NTT Data, NTT West form AI-powered BPO joint venture
JAPAN 06:30

NTT Data, NTT West form AI-powered BPO joint venture

NTT Data and NTT West have signed a final agreement to convert NTT Marketing Act ProCX into a joint venture as they seek to build an AI agent-based business process outsourcing (BPO) business, targeting JPY 10 billion in annual revenue by fiscal 2030. The transaction, due to complete in October, will give NTT Data a 51 percent stake in the contact centre and BPO provider, with NTT West retaining the remaining 49 percent. 

Converge's Angeles Data Centre to support Philippines' new data residency rules
PHILIPPINES 06:28

Converge's Angeles Data Centre to support Philippines' new data residency rules

Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visited Converge ICT's Angeles Data Centre, following the issuance of an executive order that updates the rules governing digital transactions and data management across government agencies. This order introduces new requirements covering data classification, data residency, cross-border data transfers, and cybersecurity as part of the government's digital transformation programme.

Japan publishes second Apple and Google smartphone law compliance reports
JAPAN 06:03

Japan publishes second Apple and Google smartphone law compliance reports

Japan's Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) has published the second annual compliance reports from Apple, iTunes KK and Google under the country's Mobile Software Competition Act, highlighting further steps by the companies to comply with rules designed to open mobile operating systems, app stores, browsers and search services to greater competition. The reports outline measures each company says it has implemented since the law came into force in December 2025, while the JFTC stressed that the documents reflect

Japan's 5G population coverage reaches 98.6%
JAPAN 05:48

Japan's 5G population coverage reaches 98.6%

Japan's ministry of internal affairs and communications (MIC) said nationwide 5G population coverage reached 98.6 percent at the end of fiscal 2025, up from 98.4 percent a year earlier and moving closer to the government's 99 percent target for 2030. The figures, based on reports from NTT Docomo, KDDI/Okinawa Cellular, SoftBank and Rakuten Mobile, also showed prefecture-level population coverage ranging from 89.2 percent to 99.9 percent. The government has set a target of achieving at least 99 percent 5G po

Chugoku Electric Power and NTT begin smart inspection trial at thermal power plant
JAPAN 05:46

Chugoku Electric Power and NTT begin smart inspection trial at thermal power plant

Chugoku Electric Power and NTT Docomo Business have begun a trial using robots, IoT devices and AI to automate and enhance inspection activities at the 1 GW Unit 2 of the Misumi Power Station in Hamada, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. The trial combines an autonomous mobile robot with fixed IoT cameras and sensors to collect equipment data, including instrument readings, temperatures, vibrations and signs of leakage. 

Ishikari data centre consortium launched to strengthen regional infrastructure
JAPAN 05:44

Ishikari data centre consortium launched to strengthen regional infrastructure

Japan's Ishikari City and NTT East have established the Ishikari Data Centre Consortium (Ishikari DCC), bringing together data centre operators and electricity and telecommunications infrastructure providers to support the development of the Hokkaido city as a major data centre hub. The consortium aims to coordinate infrastructure development, improve the value of data centres in Ishikari and strengthen collaboration with the city.

SoftBank and Tohoku University establish AI disaster research centre
JAPAN 05:43

SoftBank and Tohoku University establish AI disaster research centre

SoftBank and Tohoku University will establish a joint research centre focused on combining disaster digital twins with AI for disaster preparedness and response. The SoftBank-Tohoku University AI for Disaster Science Co-Creation Research Centre will be established within Tohoku University's International Research Institute of Disaster Science on 1 August 2026. The centre will develop an AI for Disaster Science platform designed to support hazard and risk prediction for earthquakes, tsunamis, floods and volc

KDDI to collect mobile batteries at four Tokyo shops
JAPAN 05:40

KDDI to collect mobile batteries at four Tokyo shops

KDDI will offer free collection of used mobile batteries at four of its directly operated shops in Tokyo from 1 August to 31 October 2026. The collection programme will run at au Style Shinjuku, au Style Ikebukuro, au Style Ueno and Ginza 456 Created by KDDI. Customers will not need an appointment to return eligible mobile batteries, which must not be significantly damaged or swollen. Batteries from any operator or manufacturer will be accepted.

BBIX adds second AWS connectivity site in Osaka for OCX
JAPAN 05:38

BBIX adds second AWS connectivity site in Osaka for OCX

SoftBank's internet exchange subsidiary BBIX and BBSakura Networks have added a second AWS connection site in Osaka for their OCX (Open Connectivity eXchange) Cloud Connection service. The new site, at Telehouse Osaka, went live on 28 July and joins the existing AWS connection at Equinix OS1. The Cloud Connection service provides a virtual interface for connecting to public cloud services through OCX. The operators said the additional connection site will allow OCX customers to maintain connectivity through

Operators flag implementation challenges to Japan's new SIM verification rules
JAPAN 05:36

Operators flag implementation challenges to Japan's new SIM verification rules

Japan has finalised stricter identity verification rules for mobile service registrations, requiring operators to use IC chip-based authentication for most face-to-face customer identity checks from April 2027, while consultation responses highlighted industry concerns over implementation costs and customer readiness. The ministry of internal affairs and communications (MIC) published the results of a public consultation on amendments to regulations under the Mobile Phone Improper Use Prevention Act, which

SK Telecom offers Netflix benefits with Galaxy Z Foldable8 pre-orders
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:34

SK Telecom offers Netflix benefits with Galaxy Z Foldable8 pre-orders

SK Telecom (SKT) is offering Netflix-related benefits and other promotions to customers pre-ordering Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8 smartphones between 28 July and 3 August. The operator is running the promotion in partnership with Netflix, focusing on the devices' large 4:3 displays and their use for media consumption. Customers who activate one of the devices and subscribe to a Netflix plan by 31 August will receive KRW 10,000 in Naver Pay points.

KDDI and Google fund launch AI support programme for Japanese startups
JAPAN 05:32

KDDI and Google fund launch AI support programme for Japanese startups

KDDI and Google's Google AI Futures Fund have launched a joint programme to support Japanese startups developing AI-based products and services. The AI Startup Support Programme by KDDI & Google AI Futures Fund will provide selected startups with joint investment from KDDI and Google, early access to Google DeepMind AI models, AI infrastructure and technical support.

JAPAN 05:31

Japanese trial targets real-time race video with private 5G and AI

A group of Japanese technology companies is trialling a real-time video streaming system that combines private 5G, distributed AI processing and physical AI to select and deliver race footage during the Kyojo Cup formula racing series. Nautilus Technologies, Nomura Research Institute, Internet Initiative Japan (IIJ), 1Finity, Fujitsu, Ghelia and M-TEC are conducting the trial with Mitsubishi Electric under a New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) project.

JAPAN 05:28

Japan firms trial optical network for distributed AI

Six Japanese companies have launched a proof-of-concept trial to test distributed AI processing infrastructure that links geographically separated GPU servers through an optical network, with the aim of allowing computing workloads to be adjusted according to electricity supply and demand. Nautilus Technologies, Internet Initiative Japan (IIJ), Tepco Power Grid, Chubu Electric Power Grid, Fujitsu and 1Finity are conducting the trial under a New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO

JAPAN 05:25

NTT Docomo Business X video service deployed by Kodaira City

NTT Docomo Business X has provided its Video Talk video calling service to Kodaira City in Tokyo through real estate technology company e-Seikatsu, enabling the city to connect branch offices with its main government office in real time for administrative procedures. The service will be used at branch offices to support procedures related to Japan's My Number identification system. Branch office staff and residents will be able to connect with specialist staff at the main office by video when additional sup

JAPAN 05:23

KDDI launches AI service based on licensed publishing and media content

KDDI has launched an AI service that uses content from around 150 books, magazines and specialist web media sources to provide users with search, summaries, analysis and other interactive features. Buffmee, available from 28 July, uses content provided with permission by publishers and specialist media companies rather than searching the wider internet. The service provides source citations with its answers and is designed to help users access and explore information across areas including qualifications, b

GLOBAL 05:22

Nvidia and industry leaders launch Open Secure AI Alliance

Nvidia and a group of technology and cybersecurity companies have launched the Open Secure AI Alliance, an initiative to develop and share open technologies, tools and techniques aimed at improving the security of AI systems and software. The alliance brings together companies and open source organisations including Nvidia, Adobe, Cisco, Cloudflare, CrowdStrike, Databricks, Dell Technologies, HPE, Hugging Face, IBM, the Linux Foundation, Microsoft, Naver, Palo Alto Networks, Red Hat, Salesforce, SAP, Servic

ASIA 05:20

Databricks appoints former AWS executive to lead APJ partner business

Databricks has appointed Corrie Briscoe as vice president of partnerships and alliances for Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ), where she will lead the company's partner ecosystem across the region. Based in Singapore, Briscoe will work with cloud providers, systems integrators, independent software vendors and technology partners as Databricks seeks to expand the deployment of data and AI applications, analytics and AI agents.

PHILIPPINES 04:58

Smart, Blacknut to offer cloud gaming services in Philippines

Smart Communications has partnered with Blacknut to offer cloud gaming services to Smart and TNT subscribers in the Philippines. Through the partnership, subscribers can access the Blacknut Cloud Gaming platform, which offers a library of more than 1,000 games, including AAA titles, independent games, family-oriented titles, and franchises such as NBA 2K, For Honor, Asphalt, Overcooked!, and LEGO games. Games are streamed through a mobile browser without requiring downloads or dedicated gaming hardware.

FRANCE 27 JUL

Orange rescues French 5G private network specialist Obvios after financial difficulties

The commercial court of Rennes has appointed Orange as the new owner of French 5G private network specialist Obvios, reports Ouest-France. A spin-off of research institution B<>com (formerly B.com), Obvios was established in 2022 to commercialise the 'Dome' private 5G network offering developed by its parent company. It was placed under a safeguard procedure following financial difficulties, prompting a search for a new owner to secure its long-term future.

NETHERLANDS 27 JUL

Netherlands Cyber Security Centre updates organisation for new responsibilities

The Netherlands Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is implementing a new organisational structure and updated management team to reflect an expanded list of tasks. This comes as the updated Cybersecurity Act takes effect, implementing new rules for oversight of more critical infrastructure and service providers. 

EUROPE 27 JUL

EU publishes guidance on new cybersecurity rules for connected devices

The European Commission has published guidance for manufacturers and regulators implementing the Cyber Resilience Act, the EU's law on mandatory cybersecurity for digital devices and related services. In effect since December 2024, the law lays out the requirements for obtaining the CE mark for safe products. The guidelines come ahead of new CRA obligations taking effect this September to report and patch security vulnerabilities discovered in digital products. From December 2027 the remaining obligations t

RUSSIAN FEDERATION 27 JUL

Rostelecom passes 1.2 mln connnected home security cameras

Russian national operator Rostelecom said that it has already installed 1.2 million connected security cameras for households across the country. The city and region of Moscow, the city and region of St Petersburg, as well as the Krasnodar and Rostov regions have the most connected residential cameras. The application Video-Surveillance and Smart Home from Rostelecom is available for download on RuStore, App Store and Google Play.

ARMENIA 27 JUL

Armenian telecom operators pay over AMD 22 bln in taxes in H1

Armenia's major mobile operators and ISPs paid AMD 22.21 billion in taxes to the state budget in the first half of this year, reports Arka from data published by the Public Revenue Committee. Viva Armenia paid AMD 10.41 billion in taxes, ranking it 19th among major Armenian taxpayers. Ucom was in 27th position (AMD 5.81 billion), and Team Telecom Armenia paid AMD 4.81 billion (35th). The ISP GNC-Alfa, trading under the Ovio brand, paid AMD 1.18 billion (157th).

Just In

06:30

NTT Data, NTT West form AI-powered BPO joint venture

06:28

Converge's Angeles Data Centre to support Philippines' new data residency rules

06:03

Japan publishes second Apple and Google smartphone law compliance reports

05:48

Japan's 5G population coverage reaches 98.6%

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Background

26 JUL 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