to introduce AI across T World retail stores by 2027
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:31

SK Telecom to introduce AI across T World retail stores by 2027

SK Telecom (SKT) plans to introduce AI across its T World retail stores as part of a customer service transformation programme extending through to 2027. The operator said it has begun publishing AI-generated customer ratings for individual stores, based on post-visit surveys conducted using speech recognition technology. The star ratings have been available on the T World website and app since June to help customers compare stores before visiting.

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked to take place in London on 22 July
UNITED KINGDOM 05:29

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked to take place in London on 22 July

Samsung Electronics has announced that its next Galaxy Unpacked will take place in London on 22 July, where it plans to present what it describes as the next generation of Galaxy AI experiences. Ahead of the event, TM Roh, chief executive officer and head of the Device eXperience (DX) Division, said the company's AI strategy is focused on developing AI that understands users rather than simply responding to queries. 

JAPAN 05:27

BBIX launches new internet exchange point at SoftBank Tokyo data centre

SoftBank's internet exchange subsidiary BBIX has launched a new IX point, BBIX Tokyo No. 16, at SoftBank's Tokyo Fuchu Data Center, with IX Connect Service available from 8 July. The point is intended to support growing demand for high-capacity, low-latency network connectivity, which BBIX said is being driven by increased use of generative AI, cloud services and digital transformation initiatives. The company also highlighted demand from SaaS providers, security companies and cloud infrastructure operators

NEW ZEALAND 05:25

Tuatahi First Fibre appoints Richard Riley as chief executive

New Zealand operator Tuatahi First Fibre has appointed Richard Riley, formerly acting chief executive, as its chief executive following a recruitment process. Riley joined Tuatahi in 2011 and most recently served as acting chief executive after previously holding the role of chief customer officer. The operator said he brings experience in the telecommunications sector as well as knowledge of its business, customers and stakeholders.

AUSTRALIA 05:23

Foxtel and Kayo Sports extend rugby league broadcast partnership to 2034

Australian broadcaster Foxtel Group and its streaming service Kayo Sports have extended their broadcast partnership with the National Rugby League through to 2034, with the new agreement taking effect from the 2028 season. Kayo Sports and Foxtel will continue to broadcast every home-and-away match in the NRL and NRLW seasons, as well as every finals match except the NRL Grand Final. The companies said the deal will include additional exclusive live NRL matches as the competition expands to 20 teams, exclusi

NEW ZEALAND 05:22

Sky secures exclusive New Zealand NRL broadcast rights until 2034

Sky New Zealand has signed a seven-year agreement with the Australian Rugby League Commission for exclusive New Zealand broadcast rights to the National Rugby League from January 2028 to December 2034. Under the agreement, Sky will continue to broadcast the NRL and NRLW competitions, including all One NZ Warriors matches, the Finals Series, Grand Finals and State of Origin fixtures. Coverage will be available across Sky Sport, Sky Sport Now, the company's free-to-air platforms Three and ThreeNow, and Sky Ve

JAPAN 05:19

NTT Data deploys physical AI quality assurance with Hyster-Yale

NTT Data has partnered Hyster-Yale Materials Handling (HYMH) to deploy what the companies describe as a breakthrough physical AI solution that embeds AI-driven quality assurance directly into manufacturing processes, helping improve assembly quality while reducing deployment times from months to weeks. The system has been deployed at HYMH's Berea, Kentucky manufacturing facility, where NTT Data integrated vision sensors, edge AI and analytics into a critical assembly workflow. 

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:17

Naver Pay launches startup investment platform with AI features

Naver Pay has launched Npay Startup, a venture capital investment platform designed to connect startups and venture businesses with investors and standardise investment processes. Npay Startup is intended to bring together investors, venture capital firms and startups on a single platform, allowing participants to access investment information and streamline fundraising and investment evaluation processes. The platform has been developed with Codebox, a company focused on standardising startup investment in

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:16

LG Uplus programme supports family of child with developmental disabilities

LG Uplus said it has provided financial support to a family of a child with developmental disabilities through its employee donation programme, "A Thousand Won of Love", to coincide with Intellectual Developmental Disability Day. The operator said it worked with the Miral Welfare Foundation to identify a recipient family. Around KRW 5 million raised through the employee programme was donated to help cover the medical costs of a 10-year-old boy with a severe brain condition and developmental disabilities who

CANADA 05:15

Telus joins AI Consortium to develop shared enterprise AI control infrastructure

Lightworks, Scotiabank, Sun Life and Telus have launched the AI Consortium, a cross-industry initiative to jointly develop and govern AI infrastructure for use in regulated enterprise environments in Canada. The consortium brings together organisations from the banking, insurance and telecommunications sectors to collaborate on AI control systems and related intellectual property that members would otherwise develop independently. 

INDIA 04:56

DXC opens 200,000 square foot global delivery and AI hub in Bengaluru

DXC Technology has opened a Customer Experience Centre in Bengaluru, India.  The company says this new facility is one of its largest global delivery hubs. The 200,000 square foot (18,580 square meter) site brings together immersive Customer Experience Zones, Fluid Collaboration Hubs, Ideation Studios, Co-Creation Labs, and Partner Experience Zones.

HONG KONG 04:34

HKBN, BytePlus to jointly provide AI, cloud services for enterprises

HKBN Enterprise Solutions (HKBNES) has signed a partnership deal with AI cloud services provider BytePlus. The collaboration blends BytePlus' technology with HKBN's expertise in telecommunications, ICT services, and enterprise services to expand AI and cloud offerings for enterprise customers.

NETHERLANDS 7 JUL

Delta revises contract terms to allow TV price increases

Ducth operator Delta is updating its general terms and conditions to specify when and how prices may increase during a contract period. The company set a maximum increase of EUR 3 in monthly subscription prices over a calendar year, alongside the standard inflation corrections. Increases in the first three months of a contract are not possible, and any further hikes must be justified by the company. 

MIDDLE EAST 7 JUL

Corero Network Security signs up Commercis for Middle East sales

Corero Network Security announced a distribution partnership with Middle Eastern technology and cybersecurity provider Commercis. The collaboration expands Commercis' security portfolio for several key regional sectors, including telecommunications, banking, government, energy, and critical infrastructure. Commercis will distribute Corero's DDoS protection platform, offering regional clients real-time attack detection and mitigation with network analytics, under flexible deployment options tailored for hybr

Just In

06:22

Ofcom fines Virgin Media GBP 28 mln over contract cancellation practices

06:15

Sunrise, Swisscom work together on fraud intelligence

05:57

Korea to require major platforms to tackle illegal and manipulated content

05:49

Naver Cloud partners with Mistral AI to target sovereign AI for manufacturers

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 MEI 10:55

KPN: the art of making one-offs structural

4 MEI 14:25

Open Dutch Fiber outlook: time to restart roll-out?

Background

5 JUL 23:03

The week in telecom: Comcast gives up on vertical integration, BT and Verizon agree global alliance

3 JUL 07:46

TP:Talks - Billogram cuts customer service billing tickets by 40 percent with automated invoicing

28 JUN 23:51

The week in telecoms: Apple raises prices, Qualcomm tries server market and Jio going public

21 JUN 22:52

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