Google updates Pixel range with increase in phone prices, predictive health on smartwatch
GLOBAL 15:30

Google updates Pixel range with increase in phone prices, predictive health on smartwatch

Google has unveiled its updated range of Pixel smartphones as well as introduced a new Pixel smartwatch with predictive health functions and its own Pixel Tag tracker. Powered by the new Google Tensor G6 processor, the Pixel 11 smartphone range costs USD 100 more than last year's models, starting at USD 899 for the Pixel 11 and going up to USD 1,899 for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. During the pre-order period in August Google is offering up to USD 1,000 off with trade-ins and its new Pixel Watch 5 discounted or f

Spotify raises prices in Benelux
BENELUX 13:03

Spotify raises prices in Benelux

Spotify has increased the monthly subscription cost for its ad-free Premium service to EUR 13.99 per month in the Benelux countries. The Duo plan now costs EUR 19.99 monthly, and the Family plan rises to EUR 23.99. The prices are valid already for new subscribers, while existing customers will see the change at their next invoice in September. 

Your Channels, PA Media launch sports news FAST channel in UK
UNITED KINGDOM 10:42

Your Channels, PA Media launch sports news FAST channel in UK

Your Channels, Netherlands-based FAST channel operator, has teamed with PA Media, national news agency in the UK and Ireland, to launch a new 24/7 sports news FAST channel on Samsung TV Plus in the UK. The new 'Your Sports News' channel will provide rolling coverage of UK and global sport, powered by PA Media's live reporting, archive and video footage. Content will include live press conferences, breaking news, athlete interviews and highlights of major sporting events.

Vodafone becomes main sponsor of Ireland Women's Rugby Team
IRELAND 10:18

Vodafone becomes main sponsor of Ireland Women's Rugby Team

Vodafone Ireland is expanding a partnership with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) to become the main sponsor of the Ireland Women's Rugby Team. The agreement runs from July 2026 to 2028, with Vodafone branding appearing on the front of the Ireland Women's jersey. Vodafone has been the main sponsor of Ireland's Men's Rugby Team since 2026. It has also supported women's rugby in Ireland for around 10 years, including supporting the 2027 Women's World Cup in Dublin and sponsoring the Women's Interprovinci

Sky Sports to broadcast 2026 Laver Cup in UK, Ireland
UNITED KINGDOM 10:11

Sky Sports to broadcast 2026 Laver Cup in UK, Ireland

UK broadcaster Sky has announced a new deal with Trident8 for Sky Sports to show all three days of the 2026 Laver Cup from the O2 Arena in London on 25-27 September. The competition will feature 12 of the best men's tennis players in the world in a Europe vs Rest of the World format. 

Philo adds discovery+ access for Bundle+ subscribers
UNITED STATES 10:05

Philo adds discovery+ access for Bundle+ subscribers

Philo, US-based OTT streaming provider, has added Discovery+ content to its Bundle+ subscriptions, allowing customers to access the Discovery+ library directly in the Philo app with immediate effect - with no separate sign-in or second app needed. Philo is also launching a Discovery+ Ad-Free upgrade for USD 8 per month (via philo.com). 

Disney+ becomes global streaming home of Formula E
GLOBAL 09:46

Disney+ becomes global streaming home of Formula E

Disney+, ESPN and Formula E have agreed a new multi-year deal for Disney+ to become the worldwide stream home for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in 144 markets, starting with the 2026/27 season. This includes the US market, where it will stream alongside ESPN+. 

US appeals court allows social media addiction lawsuits to proceed
UNITED STATES 08:49

US appeals court allows social media addiction lawsuits to proceed

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, based in San Francisco, has permitted thousands of social media addiction lawsuits to proceed against Meta Platforms, Google, Snapchat and TikTok, reports Reuters. The lawsuits claim that their products are designed to be addictive for young users. The Appeals Court rejected an appeal by TikTok and Meta looking to overturn a lower court ruling allowing more than 3,000 federally-filed lawsuits to move ahead. The Appeals Court said that the social media firms had appealed to

Orange Poland extends data roaming packs to 24 more countries
POLAND 08:48

Orange Poland extends data roaming packs to 24 more countries

Orange Poland expanded its 'Safe Internet' roaming packages to 24 additional countries outside the EU. The list includes Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Botswana, Gibraltar, Honduras, Kuwait and other countries. The whole list now contains 74 countries. Customers there can activate a daily 1 GB bundle for PLN 15 or a 15-day 10 GB package for PLN 79. The packages are available for postpaid and prepaid, B2C and B2B customers.

Orange Poland launches back-to-school offers
POLAND 08:24

Orange Poland launches back-to-school offers

Orange Poland has introduced a new offer for the back-to-school period. The campaign includes broadband on fibre-optic networks with Netflix at a low price, discounts on TV services, and a smartphone with a subscription starting from PLN 59 per month. The operator also makes it easier to add fixed or mobile services to an existing contract later, and receive the discount for bundling services at PLN 20 per month.

Vivo launches S2 smartphone with 7050 mAh battery in India
INDIA 05:20

Vivo launches S2 smartphone with 7050 mAh battery in India

Vivo has started sales of the Vivo S2 mid-range smartphone in India. The Vivo S2 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7360-Turbo processor and includes a 7,050 mAh battery. The smartphone runs OriginOS 6 based on Android 16.

Spotify to roll out labels for AI-generated artists
GLOBAL 11 AUG

Spotify to roll out labels for AI-generated artists

Spotfiy has announced the launch of a new label for AI-generated artists to build customer trust in human artist authenticity. The new AI Persona badge will be displayed from mid-September on some artist profiles to indicate that their identity might be AI-generated and not be a real person. AI Personas will not be included in algorithmic or editorial recommendations by default. Users will only see music from AI Personas in their feeds if they follow one. 

NETHERLANDS 11 AUG

Odido starts fibre broadband offer at Simpel mobile brand

Dutch operator Odido has started selling fixed broadband under its mobile flanker brand Simpel. Like Simpel's recurring mobile promos, the price is just EUR 1 per month for 12 months for customers who sign up before 14 September for a two-year contract. After that a 100 Mbps connection costs EUR 35 per month, 500 Mbps is EUR 40 per month and 1 Gbps is EUR 44 per month. 

UNITED KINGDOM 11 AUG

TalkTalk transfers 13,500 broadband customers to Fleur Telecom

UK ISP TalkTalk is transferring 13,500 residential broadband customers to Fleur Telecom, a subsidiary of Telecom Acquisitions (TAL). In a statement on its website, Fleur Telecom said it would take over responsibility for the customers from 01 September, with all packages and pricing remaining the same. The transfer changes only which company manages and bills the customer's account, with their broadband service running over the same network.

UNITED KINGDOM 11 AUG

EE launches Early Phone Swap option for Flex Pay subscribers

BT Group subsidiary EE is introducing a new Early Phone Swap option for all Flex Pay subscribers with immediate effect. This will allow subscribers to get a new mobile handset 12 months early by swapping their old one for a new one, at no extra cost. Customers can select any new phone they want, and send their unwanted handset back in 'good working order'. If the handset is worth more than the balance left on their device plan, the difference will be credited to their bank account. 

CZECH REPUBLIC 11 AUG

Poda offers mobile data add-on promo for summer

Czech operator Poda introduced a seasonal promotion of add-on mobile data packages. Up to 10 GB bundles are available for a promotional price of CZK 25 in August to September. The size of the bundle depends on the size of the customer's current package. Customers connected to a 4 GB bundle are able to get an additional 4 GB package. For tariffs containing 4 to 10 GB, 6 GB extra is offered for the same price. Customers connected to tariffs from 10 GB are able to buy an additional 10 GB bundle. The bonus pack

SLOVAKIA 11 AUG

Skylink drops two TV channels

Slovak pay-TV operator Skylink stopped carrying the TV channel English Club from 04 August. The operator did not give a reason for the decision. From 25 August, the music channel Mezzo won't be available for subscribers of the satellite TV service from Skylink. Nevertheless, the channel will remain in the lineup of the online TV service Skylink Live TV.

RUSSIAN FEDERATION 11 AUG

Beeline Russia offers telemarketing call forwarding to voice assistant

Russian operator Beeline has introduced an option for customers to redirect telemarketing calls to their voice assistant. This solution can be activated with a single click in the operator's mobile application.

SOUTH-EASTERN ASIA 11 AUG

ZTE releases Nubia Neo 5 Max with bigger 7.5-inch screen for gaming

ZTE's Nubia brand is rolling out a new gaming-focused handset with an enlarged screen size closer to a small tablet computer. Equipped with a 7.5-inch, 1.5K definition display, the Nubia Neo 5 Max yields a visible real estate some 27 percent larger than the previous Neo 5G model. Nubia's handset will initially launch in Southeast Asia in 20 GB + 256 GB and 20 GB + 512 GB configurations, and is available in Shadow Black, Titanium Gold and Cyber Silver colour schemes.

UNITED KINGDOM 11 AUG

UK govt announces new rules to end subscription traps

The UK government has announced plans to introduce a series of 'everyday fixes' to help ease cost of living pressures, including bringing an end to subscription traps. This will see the government bring forward  'easy to exit' rules to help consumers easily cancel subscriptions and stop them losing more money. The new rules will come into effect from January 2027 as consumers prepare to start new annual subscriptions. They will not apply to specific charitable memberships for heritage and cultural organisat

UKRAINE 11 AUG

Kyivstar launches mobile tariff for kids

Ukrainian operator Kyivstar introduced its first tariff plan focused on 6 to 16 year-old children. The subscription costs UAH 270 for four weeks or is available as the 'Annual for Kids' at UAH 2,000. The plan includes unlimited on-net calls, 300 minutes of calls and 50 SMS to local networks, as well as a 20 GB mobile data package. International calls are blocked, and calls to favourite number are available even without credit.

PHILIPPINES 11 AUG

Smart Communications powers SM Supermalls' Tech & Play Month campaign

Philippines operator Smart Communications has announced its support for SM Supermalls' Tech & Play Month 2026, a nationwide campaign featuring activities focused on gaming, technology, creators, and fan communities. The campaign brings together gamers, creators, collectors, and technology enthusiasts through events and activities held at SM Supermalls across the country.

PAKISTAN 11 AUG

Pakistani watchdog cuts eSIM charges, allows 10 free eSIM transfers

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has reduced the charges for issuing eSIMs by domestic mobile operators. The maximum charge for issuing an eSIM or converting a physical SIM into an eSIM will be PKR 1,500 across Pakistan, down from PKR 2,000.

NETHERLANDS 10 AUG

Delta allows customers to opt out of ESPN channels and higher TV price

Delta is offering customers the possibility to opt out of the ESPN channels recently added to its TV package and not pay the extra EUR 2.50 per month added to the price. This is available with the Basis TV Compact package the Dutch operator confirmed to the news site Totaal TV. Customers need to contact the customer service if they want the alternative subscription. 

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Background

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2 AUG 23:37

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26 JUL 23:19

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19 JUL 23:41

The week in telecom: OnePlus exits tough smartphone market and Apple takes on OpenAI