Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Microsoft South Africa support school digital skills lab
SOUTH AFRICA 11:11

Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Microsoft South Africa support school digital skills lab

Liquid Intelligent Technologies has launched its second solar-powered Mobile Digital Lab at Fontein Full-Service School in Gqeberha, South Africa.  It benefits approximately 850 pupils alongside local teachers and community members by expanding digital access and grassroots educational opportunities. The laboratory has been provided in partnership with Microsoft and South Africa's Department of Communications and Digital Technologies alongside Deviare, which is also co-sponsoring free foundational digital t

Orange France plans to offer video calls with after-sales experts across retail stores
FRANCE 11:02

Orange France plans to offer video calls with after-sales experts across retail stores

Orange France has been consulting employee representatives on the introduction of a new service aimed at enhancing customer relationship management across its physical retail stores. Under the proposal, shoppers will be able to receive expert advice via video calls with Orange representatives trained to provide remote assistance on specialist topics, such as technical connectivity issues. This follows successful trials carried out in 24 retail stores, using a tablet connected to the operator's CRM system an

Ericsson expects 63% of UAE smartphone holders to use AI agents by 2030
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 10:59

Ericsson expects 63% of UAE smartphone holders to use AI agents by 2030

Sixty-three percent of smartphone users in the UAE are expected to delegate everyday tasks to AI agents by 2030, according to an Ericsson ConsumerLab report. It said 10 percent of respondents in the country, double the global average, already use agentic AI capabilities to handle tasks they previously did themselves.

GoNetSpeed offers eero Mesh Wi-Fi to commercial, MDU customers
UNITED STATES 10:53

GoNetSpeed offers eero Mesh Wi-Fi to commercial, MDU customers

US fibre broadband provider GoNetSpeed has announced the launch of eero mesh Wi-Fi for commercial and multi-dwelling unit (MDU) customers. Eero uses multiple access points throughout a property to deliver consistent, reliable Wi-Fi coverage across common areas, offices, retail locations and other MDU and commercial environments. GoNetSpeed operates a fibre broadband network across the NE of the US, serving customers in West Virginia, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania. New York, New Jersey, Missouri, Massa

Consumer groups demand Disney+ refunds over 'downgraded' Premium plan
EUROPE 10:52

Consumer groups demand Disney+ refunds over 'downgraded' Premium plan

Euroconsumers and its national members in Italy (Altroconsumo), Belgium (Testachats/Testaankoop) and Portugal (Deco Proteste) sent Disney a formal notice of default and cease-and-desist demand earlier this month over the reduced quality of Disney+ Premium in parts of Europe. The consumer groups are seeking automatic price reductions and compensation of at least EUR 5 per subscriber per month for periods when promised premium features were unavailable.

Vivo expands bundled streaming packages with up to 40% savings
BRAZIL 10:40

Vivo expands bundled streaming packages with up to 40% savings

Brazilian telecom operator Vivo has launched new 'App Combos' combining major streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Globoplay, Max, and YouTube Premium. Prices start at BRL 49.90 per month for three platforms or BRL 74.90 for five. Available to Post, Control, Fibre, and Vivo Total subscribers without loyalty contracts, the discounted ad-supported and ad-free packages offer up to 40 percent savings compared to individual subscriptions, with unified billing and management via the Vivo ap

Ethio Telecom extends LTE to 80 more towns
ETHIOPIA 10:40

Ethio Telecom extends LTE to 80 more towns

Ethio Telecom has expanded its 4G mobile broadband service to 80 more towns as it extends high-speed connectivity beyond major urban centres. The expansion aligns with its three-year strategy, 'Next Horizon: Digital & Beyond 2028'. In its H1 2025/26 performance report, the operator said it operationalised 278 new mobile stations during the first six months of the fiscal year, nearly 47 percent of them in rural areas. The report also highlighted that 133 more towns gained LTE service during the same period.

UCC announces stakeholder committee to assess Wi-Fi resale market to improve regulation
UGANDA 10:30

UCC announces stakeholder committee to assess Wi-Fi resale market to improve regulation

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) will register public Wi-Fi hotspot resellers and explore formal licensing structures, following appeals from traders for extended compliance windows ahead of a crackdown on unlicensed operators. The aim is to better understand the nature and scale of the businesses and inform further regulatory engagement. At a consultative meeting with Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) representatives, UCC executive director Nyombi Thembo announced the creation of a specia

Globe's H1 data revenues jump 15% amid rising demand for enterprise connectivity, digital infra
PHILIPPINES 10:23

Globe's H1 data revenues jump 15% amid rising demand for enterprise connectivity, digital infra

Philippines operator Globe Telecom posted corporate data revenues of PHP 11 billion in the first half of 2026, which represents an increase of 15 percent year-on-year. Revenue growth was mainly boosted by increasing demand for enterprise connectivity and digital infrastructure, the company said.

Xiaomi caters to bulk-averse mobile consumers with Poco X8s handset
GLOBAL 10:23

Xiaomi caters to bulk-averse mobile consumers with Poco X8s handset

Xiaomi is expanding its mid-range Poco X8 smartphone line-up, announcing the launch of a more compact iteration called the Poco X8s. Poco X8s is pitched as an effective all-rounder that pairs a "flagship" 1.5K Amoled display with a versatile camera system and enhanced performance. At 6.35 inches, the screen is significantly smaller than Poco X8's 6.83-inch panel, while the handset also weighs less at 187 grams and is 8.06 millimetres thick. Xiaomi believes a leaner physical profile will tempt customers seek

Mzansi Mind picks HPE infrastructure to run Siya LLM and Agentic AI framework
SOUTH AFRICA 10:19

Mzansi Mind picks HPE infrastructure to run Siya LLM and Agentic AI framework

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has announced that Mzansi Mind (MzMind), a sovereign enterprise AI platform from Solcon Capital, has selected HPE AI-optimised servers and networking switches to power its Siya large language model (LLM) and Agentic AI framework. MzMind was created to support all twelve official South African languages and enables organisations to deploy AI in the local languages that their employees and customers speak, while adhering to data sovereignty, security and regulatory requirement

GFiber expands services to Colorado Springs
UNITED STATES 10:18

GFiber expands services to Colorado Springs

GFiber has won approval from Colorado Springs City Council for a lease agreement to use the fibre network of Colorado Springs Utilities to deliver fibre broadband services to local residents and businesses. GFibre said the network access agreement builds on its growth in Colorado, expanding its services beyond the Denver metro area. GFiber expects to launch services on the network in early-2027. 

COLOMBIA 10:12

Claro's commitments 'insufficient' for Azteca deal - CRC

Colombia's communications regulator CRC has published a supplementary technical opinion indicating that the commitments offered by Claro (America Movil) to secure approval for its proposed acquisition of wholesale fibre provider Azteca Comunicaciones are "pertinent but insufficient." Earlier this year, Claro announced plans to buy the Colombian telecommunications assets of Azteca Comunicaciones and Total Play Comunicaciones, both owned by Mexico's Grupo Salinas.

NETHERLANDS 10:10

KPN introduces own email and cloud storage plans

Dutch operator KPN is introducing its own email and cloud storage service, promising a "sovereign" service where all data is kept within EU data centres. Extra security is ensured thanks to default two-factor authentication and EU privacy regulations. KPN Mail and Cloud comes in a choice of five monthly subscriptions.

UNITED KINGDOM 10:05

VMO2, Nokia complete live AI RAN technology trial in London

Virgin Media O2 has worked with Nokia to complete the first live deployment of AI-powered radio network access (RAN) technology in the UK. Installed at O2's Giga Site in London Paddington, this uses predictive AI technology to automatically optimise 5G radio resources based on changing network conditions and demand. The project is part of O2's GBP 700 million Mobile Transformation Plan, with the live trial helping to improve spectral efficiency by up to 20 percent. 

LATVIA 10:02

Riga's port to become testbed for resilient maritime connectivity

LVR Flote, a provider of technical port services and the maintenance and operation of infrastructure at the Port of Riga, and the connectivity technology company Hardmode have partnered to develop and test secure communications technologies for ports and the wider maritime sector. The goal is to deploy resilient and secure communication from routine operations to crisis situations. The parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the Techritory Forum in Riga.

CARIBBEAN 10:02

Orange hails results in French overseas territories from Arcep's QoS study

Orange said it has confirmed its position as the operator with the best mobile network performance in the French overseas territories, based on Arcep's annual Quality of Service (QoS) study. The benchmark, which covers voice, text and mobile internet services, was compiled from 465,000 measurements collected by the telecom regulator between May and July. Orange, via its subsidiary Orange Caraibe, highlighted that its network topped the benchmark for the eighth consecutive year in Guadeloupe, Martinique and

UKRAINE 10:01

Icere and Nokia partner with the Ukraine defence ministry on sovereign satcom capability

Iceye, a provider of intelligence from space through a synthetic aperture radar satellite constellation, and Nokia have signed a letter of intent with the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, to explore cooperation. The partnership aims to support Ukraine's defense capabilities, particularly in building sovereign satellite communications. The shared intent was announced on 22 October during the visit of the prime minister of Finland to Ukraine.

EQUATORIAL GUINEA 09:57

Equatorial Guinea government hopes to finalise deal with Telgesa backer by end of October

The Equatorial Guinean government is advancing preparations to establish state telecommunications operator Telgesa, Ecofin reported. Earlier this month, vice president Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue met prime minister Manuel Osa Nsue Nsua, telecom officials, leadership from existing provider Gecomsa, and the state attorney's office to review progress. Government authorities aim to resolve outstanding operational details and finalise an agreement with investor group EGSA Loita before the end of October.

POLAND 09:52

Polish parliament concludes work on DSA implementation

The lower chamber of Poland's parliament adopted the senate's amendments to the second act implementing the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), which aims to ensure more effective responses to illegal online content, including hate speech and material that endangers the safety of children. Thus, the parliament  concluded its stage of the legislative process. The regulations now await only the signature of the president of Poland before they take effect in the country.

IRELAND 09:49

NBI completes main fibre network build in Cavan County

National Broadband Ireland (NBI) has completed the main National Broadband Plan (NBP) network build in Cavan County. The network reaches over 17,000 homes, businesses, farms and schools across the county, following a EUR 65 million government investment. To date, around 6,250 premises have connected to the NBP network. The network now covers more than 537,000 premises across Ireland, with over 195,000 premises connected. 

UNITED KINGDOM 09:44

MLL Telecom awarded place on G-Cloud 15 framework

MLL Telecom has secured a place on the G-Cloud 15 Framework, the latest version of the cloud procurement framework for the UK public sector. MLL Telecom previously won several contracts through the earlier G-Cloud 14 framework. It has now been accepted on nine lots of G-Cloud 15 - including the provisional of SD-WAN and SASE services. The new service has been live since September 2026, with the final order being accepted on G-Cloud 14 on 28 October 2026. 

NETHERLANDS 09:42

Dutch military announces sovereign cloud project with SAP

The Dutch military has agreed to set up a sovereign cloud platform with SAP. The aim is to have the cloud environment operational by the start of 2028, the defense secretary Derk Boswijk said in a brief to parliament.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 09:39

Moro Hub and SentinelOne partner to elevate AI security in the UAE

Data Hub Integrated Solutions (Moro Hub), a subsidiary of Digital DEWA, the digital arm of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, has partnered with SentinelOne to enhance cybersecurity capabilities in the UAE. The agreement enables regional organisations to deploy SentinelOne's AI security platform either as a sovereign local service or as a managed service provided by Moro Hub.

Just In

11:11

Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Microsoft South Africa support school digital skills lab

11:02

Orange France plans to offer video calls with after-sales experts across retail stores

10:59

Ericsson expects 63% of UAE smartphone holders to use AI agents by 2030

10:53

GoNetSpeed offers eero Mesh Wi-Fi to commercial, MDU customers

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Background

00:15

The week in telecom: European telcos take on satellite market, Nvidia rekindles AI RAN hopes

24 OKT 08:49

Dutch Weekly - Week 43

24 OKT 08:38

German Weekly - Week 43

18 OKT 23:28

The week in telecom: Apple, Amazon try AI consumer device alternatives as smartphone market crashes