Deutsche Telekom secures broadcasting rights for men's FIFA 2030 World Cup
GERMANY 08:22

Deutsche Telekom secures broadcasting rights for men's FIFA 2030 World Cup

Deutsche Telekom said it has secured the broadcasting rights for the FIFA World Cup men's tournament in 2030. Telekom will show all 104 matches exclusively on MagentaTV. The next men's World Cup will take place in six countries, namely Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina, Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

FiberCop rivals call on Agcom to reject wholesale price list
ITALY 08:15

FiberCop rivals call on Agcom to reject wholesale price list

Italy's main challengers on the fixed market - Fastweb+Vodafone, Wind Tre, Sky Italia and Iliad - have called on the market regulator Agcom to reject wholesale access prices proposed at FiberCop. In a joint letter reported by Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor, the operators said the draft price lists published in April by the operator of the former TIM network are not fair and reasonable and are in need of significant changes. Agcom is expected to meet 22 July to consider the price list. 

Niger holds radio spectrum overhaul consultation to accelerate 5G deployment
NIGER 07:58

Niger holds radio spectrum overhaul consultation to accelerate 5G deployment

Niger is overhauling its radio spectrum to lay the groundwork for 5G mobile services, Ecofin reported. Under the 2025 National Frequency Allocation Plan (PNAF) Transition Plan, which spans 2027 to 2029, the government has begun reorganising frequency bands required for 5G. Authorities are running a public consultation from 20 July to 31 August, inviting feedback on the proposed reforms. The initial phase focuses on reallocating the 600 MHz band, which is currently used primarily for digital terrestrial tele

Spanish regulator approves new universal service regime with minimum 100 Mbps broadband
SPAIN 07:52

Spanish regulator approves new universal service regime with minimum 100 Mbps broadband

Spanish telecoms regulator CNMC has endorsed a draft royal decree updating the country's universal service policy. Expected to take effect from the start of 2027, the new rules would raise the minimum internet speed to 100 Mbps from 10 Mbps, and introduce a new social tariff with a 25 percent discount provided to people receiving the minimum income allowance. The state secretary for telecoms will need to finalise the text before it is published and takes legal effect. 

Connectbase debuts OS layer that lets Mplify Sonata LSO connect with proprietary APIs
GLOBAL 07:49

Connectbase debuts OS layer that lets Mplify Sonata LSO connect with proprietary APIs

Connectbase is launching an orchestration and translation layer to bridge proprietary network provisioning deployments with Mplify's Sonata lifecycle service orchestration (LSO) APIs. The feature is designed to simplify Sonata-compliant connectivity transactions for NaaS providers and their customers. Sonata standardises key NaaS lifecycle processes, including pricing quotes, ordering and product inventory, using a common foundation that functions predictably regardless of provider.

South African .za domain prices set for 6% hike in October
SOUTH AFRICA 07:42

South African .za domain prices set for 6% hike in October

The cost of South African internet domains is set to increase by 6.2 percent on 01 October, well above current inflation rates, MyBroadband reported. The sharp hike is despite the fee being calculated under what the .za Domain Name Authority (.ZADNA) describes as a CPI-linked pricing methodology. As the statutory regulator of the .za namespace, .ZADNA announced that the higher wholesale registry fee will apply to four commercial second-level domains: org.za, net.za, web.za, and co.za.

Entel open up satellite service, ClaroVTR deploys COWs in Chilean emergency response
CHILE 07:29

Entel open up satellite service, ClaroVTR deploys COWs in Chilean emergency response

Entel has opened up its direct-to-cell (D2C) satellite connectivity service to people in the Atacama and Los Lagos regions affected by heavy rain and storms. At no additional cost, users in the affected areas will be able to maintain connectivity via SMS text messages, after terrestrial networks were damaged or left without power during the severe weather. The company said messages over the service had more than doubled since the storms. 

Oman deploys 29 new towers to power Khareef Dhofar connectivity
OMAN 07:29

Oman deploys 29 new towers to power Khareef Dhofar connectivity

Oman's telecommunications sector has finalised preparations for the 2026 Khareef Dhofar season by upgrading infrastructure to maintain service during the annual monsoon tourism surge. Guided by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), operators have installed 29 new telecom stations to expand coverage in key areas, including thirteen new towers along Sultan Said bin Taimur Road to keep motorists connected. To manage high-density tourist hotspots, authorities deployed 38 mobile cell towers to absor

Safaricom CFO leaves at end of July to take up other opportunities
KENYA 07:23

Safaricom CFO leaves at end of July to take up other opportunities

Safaricom's chief financial services officer, Esther Waititu, will leave the Kenyan telecommunications company at the end of July after over three years leading the expansion of its M-Pesa business. The departure was announced in an internal memo to staff, which noted that Waititu is stepping down to pursue other opportunities. Her final working day will be 31 July.

Malawi government plans to invite new telecom operators to foster competition
MALAWI 07:17

Malawi government plans to invite new telecom operators to foster competition

Malawian ICT minister Shadrick Namalomba has announced that the government wants to bring more mobile network operators into the country to boost competition and lower digital service costs. Namalomba was responding to questions regarding recent internet tariff hikes by Airtel Malawi and TNM. To help drive down prices, the minister noted that the government has halved spectrum licence fees and launched the USD 150 million Digital Malawi Acceleration Project (DMAP) to expand mobile tower coverage, particular

Pepephone increases EUR 10 monthly plan to 100GB
SPAIN 07:07

Pepephone increases EUR 10 monthly plan to 100GB

MasOrange brand Pepephone has continued with its longstanding policy of regularly improving the conditions of its plans by announcing a substantial increase in bundled data on its EUR 10 monthly plan. The upgrade means the plan now comes with 100GB of data, up from 40GB. The roaming allowance remains at 15GB, and any unused data is carried over to the next month. 

Smartphone slowdown expected to ease NAND Flash shortages from 2H27
GLOBAL 07:00

Smartphone slowdown expected to ease NAND Flash shortages from 2H27

Weakening demand for smartphones and notebook PCs is expected to contribute to a recovery in the NAND Flash supply-demand balance from the second half of 2027, despite continued strong demand from servers, according to analysts TrendForce. Global smartphone production will decline by 15–20 percent year on year in 2026, with production expected to fall again in 2027, although at a slower rate. Demand for premium smartphones with AI capabilities would provide some support to the high-end market, but limited r

UNITED STATES 06:50

Samsung launches Galaxy credit card with 5% cashback on Samsung products

Samsung Electronics America has launched Samsung Galaxy Card, its first credit card, offering cash rewards on purchases and a five percent reward on purchases made directly with Samsung, including the company's devices and services. The card is issued by Barclays US Consumer Bank on the Visa network. Applications for the general public will open on 22 July, while eligible early-access customers can apply ahead of the wider launch. New cardholders can receive an additional USD 200 in bonus cash rewards after

UNITED STATES 06:19

US states obtain court order suspending Paramount takeover of Warner Bros

A US federal court has suspended the planned takeover of Warner Bros Discovery by Paramount Skydance in order to hear a claim from a dozen states to block the deal. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who is leading the state coalition, said the the US District Court for the Northern District of California granted the states' request for a temporary restraining order halting the merger. This order remains in place for 14 days while the court considers a broader injunction to block the merger for the dura

PAKISTAN 06:07

Pakistani authorities arrest three for selling confidential mobile subscriber data

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority's Lahore Zonal Office filed a complaint with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) against individuals selling confidential telecom subscriber data, including Call Detail Records, location data, and IMEI records. During the resulting enforcement operation, the NCCIA arrested three suspects and seized five mobile phones, eight biometric verification devices, and 43 suspicious SIM cards.

JAPAN 05:52

DataSection deploys Nvidia B300 GPU servers to Japan's first AI data centre

Japanese neocloud provider Data Section has begun taking delivery of GPU servers equipped with Nvidia's latest B300 GPUs at an AI data centre it describes as Japan's first dedicated AI data centre, as the company prepares the facility for operation. The company said delivery of the GPU servers, acquired under a sales agreement with Compal Electronics, has begun at the facility. 

PAPUA NEW GUINEA 05:50

Papua New Guinea announces 5G release as regulator completes preparations

Papua New Guinea's (PNG) National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) has announced the release of 5G in the country, while saying its regulatory review ahead of future 5G deployment is nearing completion. The announcement was made by Brian Riches, chairman of the NICTA and Universal Access Services (UAS) boards, during the first day of the Digital Transformation Summit 2026. NICTA said the 5G announcement, alongside the launch of its new integrated ICT database, represents a step to

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:47

ETRI leads international standardisation of AI-based spectrum forecasting methods

South Korea's Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) has led the development of an International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) report on methodologies for assessing and predicting spectrum availability using machine learning. The report, titled Methodologies for assessing or predicting spectrum availability, was approved at an ITU-R Spectrum Management Study Group 1 meeting held in Geneva. It is due to undergo final editorial procedures before being formally

GLOBAL 05:45

LG Uplus and Ericsson to develop network-based voice AI for global markets

LG Uplus and Ericsson are to collaborate on the development and global commercialisation of network-based voice artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, as well as on the evolution of AI-native networks. The companies said they will work on technology development and system integration for network-based voice AI, jointly pursue international business opportunities, design and implement AI-native network architectures, and conduct testing to support deployment of voice AI solutions across different global clo

THAILAND 05:45

True, Google launch Gemini Academy at Sripatum University, offer AI training to 9,000 students

Thai operator True has partnered with Google, Sripatum University, and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation to launch the Gemini Academy training programme at Sripatum University. Part of the broader 'AI for All Thais' initiative, this programme will deliver 13 AI training sessions for 9,100 students. The curriculum covers generative AI applications, prompt creation, digital literacy, and AI safety and ethics.

JAPAN 05:43

Y!mobile launches one-year discount for Simple 3 M/L plans

SoftBank's Y!mobile has launched a new promotion offering customers who sign up to its Simple 3 M or Simple 3 L mobile plans a JPY 1,000 monthly discount for one year from the month after joining, with the offer aimed at customers who do not qualify for family or fixed-line bundle discounts. The "Cho! Otoku-wari" promotion applies to new customers joining either plan, as well as existing customers who switch to one of the eligible plans. The discount is available for one year and has no announced end date.

JAPAN 05:39

JA Mitsui Leasing invests in NTT-led IOWN AI fund

JA Mitsui Leasing has announced that it will invest as a limited partner in the IOWN AI fund, a venture fund led by NTT that will invest in startups developing technologies for next-generation AI infrastructure. The fund will target startups in North America, Asia and Europe working on technologies related to NTT's Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) initiative, with investment areas including photonics-electronics convergence (silicon photonics), semiconductors, AI and telecommunications.

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:38

TTA and ITU agree to promote ICT standards for South Korean tech firms

South Korea's Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have adopted a joint declaration aimed at expanding the use of ICT standards and strengthening standards-related capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region. The organisations adopted the Joint Declaration for the Promotion of ICT Standards and Capacity Building in the Asia-Pacific Region at the ITU Regional Development Forum for Asia and the Pacific (RDF-ASP) in Bangkok.

GLOBAL 05:36

AI investment pushes hidden liabilities at US tech giants to USD 1.65 tn - report

Off-balance-sheet liabilities at five major US technology companies have increased eightfold in around four years to an estimated USD 1.65 trillion, exceeding their combined reported debt of approximately USD 1.35 trillion, according to Nikkei, citing company financial statements. The increase was largely attributed to long-term commitments for AI infrastructure, including data centre leases, graphics processing units (GPUs) and servers. 

Just In

08:22

Deutsche Telekom secures broadcasting rights for men's FIFA 2030 World Cup

08:15

FiberCop rivals call on Agcom to reject wholesale price list

07:58

Niger holds radio spectrum overhaul consultation to accelerate 5G deployment

07:52

Spanish regulator approves new universal service regime with minimum 100 Mbps broadband

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

19 JUL 23:41

The week in telecom: OnePlus exits tough smartphone market and Apple takes on OpenAI

12 JUL 23:30

The week in telecom: European telcos take shape as Xavier Niel buys more of Vodafone, Telenor expands in Sweden

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