Fastweb Digital Academy initiative tops 1 mln participants
ITALY 12 JAN

Fastweb Digital Academy initiative tops 1 mln participants

Italian operator Fastweb + Vodafone said the Digital Academy initiative launched by Fastweb back in 2016 has reached the milestone of one million participants since its inception. In terms of economic impact, the numerous free courses offered by the online academy generated a benefit for the country of over EUR 7 million in 2025 alone, resulting in the programme receiving the "Impact Award" at the 2025 CSR and Social Innovation Fair.

Smart expands SWEEP programme for schools, integrates AI into engineering curricula
PHILIPPINES 12 JAN

Smart expands SWEEP programme for schools, integrates AI into engineering curricula

Philippines operator Smart Communications has announced that its Smart Wireless Engineering Education Programme (SWEEP) has officially entered Phase 5, transitioning its focus toward integrating AI, automation, and intelligent systems into Philippine engineering curricula. Smart also reports that this latest evolution aligns academic training with modern telecoms standards, moving beyond simple tool usage to teach students prompt engineering, AI-assisted coding, and data analysis.

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. 

SNS-JU paper examines AI and machine learning in next-gen telecoms context
EUROPE 12 JAN

SNS-JU paper examines AI and machine learning in next-gen telecoms context

The EU's Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS-JU) has published a white paper summary of AI and machine learning taxonomies, standards and innovation pathways in relation to 6G and other cutting-edge telecoms. Dubbed 'The AI/ML Landscape for Smart Networks and Services', the paper aims to act as a primer on the current landscape and emerging frontiers, providing clarity on key AI and machine learning terms along with a broad summary of ongoing standardisation pipelines.

Hungary sets up Artificial Intelligence Council
HUNGARY 12 JAN

Hungary sets up Artificial Intelligence Council

Hungary has set up the Hungarian Artificial Intelligence Council (MMIT), tasked with implementing the European Union's AI Act in Hungary and developing the country's AI strategy. Led by Government Commissioner László Palkovics and with the participation of the National Media and Communications Authority (NMHH) as a permanent member, the MMIT will serve as a crucial professional forum. Its work aims to boost Hungary's digital competitiveness, foster innovation, and ensure regulatory alignment with EU law. Th

Industry seeks clarity as Korean AI Framework Act looms
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 12 JAN

Industry seeks clarity as Korean AI Framework Act looms

South Korea is preparing to enforce what it describes as the world's first comprehensive AI law, positioning itself as an early regulator of AI as global rules remain fragmented, according to the Korea Herald, citing industry sources. The AI Framework Act, passed in December 2024, is due to take effect on 22 January, with the government promising a one-year grace period before penalties are applied.

SK AX gains first government recognition for gen AI certification
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 12 JAN

SK AX gains first government recognition for gen AI certification

South Korea's SK AX has received government recognition for its generative AI skills certification scheme, marking the first such approval in South Korea for a programme focused on generative AI capabilities. The company said its AI Competency Certification Platform had been approved under the "company qualification government recognition system" by the ministry of employment and labour and the human resources development service of Korea.

South Korea steps up AI cooperation with Nvidia and OpenAI
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 12 JAN

South Korea steps up AI cooperation with Nvidia and OpenAI

South Korea's ministry of science and ICT has moved to deepen international cooperation on AI following senior-level meetings with Nvidia and OpenAI in California, alongside engagement with Korean-founded startups and investors in the US. The ministry said second vice minister Ryu Je-myoung visited the headquarters of Nvidia and OpenAI on 9 January, as part of efforts to strengthen public-private collaboration on AI infrastructure, talent development and safety. The visit builds on discussions held last yea

ChatGPT tops Korea's mobile app downloads last year
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 12 JAN

ChatGPT tops Korea's mobile app downloads last year

ChatGPT ranked first in new installations in South Korea's mobile application market last year, far outpacing other apps, according to IGAWorks' Mobile Index. ChatGPT reached 16.57 million cumulative new downloads last year, the highest among all mobile applications. The number of ChatGPT users leapt by 341 percent from January to December last year, pushing its overall ranking up to 27th. According to Maeil Business, citing company sources, the number of active devices using the app also reached 19.49 mill

Allianz signs global AI partnership with Anthropic
GERMANY 9 JAN

Allianz signs global AI partnership with Anthropic

Anthropic has signed a global strategic partnership with Allianz to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) at the German insurance group. The partnership focuses on teaching employees how to use AI, using AI to accelerate internal processes, and setting new standards for accuracy. Under the partnership, Anthropic's Claude models are integrated in Allianz's internal AI platform, which is free for all Allianz employees to use. Claude Code is redefining software development for a large number of developers at All

Tele2 Latvia introduces AI call analytics to improve customer services
LATVIA 9 JAN

Tele2 Latvia introduces AI call analytics to improve customer services

Tele2 Latvia has introduced AI software that can analyse conversations to help with customer service. Developed and implemented by Latvian startup Asya.ai, the Pitch Patterns system uses AI to recognise the content of a conversation in Latvian and other languages, as well as identify the voice tone, intonation, speech rate and other expressions. The tool will help identify situations when a call was not successful and offer tips to help employees improve communication and service quality. The solution can r

Portugal to invest over EUR 400 million in AI by 2030
PORTUGAL 9 JAN

Portugal to invest over EUR 400 million in AI by 2030

Portugal is set to invest over EUR 400 million by 2030 in its National Artificial Intelligence Agenda (ANIA), primarily using European funds. This plan, approved by the Council of Ministers, aims to boost Portugal's competitive edge, with AI projected to add EUR 18-22 billion to the country's GDP within the next decade, reported Lusa.

POLAND 9 JAN

NASK PIB picks contractors to supply AI laboratory kits for schools

Polish national telecommunications R&D institute NASK PIB said it has completed a tender for the supply of 12,000 AI laboratory kits for schools. The volume of the investment is PLN 1.86 billion and it is funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Programme.

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. 

ITALY 9 JAN

Spectral Capital to acquire Italy's Intermatica

Spectral Capital Corporation said it signed a binding term sheet to acquire Italy-based telecommunications and technology company Intermatica S.p.A. for an undisclosed sum. The agreement calls for Intermatica to generate up to USD 10 million in annual free cash flow for Spectral to fully earn out 10 million Spectral common shares, said the latter in a statement.

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 9 JAN

Samsung SDS agrees plan for 60 MW AI data centre in Gumi

Samsung SDS has signed an MoU with Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and the city of Gumi to build a large-scale AI data centre in South Korea. Under the agreement, Samsung SDS plans to construct a 60 MW AI data centre in Gumi on the site of the former Samsung Electronics Gumi 1 complex, which the company acquired in December 2024. The facility is scheduled to begin operations in March 2029 and is intended to support growing demand for AI- and GPU-focused services.

GLOBAL 9 JAN

Nvidia changes delay high bandwidth memory mass production - TrendForce

Specification changes and strong Blackwell demand at Nvidia will delay high bandwidth memory 4 means production until  the end of 1Q26, according to analysts TrendForce. Nvidia has revised the HBM4 specifications for its new Rubin platform in 3Q25, raising the required per-pin speed to above 11 Gbps. This change has necessitated that the three major HBM suppliers modify their designs.

JAPAN 9 JAN

Shinmei Group to adopt NTT's AI-based produce allocation automation service

Shinmei Group has decided to introduce an AI-driven automation service for produce allocation operations across its group companies, following successful trials conducted by NTT AI-CIX. The service automates allocation tasks at wholesale produce markets, where incoming goods are divided and assigned to buyers such as supermarkets and retailers. The system uses AI to learn from sales staff knowledge, order requirements and product characteristics to automatically generate allocation plans.

SPAIN 8 JAN

Spanish govt invests EUR 7 mln in AI fashion startup Lookiero

Spain's Ministry of Digital Transformation has invested EUR 7.2 million in Lookiero, a Bilbao-based startup that specialises in the application of Artificial Intelligence technology in the fashion industry. The funds come from the state-backed Spanish Society for Technological Transformation (SETT) launched in 2024 to manage all of the country's investments in technological matters.

TURKEY 8 JAN

Argela takes part in Turkey-hosted 5G Technologies Promotion event

Argela has shared details of its recent participation in the 5G Technologies Promotion Event, a digital transformation-focused meeting hosted in Ankara by Turkey's ICT authority BTK. Argela's showing included state-of-the-art innovations in 5G and beyond communication technologies. The company detailed its vision for building smarter, more agile and sustainable network infrastructures, including AI-powered network management, cloud-based system integrations, and end-to-end orchestration platforms. Visitors

GLOBAL 8 JAN

Telit Cinterion and Nokia to launch industrial connectivity bundle with NTN, 5G and Wi-Fi deployment options

Telit Cinterion and Nokia have announced an industrial AIoT product partnership, coupling multi-access 5G, NTN and Wi-Fi connectivity modules with Nokia's Cognitive Digital Mine Platform. The collaboration aims to provide mining, oil and gas, logistics, railways and other industrial clients with AI and digital twins-driven connectivity and compute orchestration, driving more powerful, SLA-grade IoT use cases such as autonomous vehicles, as well as resource planning, asset usage, operational safety and sched

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 8 JAN

Naver completes 4,000-GPU Blackwell cluster for AI model training

Naver has completed construction of what it says is South Korea's largest AI computing cluster based on Nvidia's Blackwell B200 GPUs, deploying 4,000 processors to support large-scale model training and AI service development. The new cluster consolidates cooling, power and networking optimised for large-scale parallel processing and high-speed interconnects. Naver said the system was designed and built in-house, drawing on experience gained since 2019 operating large GPU clusters, including early commercia

VIETNAM 8 JAN

ONE partners MTI form Vietnam JV to develop AI-driven digital shipping

Singapore's Ocean Network Express (ONE) and MTI have established a joint venture in Vietnam to develop and deploy AI-based solutions aimed at digital transformation in the container shipping industry. The new company, Quaveo Company, was incorporated in Ho Chi Minh City in December 2025. It is majority owned by MTI with a 51 percent stake, while ONE holds 49 per cent. The venture has initial capital of USD 1.6m and is led by MTI managing executive officer Ichiro Igari as chief executive.

JAPAN 8 JAN

KDDI launches offshore AI lab to support rapid enterprise AI trials

KDDI Agile Development Centre (KAG) has launched the KAG Offshore AI Lab, combining AI-driven development with offshore engineering to support rapid proof-of-concept testing of AI agents using customers' own business data. The new initiative offers an "AI agent implementation and decision-making package" designed to allow enterprises to assess the effectiveness of AI agents in real operational workflows before committing to larger investments. 

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