Dialog, Ruhunu Tourist Bureau launch multilingual AI-based travel assistant
SRI LANKA 07:03

Dialog, Ruhunu Tourist Bureau launch multilingual AI-based travel assistant

Dialog Axiata, in partnership with the Ruhunu Tourist Bureau, has launched Travel Sri Lanka – Powered by Dialog AI, an AI-powered multilingual tourism voice assistant designed to make tourism information more accessible to local and international travellers. Supporting more than 12 international languages, the service is designed to enable travellers to access information and assistance through natural voice conversations via a phone call, without the need for a mobile application or internet connectivity.

Al-Salam General Company and ZTE sign MoU to strengthen technical cooperation
IRAQ 07:01

Al-Salam General Company and ZTE sign MoU to strengthen technical cooperation

Iraq's Al-Salam General Company, an entity under the ministry of communications, signed a memorandum of understanding with ZTE, Iraqi News Agency reported. The proposed partnership focuses on technology transfer, local equipment assembly, and specialized training for Iraqi engineers, in an effort to bridge global telecommunications supply with domestic technical capabilities. The ultimate realization and operational scale of any local production will depend on how these agreements are implemented and detail

Beeline Russian extends 5G roaming to over 100 countries
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 06:59

Beeline Russian extends 5G roaming to over 100 countries

Russian operator Beeline said that its 5G roaming services are available in more than 100 countries, following the launch of 5G in its home market. The operator has also expanded VoLTE support in countries where 2G and 3G networks are being phased out. Specifically, VoLTE has became available in the US, China, Japan, Singapore, Israel, and Macau. 

Orange and Unicef expand digital learning initiative to 50 schools across Guinea
GUINEA 06:59

Orange and Unicef expand digital learning initiative to 50 schools across Guinea

The Orange Guinea Foundation and Unicef signed a formal partnership agreement in Conakry to expand digital learning infrastructure across 50 schools spanning Conakry, Kindia, Boké, Mamou, Labé and N'Zérékoré. The project delivers equipment, connectivity and pedagogical support. The Orange Guinea Foundation provides the technical and logistical infrastructure required to deploy the learning hubs, while Unicef oversees teacher capacity building, ensures educational content quality, and monitors resource utili

Nokia names Alzwaiml country manager for Saudi Arabia
SAUDI ARABIA 06:56

Nokia names Alzwaiml country manager for Saudi Arabia

Nokia has appointed Turki Alzwaiml as its new country manager for Saudi Arabia. Alzwaiml brings years of industry experience and a robust understanding of the Saudi market, having served as vice president and head of the mobile networks business for Nokia since 2023. Nokia said the appointment is expected to bolster the company's regional operations, leveraging Alzwaiml 's extensive industry experience, established customer relationships, and deep familiarity with the local market.

T2 covers Moscow Kremlin, Red Square with 5G
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 06:56

T2 covers Moscow Kremlin, Red Square with 5G

Russian mobile operator T2, a subsidiary of the national operator Rostelecom, announced it has rolled out 5G coverage to the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square. To achieve this, T2 upgraded 11 sites located along the perimetre of these landmarks. Peak speeds reach 800 Mbps, while signal latency has been reduced to a minimum. T2's 5G service is also available at Zaryadye Park, Luzhniki, Moscow State University (MSU), the Tretyakov Gallery, Vorobyovskiye Hills, the ehxibition centre VDNKh and other tourist locatio

Amazon replaces Fire tablets with new Alexa-branded range
GLOBAL 06:55

Amazon replaces Fire tablets with new Alexa-branded range

Amazon has unveiled a new range of Alexa-branded tablets, replacing its budget Fire family with 8-inch, 11-inch and 12-inch models priced from USD 229.99 to USD 549.99. The aluminium devices are available to pre-order and will begin shipping on 14 October in the US, Mexico, Canada and Japan, followed by Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Spain on 19 October.

Vodafone Turkiye delivers Galaxy A27 5G to 60,000 customers in three months
TURKEY 06:44

Vodafone Turkiye delivers Galaxy A27 5G to 60,000 customers in three months

Vodafone Turkiye delivered 60,000 Samsung Galaxy A27 5G smartphones to its customers in the first three months since the device was launched on the local market, according to Vodafone Turkey CEO Engin Aksoy. The 6GB RAM and 128GB storage model was initially offered exclusively through Vodafone Flex, the operator's device sales programme.

SpaceX buys more mobile spectrum in 800MHz band
UNITED STATES 06:34

SpaceX buys more mobile spectrum in 800MHz band

SpaceX has agreed to buy more mobile spectrum, this time in the 800MHz band. The acquisition for an undisclosed sum is from investment firm Grain Management, which bought the nationwide licences from T-Mobile US earlier this year. The takeover remains subject to FCC approval and other closing conditions. The frequencies are expected to support direct-to-device mobile services from the Starlink Leo satellites, helping the company build out a ground network of mobile towers. 

Air India launches international roaming SIM with Tata Communications
INDIA 06:20

Air India launches international roaming SIM with Tata Communications

Indian airline Air India and Tata Communications have introduced an Air India-branded travel SIM dubbed 'EasyRoam'. This international roaming service is available as a physical SIM card and an eSIM through a dedicated webpage on the airline's website.

France's Arcom opens applications for DTT licences expiring in 2027
FRANCE 06:09

France's Arcom opens applications for DTT licences expiring in 2027

French media watchdog Arcom has launched a call for applications for the award of six national licences on the DTT platform, in line with the conclusions of the regulatory review published in September. This call concerns the frequencies that will become available on 11 December 2027, when the licences of six free-to-air TV channels expire (TF1 Series Films, L'Equipe, 6Ter, RMC Story, RMC Decouverte, and RMC Life).

Fujitsu and New Mexico to establish quantum computing research centre
UNITED STATES 05:25

Fujitsu and New Mexico to establish quantum computing research centre

Fujitsu is collaborating with the State of New Mexico to establish a quantum computing research centre focused on hardware, software, algorithms and theory, while also supporting education and workforce development. The initiative will bring together Fujitsu's advanced computing and quantum technology capabilities with New Mexico's research ecosystem. The parties will explore joint research involving institutions including Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, the University of New M

JAPAN 05:24

SoftBank tops Osaka Loop Line 5G download speed test

SoftBank recorded the fastest average 5G download speed among Japan's four mobile network operators during morning rush hour testing on Osaka's Loop Line, according to a survey by ICT Research Institute. The survey measured NTT Docomo, au, SoftBank and Rakuten Mobile at all 19 stations on the Osaka Loop Line between 7am and 9am on 5 and 6 October. Measurements were taken three times at each station using a Google Pixel 10a and Google's Internet Speed Test.

JAPAN 05:21

Japan's operators agree disaster comms with Okinawa Maritime Self-Defense Force

NTT Docomo, Okinawa Cellular Telephone, SoftBank and Rakuten Mobile have signed an agreement with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's Okinawa Base Unit to support the rapid restoration of communications in Okinawa following disasters. The agreement establishes specific arrangements for cooperation during disasters, including the use of Maritime Self-Defense Force ships and vehicles to transport communications equipment, recovery equipment, supplies and personnel.

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:19

iPhone 18 Pro sees 1,500 exchanges in Korea over reboot issue

Apple has processed around 1,500 exchanges and 50 refunds for iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max devices in South Korea over a rebooting problem in the first 11 days after launch, according to Newsis, citing government sources. The figures, covering 18 to 28 September, were provided by Apple Korea to the office of Kim Jang-gyeom, a People Power Party member of South Korea's National Assembly Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee.

JAPAN 05:17

NTT e-Drone launches training academy for drone pilot qualification

NTT e-Drone Technology has launched the NTT e-Drone Academy in Japan, offering training for the national Level 2 unmanned aircraft pilot qualification, including a new two-day intensive programme for people with no previous flying experience. The new programme combines online study with two days of face-to-face practical training. The operator said it is intended to reduce the time required for people to undertake training alongside existing work commitments.

JAPAN 05:16

Japan builds 5G NTN satellite test facility for mobility applications

Japan's National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) and Sharp have built a satellite communications facility at NICT's Kashima Space Technology Center in Ibaraki Prefecture to test 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) technologies. The facility is designed to provide a domestic environment for technical verification and communications testing of 5G NTN, which applies 5G technologies to satellite communications. NICT and Sharp said they aim to begin operating the facility by the end of

NEW ZEALAND 05:13

Spark, 2degrees transparency ratings fall as telcos miss new guidelines

Spark and 2degrees have recorded significant declines in Consumer NZ's annual assessment of how transparently New Zealand's three largest mobile operators provide customers with information about their usage and spending. The review, conducted in partnership with regulator the Commerce Commission, found the average transparency rating for Spark, One NZ and 2degrees had fallen to its lowest level since the assessment began five years ago. The results assess the operators against commitments made to the Commi

MALAYSIA 05:11

SoftBank, Grab and Petros explore AI infrastructure platform in Sarawak

SoftBank Group, Grab and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) have signed an agreement to explore the development of an AI and digital infrastructure platform in Sarawak, Malaysia. The framework agreement will see the three companies develop a roadmap for phased development and examine opportunities across the AI value chain, including AI compute and services, advanced technologies, robotics, workforce development and community development.

JAPAN 05:04

Okinawa schools deploy Wi-Fi 7 network across 24 schools

The Okinawa City Board of Education has deployed a Wi-Fi 7 network across 24 elementary and junior high schools serving approximately 10,000 students in Japan. The network was implemented by Alcatel-Lucent with Japanese companies Rikei and Prostaff. It combines Wi-Fi 7 access points, high-performance switching and centralised management through the OmniVista Network Management Platform. The project was designed to support increased use of digital learning materials and higher device density across the schoo

NETHERLANDS 05:03

KPN extends lead on Dutch B2B telecom market thanks to SoHo strength

KPN's lead on the business telecom market in the Netherlands has increased to 41 percent of revenues as of Q2 2026, research by Telecompaper shows. This has come largely at the cost of its main rival VodafoneZiggo, which has yet to realise a turnaround on the B2B market, while number three Odido also shows a slowdown in the first half of the year.

UNITED STATES 05:01

AT&T and OpenAI to develop AI-enabled legal workflows

AT&T is collaborating with OpenAI to develop AI-enabled workflows for its in-house legal department, using the operator's AT&T LegalEdge operation as the foundation for the initiative. The companies will design, build and evaluate legal workflows intended to make AT&T's institutional knowledge more accessible and support routine legal work, while allowing lawyers to spend more time on strategy, advocacy and other work requiring professional judgement.

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 04:59

SK Telecom outlines strategy to expand into token-based services

SK Telecom (SKT) has outlined a strategy to link its telecommunications, AI services and AI infrastructure businesses, with the operator targeting opportunities arising from the growing use of AI tokens. CEO Jung Jaihun presented the strategy at an employee town hall on 8 October. He said the focus of AI competition was expanding beyond models and infrastructure towards an ecosystem capable of reliably generating, supplying and using tokens.

JAPAN 04:56

NTT Docomo to test data-driven personalised rehabilitation system

NTT Docomo and medical group Seiwa-kai will begin a trial using motion data and an assistive rehabilitation system to develop more individually tailored training programmes for patients with impaired finger movement. The trial, due to begin on 1 December at Fukuyama Rehabilitation Hospital in Hiroshima Prefecture, will combine Docomo's Human Augmentation Platform and its Feel Tech technology with a Power Assist Mirror Therapy System developed using research from Hiroshima University.

Just In

07:03

Dialog, Ruhunu Tourist Bureau launch multilingual AI-based travel assistant

07:01

Al-Salam General Company and ZTE sign MoU to strengthen technical cooperation

06:59

Beeline Russian extends 5G roaming to over 100 countries

06:59

Orange and Unicef expand digital learning initiative to 50 schools across Guinea

Commentary

24 SEP 13:37

What is KPN's response to the brand expansion at Odido and VodafoneZiggo?

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?

Background

4 OKT 23:20

The week in telecom: FTTH sparks UK competition, AI coming to telco bundles and Samsung raises prices

3 OKT 18:20

Belgian Weekly - Week 40

3 OKT 18:04

German Weekly - 40

3 OKT 07:00

Netherlands Weekly - 40