Google declares Eastern Cape as location for digital hub and cable landing station
AFRICA 08:57

Google declares Eastern Cape as location for digital hub and cable landing station

Google has announced that the Eastern Cape province of South Africa will host a new digital exchange hub to serve as a subsea cable landing station, TechCentral reported. The facility is part of Google's Umoja project, the first fibre-optic cable route to directly connect Africa with Australia. Google Africa managing director Alex Okosi said that construction has not yet begun but the necessary building permits have already been secured. The exact location of the Eastern Cape hub remains undisclosed.

DStelecom's fibre network reaches 3,900 homes in Viana do Alentejo
PORTUGAL 08:56

DStelecom's fibre network reaches 3,900 homes in Viana do Alentejo

Portuguese wholesale DStelecom has expanded and strengthened its fibre-optic network in the municipality of Viana do Alentejo, where it has maintained a presence since 2015. The upgraded network infrastructure now covers approximately 3,900 homes. According to the company, the enhanced coverage spans the localities of Aguiar, Alcacovas, and Viana do Alentejo.

CelcomDigi launches Future Pros Bootcamp to recruit esports talent for Selangor Red Giants
MALAYSIA 08:54

CelcomDigi launches Future Pros Bootcamp to recruit esports talent for Selangor Red Giants

Malaysian operator CelcomDigi has launched the third edition of its Future Pros Bootcamp, an esports talent development initiative organized in partnership with the Selangor Red Giants (SRG) Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) team and the Moonton Games Student Leader Programme. The nationwide programme has expanded its reach to include universities and tertiary institutions, aiming to establish a developmental pathway for amateur Malaysian gamers to enter the professional esports industry.

Telefonica Brasil merges Cyberco into TIS
BRAZIL 08:54

Telefonica Brasil merges Cyberco into TIS

Telefonica Brasil's indirectly controlled subsidiary TIS has completed the merger of Cyberco Brasil. As a result of the transaction, Cyberco Brasil, which was previously a wholly-owned subsidiary of TIS, has been dissolved. By simplifying the group's operating structures and capturing internal synergies, the company aims to reduce the operational overheads previously associated with both Cyberco Brasil and TIS.

TIM Brasil launches ChatGPT app for customer service
BRAZIL 08:53

TIM Brasil launches ChatGPT app for customer service

TIM Brasil has launched a dedicated application within the ChatGPT platform. The new integration allows consumers to research mobile plans, services, products, and partnerships using natural language and seamlessly initiate the subscription process directly within the AI interface. 

MTC transfers Namibian Annual Music Awards intellectual property to ministry
NAMIBIA 08:47

MTC transfers Namibian Annual Music Awards intellectual property to ministry

Namibian operator MTC has announced the transfer of all copyright, intellectual, audio and visual material associated with the Namibian Annual Music Awards (Namas) to the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture. MTC and the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) supported the awards as headline sponsor for a decade. Since the conclusion of its sponsorship in 2019, MTC has remained committed to the growth and sustainability of the local creative industry.

Arcep issues guidelines to support freedom of choice in cloud services
FRANCE 08:37

Arcep issues guidelines to support freedom of choice in cloud services

French telecom regulator Arcep has published two sets of guidelines as part of its mission to help customers of cloud hosting services switch provider and adopt a multi-cloud environment. This follows a public consultation process launched in mid-February to gather stakeholders' views on Arcep's proposals. The guidelines aim to clarify what can be considered justifiable costs when determining switching charges other than data transfer (egress) fees, and when calculating data transfer fees in the specific ca

Berec seeks feedback on mobile network APIs ecosystem
EUROPE 08:34

Berec seeks feedback on mobile network APIs ecosystem

The EU's coordination body for national communication regulators is seeking submissions on the network APIs market landscape in the mobile sector. The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) noted that standardised mobile network APIs had proliferated since the GSMA launched its Open Gateway initiative in 2023, debuting with just eight APIs from 21 mobile operators. Current data from Open Gateway's public portal shows there are around 228 APIs in deployment or supported by European

Veon reaffirms commitment to Digital Kazakhstan Strategy
KAZAKHSTAN 08:33

Veon reaffirms commitment to Digital Kazakhstan Strategy

Veon announced that Group CEO Kaan Terzioglu met with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, following his participation in the Foreign Investors Council (FIC), an advisory body for direct dialogue between the government of Kazakhstan and investors. At the Council meeting, Veon reaffirmed support for the Digital Kazakhstan Strategy and highlighted progress toward the launch of direct-to-cell technology in Kazakhstan, planned for August.

M.Video, Eldorado merge online sales platforms
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 08:30

M.Video, Eldorado merge online sales platforms

Russian mobile and electronics retail chain M.Video said that it has merged its online commerce channels into a single platform. The website and mobile application Eldorado has been merged with the online commerce platform M.Video. The application and the website will continue operating under the M.Video brand. The merger is part of M.Video's long-term strategy to transform into a technologically advanced omnichannel platform and one of the largest marketplaces in the Russian market.

LMT, Latvian Railways test private 5G network
LATVIA 08:27

LMT, Latvian Railways test private 5G network

Latvian operator LMT, in cooperation with Latvian Railways, is testing private 5G network technologies for rail infrastructure management for the first time in the Baltics. The test network is expected to help prepare for the future implementation of FRMCS (Future Railways Mobile Communication System), which must be implemented by all rail operators in the European Union by 2035. At a demonstration event on 30 June, the 5G connection speed, network coverage, signal strength and other data were measured, wit

Megafon adds caller ID option for consumer customers
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 08:22

Megafon adds caller ID option for consumer customers

Russian operator Megafon has introduced a caller ID option for consumer customers. Already available to B2B customers, this allows callers to have their name displayed on the recipient's phone when calling. It costs RUB 3 per day and can be activated on the Megafon app or website. According to a study from Megafon, 30 to 75 percent of calls from unknown telephone numbers go unanswered. 

POLAND 08:19

Polish telecom watchdog confirms private network rules for 3.8-4.2 GHz band

Polish telecom regulator UKE announced a regulation on use of the 3,800 to 4,200 MHz bands for private 5G networks, after public consultations started in March. According to the decision, frequencies in the 3,800-3,900 MHz band may be used by local government units for their own needs, within an area no larger than 20 municipalities, for purposes other than the provision of telecommunications services. Frequencies in the 3,900-4,200 MHz band are reserved exclusively for other entities for telecom services,

GERMANY 08:17

Deutsche Glasfaser CEO steps down after completion of refinancing

Deutsche Glasfaser said its chief executive officer is stepping down following the successfully completion of refinancing from EQT and Canadian pension fund Omers, and a consortium of banks. Shareholder and CEO Andreas Pfisterer will leave the company over the course of the summer, it announced. Jens Schulte-Bockum will lead the company as executive chairman of the advisory committee for the time being, during a period of thorough transformation for Deutsche Glasfaser. Schulte-Bockum has sat on the operator

UKRAINE 08:16

Lifecell launches new fixed internet service Inet

Ukrainian operator Lifecell has announced the launch of its new home internet service, Inet, available to anyone, not just its mobile customers. The new home internet tariff lineup is part of the 'Lifecell at home' ecosystem, which also includes Lifeset 3-in-1 converged tariff and Lifecell TV. Inet fixed broadband is available at up to 1 Gbps with unlimited traffic, working on GPON, Ethernet and Docsis technologies depending on the available coverage, and the router is included at no extra charge. 

POLAND 08:10

Orange Poland offers discount on travel insurance

Orange Poland has introduced a promotion to customers buying travel insurance on its website, offering 10 percent discount until 31 August with a special promotional code. Up to PLN 300 cashback to a bank account also is offered when buying property and motor vehicle insurance policies until 09 August. 

GREECE 08:10

Space Hellas expands SenseOne Iot platform with new Managed Data Lake service

Space Hellas has expanded its SenseOne Iot platform with a new Managed Data Lake service as part of its strategy to develop applied intelligence and IoT services. The new Managed Data Lake service mainly targets organizations in complex business environments, such as industry, energy, hospitality and retail, where managing and using large volumes of data is powers digital transformation.

LITHUANIA 08:08

Telia Lithuania invests EUR 7 mln to expand 5G and upgrade network in 2025

Telia Lithuania will invest EUR 7.1 million in expanding its mobile network this year. The investment will fund the construction of 50 new base stations, the modernisation of 300 existing sites and the upgrade of around 130 additional locations with new radio equipment. The company said it is also starting to deploy the 1,500 MHz spectrum acquired in the recent auction, increasing 5G network capacity to support continued growth in mobile data traffic.

POLAND 08:04

T-Mobile Poland offers discount at gas chain Mol

T-Mobile Poland has introduced a joint promotion with the fuel chain Mol to participants of its loyalty programme Magenta Moments. Discounts buying fuel in selected fuel stations of the chain will be available to customers until 28 July. at PLN 0.40 per litre when buying up to 100 litres. The promotion can be activated on the mobile application Magenta Moments.

ARMENIA 08:03

Ucom introduces uMix 5000 regional triple-play pack

Armenian operator Ucom offers the new uMix 5000 regional triple-play package, with broadband, more than 200 TV channels on the Uplay platform and fixed telephony service, without an annual commitment. The uMix 5000 regional package includes 100 Mbps broadband and 180 minutes of monthly calls.

RUSSIAN FEDERATION 08:02

MTS expands fixed network in Moscow region to 5.2 mln homes

Russian operator MTS covered 64,000 additional households with its fixed broadband network in the Moscow region in the first half of this year, reports Kp.ru. The coverage has reached 5.2 million households there. MTS offers broadband at up to 1 Gbps over its GPON network in the Moscow region.

RUSSIAN FEDERATION 08:01

Cloud.ru raises RUB 10 bln in bond issue for data centre build

Russian cloud and data centre services provider Cloud.ru has closed the order book on its RUB 10 billion bond emission. The annual interest rate is 14.2 percent, and the maturity is two years. Placement is planned for 03 July.

EGYPT 07:59

Egypt goes ahead with launch of specialist child protection SIMs

The Egyptian ICT ministry has launched two online child safety services, namely Etmaen (Rest Assured) and Etmaen Ala El Akher (Rest Fully Assured). Widely referred to as the Child Sim initiative, the services were finalised following the signing of licensing amendments with Egypt's mobile network operators. Minister Raafat Hendy said the scheme promotes safe and responsible internet usage while ensuring minors can safely access educational, social and developmental opportunities online.

NETHERLANDS 07:55

Glaspoort expands at business parks in 7 towns

Glaspoort announced it has started expanding its fibre network to business parks in Fryske Marren (Woudfennen) and Oostvoorne (De Pinnepot), connecting respectively 114 and 132 businesses. Another five towns have been announced by the Dutch operator for construction to start in the third quarter. 

Just In

08:57

Google declares Eastern Cape as location for digital hub and cable landing station

08:56

DStelecom's fibre network reaches 3,900 homes in Viana do Alentejo

08:54

CelcomDigi launches Future Pros Bootcamp to recruit esports talent for Selangor Red Giants

08:54

Telefonica Brasil merges Cyberco into TIS

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

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

1 JUN 00:13

The week in telecom: EU telcos push sovereign services as governments question foreign tech investors