STC picks Astranis to expand Saudi satellite connectivity
SAUDI ARABIA 14:51

STC picks Astranis to expand Saudi satellite connectivity

STC Group and satellite operator Astranis have partnered to deploy a dedicated communications satellite for Saudi Arabia. Set to launch in 2026 as part of Astranis's Block 3 fleet, the satellite will expand STC Group's satellite communications capabilities and strengthen network coverage across the country. Under the agreement, STC Group gains full operational control over payload configuration and coverage, keeping all data in-region under enterprise-grade security protocols. The micro-GEO model complement

Ayar Labs adds USD 150 million in venture funding to support manufacturing phase
INDIA 14:49

Ayar Labs adds USD 150 million in venture funding to support manufacturing phase

Optical interconnect developer Ayar Labs has banked USD 150 million in its latest funding round, bringing its year-to-date haul to USD 650 million. It follows a USD 500 million series E investment closed by the company in March. In addition, Ayar Labs disclosed a strategic contribution made earlier in 2026 - most likely in the series E round - by Wiwynn, a Taiwanese cloud IT and infrastructure deployment specialist. Multiple strategic backers with a silicon background already feature among its investors, in

Slovak mobile operators meet 5G coverage targets on roads, train lines and regional cities
SLOVAKIA 14:47

Slovak mobile operators meet 5G coverage targets on roads, train lines and regional cities

Slovakia's telecommunications regulator RU has confirmed the fulfillment of the operators' obligations on 5G coverage on roads, railways and in regional cities. The watchdog checked the real coverage of 5G signals on key transport routes and in the regional cities across Slovakia. An extensive monitoring campaign in the first half of this year confirmed that all three mobile operators, Orange Slovakia, Slovak Telekom and O2 Slovakia fulfilled their obligations in the licences for the 700 MHz band. The regul

Alianza debuts Crux intelligence plug-in for voice communication infrastructures
GLOBAL 14:44

Alianza debuts Crux intelligence plug-in for voice communication infrastructures

Alianza announced the launch of Alianza Crux, an expansion of its existing orchestration control plane intended to close the intelligence gap in telecom voice services. The cloud-hosted platform brings together visibility and control of network infrastructure, AIs, applications, identities, and consent into a common communications session interface. Alianza is pitching it as an indispensable tool to implement cognitive backbone infrastructure in voice networks, and is also marketing a single, secure API to

BeIN Sports plans over 1,700 hours of live 2026 Asian Games coverage
MIDDLE EAST 14:43

BeIN Sports plans over 1,700 hours of live 2026 Asian Games coverage

BeIN Sports announced it will deliver more than 1,700 hours of live, exclusive coverage for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, offering comprehensive programming across sixteen channels over 25 consecutive days. The multisport event officially runs from 19 September to 4 October, though competition opens 10 September. Approximately 10,000 athletes are set to compete in 461 events across 43 sports.

Kyivstar launches 5G pilot network in Odessa
UKRAINE 14:42

Kyivstar launches 5G pilot network in Odessa

Ukrainian operator Kyivstar has started testing 5G services in Odessa. The city has becoome the fifth location covered with 5G from the operator across the country. The 5G network covers the historical centre, Primorsky Boulevard, Potemkin Stairs and the surrounding area.

Batelco by Beyon and Ila Bank launch 'Easy Pay' installments for device purchases
BAHRAIN 14:28

Batelco by Beyon and Ila Bank launch 'Easy Pay' installments for device purchases

Batelco by Beyon and iIa Bank have partnered to offer zero-interest installment plans on device purchases. Ila Bank credit cardholders can split purchases of BHD 300 or more from Batelco into flexible, interest-free payments over up to 24 months, fully managed through the Ila Bank app. Available in-store, online and via the Batelco mobile app, this collaboration makes technology more accessible while providing greater financial flexibility.

Arcom's review secures future for soon-to-expire DTT licences
FRANCE 14:27

Arcom's review secures future for soon-to-expire DTT licences

French media watchdog Arcom has published the conclusions of its impact assessment for the DTT licences of six free-to-air TV channels that will expire at the end of next year, while also releasing the contributions to the public consultation launched in April on the future of the frequencies in question. The conclusions of the regulator's review clear the way for a call for applications ahead of the expiry of the existing licences on 11 December 2027.

STC Group to sponsor international conference on disability and rehabilitation
SAUDI ARABIA 14:26

STC Group to sponsor international conference on disability and rehabilitation

STC Group and King Salman Center for Disability Research (KSCDR) have signed a strategic sponsorship agreement for the seventh International Conference on Disability and Rehabilitation, scheduled for 11-13 October in Riyadh. STC Group will serve as a strategic sponsor for the conference, an international platform that brings together researchers, specialists, innovators, and global organizations to exchange knowledge and highlight advancements in disability research, healthcare, and rehabilitation. The spon

Sell-in FWA CPE volumes to grow 16 percent in 2026 - GSA
GLOBAL 14:24

Sell-in FWA CPE volumes to grow 16 percent in 2026 - GSA

Global shipments of FWA customer premises equipment will total 23 million units in 2026, up 16 percent year-on-year, according to the Global mobile Supplier Association (GSA). 5G units represent 69 percent of the forecast volume, rising to 16 million from 12 million units in 2025, while 5G-Standalone will climb 34 percent to 15.4 million units, taking a 96 percent share of total 5G FWA volume.

Virgin Mobile Poland increases porting bonus to 3 months free
POLAND 14:22

Virgin Mobile Poland increases porting bonus to 3 months free

Polish operator Play, controlled by Iliad, said that its MVNO Virgin Mobile Poland has refreshed its offering. Customers connecting to its plans using number porting are offered free services for three months instead of the previous one month. The promotion covers three popular plans - M, XL, and XXL - offering unlimited calls, SMS and MMS, large data bundles, and no activation fee.

Dutch Consumer Television Market 2026-Q2
NETHERLANDS 14:20

Dutch Consumer Television Market 2026-Q2

This report analyses developments in the Dutch market for consumer television connections and revenues in the first quarter of 2026, and compares the findings with results from previous quarters. It includes a five year forecast for consumer television subscriptions and revenues, divided by technology. The focus is on TV via cable networks (Ziggo, hollandsnieuwe, Delta and Caiway until Q4 2025), as the largest TV technology in the Netherlands; terrestrial digital TV (DVB-T), offered by KPN's Digitenne; DVB-S (satellite), offered by Canal Digitaal; IPTV via DSL networks, offered by KPN and its brands, Odido, Tele2, Online.nl, Budget Thuis, Youfone and others; and IPTV via FTTH (Caiway, Delta, KPN and its brands, Odido, Tele2, Online.nl, Budget Thuis, Youfone and others).

SLOVAKIA 14:20

Swan agrees Slovanet acquisition

Slovak operator Swan, running the mobile operator 4ka, signed an agreement for the acquisition of the operator Slovanet, reports Sita.sk. The deal needs to be cleared by the national competition watchdog, with closing expected in early 2027. Until the transaction is completed, the companies remain competitors and operate independently. Existing contracts, service provision and customer support will not change for customers.

POLAND 14:18

Polish Pendolino trains to get Starlink internet

Passengers of the Pendolino trains from the Polish national railway carrier PKP Intercity will be able to test satellite internet services from Starlink on trains in October, reports Rynek-kolejowy citing a speech made by the minister of infrastructure Dariusz Klimczak during the Economic Forum in Karpacz. Klimczak expects that the service will become available on a permanent basis on some trains.

NETHERLANDS 14:12

Dutch landline market loses 102,000 subscribers in Q2

The Dutch market lost another 102,000 landline subscribers in the second quarter, contracting by 4.1 percent compared to the first quarter of 2026. The latest quarterly report from Telecompaper shows the market ended June with less than 2.4 million residential fixed telephony customers.

UNITED STATES 13:53

Comcast deploys Fastly software for content, application delvery

Comcast has announced a content and application delivery partnership with Fastly to push live streaming content closer to the network edge. Under the terms of the agreement, Comcast will integrate Fastly programmable edge software into its nationwide network, enabling content to be delivered from locations nearer to customers' homes. This will reduce lag and enhance video quality for customers. 

CZECH REPUBLIC 13:48

Polarise reserves capacity at Prague Gateway data centre

Czech operator Ceske Radiokomunikace (CRA) and European AI infrastructure provider Polarise have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to reserve 15 MW of capacity in the Prague Gateway data centre, which CRA is building in Jiloviste outside Prague. Polarise is requesting this capacity for an unnamed end-customer from the European AI cloud services environment.

MALAWI 13:46

Huawei pitches solutions to boost rural connectivity in Malawi in Macra briefing

Huawei has presented targeted ICT solutions to the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) to tackle connectivity gaps in underserved rural communities. Speaking at a company-requested briefing with Macra, Huawei Solution director for Malawi Li Can outlined technologies designed to expand digital access. This included a compact pole-mounted telecom site that integrates solar power, radio equipment, microwave, and baseband components into a single unit. Huawei explained that replacing conventional

UNITED STATES 13:44

Nokia wins regional fibre network contract in southeast Georgia

Nokia has won a contract from US regional broadband provider Planters Broadband Cooperative to deploy a fibre network for underserved rural communities in southeast Georgia. The basis of the new fibre network will be the Nokia Lightspan MF-2 platform, optical network terminals (ONTs),  PON optics, and the Altiplano Access Contoller with Corteca software. The network expansion is being funded through the federal BEAD programme, and will meet Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements. Nokia will be suppo

SAUDI ARABIA 13:42

Zain KSA supports digital mosque management network

Zain KSA and the ministry of Islamic affairs have launched the Electronic Mosque Affairs System for mosque management, marking a new step in the ministry's digital transformation and mosque management automation across Saudi Arabia. The new system supports the management of 85,980 mosques across the country and connects more than 96,000 personnel through a comprehensive suite of digital services spanning asset management, Friday sermons, personnel management, field inspections and maintenance, as well as sm

RUSSIAN FEDERATION 13:41

Russia excludes MVNOs, small operators from 5G development

Russia's State Radio Frequencies Commission (SRFC) decided that MVNOs will be prohibited from providing 5G services to customers in any form, reports Comnews.ru. The exceptions are Rostelecom (the parent company of mobile operator T2) and Yota (a subsidiary of Megafon).A spokesperson for the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation confirmed this to ComNews. According to the SCRF decision, the right to repurpose 4G spectrum for 5G services, as well as the righ

SPAIN 13:35

Orange Spain gifts '5G Fast Track' option at inaugural Madrid Grand Prix

Orange Spain (MasOrange) said customers will be able to access the company's 5G Fast Track option at this weekend's Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix at the newly-built Madring circuit. The event held from 11 to 13 September is expected to draw around 350,000 people over the three days, including 45,000 international visitors.

GLOBAL 13:27

Ethernet Alliance schedules ECOC 2026 interop demo with 1.6 Tbps focus

The Ethernet Alliance confirmed details of a planned interoperability demo at the 2026 European Conference on Optical Communication (ECOC). It comes as the 1.6 Tbps Ethernet ecosystem is gathering steam with proliferating demand for data centre bandwidth created by emerging AI applications. The IEEE's P802.3dj task force is in the process of defining further criteria, including physical layer 1.6 Tbps classifiers and electrical interfaces for driving 8x200G and 16x100G lanes.

POLAND 13:25

T-Mobile Poland start top-up promo with Zabka

T-Mobile Poland has introduced its new joint promotion with the retail chain Zabka. Prepaid customers are offered a free coupon for a hot dog in after buying a top-up worth at least PLN 30 in shops of the chain. The promotion is valid until 06 October.

Just In

14:51

STC picks Astranis to expand Saudi satellite connectivity

14:49

Ayar Labs adds USD 150 million in venture funding to support manufacturing phase

14:47

Slovak mobile operators meet 5G coverage targets on roads, train lines and regional cities

14:44

Alianza debuts Crux intelligence plug-in for voice communication infrastructures

Commentary

8 SEP 10:16

Odido matches KPN and VodafoneZiggo on cash flow margin, but growth remains limited

11 AUG 10:49

Can Ziggo Group creation improve visibility for the Dutch market?

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?

Background

7 SEP 11:54

Citymesh capital injection eases doubts over Digi Belgium future

6 SEP 21:46

The week in telecom: smart wearables at Ifa, Deutsche Telekom reshuffle and Vodafone tries premium 5G

30 AUG 23:50

The week in telecom: Meta pays up, SKT and MTN monetise data centres, and mobile network-sharing in demand

27 AUG 10:09

Viaplay sports content to help Videoland towards goal of becoming largest streamer in Netherlands