Rakuten Symphony to deploy maritime cybersecurity platform with Hanwha Ocean
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 06:34

Rakuten Symphony to deploy maritime cybersecurity platform with Hanwha Ocean

Rakuten Symphony has signed a commercial agreement with South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean to deploy its Rakuten Maritime vessel cybersecurity platform across the shipbuilder's vessel design, construction and operational processes. The agreement marks the first commercial deployment of the Rakuten Maritime platform, which was launched in December 2024. Rakuten Symphony said the implementation will integrate cybersecurity measures throughout the vessel lifecycle rather than applying them after constructio

Apple confirms Broadcom supply deal worth over USD 30 billion
GLOBAL 06:30

Apple confirms Broadcom supply deal worth over USD 30 billion

Apple announced it expects to spend over USD 30 billion on chips from Broadcom in the coming years to support a range of its products. The company confirmed a new multiyear commitment with Broadcom to design and produce custom silicon and wireless components, saying this is part of its efforts to support US-based suppliers. 

NTT Docomo to launch Docomo Bank consumer banking brand
JAPAN 06:25

NTT Docomo to launch Docomo Bank consumer banking brand

NTT Docomo will launch a new consumer banking brand, Docomo Bank, on 3 August following the planned renaming of SBI Sumishin Net Bank to Docomo SMTB Net Bank. The new branding coincides with the planned corporate name change, which remains subject to regulatory approval, and follows NTT Docomo's acquisition of the online bank. The consumer banking business will be rebranded as Docomo Bank, while the existing NEOBANK brand will continue to be used for banking-as-a-service (BaaS) partnerships and corporate ba

NTT Data launches digital employee experience service using Nexthink platform
JAPAN 06:00

NTT Data launches digital employee experience service using Nexthink platform

NTT Data has launched a managed service using Swiss-based Nexthink's Digital Employee Experience (DEX) platform, following internal deployments that the company said reduced IT support response times by up to 30 percent. Available from July 2026, the service combines Nexthink's DEX technology with consulting, deployment, operational support, optimisation, training and workshops. NTT Data said it is designed to help organisations improve employees' IT experience while moving from reactive to preventative IT

Korea expands AI dubbing for K-FAST channels
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:58

Korea expands AI dubbing for K-FAST channels

South Korea's ministry of science and ICT (MSIT) is expanding its AI-powered dubbing programme for FAST (free ad-supported streaming television) services after government-backed K-content channels attracted a cumulative audience of 100 million viewers across 22 countries in their first five months of operation. The ministry said it would fund four additional AI-localised FAST channels covering genres including vertical drama, K-beauty and K-dance, while expanding the Global K-FAST Alliance from 22 to 82 par

NTT Data to deploy AI loan document service at Aichi Bank
JAPAN 05:55

NTT Data to deploy AI loan document service at Aichi Bank

NTT Data will begin providing its AI-based loan approval document generation service to Aichi Bank from 27 July, marking the second bank to adopt the service and the third commercial deployment of its AI platform supporting corporate lending and credit assessment processes at regional financial institutions. The service is based on NTT Data's retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) platform, Litron Generative Assistant on finposs, which uses generative AI to collect and analyse customer and financial data from

SK Telecom and SoftBank to develop AI social value measurement framework
JAPAN 05:53

SK Telecom and SoftBank to develop AI social value measurement framework

SK Telecom (SKT) has signed an MoU with SoftBank and the Social Value Institute to jointly develop a methodology for measuring the social value created by AI and information and communications technology. The companies said the initiative is intended to establish a standard framework for objectively assessing the social impact of AI and ICT products and services, as AI is increasingly used in areas including public services, digital inclusion and social safety.

Telstra says secondary fault disrupted some emergency calls after outage
AUSTRALIA 05:51

Telstra says secondary fault disrupted some emergency calls after outage

A software defect in Telstra's network timing systems caused the 8 July nationwide outage that disrupted mobile voice and data services, payment terminals and transport networks, but the carrier has now confirmed a secondary fault affected some triple zero emergency calls after the main network issue had been resolved. Chief financial officer Michael Ackland said the original outage, first identified at about 4.30am AEST, was traced to multiple network nodes responsible for synchronising time across Telstra

JCB, Resona and Odawara to develop UWB-based hands-free payments for buses
JAPAN 05:48

JCB, Resona and Odawara to develop UWB-based hands-free payments for buses

Japan's JCB, Resona Holdings and Odawara Auto-Machine have signed an MoU to jointly develop and implement Ultra-Wideband (UWB) wireless payment technology for public bus services in Japan. The agreement expands on a basic agreement signed by JCB and Resona in March 2026 to commercialise UWB payments. Odawara, a manufacturer of fare collection equipment for public transport operators, has joined the collaboration to support deployment in the public transport sector.

KDDI to launch Sharp Aquos R11 through au Flex Style
JAPAN 05:47

KDDI to launch Sharp Aquos R11 through au Flex Style

KDDI and Okinawa Cellular will launch Sharp's flagship Aquos R11 smartphone through their au Flex Style SIM-free brand on 10 July, becoming the third major Japanese operator to offer the device after NTT Docomo and SoftBank announced their launches in June. The Aquos R11 features a Leica-supervised camera system with Sharp's new AI-powered Smart Fit Zoom function, which automatically adjusts zoom levels and framing based on the subject. 

Blue Owl launches Kirkwood Infrastructure Group for US fibre projects
UNITED STATES 05:46

Blue Owl launches Kirkwood Infrastructure Group for US fibre projects

Funds managed by Blue Owl Capital have launched Kirkwood Infrastructure Group (Kirkwood IG), a wholly owned developer and operator of communications infrastructure focused on supporting hyperscale customers, data centre operators, communications carriers and local communities across the United States. The company will develop, own and operate conduit, high-count fibre optic cable and related communications infrastructure to support connectivity requirements associated with data centres, cloud services and o

KT opens applications for 10th AI and digital skills training programme
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:43

KT opens applications for 10th AI and digital skills training programme

Korea Telecom (KT) has opened applications for the 10th intake of its AIVLE School digital skills programme, with applications running until 10 August. The programme, which is operated with South Korea's ministry of employment and labour, provides practical training in artificial intelligence and cloud technologies. Since its launch in 2021, around 3,500 participants have completed the programme.

NEW ZEALAND 05:42

InternetNZ launches contestable grants for internet research projects

InternetNZ has launched a new contestable grant programme to fund community-driven research into existing and emerging internet-related issues in New Zealand. The organisation said it is seeking proposals from cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary teams, community-based researchers and partnerships that examine issues affecting both the technical internet community and internet users. InternetNZ said the initiative responds to what it sees as a shift in research funding towards commercially focused techn

UNITED KINGDOM 05:40

Wavenet and BDO partner on cyber assurance and certification services

UK managed services and security provider Wavenet has announced a strategic partnership with BDO to provide an integrated approach to cybersecurity assurance, compliance and certification for organisations. The partnership combines Wavenet's cybersecurity, readiness and technical remediation services with BDO's audit, assurance and certification capabilities. According to the companies, the arrangement is intended to provide a coordinated framework covering the full security and compliance lifecycle.

JAPAN 05:38

NTT West launches EV car-sharing trial using government vehicles

NTT West has launched a three-year electric vehicle (EV) car-sharing trial in Shiga Prefecture in partnership with the prefectural government and Rexev, using government-owned vehicles for public use outside official working hours. The trial will run until early March 2029. It will use a Nissan Leaf based at the Shiga Prefectural Government offices in Otsu. During weekdays, the vehicle will be used by prefectural employees for official business, while on weekends and public holidays it will be available to

AUSTRALIA 05:37

McDonald's adds Binge subscriptions to MyMacca's Rewards programme

McDonald's Australia and Foxtel's streaming platform Binge have announced a long-term partnership that allows members of the MyMacca's Rewards programme to redeem loyalty points for a Binge subscription. Under the arrangement, MyMacca's Rewards members who are new or returning Binge customers can redeem 10,000 loyalty points for a six-month Binge Basic subscription. The offer will be available through the MyMacca's app until 15 January 2027, with voucher codes required to be redeemed by 31 January 2027.

JAPAN 05:33

KDDI launches TikTok Shop with Nippon TV and CyberAgent

KDDI has opened an official TikTok Shop for the second season of the vertical short-form entertainment programme Bikkuri Island, which it produces jointly with Nippon Television Network Corporation and CyberAgent. The new TikTok Shop, called Bikkuri Shop Wow, began operating on 6 July and combines programme-related content with live commerce. It will feature weekday live streams and videos showcasing products alongside original entertainment content linked to the programme.

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:31

KT outlines AI trust and governance approach at UN and ITU events

Korea Telecom (KT) has participated in two international events organised by the United Nations and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to discuss responsible AI, digital trust and global AI governance. The operator took part in the "AI Foundation: Digital Trust and AI Infrastructure for All" roundtable at the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva on 7 July, where participants discussed digital trust and AI infrastructure in the era of autonomous AI agents.

CANADA 05:29

Telesat selected for Arctic military satellite communications programme

Telesat has announced that its subsidiary, Telesat LEO ULC, has reached an agreement in principle with Canada's Defence Investment Agency to provide Telesat Lightspeed services for the Military Ka-band component of the Enhanced Satellite Communications Project – Polar (ESCP-P) programme. The agreement covers the delivery of secure Military Ka-band connectivity for the Canadian Armed Forces across Canada's Arctic region, spanning latitudes from 65 to 90 degrees north.

MALAYSIA 04:56

Astro Malaysia launches Astro X3 streaming service, new content lineup

Astro Malaysia has introduced Astro X3, a streaming-first service that does not require a satellite box, installation, or a long-term contract. Customers can sign up on their mobile devices and start watching content immediately through the Astro app on compatible Smart TVs or via Astro Go on other devices. The launch coincides with the release of a new lineup of movies, dramas, and live programmes.

MALTA 04:44

BMIT secures HPE Aruba Networking Silver specialization

Maltese IT services provider BMIT reports it has retained its status as an HPE Hybrid Cloud Platinum partner and earned the HPE Aruba Networking Silver specialization. These designations recognize the company's technical expertise and experience in delivering hybrid IT services and enterprise networking, BMIT added.

TURKEY 04:37

Vodafone launches 'Experience Ambassadors' programme in Turkiye

Vodafone has launched its 'Experience Ambassadors' programme in Turkiye. This initiative is designed to gather direct customer insights and integrate them into the operator's product development processes. The programme transitions traditional customer feedback into a structured community where users test products, validate new concepts, and flag areas for improvement before features are officially rolled out.

GREECE 03:06

Cosmote deploys private 5G SA network at Aretaieio Hospital

Cosmote Telekom has deployed a private 5G Standalone (5G SA) mobile network at Aretaieio University Hospital. Dedicated exclusively to the hospital's operating rooms, training center, and radiology-radiotherapy departments, this independent network is designed to provide high speeds, capacity, and ultra-low latency to securely run critical medical applications. Authorized staff and trainees connect to the network using specialized SIM cards on VR/AR headsets and smart devices.

TURKEY 02:55

Vodafone trials energy-saving 5G technology in Turkiye

Vodafone is testing energy-saving 5G network technology at its new innovation center in Istanbul, Turkiye. By combining advanced radio antennas with intelligent management software, the system is designed to dynamically adjust its power usage to match actual user demand. Vodafone also reports that, during testing, it achieved up to 10 percent energy savings using new software and hardware-based power saving techniques, as well as an additional 20 percent reduction with next generation radios.

Just In

06:34

Rakuten Symphony to deploy maritime cybersecurity platform with Hanwha Ocean

06:30

Apple confirms Broadcom supply deal worth over USD 30 billion

06:25

NTT Docomo to launch Docomo Bank consumer banking brand

06:00

NTT Data launches digital employee experience service using Nexthink platform

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Background

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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