MTN named South Africa's most valuable brand
AFRICA 15:11

MTN named South Africa's most valuable brand

MTN Group has been named South Africa's most valuable brand for the thirteenth year in a row by Brand Finance, which assigned the group a brand value of ZAR 50.9 billion in 2026. The Brand Finance award comes after MTN Group was inducted into the inaugural Brand Africa Hall of Fame in January. That honour acknowledged brands that have demonstrated sustained excellence and influence on the continent over the past decade.

MTS leads growth in UC&C revenues
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 15:09

MTS leads growth in UC&C revenues

​Telecom operator MTS led growth on the Russian UC&C (Unified Communications & Collaboration) market for the third year in turn in the first half of 2025, according to a study from J'son & Partners Consulting. MTS demonstrated a 73 percent year-on-year increase in sales in the period. VK Tech followed with 48 percent growth, and Yandex 360 grew by 32 percent.

DSI Data, Imafex raise pay-TV rates
SLOVAKIA 15:04

DSI Data, Imafex raise pay-TV rates

Slovak operators DSI Data and Imafex have raised prices for their pay-TV services from 01 April, reports Zive.sk. DSI Data doubled the price of the base package, including Slovak and Czech TV channels, and Imafex's base package rises by around 38 percent, from EUR 7.90 to EUR 10.90 per month.

Zain's brand valuation increases 16% in latest Brand Finance ranking
AFRICA 15:02

Zain's brand valuation increases 16% in latest Brand Finance ranking

Zain Group said its brand valuation increased by 16.1 percent in the past year to reach a record USD 4.039 billion, marking the highest brand value in the company's history and a year-on-year increase of USD 560 million. In the Brand Finance Telecoms 150 ranking for 2026, Zain attained a Brand Strength Index score of 83.3 out of 100 with an AAA- brand strength rating. The Kuwait-based company was named the 25th strongest telecom brand globally.

Zaaz Telecom to take over Online Telecom's customers
BRAZIL 14:58

Zaaz Telecom to take over Online Telecom's customers

Zaaz Telecom, a company under the Waiken ILW holding group (which also owns Sky Brasil), has purchased Online Telecom's entire customer portfolio in Brazil. This acquisition significantly boosts Zaaz's reach in Brazil's North and Northeast, adding an estimated 110,000 to 120,000 new subscribers and increasing Zaaz's total customer base nationwide to over 600,000.

Nigeria inaugurates USPF board to extend rural connectivity
NIGERIA 14:57

Nigeria inaugurates USPF board to extend rural connectivity

Nigeria has inaugurated the board of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) with a renewed push to expand rural connectivity and drive deeper digital impact across underserved communities. ICT minister Bosun Tijani said the new board comes at a critical time when Nigeria must move beyond basic access to ensuring meaningful use of digital infrastructure. 

Viva Armenia launches joint promo with Amio Bank
ARMENIA 14:54

Viva Armenia launches joint promo with Amio Bank

Viva Armenia launched a promotion with Amio Bank, giving customers free activation of digital MasterCard card from Amio Bank if they connect to the bank's website or mobile app using a link in the My Viva app. The digital card is activated instantly on the mobile banking system of Amio Bank.

AgileTV enters DACH market with Liwest IPTV contract
AUSTRIA 14:52

AgileTV enters DACH market with Liwest IPTV contract

Video technology services provider AgileTV has entered the DACH market by launching "next", the IPTV platform in partnership with Austrian operator Liwest. The platform combines linear TV and OTT services and integrates Android TV applications. It is supported by iOS and Android mobile devices, Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Samsung Smart TVs (TIZEN). The TV subscribers of Liwest will migrate to the new platform in February 2027.

Selectel cloud services revenues up 39% in 2025
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 14:47

Selectel cloud services revenues up 39% in 2025

Revenues of Russian data centre services provider Selectel totaled RUB 18.3 billion in 2025, reports  Vedomosti. Cloud infrastructure services generated 87 percent of annual revenues, at RUB 15.9 billion, up by 39 percent year-on-year. The company's adjusted EBITDA grew by 38 percent to RUB 9.7 billion, for an EBITDA margin of 53 percent. The net profit was RUB 3 billion, down by 8 percent on depreciation and higher interest after an increase in debts.

Turkmenistan govt, Japan's Muroosystems sign MoU on data centre development
TURKMENISTAN 14:31

Turkmenistan govt, Japan's Muroosystems sign MoU on data centre development

Turkmenistan's Ministry of Communications and Japan's Muroosystems Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on setting up data centres. The agreement provides for joint work on the construction of new data centres in Turkmenistan using modern technological solutions and in line with international standards for digital infrastructure. The partners plan to apply innovative approaches both in the design phase and during the subsequent operation of the facilities.

Life Belarus lauches 5G network in major cities
BELARUS 14:30

Life Belarus lauches 5G network in major cities

Life Belarus said that it has launched 5G services in certain locations in the cities of Minsk, Brest, Vitebsk, Mogilyov and Gomel. The gradual launch of the service is carried out in cooperation with the state-owned infrastructure operator beCloud, using its 5G infrastructure. 5G services from Life are available on more than 1,000 base stations.

Safaricom hosts Decode 4.0 summit
KENYA 14:29

Safaricom hosts Decode 4.0 summit

Kenyan operator Safaricom, in partnership with Microsoft, Google, Dell Technologie, and Huawei, has kicked off a three-day Engineering Summit dubbed Decode 4.0 in Nairobi. Held under the theme Made for Kenya, this year's summit is expected to welcome more than 100,000 people in person and online.

BRAZIL 14:27

Positivo and Tencent Cloud launch palm-based payments in Brazil

Positivo Tecnologia has teamed up with Tencent Cloud to introduce a new palm-based payment and access system in Brazil. This smart terminal allows people to pay for things and gain access to places simply by scanning their hand, eliminating the need for wallets or phones. It works by using special imaging (RGB and infrared) to map the unique vein patterns in a person's hand, offering a highly reliable biometric verification system, according to Tencent. 

RUSSIAN FEDERATION 14:23

T2 grows online sales thanks to integration with 2GIS mapping service

Russian mobile operator T2, a subsidiary of Rostelecom, said that it has increased its online sales thanks to integration with the mapping service 2GIS from Rostelecom. The operator said sales on 2GIS rose by 218 percent following the move. The T2 storefront's audience on the mapping service has exceeded 1 million.

KENYA 14:17

Kenyan parliamentary committee evaluates USF-supported connectivity in Garissa County

The Kenyan National Assembly's ICT committee has conducted site visits in Garissa County to assess the progress of connectivity initiatives supported by the Universal Service Fund (USF). Members of Parliament could directly with communities and evaluate how these projects are being implemented. USF-supported projects in the region are already enabling access to digital services for pupils, businesses and local people.

SOUTH AFRICA 14:14

Vodacom South Africa supports Western Cape educational schemes

Vodacom South Africa says its using technology and purposeful investment to provide a beneficial social impact in the Western Cape. It aims to build a digitally inclusive society while investing in critical infrastructure. It has supported four Schools of Excellence (SoEs) and four Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in the region to enable quality education and digital youth literacy.

SAUDI ARABIA 14:08

Zain KSA reports 42% rise in 5G users among pilgrims to Two Holy Mosques

Zain KSA said it has delivered reliable digital service to for pilgrims at the Two Holy Mosque sites during Ramadan 1447H, particularly in the last ten days, through an advanced network powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The operator recorded a 42 percent growth in 5G users and a 28 percent increase in overall data traffic during Ramadan 1447H compared with last season. Download speeds surged by 53 percent, while high-quality voice call users quality improved, with a 15 percent increase in volume. The

SOUTH AFRICA 14:03

MTN South Sudan changes MoMo agent airtime sale process, grants top-up bonuses to customers

MTN Fintech South Sudan says it has implemented enhancements to the MTN MoMo service to benefit agents and customers across the country. It has strengthened the support structure available to MoMo agents, giving them expanded opportunities to earn 10 percent commissions from customer deposit (Cash-In) transactions. Instead of buying airtime on behalf of a customer, the MoMo agent will facilitate a cash deposit onto the customer wallet, so that the customer can perform a self-recharge of airtime from their M

ZAMBIA 13:57

Zambia declares abuse of AI content as a security threat ahead of August elections

The Zambian government has declared the abuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated applications a threat to national security, ITWeb reported. The nation faces rising political tensions and an increase in AI-generated false information ahead of the general elections on 13 August. Critics have accused the administration of President Hakainde Hichilema of stifling private media, contributing to a surge in misinformation.

HUNGARY 13:53

Yettel Hungary extends portable internet option for Easter holiday

TYettel Hungary is giving its home internet subscribers more freedom over the Easter holiday with the OtthonNet Anywhere Mode feature that allows subscribers to take their home internet router with them. Yettel's data shows that mobility is important to customers, with 60 percent of new subscribers choosing OtthonNet because it's portable. Until 11 April, Yettel will automatically activate an extra 10 days of OtthonNet Anywhere Mode for free for OtthonNet and OtthonNet Basic subscribers. This is in addition

POLAND 13:52

Plus cuts unlimited package to PLN 60 on 2-year contract

Polish operator Polkomtel, trading under the Plus brand, has introduced a promotion of its postpaid package L with unlimited calls, messaging and data. The plan is offered for a promotional price of PLN 60 monthly for new and current customers concluding new contracts for 24 months. That's down from PLN 100 per month normally in the first two years. Under the same promo, the M plan with 60 GB is reduced to PLN 50 from PLN 60 per month, and the S plan with 6 GB costs PLN 40 rather than PLN 50. 

POLAND 13:48

Polish govt approves draft law on AI regulation

The Polish government has approved draft legislation on AI systems, in an effort to strengthen the security of citizens and establish effective oversight of AI. The government said the law should also support a stable and favourable environment for entrepreneurs to innovate with AI. The bill implements the provisions of the EU Regulation on Artificial Intelligence (AI Act) in Polish law and must be debated and vote in parliament before it becomes law.

ETHIOPIA 13:48

Wingu Cloud Exchange opens in Ethiopia

Wingu Africa has announced the launch in Ethiopia of the Wingu Cloud Exchange (WCX), a new private cloud platform tailored for East African businesses. WCX enables Ethiopian organisations to keep their data securely within the country, ensuring compliance with local regulations and protecting sensitive information. Businesses gain faster access to services, improved operational efficiency, and reliable support through locally optimised infrastructure.

RUSSIAN FEDERATION 13:46

M.Video collects 30% more used devices in 2025

Russian mobile and electronics retail chain M.Video said that it collected 2,100 tons of old, unused devices in 2025, up by 30 percent year-on-year. Around 6 million batteries have been collected, up by 20 percent. The chain collects for recycling small electronic devices and batteries in more than 600 of its shops in 30 cities across the country. 

Just In

15:11

MTN named South Africa's most valuable brand

15:09

MTS leads growth in UC&C revenues

15:04

DSI Data, Imafex raise pay-TV rates

15:02

Zain's brand valuation increases 16% in latest Brand Finance ranking

Commentary

11 FEB 12:29

Odido shareholders face tricky exit after abandoned IPO

2 FEB 13:49

KPN results show little bother from the competition

2 JAN 13:21

Open Dutch Fiber's new management team takes up turnaround challenge

15 DEC 2025 13:56

Video market set for slower growth ahead

Background

29 MRT 22:46

The week in telecoms: Italy brings back PTT, US bans foreign routers and social media on trial

23 MRT 00:38

The week in telecoms: OFC and Nvidia events drive data centre networking talk, Orange debuts full French office stack

16 MRT 00:25

The week in telecoms: Pakistan ready for 5G, Google exits FTTH market and Canal Plus works on pay-TV turnaround

6 MRT 16:00

The week in telecom: MWC brings 5G advances, AI and satellite integration, plus first robot phone