ICO opens formal investigation into X's Grok AI service
UNITED KINGDOM 16:38

ICO opens formal investigation into X's Grok AI service

The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has formally opened investigations into X Internet Unlimited (XIUC) and X.AI. These will examine the processing of personal data by the Grok AI system and the potential for Grok to be used for creating sexualised content. This follows reports that Grok had been used to create non-consensual sexual images of people, including children. Ofcom announced an investigation into Grok last month.

Global IT spending to reach USD 6.15 trillion in 2026 - Gartner
GLOBAL 16:20

Global IT spending to reach USD 6.15 trillion in 2026 - Gartner

Global IT spending is forecast to grow by 10.8 percent in 2026 to reach USD 6.15 trillion, according to new research from Gartner. AI infrastructure growth remains strong, with spending increasing across AI hardware and software. Server spending is forecast to grow by 36.9 percent in 2026; with total data centre spending to grow by 31.7 percent to over USD 650 billion, up from around USD 500 billion in 2025.

T-Mobile Poland discontinues Heyah 01 offer
POLAND 16:18

T-Mobile Poland discontinues Heyah 01 offer

Polish brand Heyah, run by the operator T-Mobile Poland, plans to stop providing its service Heyah 01 from 23 February. Customers using the service will be transferred to the MVNO Red Bull Mobile by default, keeping the same phone numbers. Subscription rates will be slightly less for the majority of customers, T-Mobile said in its communication to customers.

MTN Uganda mobile money MD to step down at end-February
UGANDA 16:15

MTN Uganda mobile money MD to step down at end-February

MTN Uganda Mobile Money announced the appointment of Sarah Bateta Okwi as the company's acting managing director, replacing Richard Yego who will step down from 28 February, bringing to an end a tenure begun in January 2022. Okwi, the company's chief finance officer, will serve from 1 March while a permanent appointment will be announced later. 

Altigen Technologies signs licensing agreement with Crexendo
GLOBAL 16:14

Altigen Technologies signs licensing agreement with Crexendo

Altigen Technologies, US-based provider of PBX, UCaaS and customer engagement solutions, has signed a licensing agreement with cloud communications platform provider Crexendo. This will allow Altigen to deliver solutions powered by Crexendo's hosted cloud platform to customers and partners. The Crexendo cloud communications platform has more than 7 million end users worldwide, through a network of over 240 cloud communication platform software subscribers.

MTN Ghana signs MoU with youth group to advance AI skills
GHANA 16:12

MTN Ghana signs MoU with youth group to advance AI skills

MTN Ghana signed a memorandum of understanding with youth-led organisation Thrive and Shine LBG to promote AI literacy, bridge the digital divide, and nurture young tech talent in Ghana. The partnership seeks to expand access to practical learning opportunities and position Ghanaian youth to compete in the evolving AI space. 

Kyivstar runs 5G pilot area in Borodyanka
UKRAINE 16:10

Kyivstar runs 5G pilot area in Borodyanka

Ukrainian operator Kyivstar announced a new pilot 5G area in the town of Borodyanka in the Bucha municipality in Kiev region. The 5G network covers almost 3.5 km2 there with services provided on the 3,500 MHz band. The operator earlier launched its 5G services in the city of Lviv.

UKE report finds 87% of Polish households can access 100 Mbps or higher
POLAND 16:09

UKE report finds 87% of Polish households can access 100 Mbps or higher

A total 87 percent of Polish households were covered with broadband services at 100 Mbps or higher by the end of 2025, according to a report from the national telecommunications regulator UKE on progress with its projects in 2025. The watchdog initially planned for broadband coverage to reach 83 percent last year. In addition, more than 175,500 people participated in training on internet security carried out by the regulator in 2025.

Disney+ appoints exclusive ad sales partner in Ireland
IRELAND 16:08

Disney+ appoints exclusive ad sales partner in Ireland

Influent Media has been appointed as the exclusive advertising sales partner in Ireland for Disney+. This coincides with the launch of new Disney+ Standard with Ads subscription plan in Ireland from 03 March. The partnership will help Irish advertisers reach Disney+ audiences through mid-roll and pre-roll ad slows. Ireland becomes the 15th ad tier market across the EMEA region for Disney+.

Mali govt opens own tier III data centre
MALI 16:04

Mali govt opens own tier III data centre

Mali has inaugurated a Tier III data centre in Bamako, marking a significant milestone in the country's push for digital sovereignty and reduced reliance on foreign infrastructure, Ecofin reported. The ICT ministry said the National Data Centre will provide secure hosting capacity for the Malian state's strategic data, electronic administration platforms, public digital services, and, in the short term, mutualised digital infrastructures in the AES space, which includes Niger and Burkina Faso. 

Skylink adds Viasat True Crime to lineup
SLOVAKIA 16:03

Skylink adds Viasat True Crime to lineup

Slovak pay-TV platform Skylink is offering three TV channels in an open window until 03 March. Two free channels, Film+ and Viasat Explore, are already available for customers. The channel Viasat True Crime will be available from 10 February when it joins the channel lineup from Skylink.

HMD Global appoints New Way International as UK distributor
UNITED KINGDOM 16:02

HMD Global appoints New Way International as UK distributor

HMD Global has appointed New Way International as an authorised distributor in the UK. The agreement allows New Way International to distribute HMD smartphones, Nokia feature phones, tablets and accessories in the UK. It will support resellers, retailers, enterprise customers, managed service providers and public-sector organisations with authorised access to HMD devices. The agreement runs from 01 January 2026 to 31 December 2026, unless terminated earlier by HMD.

EUROPE 16:01

Acceleran and partners complete EU-funded programme on near-RT RAN controller

Accelleran announced the completion of a RAN and optical transport research project funded through the EU's Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking. Initiated in January 2023, the SEASON project saw Accelleran's near-real time RAN intelligent controller integrated with optical transport software-defined network (SDN) controllers to enable cross-layer network optimisation across both domains. Accelleran claims that its contribution demonstrated successful telemetry that was correlated with optical tran

LUXEMBOURG 16:01

Eurofiber acquires data centre connectivity provider LuxNetwork

Telecom infrastructure group Eurofiber announced that its Belgian subsidiary has acquired LuxNetwork, a Luxembourg‑based provider of business‑critical connectivity. LuxNetwork's portfolio includes internet access, Ethernet, SD‑WAN, and data centre connectivity services. Local customers will continue to receive dedicated support from LuxNetwork's office in Bettembourg.

UKRAINE 15:59

Ukraine rolls out Starlink terminal verification to counter Russians

Ukraine is introducing a "whitelist" for Starlink satellite terminals. Soon, only verified and registered terminals will be allowed to operate in the country, and all others will be disconnected, according to a resolution adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers. At the government's initiative, the Ministry of Defence is implementing the measure in cooperation with SpaceX, in order to guard against Russian use of drones loaded with the satellite service's modems in its attacks against Ukraine. 

GLOBAL 15:55

RtBrick to offer virtual image of disaggregated software for operator trials

RtBrick has released a trial version of its disaggregated routing software available free of charge. Based on a virtual machine image, the trial supports customer evaluations to gain familiarity with product aspects such as command-line interface and API components, without needing to purchase a physical open switch to run the software from. The virtualised image is designed to emulate likely performance of RtBrick's platform in the end user's own network environment, including the fundamental architecture,

MOZAMBIQUE 15:53

Vodacom Foundations commit ZAR 6 mln to flood relief in Mozambique and South Africa

Vodacom Foundations, in partnership with government agencies and humanitarian organisations, have committed ZAR 6 million towards disaster-relief efforts in Mozambique and South Africa, following severe flooding that has displaced thousands of people and caused significant damage to homes and infrastructure. The funding will support immediate humanitarian assistance, community rebuilding initiatives and efforts to help affected families begin their recovery. The commitment is made on behalf of Vodacom Group

AUSTRIA 15:51

Google merges Swiss, Austrian businesses in Alpine cluster

Google Austria will be fully integrated into the 'Alpine Region' cluster in the second quarter of this year, according to a LinkedIn post of the country head Maimuna Mosser. Mosser will leave the company, and Swiss country manager Christine Antlanger-Winter will take over the management of the business in both Switzerland and Austria.

POLAND 15:49

Orange Poland customers donate PLN 2.5 mln with charity SMS in 2025

Orange Poland said that its subscribers sent more than 500,000 SMS in charity actions in 2025, donating more than PLN 2.5 million in this way. More than PLN 10 million was donated by subscribers of the operator during the last three years. 

NIGER 15:48

Niger's Arcep launches mobile monitoring platform

The Niger Telecommunications and Post Regulatory Authority has introduced a real-time mobile network monitoring platform designed to ensure permanent market oversight across technical, economic, and regulatory dimensions, Ecofin reported. The platform relies on three integrated technical tools. The first, TRAFSCAN, provides automated and continuous collection of data related to voice, data, and SMS traffic, as well as generated revenues. This system gives Arcep a precise view of the market's economic perfor

SLOVAKIA 15:47

Slovak Telekom drops Canal+ streaming service

Slovak Telekom will drop access to the streaming platform Canal+ from 10 February. The companies terminated their distribution deal for VOD services. TV channels Canal+ Sport and Canal+ Action will remain in the pay-TV lineup from Slovak Telekom. 

GLOBAL 15:45

Fitbit founders incorporate new venture to sell AI-driven family wellbeing software

Fitbit co-founders James Park and Eric Friedman have embarked on a new venture to commercialise an intelligent family care platform driven by ambient AI algorithms. Dubbed Luffu, their new company will initially be tasked with building a software app before expanding into related hardware devices specifically designed for families and caregivers. Luffu's concept aims to deploy AI working quietly in the background to collate diverse sources of household health data, producing briefings and summaries based on

NETHERLANDS 15:42

Proximus director convicted in Casino insider trading case

Proximus board member Franck-Philippe Georgin should step down from his position, according to a statement from the Belgian minister for state companies, Vanessa Matz. This follows his conviction in France for corruption during his time as CEO at the French supermarket group Casino. Along with other top executives, he was accused of manipulating Casino's stock price. 

POLAND 15:19

Orange Slovakia revamps customer service app

Orange Slovakia has launched a new version of its customer service mobile application My Orange, reports Zive.sk. The main change is an updated user interface, which, according to the company, is intended to simplify access to information about consumption, billing and active services. These changes were made on the basis of user tests and customer feedback, which indicated that navigation in the application was unnecessarily complicated for some customers, according to Alexandra Piskunova, the spokesperson

Just In

16:38

ICO opens formal investigation into X's Grok AI service

16:20

Global IT spending to reach USD 6.15 trillion in 2026 - Gartner

16:18

T-Mobile Poland discontinues Heyah 01 offer

16:15

MTN Uganda mobile money MD to step down at end-February

Commentary

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

8 DEC 2025 11:38

Netflix buys Warner Bros to deepen content catalogue

Background

2 FEB 00:45

The week in telecoms: Verizon sparks fears of US price war, Apple beats Samsung in Q4, Telekom ramps up fibre marketing

26 JAN 00:31

The week in telecoms: Netflix and Ericsson all about cash, EU sketches out rip-and-replace and copper transition plans

22 JAN 14:28

Netflix can spend more on content and still improve its margin

19 JAN 00:42

The week in telecom: Apple holds on to smartphone crown, Ericsson slims down and CommScope changes name