Total CX and Bahrain Kuwait Insurance sign deal to boost customer experience
KUWAIT 12:06

Total CX and Bahrain Kuwait Insurance sign deal to boost customer experience

Beyon Group subsidiary Total CX has signed three agreements with Bahrain Kuwait Insurance Company (BKIC) that cover manpower outsourcing, tele-sales services, and AI services. Total CX will provide integrated support for workforce management, sales operations and AI-driven services. This allows BKIC to scale its customer service operations, boost sales performance, and drive efficiency in customer-facing functions while maintaining strict service standards.

TIM hikes cost of printed bills to EUR 6/mth
ITALY 12:03

TIM hikes cost of printed bills to EUR 6/mth

Telecom Italia (TIM) has announced on its website that further existing landline plans will be subject to a price increase of EUR 2.99 a month (including VAT) starting 01 October, while more customers still receiving printed bills will need to pay an additional EUR 5.99 a month for the privilege. The latter increase was attributed to economic needs as well as the requirement to reduce the environmental impact of services offered by TIM in a changed market context.

STC Pay Bahrain brings out STC Pay Business Solutions
BAHRAIN 11:53

STC Pay Bahrain brings out STC Pay Business Solutions

STC Pay Bahrain has launched the STC Pay Business Solutions corporate financial management range. It lets businesses manage spending, process payroll, facilitate transfers and accept payments. The platform maximises operational efficiency from day one with seamless digital onboarding, a single agreement process, and a unified dashboard for comprehensive financial oversight.

IDC records nearly 7% fall in Q2 smartphone shipments
GLOBAL 11:47

IDC records nearly 7% fall in Q2 smartphone shipments

IDC estimates that second quarter smartphone shipments fell 6.7 percent year-on-year to 277.5 million units. The nearly 7 percent decline is almost 3 pp greater than in Omdia's recent report, though both assessments reflect cost pressures caused by shortages of memory and storage chips. Samsung led the market with a 22.6 percent share in Q2, said IDC, up 3.1 pp year-on-year. Apple ranked second with 20.1 percent (+3.8 pp), followed by Xiaomi on 11.2 percent (-3pp), Oppo on 10.4 percent (-1.3 pp) and Vivo on

Titan OS adds NBCUniversal titles to European FAST portfolio
EUROPE 11:39

Titan OS adds NBCUniversal titles to European FAST portfolio

Barcelona-based Titan OS has reached an agreement with NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution to launch a portfolio of free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels across key European markets. The rollout covers the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Nordics and the Netherlands, with channels to be made available on Titan OS-powered devices from Philips, AOC, Sharp and JVC, as well as selected Sony Android TVs.

New York governor suspends 50 MW+ data centre construction to draw up 'green' rules
UNITED STATES 11:33

New York governor suspends 50 MW+ data centre construction to draw up 'green' rules

New York governor Kathy Hochul will sign an executive order on 14 July suspending the construction of large data centres for up to a year, says a Wall Street Journal report, citing her office. The moratorium will give the state time to create regulations for data centres that can help the environment and energy grid, the port says. The temporary ban applies to the construction of data centres with capacities of at least 50 MW and would not extend to hospitals, universities and other facilities with smaller

Belgian mobile service revenues fall in 2025 for first time in 5 years
BELGIUM 11:17

Belgian mobile service revenues fall in 2025 for first time in 5 years

Mobile service revenues declined in Belgium in 2025 for the first time since 2020, according to the latest statistical report from the market regulator Bipt. Mobile retail sales were down by nearly EUR 50 million to EUR 2.98 billion, impacted by the arrival of the fourth mobile network operator, Digi. 

GoFibre reduces operating loss, halves capex in 2025
UNITED KINGDOM 10:56

GoFibre reduces operating loss, halves capex in 2025

Scottish fibre altnet GoFibre Holdings reported revenue of GBP 5.0 million for the year ending 31 December 2025, more than double the GBP 2.0 million the previous year. Its operating loss reduced to GBP 12.4 million from GBP 14.1 million as network build activity reduced upon completion of its Project Gigabit contracts in Teesdale and Northumberland. Capital expenditure halved, to GBP 16.5 million from GBP 30.7 million in 2024, according to the accounts filed at Companies House. 

NCC runs consultation on cost-based infrastructure access pricing
NIGERIA 10:54

NCC runs consultation on cost-based infrastructure access pricing

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has held a stakeholder consultation concerning its study to develop a cost-based pricing methodology for telecom infrastructure access, The Punch reported. The framework will offer a predictable pricing structure, benefiting mobile network operators, internet service providers (ISPs) and fibre infrastructure companies alike. The NCC aims to foster investor confidence, expand broadband connectivity and accelerate digital modernisation.

JT Group names Chief Commercial Officer
JERSEY 10:47

JT Group names Chief Commercial Officer

JT Group announced the appointment of Clive Goodwin as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). He is expected to help accelerate international growth, strengthen the operator's commercial propositions across the Channel Islands, and build on its recent investment in Manx Telecom. Goodwin previously held senior executive roles at Vodafone and BT and was most recently a senior VP at Vodafone working on commercial strategy and operations across a diverse international portfolio.

Malawi watchdog seeks public views on TNM's bid to acquire Open Connect assets
MALAWI 10:44

Malawi watchdog seeks public views on TNM's bid to acquire Open Connect assets

The Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) is seeking public input on a proposal by telecom operator TNM to acquire assets from sister company Open Connect (OCL). CFTC executive director Lloyds Vincent Kaunda said it is inviting feedback in accordance with the Competition and Fair Trading Act. OCL operates Malawi's premier national fibre-optic network, providing wholesale fibre capacity to mobile network operators, ISPs, broadcasters and enterprise customers.

China smartphone shipments decline for fifth consecutive quarter in Q2
CHINA 10:41

China smartphone shipments decline for fifth consecutive quarter in Q2

China's smartphone shipments reached 66 million units in the second quarter of 2026, which represents a decline of 4.3 percent year-on-year and the fifth straight quarter of decline, according to a report from IDC. The study found that rising memory and component costs pushed most Android vendors to increase prices, which cooled upgrade demand. Huawei and Apple were the exceptions, growing close to 20 percent and 25 percent, respectively.

EUROPE 10:40

EU sanctions VK for developing messenger app Max

The European Union sanctioned Russian internet company VK over its role in developing the Kremlin-backed messaging app Max, which critics say was created for mass surveillance and censorship. The restrictions on VK and its subsidiary, Communication Platform LLC, are part of the latest round of EU sanctions against Russia, this time targeting individuals and entities accused of serious human rights violations in Russia, including the repression of civil society and democratic opposition, and for undermining

EUROPE 10:35

Genexis names Vantage EMEA COO as new board chairman

Genexis has appointed Michael Fraenkle, EMEA chief operating officer at Vantage Data Centers, as board chairman to assist with the next phase in its international growth strategy. Federico Ciccone and Jerry Garrett have accepted director appointments.

GLOBAL 10:34

STMicroelectronics expands deal with FocalPoint to commercialise automotive-grade GNSS

GNSS software specialist FocalPoint has agreed an expanded partnership with STMicroelectronics (ST) to advance their automotive positioning integration into a wider commercial offering. This agreement catalyses FocalPoint's existing co-operation with the silicon components vendor that commenced in May 2025.

ARMENIA 10:32

EU launches security support mission in Armenia

The European Council has launched the EU Partnership Mission in Armenia (EUPM Armenia) under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The aim of this advisory civilian mission is to support the Armenian authorities in enhancing the country's resilience against hybrid threats and ability to address evolving security challenges. The mission will support Armenia's capacity to address cyber threats, foreign information manipulation and interference, and illicit financial flows.

EUROPE 10:12

Spain consults on EU mobile satellite spectrum plans

Spain's Ministry for Digital Transformation has opened a public consultation on the European Commission's proposal to harmonise and assign the 2 GHz for satellite direct-to-device services by mid-2027. The Spanish government previously stated that it strongly supported the EC's proposal to reserve part of the spectrum for European companies.

DENMARK 10:07

3 Denmark deploys new 5G mast on southern Zealand

Mobile operator 3 Denmark said it has installed a new 5G mast location in Naestved in the southern part of the island of Zealand. The site is in Mogenstrup, about 9 km southeast of Naestved itself and home to 2,011 people. It will benefit residents and visitors to Mogenstrup and the South Zealand Golf Club, as well as local businesses.

ICELAND 09:54

Nova lifts FY revenue and EBITDA forecasts after Ofar acquisition

Icelandic operator Nova has updated its guidance for the 2026 financial year following its June acquisition of corporate equipment and services provider Ofar. It now forecasts FY revenue in the range of ISK 19.00 billion to ISK 19.40 billion, representing a rise of 44 percent to 47 percent from FY 2025, compared with Nova's previous revenue outlook of ISK 13.00 billion to ISK 14.00 billion. The updated guidance for EBITDA is ISK 3.60 billion to ISK 3.80 billion, representing annual growth between 16 percent

VENEZUELA 09:50

Satellites quickly restore connectivity after Venezuela quake - Ookla

The two powerful earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela on 24 June triggered one of the country's most severe communications disruptions on record and prompted a rapid shift to satellite-based connectivity, according to an analysis by Ookla. In the coastal state of La Guaira, mobile network activity fell to about 10 percent of pre-quake levels within a day, as infrastructure damage including collapsed towers, severed fibre and a broken subsea cable crippled terrestrial services.

BURKINA FASO 09:28

Burkina Faso aims to connect 1,000 'white zones' in 2026

The government of Burkina Faso aims to bring mobile and internet access to 1,000 underserved communities by the end of 2026,TechnewsAfrica reported. The scheme is led by the Burkina Faso Digital Transformation Acceleration Project (PactDigital), acting as the primary engine behind the government's nationwide 'Zero White Zones' initiative. Nearly 2,000 localities, representing 10 percent to 12 percent of the country's territory, still lack mobile phone and internet coverage.

GLOBAL 09:19

Comba to launch upgraded private 5G and FRMCS radio units

Comba Telecom Systems is preparing for the market release of its latest compact radios built for private 5G networks. The Singaporean vendor has commenced sampling of "micro" 5G SA radio units operating in the upper n77 and n101 spectrum bands, serving business locations with space constraints. The n101 variant supports 5G-based FRMCS communications in the rail sector.

GLOBAL 09:18

Orange implements internal reorganisation with 700-strong unified cloud team

Michael Trabbia, CEO of Orange Wholesale, has shared details of a recent internal reorganisation in an online post. Dubbed Unified Cloud Platform, the project supports the strategic objectives of the Orange group with the creation of a new technical division dedicated to private cloud activities. This has been achieved by bringing together 700 cloud specialists under a single team, combining expertise from the group's Orange Wholesale, Orange Business and Orange Innovation divisions.

CHILE 09:12

Entel partners with Cirion to expand data centre capacity in Chile and Peru

Chilean operator Entel has signed an agreement with Latin American digital infrastructure provider Cirion Technologies to deploy its full portfolio of digital services at the latter's new SAN2 data centre in Santiago. Under the deal, Entel will install its technology stack at the SAN2 facility in Quilicura, designed to handle high-demand workloads such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence.

Just In

12:06

Total CX and Bahrain Kuwait Insurance sign deal to boost customer experience

12:03

TIM hikes cost of printed bills to EUR 6/mth

11:53

STC Pay Bahrain brings out STC Pay Business Solutions

11:47

IDC records nearly 7% fall in Q2 smartphone shipments

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

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

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