SKT reveals rise in AI-driven blocking of spam and voice phishing attempts
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 06:31

SKT reveals rise in AI-driven blocking of spam and voice phishing attempts

SK Telecom (SKT) said it blocked around 1.1 billion attempted cases of voice phishing, voice spam and scam text messages during 2025, citing expanded use of AI in its filtering and fraud prevention systems. The operator said the figure represented a 35 percent increase on the previous year. It attributed the rise to the wider deployment of AI models across its spam and phishing response operations, including a call pattern analysis system designed to identify suspicious voice phishing numbers before they ar

Apple chooses Google's Gemini to power iPhone's Siri
GLOBAL 06:13

Apple chooses Google's Gemini to power iPhone's Siri

Apple and Google have entered into a multi-year collaboration which will see the next generation of Apple Foundation Models based on Google's Gemini models and cloud technology. These models will help power future Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalised Siri due this year. The Siri deal unlocks a large market with Apple's installed base of more than two billion active devices X, marking a strategic win for Google in the AI race against OpenAI.

Dialog to invest LKR 420 mln in healthcare, education sectors recovery after Cyclone Ditwah
SRI LANKA 04:41

Dialog to invest LKR 420 mln in healthcare, education sectors recovery after Cyclone Ditwah

Sri Lanka operator Dialog Axiata has committed LKR 420 million toward the government's 'Rebuilding Sri Lanka' national initiative, following the impact of Cyclone Ditwah. The commitment will support critical recovery efforts across healthcare and education benefiting communities in affected regions. These include the restoration and upgrading of essential hospital infrastructure and the refurbishment of ICT facilities in affected schools, in collaboration with relevant authorities.

PLDT deploys internet connectivity across 29 schools in Muntinlupa city
PHILIPPINES 04:25

PLDT deploys internet connectivity across 29 schools in Muntinlupa city

The City Government of Muntinlupa and the Schools Division Office (SDO) of the Department of Education (DepEd) have partnered with PLDT Enterprise to deliver internet connectivity across the city's 29 public schools. Leveraging PLDT Enterprise services, SDO Muntinlupa is preparing to roll out digital systems that automate tasks such as attendance reporting, grade encoding, school communications, and compliance submissions.

Plus introduces roaming pack for winter sports fans
POLAND 12 JAN

Plus introduces roaming pack for winter sports fans

Polish operator Polkomntel, trading under the Plus brand, introduced a new roaming package for fans of winter sports. The package is available for both prepaid and postpaid customers and is valid in Czechia, Italy, Slovakia, Austria and France. Customers receive a 6 GB package valid for a month, at a cost of PLN 30. The offer will be valid until 30 April.

LepsiaTV adds 2 new TV channnels
SLOVAKIA 12 JAN

LepsiaTV adds 2 new TV channnels

Slovak online TV service LepsiaTV has expanded its pay TV lineup with the channels 360 Tune Box and Erox HD. Both channels are added to the Classic package, costing EUR 9.59 monthly, as well as the Top package, costing EUR 12.59 monthly. 

Samsung, Netflix launch 'Stranger Things' theme for Galaxy users
GLOBAL 12 JAN

Samsung, Netflix launch 'Stranger Things' theme for Galaxy users

Samsung Electronics, in partnership with Netflix, have released a bespoke Stranger Things mobile theme for Galaxy users worldwide. Samsung Galaxy users in 186 countries can now download the exclusive 'Stranger Things' theme and wallpapers via Galaxy Store, available at no additional cost for a limited time to those who download or launch the Netflix app.

Play offers promo of 5G smartphone contracts
POLAND 12 JAN

Play offers promo of 5G smartphone contracts

Polish operator Play, controlled by Iliad, started s a promotion of 5G smartphones in its shops. Up to 50 percent discounts are offered to customers buying devices and connecting to S+, M, L or Homebox plans from the operator using number porting. That means the Xiaomi 15T Pro 5G costs PLN 1,799 instead of PLN 3,599, the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE 5G is reduced to PLN 1,499 from PLN 2,999, and the Motorola Edge 60 Pro 5G is offered for PLN 1,199 instead of PLN 2,399. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro is down to PLN 5

English students to access GCSE results on new mobile app
UNITED KINGDOM 12 JAN

English students to access GCSE results on new mobile app

The UK government has announced the launch of the 'Education Record' app in England to upgrade how children access their exam results. The app will allow Year 11 students to view their GCSE results on their mobile phones for the first time from summer 2026. The national roll-out follows a trial of the app in the West Midlands and Greater Manchester. 

Vodafone UK starts selling Honor Magic8
UNITED KINGDOM 12 JAN

Vodafone UK starts selling Honor Magic8

Vodafone UK is now selling the Honor Magic8 Series, including the Magic8 Pro and Lite smartphones. The Honor Magic8 Pro is available from GBP 50 per month (GBP 40 upfront), with the Magic8 Lite available from GBP 24 per month (GBP 20 upfront).

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. 

A1 Bulgaria intros discounts of up to 80% on smartphone purchases
BULGARIA 12 JAN

A1 Bulgaria intros discounts of up to 80% on smartphone purchases

A1 Bulgaria has launched a promotion, slashing smartphone prices by up to 80 percent for customers looking to upgrade their devices. This promotion will offer discounts on cash purchases and flexible leasing options paired with Unlimited plans.

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.

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.

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.

BANGLADESH 12 JAN

Banglalink commercially launches VoWiFi Calling service in Bangladesh

Bangladeshi operator Banglalink has launched its Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) calling service on the local market. With the nationwide rollout, customers can use home or office Wi-Fi for HD voice calls, particularly in locations where mobile coverage is limited, including in high-rise buildings, densely populated areas, rural communities and remote locations.

ITALY 12 JAN

Fastweb+Vodafone debuts new Sinner-backed convergent plus energy offer

Italian operator Fastweb+Vodafone has launched a new advertising campaign starring tennis player Jannik Sinner and TV presenter Alessandro Cattelan, longstanding ambassadors of Fastweb and Vodafone Italia respectively, to promote its latest residential convergent offering. The corresponding ad features Sinner calling Cattelan, who responds by introducing three boys representing mobile, landline and energy services.

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".

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 12 JAN

KT has lost over 210,000 customers since penalty waiver

More than 210,000 customers of Korea Telecom (KT) have left the operator for a different service provider after it began waiving early termination fees following its major data breach, according to Maeil Business, citing industry sources. As of 11 January, 210,603 KT users switched to rival carriers since 31 December, averaging more than 17,000 departures per day. On 8 January alone, 24,252 subscribers left KT, including 15,701 who moved to SK Telecom (SKT). On 10 January, as more users moved to other carri

BELARUS 9 JAN

A1 Belarus adds partner promos to loyalty programme

A1 Belarus has added a new option to its loyalty programme AI Plus, allowing customers to use their accumulated points for promotions at partners of the operator. Up to 100 percent of the price of a partner purchase can be covered in this way.

SLOVAKIA 9 JAN

UPC Slovakia expands pay-TV lineup with 6 new channels

UPC Slovakia has expanded its pay-TV lineup with six additional channels. The list includes the Ukrainian channel Dim, as well as five Slovak regional and local channels: TV Vega, TV Zemplin, TV Vychod, TV Sirava and TV Michalovce. This follows the end of the channels MTV 80s, MTV 90s, MTV 00s, MTV Live HD and Club MTV, which were withdrawn from the market. 

POLAND 9 JAN

Kino Polska Group offers localised version of DocuBox

Polish broadcaster Kino Polska Group, part of SPI International is offering new version of the television channel DocuBox tailored for Polish viewers with dedicated programming and voice-over. DocuBox now offers a brand new schedule with a carefully curated selection of content but also the ability to watch every title from its library with Polish narration. 

POLAND 9 JAN

Orange Poland runs promotion for VoLTE smartphones after 3G switch-off

Orange Poland has introduced a promotion for VoLTE smartphones aimed at customers handing in obsolete devices after the operator switched off its 3G network in December. Orange is sending messages about the promotion to postpaid customers who are using smartphones that only support GSM/3G services. Customers can obtain a discount of up to PLN 500.

POLAND 9 JAN

T-Mobile Poland adds Eurosport 3 to TV lineup

T-Mobile Poland has added the channel Eurosport 3 from Warner Bros Discovery to the lineup of its pay-TV service Magenta TV. The channel will be available in an open window for all subscribers of the operator until 31 March. The lineup already included Europsort 1 and Eurosport 2.

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Background

12 JAN 00:04

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

5 JAN 00:52

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

23 DEC 2025 10:32

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22 DEC 2025 00:25

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