Catalytic People acquires 25% stake in Selectel
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 12 JAN

Catalytic People acquires 25% stake in Selectel

Russian company Catalytic People, a joint venture of T-Technologies and Interros, acquired a 25 percent stake in the data centre and cloud services provider Selectel, reports Kommersant. The deal is worth around RUB 16 billion, and the shares were acquired from existing shareholders of Selectel. 

MTS covers 94,000 households with GPON network in Moscow in 2025
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 12 JAN

MTS covers 94,000 households with GPON network in Moscow in 2025

Russian operator MTS covered 94,000 households with its fixed internet network in the city and region of Moscow in 2025, reports Msk.kp.ru. The coverage now reaches over 5.3 million households there. Around 312 km of fibre-optic network was built by the operator there in 2025, and 200 apartment buidlings were connected to the GPON network.

Meta names board member Dina Powell McCormick as new president, vice-chair
GLOBAL 12 JAN

Meta names board member Dina Powell McCormick as new president, vice-chair

Meta is promoting board member Dina Powell McCormick to the role of president and vice-chair. Powell McCormick joined the board in April 2025 and counts extensive experience working in global finance and US politics. Her connections are expected to support Meta's plans to build a massive digital infrastructure of data centres and computing power to back the company's vision for the internet and AI.

Polish president vetoes law implementing DSA
POLAND 12 JAN

Polish president vetoes law implementing DSA

Polish president Karol Nawrocki has vetoed a law implementing the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) in the country. The president claims that this law, de facto, means implementation of censorship. The Ministry of Digitisation responded with a statement saying the law is focused on expanding citizen rights against digital corporations and the fight against illegal online content.

KPN reports jump in online meeting traffic during winter storms
NETHERLANDS 12 JAN

KPN reports jump in online meeting traffic during winter storms

KPN said online meeting traffic on its broadband network was 40 percent higher in the past week than the average traffic in the 12 weeks prior. This was attributed to more people working from home due to the snow in the Netherlands. The operator said there was a clear peak in video calls and online meetings, with outgoing internet traffic also up an average 12 percent. On 07 January, upload traffic was over a fifth (22%) higher than a normal Wednesday.

Altice revives OXG Glasfaser stake sale process - report
GERMANY 12 JAN

Altice revives OXG Glasfaser stake sale process - report

Telecom billionaire Patrick Drahi is reviving the process to sell Altice's 50 percent stake in its German fibre-optic expansion joint venture, OXG Glasfaser, according to a report in the FT. The other 50 percent of the venture is in the hands of Vodafone.  According to the FT, Drahi has sent teaser documents to potential buyers in recent weeks as he is keen to divest the stake to reduce debt amounting to more than USD 50 billion. OXG is valued at around EUR 2 billion, according to New Street Research. Infra

Ofcom opens formal investigation into X over Grok AI sexual deepfakes
UNITED KINGDOM 12 JAN

Ofcom opens formal investigation into X over Grok AI sexual deepfakes

UK online safety regulator Ofcom has launched a formal investigation into X over reports that the Grok AI chatbot is being used to create and share sexualised images of people, including children. Ofcom will investigate whether X is complying with statutory duties under the Online Safety Act to protect users from illegal content. 

Finnish and Estonian police complete on-board probe of vessel after Elisa cable damage
FINLAND 12 JAN

Finnish and Estonian police complete on-board probe of vessel after Elisa cable damage

Finnish police have announced the departure from Finnish territorial waters of the Fitburg, a cargo ship that had been seized on suspicion of damaging a submarine telecommunications cable belonging to Elisa in the Baltic Sea on 31 December. The Finnish and Estonian police have completed their work on board the vessel, said Risto Lohi of Finland's National Bureau of Investigation. He said Helsinki District Court had remanded a crew member in custody on 11 January pending retrial, and that some members remain

Corero lifts FY ARR by 23%
GLOBAL 12 JAN

Corero lifts FY ARR by 23%

Corero Network Security has announced that annual recurring revenue (ARR) increased by 23 percent in 2025 to USD 23.9 million, reflecting strong demand for its automated, DDoS protection products. In a year-end business update, it referred to expanding global customer adoption and higher enterprise momentum driven by competitive takeouts and disciplined go-to-market execution.

Nkom to oversee compliance with EU Cyber Resilience Act in Norway
NORWAY 12 JAN

Nkom to oversee compliance with EU Cyber Resilience Act in Norway

Norwegian telecoms regulator Nkom said it will expand its remit now that the government is starting to implement the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA). Norway is not an EU member but does belong to the European Free Trade Area (EFTA), which is linked to the EU via the EAA. Nkom is already responsible for oversight under the Radio Equipment Directive, which gained new cybersecurity requirements for radio equipment from 01 August 2025.

Ziggo refreshes branding in new ad campaign
NETHERLANDS 12 JAN

Ziggo refreshes branding in new ad campaign

Dutch cable operator Ziggo is launching a new marketing campaign and brand positioning. Accompanied by a light refresh of its brand colours and design, the campaign features the tagline 'the always everything network' ('Het altijd alles netwerk'), underlining how its broadband services can support many activities at once for busy households, such as video calls, gaming and streaming. 

Valoo sponsors FC Haka men's football club and darts junior Riaali
FINLAND 12 JAN

Valoo sponsors FC Haka men's football club and darts junior Riaali

Finnish fibre operator Valoo has announced a three-year agreement to sponsor the Valkeakoski men's professional football club FC Haka as well as a young darts player, Rafael Riaali. FC Haka suffered a relegation at the end of the last playing season from the Veikkausliiga and this has hit the club's finances. Valoo's logo will now appear on players' shirts.

UNITED KINGDOM 12 JAN

Brits hoard 49 million old games consoles, worth GBP 4.14 billion

New research from Virgin Media O2 shows that Brits are hoarding around 49 million old gaming consoles at home, worth a total of GBP 4.14 billion. This increase follows a Christmas gaming gift book, with Virgin Media O2 reporting a 170 jump in Nintendo Switch console and a 5 percent increase in Xbox sales. With almost three quarters (71%) of Brits struggling for cash in January, games could earn an average of GBP 145 by trading in their old consoles through O2 Recycle.

EUROPE 12 JAN

Gamma announces European partnership with Red Cactus

Gamma Communications announced a partnership with Red Cactus, CRM integration provider for telecoms operators and resellers, to provide businesses across Europe with real-time CRM and UC integration. Under the terms of the agreement, Red Cactus's Bubble software will be made available through Gamma's partner network. This will give them access to over 200 CRM and ERP platforms, fully integrated with Gamma UCaaS solutions.

UNITED KINGDOM 12 JAN

UK opposition pledges to introduce social media ban for under 16s

The UK's main opposition party, the Conservatives, have pledged to introduce a ban on under 16s using social media if they are elected to government, reports BBC News. Speaking on the 'Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg' programme on BBC One, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the party would also look to ban smartphones in school if they win power.

SLOVENIA 12 JAN

Telekom Slovenije leads fixed broadband speeds in nPerf tests

Telekom Slovenije performed the best in nPerf's annual survey of fixed-line internet providers in 2025, achieving 134,351 nPoints thanks to a download speed of 291.3 Mbps and an upload speed of 118.1 Mbps. T-2 placed second with 131,085 nPoints, resulting from speeds of 262.6/130.6 Mbps, ahead of Telemach with 219.3/71.5 Mbps and A1 with 143.4/48.2 Mbps. The tests were carried out from 1 January to 31 December 2025.

UNITED KINGDOM 12 JAN

Openreach broadband traffic up 5% in 2025, FTTP takes majority for first time

New data from Openreach shows that its full-fibre network is now carrying more data than older copper and hybrid fibre technologies for the first time. Broadband usage on the Openreach network jumped by 4.8 percent in 2025 to 108,599 PB of data, including a record 10,317 PB in December alone. Full-fibre usage increased by 40 percent in 2025, overtaking older fixed broadband technologies in late-October. The average full-fibre customer uses an average of 22.1 GB data per day.

GLOBAL 12 JAN

Ekinops names new CEO

French vendor Ekinops has selected Lionel Chmilewsky to lead the business as chief executive. Chmilewsky was picked on the strength of his extensive international track record in telecoms, technology and cybersecurity, particularly in relation to leading strategic growth initiatives and complex corporation transformations. He takes the helm at a time of transition for Ekinops, as the company looks to grow its foothold in additional software-led product lines, including Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), ali

UNITED KINGDOM 12 JAN

Cyberflashing becomes Priority Offence under UK's Online Safety Act

The sending of unsolicited nude images, or 'cyberflashing', has become a Priority Offence under the UK's Online Safety Act, with a new law coming into force from 08 January 2026. This will help better protect users of dating apps and social media platforms from receiving unsolicited nude images, supporting the government's strategy to cut Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) by half over the next 10 years. 

MALDIVES 12 JAN

Dhiraagu offers smart cameras in Limitehneh Fibre Broadband promotion with chance to win big TV

Maldivian operator Dhiraagu has announced a promotion for its Limitehneh Fibre Broadband packages for a limited period, under which it is offering free smart cameras and the chance to win a 65-inch "smart" television set through weekly draws. Running until 31 January, it applies to customers subscribing to new connections or upgrading to higher speed packages. Those who sign up to a new Limitehneh Fibre Broadband package at 30 Mbps or faster will receive a free indoor smart camera and those choosing package

BRAZIL 12 JAN

Brazil's Alares rolls out managed security solution for SMEs

Brazilian regional fixed broadband provider Alares has rolled out Alares Digital Support and Security, a new product for SMEs designed to protect their digital operations and ensure business continuity. This offering is integrated into the company's corporate portfolio and combines Bitdefender antivirus with 24/7 remote technical support, accessible via chat or voice with a reported four-hour response time.

ITALY 12 JAN

TIM hikes price of further landline plans by up to EUR 5/mth

Telecom Italia (TIM) has announced on its website that more existing landline customers will be subject to a price increase of EUR 2.99 to EUR 5 a month (including VAT) applied to their plans starting 01 February. The company attributed the increase to "economic needs arising from the need to sustain the investments connected to the increase in data traffic".

UNITED STATES 12 JAN

Lumos names COO ahead of CEO retirement in March

US fibre operator Lumos' CEO Brian Stading is retiring at the end of March, the company announced. He has led the company since it was formed in 2022 from the merger of Lumos Networks and NorthState and through its sale to T-Mobile and EQT last year. No new CEO was announced, but Lumos said it has promoted David Smith to the role of chief operating officer and Josh Many to chief network officer. 

SPAIN 12 JAN

Spanish e-commerce sales hit record EUR 28.3 bln in Q2

The Spanish e-commerce market continued posting double-digit growth in the second quarter of 2025, reaching record sales of EUR 28.3 billion, up 22.6 percent year on year, according to the latest data from market regulator CNMC. The total number of transactions also climbed, by 16.8 percent, to more than 493 million.

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Background

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The week in telecoms: CES brings Wi-Fi 8 and more smart glasses, while Warner sticks with Netflix

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The week in telecom: Finnish security check, M&A completions and telco job cuts

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