Irish satellite TV service Saorsat to stop operating in early-2028
IRELAND 13:45

Irish satellite TV service Saorsat to stop operating in early-2028

Irish free-to-air satellite TV service Saorsat has announced its closure in early-2028 as the satellite used to deliver the service reaches its end of life, and will not be replaced. Saorsat has operated since 2012 to provide coverage in areas with no Saorview DTT service reception. Saorsat currently offers TV services from RTE, TG4 and Oireachtas, and these will continue to be available on other TV platforms - including Saorview, eir TV, Virgin Media TV, Sky and Vodafone TV.

HTC launches Vivee egg-shaped personal AI companion
GLOBAL 13:37

HTC launches Vivee egg-shaped personal AI companion

HTC is launching its own personal AI device, called Vivee. Marketed as a "lifestyle accessory" available in a range of collectible colours, Vivee is around the size of an egg and can sit on a desk or attach to a bag. Each model comes with its own character, animations and interchangeable suits to personalise the AI-driven actions with its owner.

MTN Nigeria launches 'Y'ello Y'Fi' enterprise Wi-Fi
NIGERIA 13:36

MTN Nigeria launches 'Y'ello Y'Fi' enterprise Wi-Fi

MTN Nigeria has brought out an enterprise-grade Wi-Fi and analytics service called Y'ello Y'Fi aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), CommunicationsWeek reported. It provides tailored digital tools and high-speed internet connectivity in a single managed service to help SMEs understand consumer behaviour and foster customer engagement in a competitive market.

Virgin Media O2 accepts pre-orders for PS5, GTA VI bundles
UNITED KINGDOM 13:35

Virgin Media O2 accepts pre-orders for PS5, GTA VI bundles

Virgin Media O2 is accepting pre-orders for a new PlayStation 5 (PS5) bundle featuring GTA VI. It is available to O2 and non-O2 customers, starting from an upfront payment of GBP 145 plus GBP 12.53 per month over three years for the PS5 Digital GTA VI bundle (RRP 595.99). Customers can also choose the PS5 Disc GTA VI bundle with GBP 155 upfront and GBP 13.61 per month (RRP 644.99). Both bundles will ship from 12 November, allowing customers to pre-load the game ahead of its official release on 19 November. 

Telefonica to supply VR training content to Spanish vocational centres
SPAIN 13:31

Telefonica to supply VR training content to Spanish vocational centres

Telefonica said its digital education arm will supply virtual-reality training content for simulators and digital twins at more than 2,811 Spanish vocational training centres over the next four years. Under a deal with Spain's Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sport, the company's Telefónica Educación Digital division will develop and distribute immersive material covering workplace safety, risk prevention, health, sustainability, employability, inclusion and language skills.

Bahrain's iGA renews partnership with Computer World to strengthen cloud services
BAHRAIN 13:27

Bahrain's iGA renews partnership with Computer World to strengthen cloud services

Bahrain's Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) has announced the renewal of its strategic agreement with Computer World, an approved Amazon Web Services (AWS) partner for the government sector in the country.

MagentaSport offers free access to German Football Association TV channel
GERMANY 13:23

MagentaSport offers free access to German Football Association TV channel

MagentaSport, the sports streaming service of Deutsche Telekom, is including the German Football Association's television channel DFB.TV in its offering. Viewers of MagentaSport have access to the pay-TV channel at no extra cost. DFB.TV is also available on MagentaTV with a 'Big TV' or 'Family' pay-TV bundle.

Comcast revenues down 6% in Q3 as cable customer losses show little improvement
UNITED STATES 13:19

Comcast revenues down 6% in Q3 as cable customer losses show little improvement

Comcast's results remained under pressure in the third quarter, as growth in its MVNO and a boost from the World Cup could not offset the continued loss of cable broadband and TV subscribers. Revenues fell 6.1 percent year-on-year to USD 29.3 billion, impacted also by the spin-off of the Versant channels and sale of Sky Germany, and adjusted EBITDA was down 5.8 percent to USD 9.1 billion. Net profit showed a small increase of 3.5 percent to USD 3.4 billion, while free cash flow declined 14.8 percent year-on

KDDI introduces number check API with Google Firebase integration
JAPAN 13:14

KDDI introduces number check API with Google Firebase integration

KDDI has launched an updated number verification API that can be deployed via a Google back-end geared to mobile and web app developers. KDDI's Number Verification v2 (NVv2) API will be compatible with Google's Firebase app infrastructure, a move expected to streamline the deployment of phone number checks to authenticate end users. The authentication process is performed using phone numbers and SIM profiles, potentially displacing one-time SMS passcodes.

Omantel launches R&D initiative with MIT CSAIL and Omani universities as partners
OMAN 13:12

Omantel launches R&D initiative with MIT CSAIL and Omani universities as partners

Omantel has launched a Research and Development RR&D) initiative, establishing its first centralised R&D division. The operator has forged alliances with the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (MIT CSAIL), Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), the Oman College of Health Sciences (OCHS) and the Modern College of Business and Science (MCBS) to bolster its R&D. The partnerships aim to deepen research collaboration, accelerate knowledge exchange, and bridge the gap between academic theory and

Orange Egypt partners with Botim for remittances from UAE via Orange Cash
EGYPT 13:08

Orange Egypt partners with Botim for remittances from UAE via Orange Cash

Orange Egypt has announced a partnership with UAE fintech platform Botim to enable UAE users to transfer funds to Orange Cash mobile wallets in Egypt. This is Botim's first partnership with a mobile network operator in Egypt. Serving more than 2 million Egyptian users on the Botim platform, the partnership bridges the established UAE-based Egyptian diaspora with Orange Cash's approximately 10 million active users in Egypt.

Qatari government runs 2026 digital inclusion survey
QATAR 13:00

Qatari government runs 2026 digital inclusion survey

The Qatari ICT ministry has launched the 2026 Digital Inclusion Survey for citizens and residents, aiming to inform the second edition of the Qatar Digital Inclusion Index Report, following its initial release in 2024. The survey seeks public feedback on the accessibility and use of digital tools and services. The ministry is promoting the survey on official social channels, via SMS invitations, and campaigns with government entities. It will also conduct targeted face-to-face interviews with key community

UGANDA 12:57

Airtel Uganda provides internet connectivity to 4 more schools

Airtel Uganda, through the Airtel Africa Foundation, is expanding its Adopt-a-School Programme to four additional educational institutions across the country: Arua Public Primary School, Kibeedi Primary School, Buremba Senior Secondary School, and Kasaana Primary School.

UNITED STATES 12:53

Over half of US home Wi-Fi sessions use 6 GHz in year to date - research

New market research from Wi-Fi Forward highlights strong US adoption of the 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi applications. The report shows over 50 percent of eligible residential Wi-Fi sessions in the year to date have leveraged 6 GHz links. Usage is distributed evenly across the entire band, with lower frequencies almost proportional to the use of upper 6 GHz capacity. Wi-Fi Forward estimates that 6 GHz Wi-Fi speeds in large venues such as stadiums are roughly 3x greater than 5 GHz links.

UZBEKISTAN 12:42

Uzbek government and Veon discuss expanding telecom infrastructure

The government of Uzbekistan and telecommunications group Veon have discussed plans to expand mobile network coverage, modernise telecoms infrastructure and improve digital services during a meeting between Uzbek Digital Technologies Minister Sherzod Shermatov and Veon CEO Kaan Terzioglu in Samarkand on the sidelines of the C5+1 summit on 19 October, reports Trend. This was reflected in a statement by the Uzbekistan Ministry of Digital Technologies.

UZBEKISTAN 12:38

Uzbek government and Google Cloud discuss digital transformation cooperation

The government of Uzbekistan and Google Cloud have discussed opportunities to expand the use of cloud computing in government operations and accelerate the country's digital transformation during a meeting on the sidelines of the C5+1 summit in Samarkand on 19 October, reports Trend. This was reflected in a statement by the Uzbek Ministry of Digital Technologies. Minister Sherzod Shermatov met with Marcin Krasuski, Google Cloud's head of government affairs and public policy, to discuss the development of di

GLOBAL 12:35

Xbox to offer cloud gaming sessions to non-Game Pass customers

Microsoft Xbox will allow user accounts to purchase cloud gaming streams on 10, 25 and 50-hour rates without a Game Pass subscription. From November, the current restriction that allows only Game Pass subscribers to access cloud games will be lifted. Microsoft said it is currently trialling the feature with its players community Xbox Inside ahead of launch. Microsoft is also testing a free ad-supported tier where advertisements would run before each gaming session.

SPAIN 12:33

Optare to manage over EUR 1 mln in EU tech sovereignty projects

Optare Solutions, a Spain-based telecoms OSS systems integrator and consultancy, said it has entered the development and execution phase of four European industrial research consortium projects under the INNTERCONECTA-STEP programme. The EU-backed projects have a combined budget of EUR 9.9 million, with Optare directly managing more than EUR 1.1 million for its own research, development and innovation activities.

CZECH REPUBLIC 12:32

Canal Plus relaunches TV offering in Slovakia, Czechia after Skylink rebranding

Canal Plus unveiled further details of its TV services in the Czech and Slovak markets, making the end of the Skylink brand. Going forward the business will operate exclusively under the Canal Plus brand, with a new structure for its television packages, an enhanced application, and other upcoming developments, the company announced at an event in Prague. 

SWEDEN 12:31

Disney Plus and Spotify raise prices in Sweden and Denmark

Disney Plus and Spotify are hiking their subscription rates in Denmark and Sweden, according to Mediavision. Disney Plus has raised its prices by SEK 20 and DKK 20 per plan from 14 October for new accounts and will apply the changes to existing accounts from 18 November.

LITHUANIA 12:19

Telia Lithuania's revenues up 10% in Q3

Revenues of Telia Lithuania reached EUR 137.4 million in the third quarter of this year, up by 9.7 percent year-on-year. Adjusted EBITDA grew 9.5 percent to EUR 55.8 million, and the net profit for the period rose 19.9 percent to EUR 27.5 million. The capital expenditure went up by 24.5 percent and amounted to EUR 19 million, leading to a fall in free cash flow of 47.8 percent to EUR 17.8 million, down from EUR 34.2 million a year ago. The company said it continued to grow in all its core areas and especial

SAUDI ARABIA 12:12

Nebius signs up for Humain, DataVolt project at Oxagon mega campus

Humain, a Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) company delivering full-stack AI capabilities, and DataVolt, a developer of sustainable digital infrastructure, signed a preliminary framework agreement with AI cloud provider Nebius. The agreement outlines data centre capacity allocation at the planned AI campus in Oxagon, an industrial city on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast. Under the proposed framework, Nebius will act as an anchor customer, taking up to 50MW of capacity, representing half of the initial 100MW p

EGYPT 12:09

Rosatom and Teletech partner to build 500 MWh battery storage facility in Egypt

Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom and Egyptian firm Telecom and Technology Co (Teletech) signed an agreement to establish local battery energy storage system (BESS) assembly facilities in Egypt, featuring a potential annual output of up to 500 megawatt-hours (MWh). The partnership aims to support the deployment of energy storage systems across key sectors, including power, telecommunications, data centres, and oil and gas. The deal encompasses workforce training and a phased expansion of manufacturi

RUSSIAN FEDERATION 12:07

MTS and Russian Society of the Deaf to enhance accessibility of digital services

Russian operator MTS and the Russian Society of the Deaf (VOG) are working together to create an accessible digital environment for individuals with hearing impairments. As part of this collaboration, MTS will continue to adapt its digital services to ensure they are user-friendly for the deaf and hard of hearing. This partnership builds upon a series of previously implemented inclusive initiatives. The "Everyone Included" training programme is hosted on the MTS Link platform; utilising artificial intellige

Just In

13:45

Irish satellite TV service Saorsat to stop operating in early-2028

13:37

HTC launches Vivee egg-shaped personal AI companion

13:36

MTN Nigeria launches 'Y'ello Y'Fi' enterprise Wi-Fi

13:35

Virgin Media O2 accepts pre-orders for PS5, GTA VI bundles

Commentary

19 OCT 13:02

SpaceX wants to join the mobile market, but why?

24 SEP 13:37

What is KPN's response to the brand expansion at Odido and VodafoneZiggo?

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?

Background

18 OCT 23:28

The week in telecom: Apple, Amazon try AI consumer device alternatives as smartphone market crashes

17 OCT 09:26

German Weekly - Week 42

11 OCT 23:39

The week in telecom: DT puts a figure on telco AI potential, SpaceX threatens mobile launch and Paramount seals WBD deal

4 OCT 23:20

The week in telecom: FTTH sparks UK competition, AI coming to telco bundles and Samsung raises prices