Nokia to provide network operations services for towerco Connexa
NEW ZEALAND 06:37

Nokia to provide network operations services for towerco Connexa

Nokia has been selected by Connexa as its exclusive network operations centre partner, in a move that will see the New Zealand tower company consolidate network operations previously handled by multiple local providers. Under the agreement, Connexa will use Nokia's Managed Network Operations Services to support monitoring and management of its nationwide tower infrastructure.

Shiga Prefecture partners NTT on first autonomous EV bus trial in Hikone
JAPAN 06:35

Shiga Prefecture partners NTT on first autonomous EV bus trial in Hikone

Shiga Prefecture has begun its first demonstration project for an autonomous electric bus in Hikone City, as part of the Shiga Smart Access Autonomous Driving Challenge programme. The trial will run for 17 days from 31 January to 16 February 2026 on the Hikone Castle route. The project is being delivered by a consortium led by NTT West Japan, with NTT Business Solutions as a consortium member, alongside Macnica, which supplies and supports the autonomous driving system and remote operation management platfo

SKT reveals rise in AI-driven blocking of spam and voice phishing attempts
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 06:31

SKT reveals rise in AI-driven blocking of spam and voice phishing attempts

SK Telecom (SKT) said it blocked around 1.1 billion attempted cases of voice phishing, voice spam and scam text messages during 2025, citing expanded use of AI in its filtering and fraud prevention systems. The operator said the figure represented a 35 percent increase on the previous year. It attributed the rise to the wider deployment of AI models across its spam and phishing response operations, including a call pattern analysis system designed to identify suspicious voice phishing numbers before they ar

Telstra trials advanced RAN coordination technology with Ericsson
AUSTRALIA 06:17

Telstra trials advanced RAN coordination technology with Ericsson

Telstra has completed a trial of Ericsson's Advanced RAN Coordination (ARC) feature in its North Sydney network, aiming to improve 5G performance through more efficient coordination of radio resources between sites. Telstra wireless engineering executive Ashley Hunter revealed the trial in a LinkedIn post. The trial deployed ARC on Ericsson's fourth-generation RAN Compute platform, increasing the number of carrier combinations available to the 5G scheduler at each site from 12 to 36. Telstra said this allow

Play ends reliance on roaming as network reaches maturity
POLAND 12 JAN

Play ends reliance on roaming as network reaches maturity

The Iliad Group announced two major milestones in the development of its telecom infrastructure in Poland, further reinforcing the group's strategy to build one of Europe's most advanced, resilient and energy-efficient networks. Its subsidiary Play has successfully launched a 1.2 Tbps connection in its backbone network — the highest capacity ever deployed on its infrastructure. At the same time, Play has surpassed the symbolic threshold of 13,000 base stations, marking a decisive step toward full technologi

Ruggiero named Boldyn Networks Spain CEO
SPAIN 12 JAN

Ruggiero named Boldyn Networks Spain CEO

Boldyn Networks announced that Antonino Ruggiero has been appointed as the new chief executive of its Spanish business, while continuing to serve as CEO in Italy. He has over 30 years of experience in the telecom sector across Europe and South America, having held various leadership positions at BT Group, Ericsson, Omnitel (Vodafone Italia) and TIM in Chile, Turkey, Brazil and Italy.

Kyivstar launches 5G pilot in Lviv
UKRAINE 12 JAN

Kyivstar launches 5G pilot in Lviv

Veon has announced that its Ukrainian subsidiary Kyivstar has launched a 5G test zone in the historical centre of the city of Lviv in Ukraine. This marks Kyivstar's first local pilot 5G project and it is being implemented in coordination with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.

Viavi introduces augmented reality RF test feature
UNITED STATES 12 JAN

Viavi introduces augmented reality RF test feature

Viavi Solutions has introduced a radio signal visualisation overlay powered by augmented reality (AR) technology, designed in partnership with Verizon subsidiary Verizon Wireless.  The new RF Viewer integration is offered through Viavi's existing OneAdvisor 800 Wireless testing device, an all-in-one platform under Viavi's Nitro Wireless brand designed for in-field signal monitoring and validations. 

Mexico planning to allocate spectrum for industrial use
MEXICO 12 JAN

Mexico planning to allocate spectrum for industrial use

Mexico's new Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (CRT) said it has begun holding dialogue sessions with the business community to discuss plans to allocate radio spectrum for dedicated industrial use. A few days after announcing plans to free up the 600 MHz band for 5G use, the watchdog said it is considering spectrum in the 2.3 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands with a view to helping companies automate critical production processes and provide advanced digital infrastructure services, while reducing costs.

Omantel completes network upgrade to prepare for 5G Standalone
OMAN 12 JAN

Omantel completes network upgrade to prepare for 5G Standalone

Omantel said it has completed a major network upgrade with no disruption to customers, positioning it to deploy 5G Standalone use cases, including Voice over 5G, tailored network services, RedCap, large-scale IoT connectivity and ultra-low latency applications. Omantel said the upgrade reinforces its long-term technology roadmap and its commitment to building a resilient, future-ready network that delivers tangible value to the economy and society.

Pakistan to launch 5G spectrum auction on 26 February
PAKISTAN 12 JAN

Pakistan to launch 5G spectrum auction on 26 February

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced it will launch a 5G spectrum auction on 26 February. The Pakistani government will auction a total of 597 MHz of spectrum across six different bands. This includes 15 MHz in the 700 MHz frequency band, as well as small blocks (3.6 MHz and 20 MHz respectively) in the 1,800 MHz and 2,100 MHz bands, and large blocks of TDD spectrum (totaling 520 MHz) in the 2,300, 2,600 and 3,500 MHz bands, specifically for 5G services.

LG Uplus expands membership programme benefits for 2026
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 12 JAN

LG Uplus expands membership programme benefits for 2026

LG Uplus has announced an expansion of benefits under its flagship membership programme, U+2+, as it enters 2026, adding new food delivery, dining and leisure offers alongside incentives for long-term customers. From 13 January, eligible customers can access the updated benefits through the operator's U+one app. As part of the changes, LG Uplus will offer a two-month free subscription to Baemin Club, the paid delivery service from Baedal Minjok, marking the first time a Korean mobile operator has bundled th

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 12 JAN

KT has lost over 210,000 customers since penalty waiver

More than 210,000 customers of Korea Telecom (KT) have left the operator for a different service provider after it began waiving early termination fees following its major data breach, according to Maeil Business, citing industry sources. As of 11 January, 210,603 KT users switched to rival carriers since 31 December, averaging more than 17,000 departures per day. On 8 January alone, 24,252 subscribers left KT, including 15,701 who moved to SK Telecom (SKT). On 10 January, as more users moved to other carri

JAPAN 12 JAN

CAICA Digital completes Web3 IoT trial using 5G RedCap and MQTT

Japan's CAICA Digital has completed the second phase of a proof-of-concept trial for its Web3-based IoT integration initiative, advancing work on a real-time machine-to-machine and edge computing platform using 5G RedCap and MQTT. The trial is being carried out jointly with its subsidiary, NCXX, and is structured in three stages: initial implementation of an M2M and MEC platform, enhancement of communication protocols, and the planned introduction of decentralised identity authentication.

POLAND 9 JAN

T-Mobile leads Polish fixed and mobile internet speeds in 2025 - Speedtest.pl

T-Mobile Poland supplied the fastest fixed broadband, mobile internet and 5G speeds the country in 2025, according to a study from Speedtest.pl. Orange Poland provided the quickest service on FTTH networks.

BELGIUM 9 JAN

Belgium drops plans for 26 GHz auction after little market interest

The Belgian mobile operators are not interested in the 26 GHz band, despite the EU naming this one of the pioneer bands for 5G. The latest market consultation by regulator Bipt found only Proximus interested, but then only if licence prices were much lower and the limits on electromagnetic radiation were relaxed in Brussels and Wallonia regions. Telenet and Orange Belgium said they did not see a need yet for the 26 GHz band, and Citymesh did not respond to the consultation which closed in November. 

EUROPE 9 JAN

Honor brings flagship Magic8 Pro smartphone to Europe

Honor announced the release of its Magic8 Pro flagship smartphone in Europe. It first comes to the UK, priced at GBP 1,099 and available from multiple operators and retailers, and the phone also is available for pre-order in selected other European markets for EUR 1,299. Released in China last autumn, the Magic8 Pro is designed to show off the latest in AI innovations. 

FRANCE 9 JAN

French operators step up pace of 5G activations in December

The footprint of 5G cell sites emitting a signal across mainland France increased by 757 during December, reaching 45,955 as of 01 January, according to spectrum agency ANFR. This monthly increase was up from 445 in November and 701 in the year-earlier period. All four network operators accelerated the pace of 5G site activations, led by Orange with 521 additional sites across the 700 MHz, 2.1 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands.

UNITED KINGDOM 9 JAN

O2 UK expands standalone 5G network to Sheffield

O2 UK announced it has switched on standalone 5G services in the Sheffield area, delivering faster speeds and lower latency across the city. Roughly 580,000 residents across the city of Sheffield and in surrounding areas including Chapeltown, Mexborough, Wombwell, Swinton, Dinnington, and Wickersley can benefit from the upgraded network. 

EUROPE 9 JAN

EU to avoid new rules for big tech in upcoming Digital Networks Act - report

Big tech companies will not face any new regulations in the EU under the proposed Digital Networks Act, people with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. Despite a push from telecom operators to force large internet groups to contribute to the costs of networks and face the same rules as other communication service providers, the EU is not expected to add to the digital regulation already imposed on big tech in recent years when it unveils the draft DNA later this month, the report said. 

ASIA 9 JAN

NTT Docomo Business launches smart stadium operations platform in East Asia

NTT Docomo Business has begun offering a cloud-based facility management platform for stadiums, arenas and large commercial venues following an exclusive distribution agreement with US-based SaaS provider 24/7 Software. Under the agreement, NTT Docomo Business will act as the exclusive reseller of 24/7 Software in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. The platform is designed to support the digitalisation of venue operations by integrating incident management, lost-and-found handling, guest requests and facilities

JAPAN 9 JAN

SoftBank trials renewable-powered base stations and AI sleep control

SoftBank has announced two initiatives aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of its mobile network as part of its target to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its supply chain by 2050. The operator has begun a field trial of self-powered base stations using a combination of solar and wind generation in Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture. The site is designed to supply around one third of its required electricity through on-site renewable generation, with the remainder drawn from the commercial g

THAILAND 9 JAN

True Move H completes sixth 700 MHz spectrum payment

Thai operator True Move H Universal Communication has paid the sixth instalment of its 700 MHz spectrum licence fee to Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), continuing its rollout of low-band spectrum to support nationwide 4G and 5G services. The payment, totalled THA 1.88 billion including VAT. The operator also submitted letters of guarantee from financial institutions to secure the remaining instalments, in line with the licence conditions set by the regulator.

NORTH AMERICA 8 JAN

Ceragon expects sequential drop in Q4 sales after deferral by key North American client

Ceragon said in an operational update it expects to report fourth quarter sales of USD 81-83 million. The figure is reduced from USD 85.5 million in Q3 and would cap off a disappointing sales performance over the last six months. Ceragon had expected improved visibility in the final months of 2025 but says a deferral in late December by a major North American client to instead receive products in 2026 had impacted Q4 collections. Sales were down 16.7 percent year-on-year in Q3 and 14.4 percent lower in Q2,

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Shiga Prefecture partners NTT on first autonomous EV bus trial in Hikone

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