Telecom Egypt scraps data centre sale to Helios Investments
EGYPT 14:13

Telecom Egypt scraps data centre sale to Helios Investments

Telecom Egypt announced that it will not proceed with the sale of a majority stake in its data centre subsidiary to Helios Investments, citing unmet conditions in the proposed transaction. The decision cancels the preliminary deal outlined in the company's September 2025 disclosure, which proposed the sale of a 75-80 percent stake in a subsidiary owning the Regional Data Centre Hub (RDH).

Vodacom and Wits University run Emerging Leaders Programme
SOUTH AFRICA 14:00

Vodacom and Wits University run Emerging Leaders Programme

Vodacom Group has partnered with the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) to launch the 2026 Emerging Leaders Programme (ELP). The intensive, three-month curriculum is delivered by the Development and Leadership Unit (DLU) within the Wits Division of Student Affairs. Unlike traditional models that defer corporate exposure until graduation, this partnership engages high-potential students mid-degree.

Nigeria discontinues annual fee for TV viewers after DSO
NIGERIA 13:50

Nigeria discontinues annual fee for TV viewers after DSO

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has scrapped the annual digital access fee for the digital switchover (DSO) project, NAN reported. NBC director-general Charles Ebuebu said viewers will only need to purchase an approved decoder and satellite dish, priced below NGN 20,000, to enjoy free television permanently, eliminating the need for recurring payments. Previously, audiences had to pay an annual digital access fee of approximately NGN 1,500, which was classified as an administrative charge.

Google given a year to open up Android to other AI assistants in Europe
EUROPE 13:47

Google given a year to open up Android to other AI assistants in Europe

Google has a year to make changes to the Android OS so other AI software providers have the same access to the mobile system as its own Gemini assistant. The European Commission set a deadline of July 2027 for Google to make the legally binding changes available to Android users. A shorter deadline, of January 2027, was set for sharing some of Google's search engine data with rivals in order to improve competition. 

Ericsson secures role in UK framework for defence-grade ICT procurement
UNITED KINGDOM 13:39

Ericsson secures role in UK framework for defence-grade ICT procurement

Ericsson announced that it has been selected as a supplier under the UK's Tactical Communications Systems framework for public sector procurement of defence-grade ICT technology. As a result, the Swedish vendor will be permitted to supply 3GPP-compliant network equipment (Lot 3) and tactical communications and IT services (Lot 1).

NCC opens public consultation on draft MVNO guidelines
NIGERIA 13:30

NCC opens public consultation on draft MVNO guidelines

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) convened a consultative forum on 16 July to review the draft business rules for Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs). It brought together telecom operators, industry associations and other key players to provide feedback on the proposed regulatory framework before it is finalised. The aim is to deepen market competition, expand access to telecom services and drive digital inclusion in Nigeria.

LiveOak Fiber adds Stading, Clark to board
UNITED STATES 13:27

LiveOak Fiber adds Stading, Clark to board

US FTTH provider LiveOak Fiber announced the appointment of industry veterans Brian Stading and Richard Clark to its board. At the same time, founding member Jan Geldmacher stepped down to pursue another leadership role but will remain involved as a shareholder and advisor.

O2 Czechia promotes COO to CEO
CZECH REPUBLIC 13:27

O2 Czechia promotes COO to CEO

O2 Czech Republic has appointed Richard Siebenstich the CEO of the company from 01 September. Siebenstich will replace Jindrich Fremuth, who is moving to the position of Chief AI Transformation Officer at PPF, the owner of O2 Czech Republic. He will continue as the chairman of the management board at O2. Siebenstich is CCO at O2 since 2018 and has worked at the group since 2012.

Viva Armenia launches 5G services in Yerevan and 6 regions
ARMENIA 13:24

Viva Armenia launches 5G services in Yerevan and 6 regions

Viva Armenia said that it has launched its 5G+ services in the city of Yerevan and in six regions - Lori, Tavush, Shirak, Gegharkunik, Kotayk and Aragatsotn. The operator plans to expand the coverage to all cities and towns across the country by the end of this year. Villages will be covered later. Equipment from Nokia was used in Yerevan, and products from Ericsson were deployed in the regions.

Saudi CST runs public education campaign about radio spectrum
SAUDI ARABIA 13:18

Saudi CST runs public education campaign about radio spectrum

Saudi Arabia' Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) has launched the 'Spectrum Surrounds Us' awareness campaign. It introduces the concept of radio spectrum and highlights its status as a vital, limited natural resource. By forming the foundation of modern communications, spectrum drives the digital economy and enables technologies inkey global sectors.

Ntel returns to market with 'Next Frontier' strategy
NIGERIA 13:12

Ntel returns to market with 'Next Frontier' strategy

Nigerian telecom operator Ntel, which emerged from the acquisition of defunct state monopoly Nitel,is returning to the market with a new strategy called 'The Next Frontier', The Guardian reported. It aims to accelerate growth in digital connectivity, telecoms infrastructure and real estate development. The strategy is based on the company's BET Agenda, standing for Beam, Eden and Titan.

Glaspoort and Delta offered joint venture to win ACM approval for fibre sale
NETHERLANDS 13:12

Glaspoort and Delta offered joint venture to win ACM approval for fibre sale

KPN, Glaspoort and Delta Fiber were prepared to set up a new joint venture in order to secure regulatory clearance for the transfer of around 200,000 Delta lines to Glaspoort, a decision published by the competition regulator ACM shows. The joint venture was offered as a remedy in January, after previous proposals were rejected by the regulator. Nevertheless, the ACM blocked the deal in June this year, saying it would concentrate KPN's dominant position too much. 

AUSTRIA 13:00

A1 signs wholesale fibre-optic agreement with Illwerke vkw in Vorarlberg

Austrian operator A1 has signed a wholesale agreement with fibre-optic network provider Illwerke vkw. With immediate effect, A1 will market its services on Illwerke vkw's fibre network in the state of Vorarlberg. The services are already up and running in the municipality of Schwarzenberg (Bregenzerwald) and will become available in 22 other municipalities in the state. Under the agreement, A1 will also offer Xplore TV, featuring a wide selection of channels, replay functions and  recording options.

GLOBAL 12:47

Swissto12 closes EUR 61 mln Series C round to scale up satellite manufacturing

Swissto12, a manufacturer of advanced radio frequency products, satellite payloads and systems, has closed a EUR 61 million Series C round. It will use the proceeds to scale up manufacturing and integration capacity to meet demand from businesses and governments for HummingLink, a satellite communications terminal for GEO connectivity products, and HummingSat, Swissto12's GEO satellite product line. So far, the company has secured seven contracts for its HummingSat geostationary (GEO) small satellite with s

UNITED KINGDOM 12:45

UK alternative operators grow to over 11% of home broadband market

Alternative operators have accumulated over one in ten home broadband connections in the UK, research by Opensignal claims. It estimates they had a 11.4 percent share of the market in Q2 2026, after adding 4.4 percent points of share in 18 months. This excludes connections from the incumbent ISPs BT (including EE and Plusnet), Sky, TalkTalk, Vodafone and Virgin Media.

GLOBAL 12:43

Viasat and BMW trial NTN voice call in vehicle infotainment system

Viasat said it has successfully completed a first voice call demonstration powered by its satellite-to-automotive technology in a vehicle infotainment platform supplied by 5G Automotive Association (5GAA) partner BMW Group. The trial was supported by Viasat's engineering team in Munich, Germany. An AI voice codec for the call was supplied by 5GAA academic research affiliate Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits (IIS), while Qualcomm provided its second-generation Snapdragon Auto 5G Modem-RF silicon p

ITALY 12:34

Ielo announces first PoP in Italy, joins local Internet Exchange Point

French infrastructure operator Ielo has announced that its clients can now take advantage of more direct routes to Italy following the launch of its first point of presence (PoP) in this market. Located in Milan, the PoP relies on activated capacity links between Italy's second-largest metropolitan area and the French cities of Lyon and Nice. As part of this expansion of remote peering services, Ielo has become a peering partner of Mix, an Internet Exchange Point (IXP) headquartered at the Caldera campus in

UNITED STATES 12:33

US NTIA opens bidding for fourth, AI-themed Innovation Fund opportunity

The US National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has allocated a further USD 53 million for cellular RAN development projects under the federal Wireless Innovation Fund. The fourth notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is the first to be issued since the NTIA said it was exploring a revised mandate for the Innovation Fund to back US development of AI-RAN technology and other AI-native network architectures. The deadline for this AI-focused funding call will lapse on 09 September, with

NIGER 12:28

Arcep gives Niger's mobile operators one month to fix network issues

Niger watchdog the Authority for the Regulation of Electronic Communications and Postal Services (ARCEP), has issued formal warnings to Zamani, Airtel, Moov Africa and Celtel for failing to meet service quality standards in the capital, Niamey, Ecofin reported. They have been given a one-month ultimatum to address the network shortcomings or face regulatory sanctions. Arcep announced the enforcement action in  government newspaper Le Sahel on 13 July.

ITALY 12:22

Watchdog clears Poste Italiane to begin TIM takeover bid

State-backed Poste Italiane confirmed that market watchdog Consob approved the offer document related to its voluntary public takeover bid of Telecom Italia (TIM). The regulator's green light means the offer acceptance period will run from 20 July to 11 September and will concern all ordinary TIM shares trading on Euronext Milan except those already held by Poste.

UNITED KINGDOM 12:21

Claranet starts private equity vertical to target mid-market companies

Claranet UK is launching a dedicated service for private equity-backed companies. With the Claranet Portfolio Operator programme, the operator said it can deliver the cloud, cyber and managed connectivity services needed by mid-market companies with private equity backing. It's advantage is delivering according to a technology plan, meeting the economics and timelines demanded for portfolio investments with agility and speed.

AFRICA 12:17

NigComSat holds meeting with African Union of Broadcasting

Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat) managing director and CEO Jane Egerton-Idehen and her executive management have held a meeting with African Union of Broadcasting (AUB) director-general and CEO Gregoire Ndjaka. The visit provided an opportunity to showcase NigComSat's satellite infrastructure, technical expertise and products. The delegation presented achievements such as the successful launch of the Digital Switch Over (DSO), which is expanding access to high-quality digital television

UNITED KINGDOM 12:11

BT deploys 5G network slice at Royal Welsh Show

BT announced a deployment of 5G+ network slicing for the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society at the annual Royal Welsh Show to help power connected services at the agricultural fair. The dedicated 5G slice is used to help process payments and enable livestreaming, among other services, during the busy event. The protected slice of the mobile network ensures performance isn't impacted if the public network is congested.

KENYA 12:03

Communications Authority of Kenya delivers computers to school

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has donated computers to St. Benedict Lugulu Secondary School in Western Kenya as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme to improve digital education. The scheme provides pupils with the essential technology and skills needed to participate in the country's growing digital economy. The donation aligns with national digital literacy goals.

Just In

14:13

Telecom Egypt scraps data centre sale to Helios Investments

14:00

Vodacom and Wits University run Emerging Leaders Programme

13:50

Nigeria discontinues annual fee for TV viewers after DSO

13:47

Google given a year to open up Android to other AI assistants in Europe

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