The week in telecom: Samsung works on foldable challenge, US telcos try FMC
GLOBAL 23:19

The week in telecom: Samsung works on foldable challenge, US telcos try FMC

Samsung took the spotlight last week with its new range of foldable smartphones and smartwatches. It's also eying an alliance with European AI hopeful Mistral, as hardware makers square seek an edge in the increasingly competitive new market. Google was fined again by the EU but with growth accelerating in the AI market, the company will feel a little pain.

Facebook tries video-first feed, introduces verified badge
GLOBAL 13:42

Facebook tries video-first feed, introduces verified badge

Meta announced plans to start testing full-screen video on the Facebook landing page. This is expected to roll out later this year in "video-heavy" countries outside the US, as an alternative to the classic personal feed. It's part of several new product developments announced at Facebook, including also a new way to verify user identity and more tools for sellers on the Facebook Marketplace. 

Arcep publishes draft decision on wholesale market for DTT broadcasting services
FRANCE 13:12

Arcep publishes draft decision on wholesale market for DTT broadcasting services

French telecom authority Arcep is seeking stakeholder feedback on a draft decision setting out the regulatory framework for wholesale DTT broadcasting services for the five-year period to 2031. The framework incorporates a revised version of the undertakings submitted by TDF, which Arcep has designated as the operator with significant market power. These commitments define how TDF will continue to provide access to its infrastructure in the upstream wholesale market, thereby supporting competition in the do

Paramount agrees to delay WBD takeover until states' lawsuit heard in court
UNITED STATES 13:11

Paramount agrees to delay WBD takeover until states' lawsuit heard in court

Paramount Skydance has agreed to delay closing its planned takeover of Warner Bros Discovery until a case brought by a dozen US states against the merger can be fully heard. The two must remain separate companies until at least five days after the trial is completed or 01 June 2027, whichever is earlier. 

VodafoneZiggo hires new COO from Cegeka
NETHERLANDS 12:39

VodafoneZiggo hires new COO from Cegeka

VodafoneZiggo announced that Annelore Buijs joined the Dutch operator in June as chief operating officer (COO) and member of the executive committee. She comes from Belgian ICT services provider Cegeka, where she led the activities in the Netherlands and was most recently EVP Europe. Buijs counts some 25 years of experience in management roles and replaces Barbara de Koning Gans, who held the COO role for five years.

HCLTech to open AI Data Centre, Global Technology Centre in Bhubaneswar
INDIA 24 JUL

HCLTech to open AI Data Centre, Global Technology Centre in Bhubaneswar

HCLTech has signed an agreement with the Government of Odisha to set up a Global Technology Centre in Bhubaneswar. The facility will deliver AI-based digital services to global enterprises. The Technology Center will complement HCLTech's proposed AI Data Centre in the upcoming Odisha Sovereign AI Park. HCLTech also reports that its Bhubaneswar Technology Center will house 5,000 people and is expected to start operations by 2028.

T-Mobile, AT&T Fiber top latest Ookla US connectivity report
UNITED STATES 24 JUL

T-Mobile, AT&T Fiber top latest Ookla US connectivity report

The latest Ookla connectivity report on US mobile and fixed networks (covering H1 2026) shows that T-Mobile had the Best Mobile Network and Best 5G Network. It registered a median mobile download speed of 275.55 Mbps, with a median 5G download speed of 314.38 Mbps. T-Mobile also offered the best mobile quality of experience, with the best gaming and video streaming experiences across all technologies combined, and especially for 5G. 

Verizon wins USD 1 billion dark fibre connectivity contract with Google
UNITED STATES 24 JUL

Verizon wins USD 1 billion dark fibre connectivity contract with Google

Verizon has signed a contract worth over USD 1 billion to supply dark fibre connectivity to Google's data centres, CEO Dan Schulman announced in the company's Q2 earnings call. He said the company expects to unveil more such contracts by the end of 2026. Schulman said these contracts will generate revenue of "multiple billions of dollars" in the coming years. 

Quebecor welcomes Federal Court ruling on pirate website blocking
CANADA 24 JUL

Quebecor welcomes Federal Court ruling on pirate website blocking

Canadian telecoms and media group Quebecor has welcomed a Federal Court ruling that strengthens the blocking of pirate sites/services that rebrand or move to new domains to avoid enforcement action. In a statement, Quebecor said that judicial site blocking was "indispensable" for protecting consumers and creators against digital piracy; adding that it was important for legal tools to adapt to the "sophisticated tactics" of criminals profiting from stolen content.

Canadian government consults on increasing AI transparency
CANADA 24 JUL

Canadian government consults on increasing AI transparency

The Canadian government has announced a public consultation on AI transparency, seeking views on how to boost transparency for AI systems and AI-created content. This will help build public trust in safe, reliable and responsible AI technology, a commitment in the government's National AI Strategy. The consultation closes on 23 September 2026. 

The Athletic Video Hub launches on FuboTV
UNITED STATES 24 JUL

The Athletic Video Hub launches on FuboTV

FuboTV is expanding a multi-year partnership with digital sports media company The Athletic with the launch of The Athletic Video Hub on Fubo. This makes sports video connected from The Athletic available on connected TV (CTV) for the first time. Fubo is the official live streaming partner of The Athletic. 

Charter Communications loses 172,000 broadband customers in Q2
UNITED STATES 24 JUL

Charter Communications loses 172,000 broadband customers in Q2

Charter Communications has reported revenue of USD 13.5 billion for Q2 2026, down 1.7 percent from the year-earlier quarter on lower residential video revenue. Net income attributable to shareholders was USD 1.3 billion for the quarter, with adjusted EBITDA down 4.3 percent to USD 5.4 billion. Capital expenditure reached USD 2.9 billion in Q2, with net cash flows from operating activities up to USD 3.9 billion, from USD 3.6 million a year earlier. 

UNITED KINGDOM 24 JUL

Meta launches new purpose-built app for Facebook Marketplace sellers

Meta has announced a new app for Facebook Marketplace sellers. The purpose-built Seller app gives them dedicated tools such as a unified inbox, AI-powered listing creation, inventory management and performance insights. It is available on the App Store in the US for users aged 18+. The launch comes as Facebook Markets marks 10 years of operation in 2026.

IRELAND 24 JUL

NBI expands rural fibre network roll-out across County Cork

National Broadband Ireland (NBI) has expanded availability of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) fibre network to 4,000 homes and businesses in Kanturk and surrounding areas. As a result, more than 75,500 premises across County Cork can now connect to the network - including the rural surrounds/townlands of Kanturk, Castlemagner and Greenane. To date, just over 22,000 premises have taken out high-speed fibre broadband subscriptions on the NBP network across County Cork. The NBP Intervention Area covers a tot

UNITED KINGDOM 24 JUL

Vodafone warns regulations, energy costs holding back UK mobile investment

The UK is falling behind international competitors in the race to upgrade digital infrastructure, according to new research from VodafoneThree. The 'Mobile Market Index' study of 10 markets in Europe, Asia and the US shows that the currently regulatory environment is holding back UK connectivity infrastructure investment. The study ranks the UK 8 out of 10 countries for the competitiveness of its operating environment for mobile networks - behind nations such as the US, Germany, Australia, Singapore and S K

UNITED STATES 24 JUL

Verizon raises FY forecasts after Q2 service revenue growth and record adjusted EBITDA

US operator Verizon says it now expects mobility and broadband service revenue to rise by approximately 4.0 percent in the fourth quarter of 2026 as it reported a 2.8 percent year-on-year increase in the second quarter to USD 23.4 billion. It is also raising its forecasts for FY cash flow from operations, free cash flow and adjusted EPS, saying its "exceptional" Q2 financial and operational figures demonstrate that its customer-first strategic transformation is driving sustainable growth and momentum. Adjus

BRAZIL 24 JUL

TIM Brasil and CPFL Energia partner for private 450 MHz network

Brazilian electricity distributor CPFL Energia has partnered with telecoms operator TIM Brasil to install a BRL 60 million private 450 MHz network. The project will connect 65 substations and roughly 2,500 smart grid devices in 50 municipalities in the states of Sao Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul. TIM will handle the installation and integration of the core telecommunications infrastructure.

CROATIA (HRVATSKA) 24 JUL

Ericsson Nikola Tesla Group revenue grows 18% in H1 with operating profit up 17%

The Ericsson Nikola Tesla Group has reported that sales revenue surged 18.2 percent during the first half of 2026 to EUR 130.9 million, while orders reached EUR 166.4 million. Operating profit rose 17.4 percent to EUR 13.4 million, pushing net profit to EUR 11 million. The company maintained a robust cash position and a stable balance sheet, generating EUR 10.9 million in operating cash flow.

RUSSIAN FEDERATION 24 JUL

Russian telecom market value reaches RUB 1.6 trln in 2025 - study

The revenue of Russian mobile and fixed operators reached around RUB 1.6 trillion in 2025, reports Comnews.ru citing a study from the Institute of Statistical Research and HSE University. B2C customers made up 92.7 percent of the mobile subscriber base and generated 93.6 percent of all mobile traffic. There were 272.6 million active SIMs connected to the networks of the major mobile operators, of which 41 million were used for M2M services.

ESTONIA 24 JUL

Telia Estonia takes reservations for new foldable Samsung smartphones

Telia Estonia said that it has started accepting advance orders for new foldable smartphones from Samsung in its shops. The devices will go on sale on 31 July. The Samsung Galaxy Fold8 Ultra is available at prices starting from EUR 2,269 in Telia shops and the Fold8 costs from EUR 2,069. Prices of the Galaxy Flip8 begin at EUR 1,339. 

EUROPE 24 JUL

Liberty Global on track to close Dutch buy-out in July

Liberty Global said it's on track to complete the acquisition of Vodafone's stake in their Dutch joint venture VodafoneZiggo by the end of July. In its Q2 report, Liberty also announced the sale of its stake in data centre group EdgeConneX for USD 604 million and said it raised USD 340 million from a loan back by its stake in Belgian network operator Wyre. Along with other divestments, this puts the company on track to finish the year with around USD 2 billion in cash, up from its previous target of USD 1.5

UKRAINE 24 JUL

Kyivstar to cooperate with govt in support of SMEs

Ukrainian operator Kyivstar, a subsidiary of the Veon Group,  has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Ukrainian Ministry of Economy and Environment. The document defines common areas of work to support micro-businesses and SMEs, develop transparent business environment, and digitise interaction between business and the state.

AZERBAIJAN 24 JUL

Azercell, AWS develop technology platform for training AI models in Azerbaijani

Azeri operator Azercell has announced a partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to establish a technology platform designed to support the training and optimisation of large language models (LLMs) in Azerbaijani. Building AI models for the Azerbaijani language presents a unique set of challenges because of the language's complex grammatical structure and the relatively limited availability of high-quality training datasets. The platform developed by Azercell and AWS helps address these challenges by impr

EUROPE 24 JUL

TikTok accused of breaching EU's online safety rules for minors

The European Commission has issued preliminary findings that TikTok may have breached the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) by failing to ensure adequate safety and privacy protections for minors. The charges, which are the fourth allegation against TikTok in ⁠the space of two years, expose the ByteDance-owned social media platform to potential fines of up to 6 percent of global annual turnover.⁠

Just In

23:19

The week in telecom: Samsung works on foldable challenge, US telcos try FMC

13:42

Facebook tries video-first feed, introduces verified badge

13:12

Arcep publishes draft decision on wholesale market for DTT broadcasting services

13:11

Paramount agrees to delay WBD takeover until states' lawsuit heard in court

Commentary

2 JUL 11:26

Canal Plus misses chance to strengthen Dutch business, time for exit?

23 JUN 09:56

ACM blocks Delta/Glaspoort deal - what can KPN do?

5 MAY 10:55

KPN: the art of making one-offs structural

4 MAY 14:25

Open Dutch Fiber outlook: time to restart roll-out?

Background

23:19

The week in telecom: Samsung works on foldable challenge, US telcos try FMC

19 JUL 23:41

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

12 JUL 23:30

The week in telecom: European telcos take shape as Xavier Niel buys more of Vodafone, Telenor expands in Sweden

5 JUL 23:03

The week in telecom: Comcast gives up on vertical integration, BT and Verizon agree global alliance