Sky to take over ITV channels for up to GBP 1.6 billion
UNITED KINGDOM 06:25

Sky to take over ITV channels for up to GBP 1.6 billion

Sky has confirmed an agreement to take over ITV's Media and Entertainment business, making it the second-largest broadcaster in the UK after the BBC. The purchase price includes an initial GBP 1.2 billion cash and another GBP 200 million in 2028 if ITV meets certain advertising targets. ITV Studios is excluded from the deal, and as part of the deal, will take over Sky's Love Productions at a value of GBP 200 million, leaving the company as a leading TV producer with programmes such as the Great British Bake

UKWISPA to shutter and transfer members to successor organisation
UNITED KINGDOM 06:18

UKWISPA to shutter and transfer members to successor organisation

The UK Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (UKWISPA) is to wind up its operations and transfer members to a new organisation following a decision by its leadership to replace the existing industry body. In a notice to members, UKWISPA founder and chairman David Burns said trading and operations had ceased pending the handover to the new entity, which will continue to represent the interests of the UK fixed wireless access (FWA) sector.

KDDI selected for Japanese govt study on AI drone deployment in SE Asia
PHILIPPINES 05:50

KDDI selected for Japanese govt study on AI drone deployment in SE Asia

KDDI and KDDI SmartDrone have been selected for a Japanese government-funded feasibility study to assess the deployment of AI-enabled drone services in Vietnam and the Philippines. The companies said their proposal was selected under the ministry of economy, trade and industry's Global South Future-Oriented Co-Creation programme. The study will examine the use of AI drones for disaster response and the inspection of infrastructure including telecommunications, electricity and roads.

NTT launches nationwide distributed GPU testbed over IOWN APN
JAPAN 05:49

NTT launches nationwide distributed GPU testbed over IOWN APN

NTT Docomo Business has launched a nationwide distributed GPU testbed that uses its IOWN All-Photonics Network (APN) to enable GPU resources located across multiple data centres to operate as a single platform for AI workloads. The GPU over APN Testbed connects eight GPU sites across Sapporo, Kanazawa, Fukuoka, Osaka and four locations in the Tokyo metropolitan area using 100 Gbps-class low-latency, high-capacity optical networking. 

KT outlines AI transformation strategy backed by KRW 18 trillion investment
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:47

KT outlines AI transformation strategy backed by KRW 18 trillion investment

Korea Telecom (KT) has unveiled a strategy to become an AI Transformation (AX) platform company, supported by planned investment of KRW 18 trillion over the next three years to strengthen its core telecommunications business and expand AI infrastructure and services. The strategy was presented by Park Yoon-young, chief executive officer of KT, at his first press conference since taking office. 

LG Uplus launches ixi-O roaming voice service, targets 100 countries
GLOBAL 05:44

LG Uplus launches ixi-O roaming voice service, targets 100 countries

LG Uplus has launched its ixi-O Roaming Call service in Japan and plans to expand it to around 100 countries, including destinations in Southeast Asia, China and Europe, during the second half of 2026. The service enables users of the operator's AI-based ixi-O calling application to make voice calls while overseas without incurring international call charges when connected through a U+ roaming plan or Wi-Fi. LG Uplus said the service is designed to allow customers travelling abroad to make voice calls to co

SK Telecom's AI cluster receives South Korean cloud security certification
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:41

SK Telecom's AI cluster receives South Korean cloud security certification

SK Telecom (SKT) has received South Korea's Cloud Security Assurance Program (CSAP) certification for its Haein AI data centre cluster, becoming the country's first AI cloud provider using Nvidia Blackwell GPUs to obtain the certification. The certification, administered by the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA), covers the Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) category and verifies that cloud services meet the security requirements for use by South Korean public sector organisations.

Memory price rises to moderate in Q3 as AI offsets weaker consumer markets - TrendForce
GLOBAL 05:39

Memory price rises to moderate in Q3 as AI offsets weaker consumer markets - TrendForce

Contract prices for DRAM and NAND Flash memory are expected to continue rising in the third quarter of 2026, although at a slower pace than in previous quarters as demand from AI infrastructure remains strong while consumer electronics markets weaken, according to analysts TrendForce. Conventional DRAM contract prices will increase by 13-18 percent quarter on quarter during the third quarter, while NAND Flash contract prices are expected to rise by 10-15 percent.

CDC Data Centre's contracted capacity rises to more than 1 GW
AUSTRALIA 05:37

CDC Data Centre's contracted capacity rises to more than 1 GW

New Zealand based, global infrastructure investor Infratil said the independent valuation of CDC Data Centres – in which it has a 49.72 percent stake – has increased by 23.6% during the quarter to a mid-point of AUD 18.5 billion. The increase was driven by strong growth in CDC's contracted capacity to more than 1 GW, the acceleration of CDC's build programme to support this demand, and the expansion of CDC's total pipeline to FY40 from 2.6 GW to 3.9 GW of leasable capacity to support future growth. 

Korea approves space strategy centred on new national LEO satellite network
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:35

Korea approves space strategy centred on new national LEO satellite network

South Korea has approved a national strategy to develop its space and aerospace industry, including plans to build a domestic low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications network by 2035 as part of a wider programme to expand the country's satellite capabilities and communications infrastructure. The strategy was approved by the National Space Committee at its fifth meeting on 3 July. The Korea AeroSpace Administration said it aims to strengthen communications sovereignty and national security while creat

Digicel PNG completes 5G testing with peak trial speeds of 1.2 Gbps
PAPUA NEW GUINEA 05:33

Digicel PNG completes 5G testing with peak trial speeds of 1.2 Gbps

Digicel PNG has completed end-to-end 5G readiness testing on its network, confirming that its network is prepared for the deployment of 5G services following successful validation trials. The testing achieved peak download speeds of up to 1.2 Gbps and validated the network's capability to support next-generation mobile connectivity. Digicel PNG said the trials demonstrated the potential for higher data speeds, lower latency and increased network capacity.

LG Uplus's MediaLog reports 18% increase in H1 used smartphone purchases
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:31

LG Uplus's MediaLog reports 18% increase in H1 used smartphone purchases

MediaLog, an LG Uplus subsidiary that operates the Sello used smartphone trading platform, said the number of devices purchased through the platform increased by 18 percent year on year during the first half of 2026. According to the company's analysis of transaction data, purchase volumes peaked in March following the launch of new smartphones, reflecting increased handset replacement activity. MediaLog said purchase volumes also grew year on year during the second quarter, indicating that used smartphone

JAPAN 05:29

Sakura Internet launches Marketplace EXpress for third-party software

Japanese operator Sakura Internet has launched Marketplace EXpress, a new catalogue for third-party software and services that have been verified to operate on its Sakura Cloud public cloud platform. The service allows software vendors to publish product information, deployment procedures and configuration guidance for applications that have been tested on Sakura Cloud. Unlike the company's existing marketplace, Sakura Internet does not participate in software sales, contracting or billing, with commercial

INDIA 05:28

Samsung brings AI-powered Galaxy A27 5G to India from INR 28,999

Samsung has launched its Galaxy A27 5G smartphone in India. This mid-range Android smartphone features a 6.7-inch Super Amoled display. The Galaxy A27 5G features an upgraded Infinity-O display, 7.8 mm body, and is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 mobile platform.

INDIA 05:13

Vi competes acquisition of 26% stake in MTK Quantum Green Energy for INR 43 million

Indian operator Vodafone Idea (Vi) reports it has completed the acquisition of a 26 percent equity stake in MTK Quantum Green Energy for INR 43.3 million. This transaction was initially announced in May this year. Via the MTK stake purchase, Vi seeks to secure renewable energy and meet the regulatory compliance standards for captive power plants specified under Indian law.

GREECE 04:57

Vodafone Greece boosts urban connectivity performance following EUR 250 million network upgrade

Vodafone Greece saw the highest improvement in overall mobile network performance, voice, data, and crowdsourcing experience since 2023, according to a report from umlaut. The report shows that, in 2026, Vodafone achieved the highest performance scores for voice and data services, alongside the best reliability index, in three of Greece's five largest cities: Athens, Heraklion, and Patras.

PHILIPPINES 04:40

PLDT, Smart deploy 11 new 4G/LTE sites in Bohol province

PLDT's mobile unit Smart Communications has expanded its 4G/LTE network in Bohol province, with the deployment of 11 new sites in the municipalities of Maribojoc and Antequera. This network rollout is designed to enhance connectivity and communication services for Smart and its value brand TNT, as well as support tourism, education, and disaster resilience in these Bohol towns.

MALAYSIA 03:06

U Mobile migrates all customers to independent 5G network, exits DNB deal

Malaysian operator U Mobile reports it has migrated its entire customer base to its independent nationwide 5G network, following the termination of its interim wholesale access agreement with Digital Nasional Berhad on 1 July. Since the launch of its 5G network rollout in July 2025, U Mobile has expanded its coverage to over 85 percent of Malaysia's populated areas and deployed more than 190 in-building coverage sites, with plans to expand indoor coverage to over 600 sites.

GLOBAL 5 JUL

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

Does vertical integration work for the TMT sector? Rocket Lab seems to think so for the satellite industry and announced a deal to buy Iridium last week, but Comcast is giving up on the idea in the media market and announced plans to split into two companies. BT and Verizon think they will be stronger together on the international market, and the UK is the first to challenge the Paramount-Warner merger.

ANGOLA 5 JUL

Angola starts IPO for Unitel

Angola is launching an IPO to sell a 15 percent stake in telecoms operator Unitel. The share sale runs from 06 to 24 July as part of the state's privatisation programme and is expected to raise around EUR 280 million (AOA 294 billion). 

ITALY 3 JUL

Italian retail sales rise 0.2% in May

Italy's retail sales rose by 0.2 percent in value in May and by 0.1 percent in volume compared to April, according to the latest preliminary data from national statistics office Istat. All non-food product groups increased, with the exception of durable and non-durable household items (-0.2%), and growth was led by electrical household appliances and audio-video equipment (+4.9%).

GERMANY 3 JUL

RTL Deutschland names EVP Technology following merger with Sky

RTL Deutschland has appointed Patrick Sturm as Executive Vice President Technology, leading a new unit focusing on technology created after the merger with Sky Deutschland. Sturm previously served as Chief Technology Officer at Sky Deutschland, where he played a pivotal role in driving the transformation of customer platforms, RTL said. He will report directly to Andreas Fischer, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of RTL Deutschland.

EUROPE 3 JUL

Microsoft defends EU tax planning after NYT report

Microsoft has issued a statement defending its record on paying corporate tax after a report in the New York Times put a spotlight on the IT giant's international tax planning. The US-based company has issued its first country-by-country report under new EU rules requiring large companies to disclose how much tax they paid in each country of the bloc. This report shows a disproportionate amount of MIcrosoft's tax base located in jurisdictions with low corporate income tax rates, the newspaper found.  

MIDDLE EAST 3 JUL

E& teams up with Lenovo Connect on connected vehicle and IoT services

E& Carrier & Wholesale Services (C&WS) signed a partnership with Lenovo Connect to deliver advanced IoT and connected vehicle services across the GCC and global markets. The collaboration combines E&'s international network, 5G capabilities, and regulatory expertise with Lenovo Connect's technology stack. Together, they will provide secure connectivity for electric vehicles, connected cars, and other mobility modes. This collaboration strengthens E& C&WS's position as a global connectivity leader while enab

Just In

06:25

Sky to take over ITV channels for up to GBP 1.6 billion

06:18

UKWISPA to shutter and transfer members to successor organisation

05:50

KDDI selected for Japanese govt study on AI drone deployment in SE Asia

05:49

NTT launches nationwide distributed GPU testbed over IOWN APN

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 MEI 10:55

KPN: the art of making one-offs structural

4 MEI 14:25

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

Background

5 JUL 23:03

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

3 JUL 07:46

TP:Talks - Billogram cuts customer service billing tickets by 40 percent with automated invoicing

28 JUN 23:51

The week in telecoms: Apple raises prices, Qualcomm tries server market and Jio going public

21 JUN 22:52

The week in telecom: sovereignty debate comes to VivaTech, Ericsson succession and Fox buys Roku