Freedom Telecom International and Nokia sign strategic cooperation agreement
KAZAKHSTAN 16:09

Freedom Telecom International and Nokia sign strategic cooperation agreement

Freedom Telecom International (FTI) has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Nokia. As a first step, Freedom Telecom International and Freedom Lifestyle Group will inaugurate an Innovation Lab at Nokia's Sunnyvale, California campus in the coming months. The initial focus of the cooperation is on designing next-generation AI data centre blueprints, conducting feasibility studies in Kazakhstan and neighboring markets, and leveraging Nokia's global ecosystem to scale cloud and AI-driven services.

Ucell introduces new call plan
UZBEKISTAN 16:06

Ucell introduces new call plan

Uzbekistan operator Ucell introduced a new tariff plan called Ovoz Start. The plan includes 500 minutes and 500 SMS to Uzbekistan networks for a monthly subscription of UZS 20,000, with mobile data charged at UZS 50 per MB.

Citic Telecom's profit grows 1% in 2025, revenue flat year-on-year
HONG KONG 15:42

Citic Telecom's profit grows 1% in 2025, revenue flat year-on-year

Citic Telecom International posted profit attributable to shareholders of HKD 920 million for the year ended 31 December 2025, which represents an increase of 1.1 percent year-on-year. Excluding the revaluation of investment properties, the year-on-year growth rate is 1.4 percent, the company said. The group's total revenue was flat year-on-year at HKD 9.56 billion, while basic earnings per share amounted to HK24.9 cents, up 1.2 percent year-on-year.

Globe Telecom offers GrabCar vouchers on Prepaid Traveler SIM purchases
PHILIPPINES 08:28

Globe Telecom offers GrabCar vouchers on Prepaid Traveler SIM purchases

Philippines operator Globe Telecom has bundled its 5G-ready Prepaid Traveler SIM and eSIM products with a GrabCar discount for inbound travelers. Each purchase includes a voucher providing new Grab users with a 50 percent discount on rides in all cities where the service operates. These SIMs are available in data tiers of 20 GB, 30 GB, 80 GB, and 120 GB. Physical SIM cards are sold at Globe booths in major airports, while eSIMs can be purchased in advance through the GlobeOne app.

Globe is Philippines' most consistent mobile and fixed network - Ookla
PHILIPPINES 07:48

Globe is Philippines' most consistent mobile and fixed network - Ookla

Globe Telecom has the most consistent mobile and fixed network, and the widest 5G coverage in the Philippines in the second half of 2025, according to a report from Ookla. The analysis of millions of user-initiated Speedtest results confirms that Globe's infrastructure delivers a consistent Quality of Service for Filipinos. Globe achieved a Mobile Consistency Score of 87.51 percent for the third and fourth quarters of 2025.

HTHK's profit plunges 42% in 2025 amid lower interest income and Macau losses
HONG KONG 07:34

HTHK's profit plunges 42% in 2025 amid lower interest income and Macau losses

Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong () reported profit from Hong Kong operations HKD 18 million, which represents a decrease of 42 percent year-on-year. This drop was mainly due to lower bank interest income, the company said. EBIT increased by 6 percent to HKD 18 million.

Japan consults on rules for telecom tower infrastructure providers
JAPAN 06:20

Japan consults on rules for telecom tower infrastructure providers

Japan's ministry of internal affairs and communications (MIC) has launched a public consultation on draft regulations linked to amendments to the Telecommunications Business Act and the NTT Act, including provisions establishing a certification framework for companies that provide telecom tower infrastructure. The consultation, open from 13 March to 13 April 2026, covers draft cabinet orders and ministerial ordinances required to implement the revised legislation, which was enacted in May 2025.

SoftBank tests multi-AI agent platform to automate network operations
JAPAN 06:18

SoftBank tests multi-AI agent platform to automate network operations

SoftBank has developed a multi-AI agent platform as part of its Large Telecom Model (LTM), a generative AI foundation model designed for telecommunications, and has begun verification of the system in network operations. The platform enables multiple specialised AI agents to work together to carry out operational processes ranging from analysis and decision-making to execution. SoftBank said the development is intended to support the gradual transition towards AI-driven autonomous network operations.

LG Uplus partners Fortinet on cloud-optimised SASE security services
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 06:16

LG Uplus partners Fortinet on cloud-optimised SASE security services

LG Uplus has signed an MoU with cybersecurity company Fortinet to cooperate on next-generation enterprise security services, including secure access service edge (SASE) offerings designed for cloud environments. Under the partnership, the companies plan to collaborate on security services that integrate networking and security capabilities, including SASE platforms designed to support cloud-based enterprise environments. SASE combines network connectivity with security functions to provide a unified securit

NEC develops physical AI to predict human movement near robots
JAPAN 06:13

NEC develops physical AI to predict human movement near robots

NEC Corporation has developed a physical AI system designed to enable robots to anticipate human movement and psychological states in order to support safer collaboration between people and machines. The technology uses a proprietary "world model" developed by NEC to predict how people will move based on their position and posture relative to a robot. It also estimates a person's stress level in real time, allowing robots to adjust their movement paths and speeds to reduce psychological stress.

Singtel partners Cohesity on sovereign AI data security service
SINGAPORE 06:10

Singtel partners Cohesity on sovereign AI data security service

Singtel Digital InfraCo's sovereign AI cloud platform RE:AI has partnered with data security company Cohesity to launch a service designed to enable enterprises to analyse historical backup data using AI while keeping data within Singapore. The service combines RE:AI's infrastructure with Cohesity's data security and indexing technology to allow organisations to catalogue and organise archived enterprise data, including documents, emails, reports and system records stored in backup systems. 

NEC develops AI prototype to assist emergency call triage in Japan
JAPAN 06:08

NEC develops AI prototype to assist emergency call triage in Japan

NEC has developed a prototype system that uses generative AI to assist emergency call operators in assessing the urgency of 119 emergency calls in Japan. The system analyses conversations between callers and dispatch operators to extract information about a patient's condition and symptoms, automatically populating fields used to determine the severity of the case. NEC said the prototype was tested in collaboration with the Yokohama City Fire Bureau to evaluate its effectiveness in supporting emergency call

JAPAN 05:55

Actelis receives Japanese govt order for networking equipment

Actelis Networks said it has received an order from a Japanese governmental entity to supply networking equipment for use in civil and defence-related infrastructure projects in Japan. The order, placed through a local channel partner and distributor, covers dozens of units from Actelis's MetaLight product line. The equipment will be deployed across several critical infrastructure environments, including transportation systems, utilities and public safety networks, with potential future use in defence-relat

ASIA 05:48

NTT expands Katalon partnership for global mobile app testing

NTT Resonant Technology, a subsidiary within the NTT Group's digital services operations, has expanded its strategic partnership with US-based test automation platform provider Katalon to support global mobile application testing. The company said the agreement will integrate Katalon's automated testing platform with its cloud-based device testing service, Remote TestKit. The integration allows developers using Katalon to access Remote TestKit's pool of around 1,200 physical smartphones and tablets to run a

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:45

LG CNS partners Palantir to expand enterprise AI platform business

South Korea's LG CNS has signed a strategic partnership agreement with US-based AI software company Palantir Technologies aimed at expanding enterprise AI platform deployments in South Korea. The agreement was signed ahead of Palantir's AIPCon event in the United States on 11 March, with LG CNS chief executive Hyun Shin-kyun and Palantir founder and chief executive Alex Karp among those attending.

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:41

LG Uplus launches spring promotions for new and long-term customers

LG Uplus has launched a spring membership promotion offering rewards and events for both new and long-term mobile subscribers as part of efforts to increase engagement with its customer loyalty programme. The operator said new members joining its LG Uplus membership programme will receive rewards linked to the Starbucks loyalty scheme, while existing customers will also have opportunities to receive additional rewards through limited-time promotions available via the operator's U+one mobile application.

JAPAN 05:39

SoftBank launches YouTube Premium Lite discount for mobile subscribers

SoftBank has launched a promotional offer allowing customers of its SoftBank, Y!mobile and Linemo mobile brands in Japan to subscribe to YouTube Premium Lite at a discounted rate. The programme enables eligible subscribers to access the video streaming service's ad-free viewing tier at a reduced monthly price through a new "YouTube Premium Lite Value Benefit". Under the offer, the service is available at a discounted monthly fee of JPY 701, around 10 percent below Google's official price of JPY 780 as of Ma

PHILIPPINES 11 MRT

Smart delivers best mobile video experience in Philippines - Ookla

Smart Communications offers the Best Mobile Video Experience in Philippines, according to a report from Ookla. This award is based on the evaluation of three key performance metrics, including acceptable video start time, uninterrupted playback, and full HD resolution, Smart added.

MYANMAR 11 MRT

Globe Teleservices deploys A2P messaging firewall, monetization platform for MPT Myanmar

Globe Teleservices has partnered with Myanma Posts and Telecommunications (MPT) to manage and secure Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging for its subscribers. Under this agreement, Globe Teleservices will implement firewall and monetization services to provide MPT with upgraded oversight and control over its messaging traffic.

ARMENIA 11 MRT

Ucom and Impact Hub Yerevan conclude incubation programme

Armenian operator Ucom and Impact Hub Yerevan have concluded the 2025 cycle of the Ucom Fellowship Incubation Programme. During the closing event held at Impact Hub Yerevan, nine innovative startups presented the projects they developed to the professional jury over the course of a year. This year-long initiative was designed to support a new generation of Armenian innovators developing technological solutions for environmental sustainability, including renewable energy, agrotech, eco-tourism, and the circu

CHINA 11 MRT

ZTE intros 5G telecoms service agent

ZTE has unveiled a service AI agent tailored to personalised customer experiences in 5G networks. The platform integrates with AI-capable 5G core networks using ZTE's system architecture and a Model Context Protocol server, and is then able to implement OSS scenarios in real time for service assurance purposes, orchestrating 5G and 5G-A network resources in response to instructions issued in human language. ZTE said the product would underpin an "Experience as a Service" business model to help 5G operators

BANGLADESH 11 MRT

Banglalink opens Experience Centre in Dhaka

Bangladeshi operator Banglalink has inaugurated its new flagship Experience Centre at its corporate headquarters, Tigers' Den, in Gulshan, Dhaka. Banglalink says this centre is designed around the concept of 'sanctuary', moving away from the traditional, counter-based service model to create an open environment where customers and representatives can interact more personally.

PAKISTAN 11 MRT

Veon's Mobilink Bank to acquire majority stake in Apna Microfinance Bank

Mobilink Microfinance Bank announced its intention to acquire a majority stake and management control of Apna Microfinance Bank. This notification was submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange on 10 March, through Arif Habib, which serves as manager of this offer. As a subsidiary of Veon and a sister company to Jazz, Mobilink Microfinance Bank serves over 57 million registered users and provides the financial infrastructure for the JazzCash mobile wallet.

INDIA 11 MRT

Vivo launches Y51 Pro 5G smartphone with 7200 mAh battery in India

Vivo has launched its Y51 Pro 5G mid-range smartphone in India. The vivo Y51 Pro 5G is manufactured at Vivo India's Greater Noida facility. The smartphone runs on Android 16 platform, and features a 7200 mAh battery.

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Background

6 MRT 16:00

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

1 MRT 13:21

The week in telecoms: Paramount tops bidding for WBD, Samsung S26 kicks off MWC showcase

23 FEB 00:28

The week in telecoms: Liberty Global tackles cable vs fibre question, Orange promises dividends and MEA market goes wholesale

16 FEB 00:17

The week in telecoms: Cisco rides AI investment wave and European telcos invest in South America