Nigeriam government approves NigComSat-2A and NigComSat-2B to help bridge communications gap
NIGERIA 08:39

Nigeriam government approves NigComSat-2A and NigComSat-2B to help bridge communications gap

Through the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the Nigerian government has approved the acquisition and deployment of two new communications satellites, NigComSat-2A and NigComSat-2B, the Guardian reported. This will expand internet access to underserved and hard-to-reach communities. The satellites are manufactured by France's Thales Alenia Space and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and will be deployed under the coordination of Nigeria Communications Satellite (NigComSat) and the ICT ministry.

Mozambique adopts new telecom licensing regulation
MOZAMBIQUE 08:35

Mozambique adopts new telecom licensing regulation

Mozambique has enacted a new decree that repeals the older 2017 framework to modernise the country's telecommunications sector. The legislative changes introduce unified licenses and class-based licenses defined by operational footprints, ranging from municipal to international levels. Class licenses have a rapid 15-day approval window, with Class A and B valid for 15 years, and Class C valid for 5 years (exempting companies from submitting a technical project).

Brazilian regulator brings forward coverage targets for Claro and TIM in lieu of fines
BRAZIL 08:34

Brazilian regulator brings forward coverage targets for Claro and TIM in lieu of fines

Brazil's National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) has invited Claro and TIM to accelerate specific 4G and 5G infrastructure targets by one year instead of enforcing traditional penalties. The 2.3 GHz band (4G) goals would move from 31 December 2028 to 31 December 2027, while the 3.5 GHz band (5G) goals would shift from 31 July 2028 to 31 July 2027. This replaces an updated sanction value scaled to roughly BRL 2.07 million. 

Free Mobile expands smartwatch portfolio with Samsung
FRANCE 08:27

Free Mobile expands smartwatch portfolio with Samsung

Iliad subsidiary Free Mobile has added the Samsung Galaxy Watch9 to its smartwatch portfolio, which previously featured only Apple models. Customers can take advantage of an interest-free financing plan, provided by French fintech start-up Younited Credit. As a result, the cost of the device can be spread over a 24-month period, corresponding to EUR 17.04 per month once the credit agreement is arranged.

Anacom approves new frequency bands for satellite and space operations
PORTUGAL 08:24

Anacom approves new frequency bands for satellite and space operations

Portugal's National Communications Authority (Anacom) said it approved the allocation of the 401–403 MHz band for the Earth exploration satellite service (EESS) and the 401–402 MHz band for space operations (SOS). Station license exemptions have been updated to cover fixed or mobile terminals using the 401–403 MHz band for EESS, as well as receiving earth stations operating in the 401–402 MHz SOS band. The final decision follows the approval of the public consultation report, succeeding the initial draft pr

Yettel crowned Serbia's top mobile network by Ookla, Umlaut and P3
SERBIA 08:23

Yettel crowned Serbia's top mobile network by Ookla, Umlaut and P3

Yettel has become the only operator in Serbia to earn top honours from all three independent international testing authorities: Ookla, Umlaut, and P3. Ookla (Speedtest Award H1 2026) recognised Yettel as the fastest and best mobile network in Serbia based on the Speedtest Connectivity Score, which evaluates speed, latency, and everyday user experiences like streaming and browsing. In the umlaut (Best in Test) survey, Yettel secured the top spot for the tenth consecutive year with a score of 911 out of 1,000

Equinix invests USD 28 mln in latest Bogota data centre expansion
COLOMBIA 08:23

Equinix invests USD 28 mln in latest Bogota data centre expansion

Equinix has inaugurated the second phase of its BG2 data centre in Bogota, adding a further 550 cabinets and 3 MW of electrical capacity in a USD 28 million investment. The expansion builds on the USD 45 million allocated to the facility's initial construction, which began operations in 2024, bringing total invested capital to USD 73 million.

Intel, Airspan join Rutgers University for open CU/DU software project
UNITED STATES 08:22

Intel, Airspan join Rutgers University for open CU/DU software project

Airspan and Intel are partnering to evaluate open source RAN software tailored to smoother operations in centralised and distributed baseband units (CUs/DUs). The pair will contribute to an R&D programme led by Rutgers University's Wireless Information Network Laboratory (WINLAB) and backed by Columbia University together with New York University. The Cosmos project aims to integrate, test and evaluate a software build from the Ocudu Ecosystem Foundation in a city-scale cellular RAN testbed.

Open Fiber launches gigabit FTTH in San Leo
ITALY 08:05

Open Fiber launches gigabit FTTH in San Leo

Italian wholesale-only operator Open Fiber has finalised the rollout of its FTTH infrastructure in the town of San Leo in the northern Emilia-Romagna region. Over 1,700 homes, commercial premises and public sector facilities have been connected to the fibre network, allowing residents, businesses and tourists alike to access the internet at gigabit speeds via operator partners.

Paratus Uganda launches Starlink satellite services
UGANDA 08:03

Paratus Uganda launches Starlink satellite services

Paratus Uganda has become the country's first operator to deploy Starlink's low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband, following the licensing agreement signed by the Uganda Communications Commission and Starlink on 15 May. The launch equips Paratus Uganda to deliver high-speed, low-latency satellite internet to commercial clients operating in rural and underserved regions nationwide.

Talpa refunds Ajax PPV streaming match after access problems
NETHERLANDS 08:02

Talpa refunds Ajax PPV streaming match after access problems

Dutch broadcaster Talpa is refunding customers who bought a pay-per-view pass for the FC Sion-Ajax football match in the Conference League, the AD reported. They will get the full amount of EUR 4.99 returned after part of the subscribers were unable to access the live stream. Some viewers were able to see the game, a Talpa spokesperson said, without providing numbers. The broadcaster resolved the issue as soon as it became aware of the problem. 

Tanzanian telecom subscriptions rise 5% in Q2 to 117 million
TANZANIA, UNITED REPUBLIC OF 07:53

Tanzanian telecom subscriptions rise 5% in Q2 to 117 million

The total number of telecommunication subscriptions in Tanzania rose by 4.51 percent quarter-on-quarter to 117.0 million in June from 111.9 million in March, according to the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA). Mobile subscriptions represented 99.9 percent of all connections, with fixed lines making up the remaining 0.1 percent, pushing national telecom penetration to 167.0 percent.

UNITED STATES 07:52

AT&T becomes Official Connectivity Provider for US Open

AT&T has been named the Official Connectivity Provider of the US Open under a new 5-year partnership with the US Tennis Association (USTA). AT&T operates a DAS neutral-host network carrying mobile data traffic across Arthur Ashe Stadium and the US Open grounds in New York; and is also providing connectivity for hotspots, ticket scanners and back-up phones on-site. 

UNITED KINGDOM 07:46

Waterland, Giacom plot takeover, break-up of Gamma

European buy-out company Waterland Private Equity Investments and UK telecoms company Giacom are in talks about the takeover and break-up of business communications provider Gamma Communications, reports Sky News. Waterland is understood to be planning a takeover of Gamma, and then selling a large part of the business to Giacom, which is led by Matthew Riley and supported by private equity company Inflexion. 

SOUTH AFRICA 07:45

Cell C activates 5G service

South African operator Cell C has activated its 5G service, making it immediately accessible to subscribers with compatible devices, TechCentral reported. CEO Jorge Mendes confirmed the activation to the news portal, explaining that while the service is live for any customer in a covered location, the company withheld a formal announcement while finalising its specific commercial offers. The launch occurred without a dedicated public event or mention in the operator's full-year financial results.

SPAIN 07:40

Telefonica lands EUR 5 mln Spanish defence satellite contract

Telefonica has been awarded the main lot of a framework agreement from Spain's defence ministry to upgrade the country's satellite communications infrastructure, reports business daily Expansion. The contract, worth EUR 5.15 million, aims to expand on-demand access to medium (DAMA) infrastructure equipment, where multiple users share satellite network resources, and reduce reliance on US suppliers.

UNITED STATES 07:36

Optimum launches new Advanced Security service for internet customers

US operator Optimum has launched a new internet security management service called Advanced Security. For USD 5 per month, this provides new customers with customisable protection across all connected devices, boosting the standard DNS security integrated with Optimum Internet. 

AFRICA 07:36

MTN Group reported service revenue rises 10% in H1, up 18% in constant currency

MTN Group reported a 17.5 percent year-on-year increase in constant currency for service revenue to ZAR 115.32 billion in the six months ending 30 June. In reported currency, service revenue rose 9.7 percent. Adjusted EBITDA expanded by nearly a quarter to reach ZAR 56 billion. Revenue growth moderated over the period, primarily due to lapping prior-year price hikes at MTN Nigeria and the deliberate suspension of airtime advance services in that market, MTN said.

INDONESIA 07:34

IDstar teams up with Tencent Cloud on telco cloud migration project

Tencent Cloud announced that Indonesia's IDstar is strengthening its collaboration with the company to expand its in delivering cloud migration and managed cloud services to enterprise customers. Already a Tencent Cloud reseller, IDstar worked with the company on a cloud migration project for one of Indonesia's leading telecommunications companies, Tencent said.

SWITZERLAND 07:27

Salt and Sunrise sign MoU on mobile network sharing in rural areas

Swiss operators Salt and Sunrise have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) concerning a potential expansion of their existing mobile network infrastructure cooperation to cover rural and less densely populated areas. They are considering closer collaboration in the form of multi-operator core network sharing (MOCN) for their Radio Access Networks (RAN).

CHINA 07:16

Alibaba raises HKD 80 bln in share sale to fund AI investment

Alibaba Group has raised HKD 80 billion (USD 10.2 billion) in a share sale to help fund its ambitions in the AI market. The company said it will use "100%" of the net proceeds to invest in its full-stack AI capabilities, including infrastructure expansion. The sale of 710 million new shares was priced at HKD 11.270 per share, a discount to the recent trading range of over HKD 120 since the start of August. 

ITALY 07:15

Dazn Italia to air Serie B games on free tier

Live sports streaming platform Dazn Italia has confirmed that it will be broadcasting a free-to-air game from the second-tier Serie B football league throughout the 2026-27 season. Anyone who registers with their email via the company's app will be able to watch the game on an exclusive basis via Dazn's free tier.

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 07:07

Korea establishes national AI ethics principles covering development and use

South Korea has established national AI ethics principles covering the development, provision and use of AI across society, with the government setting out three core values and seven principles for AI governance. The principles were approved following deliberation by the 12th science and technology ministers' meeting. They were developed jointly by the ministry of science and ICT and the Korea Information Society Development Institute.

CHINA 07:04

ZTE revenues up 9% in H1 on growth in IT equipment, foreign markets

ZTE announced record revenues of CNY 78.03 billion for the first half of 2026, an increase of 9.0 percent year-on-year. The company said sales growth came from double-digit increases in Computing, Personal Devices and international markets, helping offset lower spending by Chinese telecom operators on its network equipment. The net profit fell 45.9 percent to CNY 2.75 billion billion, hurt by higher operating costs and increased bad debt provisions and forex losses. 

Just In

08:39

Nigeriam government approves NigComSat-2A and NigComSat-2B to help bridge communications gap

08:35

Mozambique adopts new telecom licensing regulation

08:34

Brazilian regulator brings forward coverage targets for Claro and TIM in lieu of fines

08:27

Free Mobile expands smartwatch portfolio with Samsung

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Background

16 AUG 23:57

The week in telecom: Lenovo and Cisco profit from AI-driven demand in Q2, Google updates Pixels and reaches 1 bln Gemini users

9 AUG 23:44

The week in telecom: Starlink's mobile ambitions and LEO challengers, plus Hollywood studios try streaming shorts and sports

2 AUG 23:37

The week in telecom: Telcos resist economic slowdown in Q2 while big tech gears up for more AI investment

26 JUL 23:19

The week in telecom: Samsung works on foldable challenge, US telcos try FMC