Lebara NL celebrates 700,000 postpaid subscribers for 25th anniversary
NETHERLANDS 08:51

Lebara NL celebrates 700,000 postpaid subscribers for 25th anniversary

Lebara Netherlands announced the milestone of 700,000 postpaid subscribers. In a post on LinkedIn the company congratulated customers and staff, and said the progress was marked at a 25th anniversary celebration with its entire team. 

US invests USD 155 mln in WIOCC alongside Vision Invest and Africa Finance Corporation
AFRICA 08:44

US invests USD 155 mln in WIOCC alongside Vision Invest and Africa Finance Corporation

The US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has announced an equity investment of up to USD 155 million in WIOCC Group to expand connectivity across Africa. It will be provided by DFC in partnership with Vision Invest and the Africa Finance Corporation. The investment will help WIOCC to expand its platform by upgrading subsea and terrestrial networks, adding nearly 25 MW of data centre capacity, and scaling its fibre subscriber base 100-fold by 2031. These initiatives should widen broadband a

Talpa reorganises with new divisions and branding
NETHERLANDS 08:33

Talpa reorganises with new divisions and branding

Dutch media group Talpa announced a reorganisation, bringing together its broadcast business Talpa Network with production unit Talpa Studios under a single brand with a new internally developed house style. At the same time Talpa Network will be divided into three business units: Talpa Video, Talpa Audio and Talpa Media. Talpa Studios will continue to operate as an international, independent producer within the group. Expertise in areas such as AI, innovation, data and technology will be combined at group

TV makers expand deal to cut US-Canada power use and bills
CANADA 08:27

TV makers expand deal to cut US-Canada power use and bills

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) announced that major television manufacturers, operating system vendors and energy-efficiency groups have expanded a voluntary agreement to cut electricity use and household bills across the US and Canada. The programme is expected to save consumers around USD 1.8 billion a year once fully implemented.

Asus wins Covered List exemption for consumer router line-up
UNITED STATES 08:25

Asus wins Covered List exemption for consumer router line-up

Asus has won a conditional approval from the US FCC to import its entire consumer router portfolio for domestic sale. The approval means Asus is exempt from the Covered List prohibition introduced for all consumer routers manufactured abroad. The Taiwanese vendor claims the decision will support its commercialisation of next-generation wireless routers powered by the Wi-Fi 8 standard, while providing assurances to retail around stock and long-term software updates.

Zain Jordan opens contact centre in Karak under youth employment scheme
JORDAN 08:21

Zain Jordan opens contact centre in Karak under youth employment scheme

Zain Jordan and the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation have launched a customer service contact centre in Karak Governorate, creating fifteen sustainable youth jobs. The ministry said the opening is part of the Economic Modernisation Vision to strengthen public-private partnerships and expand youth opportunities in different governorates. Between 2018 and 2023, the ministry helped fund and establish eight contact centres in partnership with Zain, and with the addition of the Karak site, the

Amazon progresses Maryland PFE hub for Fastnet US-Ireland link
UNITED STATES 08:08

Amazon progresses Maryland PFE hub for Fastnet US-Ireland link

Amazon has unveiled plans for a Power Feed Equipment hub (PFE) in Maryland to bring electricity to the Fastnet subsea cable linking the US and Ireland. The PFE site would be situated at Maryland's Ocean City Municipal Airport in Worcester County. As the area is already in a planning zone, Amazon will need to ask county authorities to update its permitting code to allow a PFE building and overseas telecoms cables. The Fastsea cable is due to launch in 2028, linking Maryland and County Cork, Ireland at a desi

Melita to acquire Epic in proposed Malta mobile consolidation
MALTA 08:05

Melita to acquire Epic in proposed Malta mobile consolidation

Melita and Epic Communications have agreed to combine their operations in Malta. Under the proposed transaction, Melita will acquire 100 percent of Epic from its parent company Monaco Telecom. If approved by regulators, the deal would leave the country with just two mobile network operators rather than three. No financial details were disclosed.

Samsung begins One UI 9.0 rollout with Galaxy S26 series
GLOBAL 08:04

Samsung begins One UI 9.0 rollout with Galaxy S26 series

Samsung has officially announced the launch of its One UI 9.0 software interface across Galaxy smartphones, starting with a stable update for the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy S26 Ultra. More eligible devices will receive the update in the coming weeks, including the Galaxy A25, A35, A36, A37, A55, A56, A57, S23, S24, S25, Z Flip 6, Z Flip 7, Z Fold 6 and Z Fold 7.

3 UK confirms pricing for new iPhone 18 models
UNITED KINGDOM 07:58

3 UK confirms pricing for new iPhone 18 models

3 UK has confirmed pricing for the new iPhone 18 and Apple Watch devices. Customers can get the new iPhone 18 Pro range from GBP 51.88 per month with 30GB data on a 36-month device plan (GBP 34.88) and 24-month Lite airtime plan (GBP 17). The Apple Watch Series 12 (42mm) is available from GBP 13.50 per month over 36 months; with the new AirPods 5 starting at GBP 119. Customers can save up to GBP 855 on a new iPhone 18 model when trading in an iPhone 17 Pro Max 2TB. 

Kenya govt appeals against court decision reversing Safaricom share sale to Vodacom Group
KENYA 07:56

Kenya govt appeals against court decision reversing Safaricom share sale to Vodacom Group

The Kenyan government filed a notice of appeal on 16 September against a High Court ruling that canceled the sale of a 15 percent stake in Safaricom to Vodacom. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has expressed confidence that the transaction was lawful and included proper public participation. He said the National Treasury will pursue the appeal vigorously to overturn the decision.

BT says over 95% of customers have migrated to digital landlines
UNITED KINGDOM 07:52

BT says over 95% of customers have migrated to digital landlines

BT is expanding a trial to encourage customers who have not responded to communications about the PSTN service withdrawal to get in touch and take action. A recent trial saw BT temporarily pause broadband service for a small group of customers who failed to respond to multiple letters, e-mails, calls and texts over the last two years. This was done safely by keeping their landline services running. 

GERMANY 07:48

Deutsche Telekom instals masts using LTE 1500 MHz frequencies at Oktoberfest for first time

Deutsche Telekom said it has installed mobile telecom masts providing LTE 1500 MHz bands at the festival site of the upcoming Oktoberfest this year, the first time it has deployed these frequencies there. They are used primarily for downloads, enabling higher data speeds and increased capacity for a large number of users. This year, Telekom has installed fourteen temporary mobile sites at the Oktoberfest venue to provide LTE connections in the 1800, 2100 and 2600 MHz frequency bands, as well as 5G in the 21

SPAIN 07:44

Vodafone Spain lands 3-year Amazon mobile connectivity deal

Vodafone Spain (Zegona) has secured a three-year deal to manage Amazon's mobile connectivity across the country, according to sources cited by business daily Cinco Dias. The contract, previously held by Telefonica, encompasses the rollout and support of more than 4,000 corporate mobile lines nationwide. Vodafone already supplies fixed-line services to Amazon's Spanish headquarters, logistics hubs and warehouses.

CANADA 07:43

Canada, Germany invest in safe-by-design AI company LawZero

The Canadian and German governments plans to invest CAD 150 million and EUR 100 million respectively in Montreal-based LawZero, non-profit developing a new form of advanced AI that is safe, trustworthy and transparent by design. Canada's funding will be made through the Strategic Response Fund and be used to support research and engineering workers and computing capacity for the LawZero's 'Scientist AI' methodology. 

JAPAN 07:43

SoftBank, partners demo ground-based real-time tracking, laser ranging of HAPS operating in stratosphere

SoftBank, Hitotsubashi University and the National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR) have demonstrated ground-based real-time tracking and laser ranging of a High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) operating in the stratosphere. For the demonstration, NIPR developed a corner cube reflector (CCR) for installation on a HAPS, while SoftBank developed a reflector assembly incorporating the CCR. The reflector was installed on an LTA (Lighter Than Air)-type HAPS operated by Sceye.

SOUTH AFRICA 07:38

South African competition tribunal clears AIIM-backed acquisition of Vantage's JNB11 data centre

The Competition Tribunal has approved a merger allowing Main Street 2156, managed by African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), to take sole control of the JNB11 data centre by acquiring all the shares in VDC JNB11 Opco and Propco from Vantage Data Centres South Africa. AIIM is a subsidiary of Old Mutual Alternative Investments with a portfolio of South African telecom assets including 100 percent of Octotel and a 37 percent stake in MetroFibre, making it MetroFibre's single biggest shareholder.

FRANCE 07:30

Syma Mobile fined over EUR 1 mln for violating telemarketing rules

French MVNO Syma Mobile, part of the SFR group, has been fined EUR 1.1 million by the consumer protection directorate in Paris for violating telemarketing rules in the consumer code. The DDPP said Syma contacted people who had opted out of receiving sales calls, failed to file the required reports for compliance with the 'Bloctel' list, and exceeded the cap on calls to customers, with more than four contacts in a 30-day period. 

JAPAN 07:25

Rakuten intros AI agent for music recommendations and search on Rakuten Music mobile app

Rakuten Group has launched an AI agent called 'Rakuten AI for Music' on the mobile app of its subscription-based music streaming service dubbed 'Rakuten Music'. The tool is designed to allow users to search for artists, songs, albums and playlists through conversations with an AI assistant.

ITALY 07:22

MFE revenue down 6% in H1, swings to pro-forma profit

Italian broadcaster MediaForEurope (MFE) reported net revenues of EUR 2.95 billion in the first half of 2026, down 6 percent year on year on a pro-forma basis following the full consolidation of German broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1. It also acquired around 33 percent of Portugal's Impresa in March. Adjusted operating profit (EBIT) improved significantly to EUR 145.7 million on that basis, compared to a loss of EUR 7.3 million a year earlier, while net profit came in at EUR 50.5 million compared with EUR 6.9 mi

HONG KONG 07:15

PCCW, HKT sell 9% stake in Regional Link Telecom for USD 209 million

PCCW and HKT completed the sale of a further 9 percent interest in Regional Link Telecom Services, together with a related receivable, for USD 209.45 million. Regional Link Telecom owns Fiber Link Global, which operates the passive copper and fibre network business in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. Following the transaction, Regional Link Telecom remains an indirect subsidiary of HKT and PCCW.

UNITED STATES 07:07

Apple, Samsung, Google accused of audio patent violations in ITC investigation

Apple, Samsung Electronics and Google have been accused of infringing patents for audio technology held by the US company BoomCloud 360. The US International Trade Commission (USITC) said it's started an investigation after the California-based company filed a complaint in August. The company wants the USITC to impose an import ban and issue cease and desist orders for the infringing products, including mobile phones, tablets and other products with audio speakers from the three companies. 

GLOBAL 06:57

Comviva picks former G+D ePayments director to lead on fintech products

Comviva has named Sanjiv Patankar to product head of fintech. Patankar's responsibilities will span digital wallets and payments, payment orchestration, embedded finance, and tokenisation products. He joins Comviva from Giesecke+Devrient's ePayments subsidiary, where he spent eight years as senior director of a global product portfolio. Comviva expects key areas of his remit to include innovating products and new features, as well as accelerating its expansion in developed markets along with strategic partn

SINGAPORE 06:57

Meta expands Data Centre Community Action Grants programme to Singapore

Meta has announced that its Data Centre Community Action Grants programme is expanding to Singapore for the first time. Applications for the 2027 grant cycle are open to eligible local organisations.

Just In

08:51

Lebara NL celebrates 700,000 postpaid subscribers for 25th anniversary

08:44

US invests USD 155 mln in WIOCC alongside Vision Invest and Africa Finance Corporation

08:33

Talpa reorganises with new divisions and branding

08:27

TV makers expand deal to cut US-Canada power use and bills

Commentary

8 SEP 10:16

Odido matches KPN and VodafoneZiggo on cash flow margin, but growth remains limited

11 AUG 10:49

Can Ziggo Group creation improve visibility for the Dutch market?

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?

Background

14 SEP 00:34

The week in telecom: iPhone comes to foldable market, European satellite summit underlines sovereign push

7 SEP 11:54

Citymesh capital injection eases doubts over Digi Belgium future

6 SEP 21:46

The week in telecom: smart wearables at Ifa, Deutsche Telekom reshuffle and Vodafone tries premium 5G

30 AUG 23:50

The week in telecom: Meta pays up, SKT and MTN monetise data centres, and mobile network-sharing in demand