Ireland launches EUR 10 mln AI gateway to European supercomputing network
IRELAND 06:02

Ireland launches EUR 10 mln AI gateway to European supercomputing network

Ireland has launched its AI Factory Ireland Antenna (AIF IRL-Antenna), an EUR 10 million initiative providing Irish businesses, researchers and public sector organisations with access to Europe's AI Factories and high-performance computing infrastructure. The programme is led by the Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC) at the University of Galway in partnership with CeADAR, Ireland's Centre for AI, and is jointly funded by the Irish Government and the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking. It will act as Ireland

Orange Morocco's services arrive at over 5,000 Cash Plus branches nationwide
MOROCCO 06:02

Orange Morocco's services arrive at over 5,000 Cash Plus branches nationwide

Orange Morocco announced a strategic partnership with local fintech Cash Plus, a specialist in money transfers through a network of over 5,200 branches across the country. Under this agreement, the operator's telecom offers and Orange Money services become available via a new physical channel. Orange Money customers will be able to make cash deposits and withdrawals at any of Cash Plus' retail points, which already support partners including Western Union and MoneyGram. The branches will also distribute the

Cloudflare to block AI training bots by default on ad-supported pages
GLOBAL 06:01

Cloudflare to block AI training bots by default on ad-supported pages

Cloudflare has introduced a new framework for managing AI traffic that will change the default handling of AI crawlers on customer websites from September 2026, while giving website owners separate controls over search, AI agents and model training. The company has introduced three configurable categories for AI traffic: Search, Agent and Training. Website owners can now choose whether to allow or block each type of activity, with the controls available across all Cloudflare customer tiers.

Iren appoints product and development officers
GLOBAL 05:59

Iren appoints product and development officers

Australian AI infrastructure company Iren has appointed Kambiz Aghili as chief product officer and Michael Nudelman as chief development officer, strengthening its leadership team as it expands its AI cloud and data centre operations. The company said both appointments are based in San Francisco and are intended to support the continued development of its AI cloud platform and its global data centre expansion strategy.

NTT West partners Tansoman GX to support SME decarbonisation
JAPAN 05:57

NTT West partners Tansoman GX to support SME decarbonisation

NTT West has signed a business partnership agreement with Tansoman GX to provide decarbonisation support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in collaboration with local authorities in Japan. The initiative is intended to help municipalities implement carbon neutrality policies while supporting SMEs that may lack the resources or expertise to measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Starwood Capital raises USD 10.2 bn with data centres as a target
GLOBAL 05:56

Starwood Capital raises USD 10.2 bn with data centres as a target

Starwood Capital Group has completed the final closing of its latest opportunistic real estate fund, raising more than USD 10.2 billion in capital commitments. The firm said the Starwood Distressed Opportunity Fund XIII will invest primarily in the United States and Europe, with selective opportunities in Asia-Pacific. The fund will target a mix of residential, data centre, industrial and hospitality assets. The fund has already closed or committed to 20 transactions, representing more than USD 3 billion of

NEC to supply I-2SEA submarine cable linking India and SE Asia
ASIA 05:54

NEC to supply I-2SEA submarine cable linking India and SE Asia

NEC has signed a supply contract with a consortium comprising Lightstorm, Microsoft, Singtel and Tata Communications for the I-2SEA fibre optic submarine cable system linking India, Malaysia and Singapore. The 3,600km cable will connect India's east coast, including the data centre hubs of Hyderabad and Chennai, with Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. The system is scheduled to enter service in 2029.

True, Bangkok university launch AI-based learning model for students
THAILAND 05:54

True, Bangkok university launch AI-based learning model for students

Thai operator True has partnered with Bangkok University's School of Communication Arts to launch the 'BU be TRUE: The Future Takes Off Together' educational initiative. This project is designed to bridge the gap between higher education and the private sector by providing students with hands-on training, creative-AI skills, and direct industry exposure.

SK Telecom adds Google AI plans to T Universe subscription platform
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:53

SK Telecom adds Google AI plans to T Universe subscription platform

SK Telecom (SKT) has added three Google AI subscription plans to its T Universe subscription platform, expanding its portfolio of AI services and introducing what it claims is the broadest Google AI Plan line-up offered by a South Korean mobile operator or subscription platform. The new portfolio comprises Google AI Pro, Google AI Plus (2 TB) and Google AI Plus (400 GB). The entry-level Google AI Plus (400 GB) plan is available exclusively through T Universe at a discounted price, marking the first time an

SK Telecom launches Galaxy Wide9 smartphone exclusively
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:51

SK Telecom launches Galaxy Wide9 smartphone exclusively

SK Telecom (SKT) has launched the Galaxy Wide9, a 5G smartphone available exclusively through its sales channels, with sales beginning on 3 July. The device is priced at KRW 469,700 and is available through the operator's T Direct Shop online store and T World retail outlets. The Galaxy Wide9 features a 6.7-inch Super Amoled display, a 5,000mAh battery with support for up to 25W fast charging, a 50-megapixel camera with image stabilisation, and a slimmer, lighter design than its predecessor, weighing 192g a

Quickline reaches North Yorkshire Project Gigabit milestone ahead of schedule
UNITED KINGDOM 05:49

Quickline reaches North Yorkshire Project Gigabit milestone ahead of schedule

Rural UK broadband provider Quickline Communications has connected almost 11,000 publicly funded premises in North Yorkshire under the UK government's Project Gigabit programme, reaching a contractual deployment milestone two months ahead of schedule. The operator said it has connected 10,980 funded premises since being awarded the North Yorkshire Project Gigabit contract in June 2024. The programme is intended to extend gigabit-capable full fibre broadband to hard-to-reach communities.

SoftBank establishes SB Neo to launch US neocloud business
UNITED STATES 05:46

SoftBank establishes SB Neo to launch US neocloud business

SoftBank Corp. and SoftBank Group Corp. have announced plans to establish SB Neo, Inc., a new US-based company that will operate a neocloud business serving enterprise customers in the United States. The company, which is due to be established in July 2026 in the state of Delaware, will be owned 51 percent by SoftBank Corp. and 49 percent by SoftBank Group Corp., making it a consolidated subsidiary of SoftBank Corp.

BRAZIL 05:44

NEC supports Messer Gases' network modernisation in Brazil

NEC has completed a network modernisation project for Messer Gases in Brazil, deploying Cisco networking and security technologies to support the industrial gases company's digital transformation and Industry 4.0 initiatives. The project, delivered over the past three years through NEC's consulting and systems integration services, included upgrades to network infrastructure, expanded Wi-Fi coverage and enhanced security across Messer Gases' operations.

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:42

LG Uplus expands summer benefits, launches event for long-term customers

LG Uplus said it is strengthening the summer benefits available through its monthly membership programme, U+Tooplus, and will hold a Legoland Waterful Party for long-term customers in August. The operator said the July programme focuses on categories with higher seasonal demand, including dining, shopping and water-based leisure activities. It has also added new partner brands to the membership offering.

JAPAN 05:41

NTT implements virtual PPA to power research facility with additional renewable energy

NTT Facilities and NTT Anode Energy have signed a long-term virtual power purchase agreement (PPA) that enables the NTT Facilities Innovation Centre in Tokyo to source the environmental value of electricity generated by a woody biomass power plant, achieving what the companies describe as 100% additional renewable energy coverage for the building. The agreement uses environmental attributes from a woody biomass power plant operated by BPS Ikoma, in which NTT Anode Energy has invested. 

VENEZUELA 05:40

Telesat donates satellite capacity to support comms recovery in Venezuela

Telesat GEO has donated high-throughput satellite capacity to Venezuelan telecommunications provider Top Comunications to support disaster recovery efforts following earthquakes in Venezuela. The capacity, provided on the Telstar 19 Vantage satellite, will be used to help restore communications infrastructure and support emergency coordination and public safety operations for government agencies, first responders and mobile network operators.

PHILIPPINES 04:42

Smart launches Power All offers for Gen Z customers' side quests

Philippines operator Smart Communications' Smart Prepaid brand has updated its Power All promotional data packages, introducing customizable application bundles for young users' side quests. The new tiers offer specific data allocations for four different categories: entertainment (Binge), social media (Share), gaming (Game), and productivity (Grind).

PHILIPPINES 03:02

Smart expands Infinity Plus plan to target executives

Philippines operator Smart Communications has expanded its premium Infinity Plus plan to target executives, offering a triple-line bundle with unlimited data, calls, and texts for all lines. As an upgrade to traditional individual-focused plans, the Infinity Plus offer allows a primary account holder to share data and benefits across multiple lines (one primary and the two supplementary) under a single account.

HONG KONG 02:21

HKBN, Shanghai uni, Sunglowsec develop AI-based Vulnerability Scanning and Validation Platform

HKBN Enterprise Solutions (HKBNES) has partnered with Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Sunglowsec Infotech (Hong Kong) to jointly develop an AI-Powered Vulnerability Scanning and Validation Platform (AI-VSVP). The platform is intended to provide smart monitoring and automated defence capabilities for enterprise customers in Hong Kong and beyond. Sunglowsec has officially joined the HKBN InnoTech Ecosystem Alliance (iTEA) to collaborate on the cybersecurity market.

SLOVAKIA 2 JUL

Slovak public broadcaster STVR agrees new terrestrial TV deal with Towercom

Slovak public broadcaster SVRK said it has concluded a new agreement for the distribution of terrestrial television services with the operator Towercom. Four channels from STVR will still air free on the Towercom network, namely Jednotka, Dvojka, Sport and 24. The deal concerns trasnission via public multiplex.

SLOVAKIA 2 JUL

Tesco Mobile cuts price of 20 GB bundle, expands payment options

Slovak MVNO Tesco Mobile is running a promotion for 20 GB data packages. Customers with a Tesco Clubcard are being offered the option to activate a recurring 20 GB monthly package for EUR 9 per month, down by EUR 2. The price will be valid for a year. Customers can take up the promotion until 22 September.

SLOVAKIA 2 JUL

Orange Slovakia to disconnect 2G network in 2029

Orange Slovakia said that it plans to disconnect its 2G network at the beginning of 2029, reports Zive.sk. Earlier this week, Slovak Telekom announced that it would switch off its own 2G network by then, too. At the end of October of 2025, O2 Slovakia said that it intended to turn off 2G network at the end of 2028, allocating the frequency bands freed up for use by the LTE and 5G networks.

SLOVAKIA 2 JUL

Skylink offers Canal+ Sport channel in open window in July

Slovak operator Skylink said it is offering customers the opportunity to watch the Canal+ Sport television channel in an open window until 04 August. The channel is available for subscribers of both satellite TV and the online service Skylink Live TV.

SPAIN 2 JUL

Vodafone Spain to trial satellite connectivity for remote Spanish farms

Vodafone Spain has announced plans to test satellite connectivity for agricultural devices. The trials will take place in Almeria, the Spanish region that produces much of Europe's fresh fruit and vegetables. Vodafone said the tests will be conducted in partnership with several food cooperatives, including CASI, with whom the company has an existing relationship for IoT services.

Just In

06:02

Ireland launches EUR 10 mln AI gateway to European supercomputing network

06:02

Orange Morocco's services arrive at over 5,000 Cash Plus branches nationwide

06:01

Cloudflare to block AI training bots by default on ad-supported pages

05:59

Iren appoints product and development officers

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

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

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