Consumer Agency chooses legal action after SKT rejects data breach mediation
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:49

Consumer Agency chooses legal action after SKT rejects data breach mediation

South Korea's Korea Consumer Agency has said it will move towards supporting legal action against SK Telecom (SKT) after the operator formally rejected a mediation proposal over compensation linked to a large-scale personal data breach. SKT declined a collective dispute resolution decision issued by the Consumer Dispute Mediation Committee in December 2025, which recommended compensation equivalent to KRW 100,000 per affected customer. 

Singapore to establish National Space Agency from April 2026
SINGAPORE 05:47

Singapore to establish National Space Agency from April 2026

The Singapore government will establish the National Space Agency of Singapore (NSAS) from 1 April 2026, placing it under the Ministry of Trade and Industry to lead national space policy, industry development and international engagement. The agency will assume and expand the functions of the Office of Space Technology & Industry, Singapore, with responsibility for strengthening the research and development ecosystem, developing the domestic space industry and advancing international partnerships. 

KT develops higher-speed quantum key distribution system
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:45

KT develops higher-speed quantum key distribution system

Korea Telecom (KT) has developed a quantum key distribution (QKD) system capable of generating up to 300,000 encryption keys per second, more than doubling the performance of its previous system introduced in early 2024. KT said the system is based on proprietary technology and uses quantum mechanical principles to prevent duplication of encryption keys and detect eavesdropping on physical communication lines. The operator said the new system can supply quantum encryption keys to more than 70,000 encryption

NTT West reopens Osaka hub to support enterprise digital transformation
JAPAN 05:43

NTT West reopens Osaka hub to support enterprise digital transformation

NTT West has reopened its Osaka-based digital transformation (DX) hub, LinkSpark Osaka, following a renovation aimed at strengthening support for enterprise and public sector digital transformation initiatives. The facility reopened on 3 February at the NTT West i-Campus Prism site in Osaka and is positioned as a base to help organisations move from problem identification through to implementation of digital solutions. 

Korean security agency restructures to strengthen AI and ransomware security
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:42

Korean security agency restructures to strengthen AI and ransomware security

The Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) has announced a wide-ranging organisational restructure aimed at supporting the government's "AI basic society" policy agenda and strengthening protection against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. The changes will take effect from 9 February 2026. Under the restructure, KISA has established a new AI Security Industry Division to oversee AI security policy, industry development, technology development and skills cultivation, with the aim of building a coord

KKR, Singtel to buy ST Telemedia data centres for SGD 13.8 bln
ASIA 05:40

KKR, Singtel to buy ST Telemedia data centres for SGD 13.8 bln

A consortium led by KKR and Singtel Group has agreed to acquire full ownership of ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) in a transaction that values the company at an implied enterprise value of around SGD 13.8 billion (approximately USD 10.9 billion). Under definitive agreements, funds managed by KKR and Singtel will buy the remaining 82 percent stake from founding shareholder ST Telemedia for SGD 6.6 billion (approximately US$5.1 billion).

Gilmour Space to test laser communications with Transcelestial
AUSTRALIA 05:38

Gilmour Space to test laser communications with Transcelestial

Australian launch services company Gilmour Space Technologies has entered a partnership with Singapore- and US-based Transcelestial to integrate and test optical, or laser-based, communications on an upcoming satellite mission scheduled for later this year. As part of the collaboration, Gilmour Space plans to fly a Transcelestial laser communications terminal on its MMS2 mission, with an in-orbit demonstration intended to validate satellite-to-ground optical links under operational conditions. 

Lycamobile pays AUD 376,000 after scam rule crackdown
AUSTRALIA 05:36

Lycamobile pays AUD 376,000 after scam rule crackdown

Australian operator Lycamobile has paid a AUD 376,200 penalty after it failed to adequately carry out identity verification checks when transferring mobile phone services from other providers, which led to reported consumer losses of at least AUD 175,000. An Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) investigation found Lycamobile breached anti-scam rules on 131 occasions between September and December 2024 after scammers exploited weaknesses in its systems.

Fujitsu pilots Takane LLM with Japanese government agency
JAPAN 05:34

Fujitsu pilots Takane LLM with Japanese government agency

Fujitsu has completed a pilot project with a central government agency in Japan to test the use of its Takane large language model (LLM) in public comment operations, demonstrating potential efficiency gains in the handling of large volumes of submissions. The trial, conducted in 2025, applied the Takane model to past public comment data to automate tasks traditionally carried out manually by officials, including classifying submissions by support or opposition and generating summaries. 

ACMA research finds strong support for consistent TV content safeguards
AUSTRALIA 05:32

ACMA research finds strong support for consistent TV content safeguards

Australian viewers continue to place a high value on safeguards for television content as viewing shifts towards online platforms, according to new research published by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). The study, based on consumer research conducted in June 2025, found that subscription video-on-demand services are now the most common way Australians watch TV content, cited by 43 percent of respondents.

Consumer group wants coverage obligations in Australia's spectrum renewals
AUSTRALIA 05:30

Consumer group wants coverage obligations in Australia's spectrum renewals

Australia's communications consumer body, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), has urged the federal government to impose mobile coverage obligations on operators as a condition of renewing expiring spectrum licences at discounted rates. The call follows a proposal by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to renew the licences without an auction, with a revised valuation of AUD 7.3 billion, compared with AUD 8.2 billion paid in the previous licence period. 

Rakuten Mobile launches Sharp Aquos R10 smartphone in Japan
JAPAN 05:28

Rakuten Mobile launches Sharp Aquos R10 smartphone in Japan

Rakuten Mobile has launched the Aquos R10 smartphone in Japan, with the device available exclusively through its online store from 23 January 2026 at a retail price of JPY 109,990 including tax. The Aquos R10 is a 5G-capable handset supporting both 4G and 5G services, with 5G limited to Sub-6 frequencies and available only in selected areas. It supports dual SIM operation using nanoSIM and eSIM, and is positioned by Rakuten Mobile as a high-performance device aimed at advanced media and AI-driven use cases.

GLOBAL 05:27

Megaport outlines options as Equinix Metal prepares to shut down

Network-as-a-service provider Megaport has set out guidance and alternative strategies for customers affected by the planned shutdown of Equinix Metal, after Equinix confirmed it will sunset its bare metal as a service (BMaaS) platform on 30 June 2026. In a blog post published on 3 February, Megaport said organisations relying on Equinix Metal still have time to plan an orderly transition, noting that Equinix has committed to maintaining performance and security until the service is discontinued. Existing c

JAPAN 05:24

Ureru Net Advertising to expand corporate 5G device rental in Japan

Ureru Net Advertising Group has announced plans to strengthen the corporate-focused 5G device rental business of its consolidated subsidiary JCNT, in response to growing demand for high-capacity, high-speed connectivity. The company said JCNT will increase its inventory of 5G-compatible devices and enhance its supply framework for business customers in Japan and overseas. The move is intended to support expanding use cases in areas such as robotics, IoT and automated systems, often referred to as "physical

ASIA 05:23

Bridge Alliance names Loo Boon Chee as CEO

Bridge Alliance has announced that its chief executive, Dr Ong Geok Chwee, will step down at the end of March 2026, with Loo Boon Chee appointed as her successor from 1 April. Dr Ong has led the mobile operator alliance since March 2018 and is retiring from the corporate sector. During her tenure, Bridge Alliance evolved into a regional product house, expanding its offerings to member operators to include cross-border IoT, communications platform-as-a-service and telco API services. The alliance also added

BANGLADESH 04:31

Grameenphone receives 700 MHz spectrum licence

Grameenphone reports it has officially received the demand note from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) for the allocation of 10 MHz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band. The spectrum is granted for a 13-year period, during which Grameenphone will contribute BDT 22 billion to the national exchequer.

CYPRUS 04:04

Cyta revenue grows 6.5% in 2025, unveils investment plans for 2026

Cyprus operator Cyta has submitted for approval its budget for 2026. Cyta posted total revenues of EUR 442 million in 2025, up from EUR 415 in 2024. Profit before tax amounted to EUR 85 million in 2025.

GREECE 03:42

Grid Telecom to deploy 1 Pbps Artemis subsea cable linking Crete with mainland

Grid Telecom has announced the construction of Artemis, a subsea optical fibre cable system designed to link Crete with mainland Greece. Spanning 280 kilometers, the Artemis system will use subsea repeaters and terrestrial segments to interconnect landing stations and data centers across Crete and the Attica region.

UNITED KINGDOM 3 FEB

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 3 FEB

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.

POLAND 3 FEB

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.

UGANDA 3 FEB

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. 

GLOBAL 3 FEB

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.

GHANA 3 FEB

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. 

Just In

05:49

Consumer Agency chooses legal action after SKT rejects data breach mediation

05:47

Singapore to establish National Space Agency from April 2026

05:45

KT develops higher-speed quantum key distribution system

05:43

NTT West reopens Osaka hub to support enterprise digital transformation

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