Spanish FTTH lines jump 84,000 in June, Digi overtakes Vodafone
SPAIN 12:05

Spanish FTTH lines jump 84,000 in June, Digi overtakes Vodafone

The total number of active fibre to the home (FTTH) connections in Spain rose to 18.22 million in June 2026, up well over 1 million year on year and around 84,000 compared to May, according to the latest official monthly update from sector watchdog CNMC that complements its mobile report. Fibre connections account for over 91 percent of the fixed line total of 19.93 million, the latter up from 19.18 million a year earlier and equivalent to around 40 lines per 100 inhabitants.

What happens when the payment stops stalling?
GLOBAL 11:57

What happens when the payment stops stalling?

Customer support has a design problem. Not in how it looks, but in how it works. Every ticket system, every phone queue, every chatbot is built around the same assumption: wait for the customer to have a problem, then try to solve it.

Globe Telecom capex jumps 39% to more than PHP 26 billion in H1
PHILIPPINES 11:56

Globe Telecom capex jumps 39% to more than PHP 26 billion in H1

Philippines operator Globe Telecom posted PHP 26.3 billion in capital expenditures in the first half of 2026, which represents an increase of 39 percent year-on-year. The company said the spending was focused on network expansion, digital infrastructure and service improvements, while maintaining its target of keeping full-year capital expenditures below USD 1 billion.

3 Denmark uses old Steppenwolf hit in new Oister commercial
DENMARK 11:53

3 Denmark uses old Steppenwolf hit in new Oister commercial

3 Denmark's budget mobile telecoms brand, Oister, has brought out a new advertisement featuring a version of 'Born to be wild', recorded by Steppenwolf in 1967 and released the following year. The advert will be played on streaming channels, television and the radio. In the animated film, three talking purple oysters ride in formation on the back of a trio of whales and sing the praises of the operator, culminating in them singing the line 'Born to be Oister'. Head of marketing Maj-Brit Dam Kjaergaard said

El Salvador consults on project to build first subsea cable
EL SALVADOR 11:30

El Salvador consults on project to build first subsea cable

The Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) has launched a call for proposals to finance studies for what will be El Salvador's first submarine cable. The project, first announced two years ago, would connect the country directly to global internet networks, reducing its reliance on terrestrial operators.

TDRA starts training scheme to foster integration of UAE PASS national ID service
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 11:24

TDRA starts training scheme to foster integration of UAE PASS national ID service

The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) has begun the 'Digital Enablers Experts' (DEE) programme through its Digital Government Academy. The DEE training aims to enhance the readiness of technical staff at government entities and private sector organisations, enabling them to integrate UAE PASS national identity services into their operational systems.

CP Group, True to stream ASEAN Championship 2026 finals on TrueVisions Now platform
THAILAND 11:21

CP Group, True to stream ASEAN Championship 2026 finals on TrueVisions Now platform

CP Group and True have announced they will provide free access to the two 2026 ASEAN Championship final matches on TrueVisions Now if Thailand reaches the final. The offer will be available to Thai viewers regardless of their mobile network provider. Under the 'Unlock TrueVisions Now for Thai People – ASEAN Final' campaign, viewers can download and register for the TrueVisions NOW application at no cost. The two final matches will be available on smartphones, tablets, smart TVs and other supported devices.

BMIT to acquire capacity rights on Arsinoe submarine cable system in first investment outside Malta
MALTA 11:14

BMIT to acquire capacity rights on Arsinoe submarine cable system in first investment outside Malta

BMIT Technologies has agreed to acquire long-term capacity rights on the Arsinoe submarine cable system for EUR 6.9 million, in its first strategic investment outside Malta. The rights are being acquired from Cablenet Communication Systems and cover capacity on a system linking Egypt, Cyprus and France. The transaction will be completed through a new subsidiary, BMIT Technologies Cyprus.

Samsung announces record dividend plan to pay out KRW 100 trillion to shareholders
GLOBAL 11:13

Samsung announces record dividend plan to pay out KRW 100 trillion to shareholders

Samsung Electronics announced plans to share some of its record profits from the AI boom with shareholders. The company's board approved a plan to pay out KRW 90-110 trillion (USD 65-79 billion) to shareholders this year, around five times more than last year and a record for Korea, according to Samsung. 

China Telecom H1 profit drops 15% despite stronger cash flow and 5G growth
CHINA 11:06

China Telecom H1 profit drops 15% despite stronger cash flow and 5G growth

China Telecom posted operating revenues of CNY 260.5 billion for the first half of 2026. Revenue from the operator's principal businesses fell 2.1 percent year-on-year to CNY 244.1 billion, of which, revenue from Communications Business amounted to CNY 213 billion, and revenue from Intelligence Business reached RMB31.1 billion, representing an increase of 7.1 percent year-on-year. Revenue from China Telecom Cloud reached CNY 61.8 billion, up 7.8 percent year-on-year.

Subex signs 3-year Partner Ecosystem Management contract with European fibre open access operator
EUROPE 10:51

Subex signs 3-year Partner Ecosystem Management contract with European fibre open access operator

Subex, an Indian vendor of telecoms AI software including fraud prevention and business assurance, has announced a contract with a major but unnamed European open access fibre operator. Under a three-year agreement, Subex will deploy its Partner Ecosystem Management product as a fully hosted and managed service. The deal includes end-to-end operations, professional services and ongoing support, enabling the operator to manage complex settlement processes without maintaining internal systems.

Siminn adds BritTV to Premium package in mid-September
ICELAND 10:38

Siminn adds BritTV to Premium package in mid-September

Icelandic operator Siminn has announced the arrival of new television service BritTV in its Siminn Premium TV package in the middle of September. BritTV is provided by the BBC and All3Media, among others, and has been produced for major UK television networks including the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, as well as international streaming services.

FINLAND 10:05

Valoo offers 2-year lock-in for gigabit broadband discount with new fibre lines until 31 August

Finnish operator Valoo is offering a two-year discount free for broadband when customers order the installation of optical fibre in their home. New customers signing up for a fixed-term contract by 31 August will pay EUR 24.90 per month for the first 24 months for the Valoo Net L subscription, after which the price rises to EUR 52.90 monthly. Valoo Net L offers symmetrical broadband speed of 1 Gbps and comes with a free Wi-Fi 7 mesh router worth EUR 79.

GLOBAL 09:50

Spotify raises share buyback authorisation by USD 1.50 bln

Spotify Technology said its board of directors has approved a USD 1.50 billion increase in its share repurchase programme. With USD 723 million remaining under the current buyback scheme, the increase brings the total authorisation to approximately USD 2.22 billion. The repurchase programme will run for as long as the buyback authorisation remains in force, including by renewal.

UNITED STATES 09:35

Comcast launches Gig WiFi back-to-school offer

Comcast has announced new back-to-school offers, with new Xfinity Internet customers able to get Gig WiFi for USD 50 per month for five years, with WiFi equipment and unlimited data included. The plan is offered with no annual contract, allowing customers to cancel at any time. The offer is available until 08 September. 

KENYA 09:31

Communications Authority of Kenya to train 120,000 people in digital skills in 3 years

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has committed KES 100 million to train 120,000 citizens in nineteen counties in essential digital skills over the next three years through the Universal Service Fund (USF). It aims to bridge the national digital divide by ensuring expanding telecom infrastructure provides practical, inclusive economic access for unserved and underserved communities.

EUROPE 09:27

EuNetworks announces new sustainability targets in loans

EuNetworks has added two new environmental performance targets to its Sustainability-Linked Loan (SLL). The revised loan framework includes new Network Deployment 'Impact by Design' Plans, which integrate sustainability considerations with the earliest phases of major network build projects. It also includes a new target focused on continuously improving the group's GRESB infrastructure benchmark score. 

EUROPE 09:26

YouTube Premium prices go up in Europe, Singapore

YouTube is increasing prices for its ad-free Premium subscription in more markets, including several countries in Europe and Singapore. This follows similar increases in the US earlier this year. In the Netherlands, the individual subscription increases to EUR 15.99 per month from EUR 13.99, while the Family plan costs EUR 4 more, at EUR 29.99 per month. The new student price is EUR 10.99 per month, or EUR 2 more than before.

SPAIN 09:23

Telefonica confirms Guadalajara rural video surveillance contract

Telefonica has secured a contract from Guadalajara's Provincial Council to deploy a rural video surveillance network designed to improve safety on provincial roads and at municipal access points, confirming earlier reports. The Smart Rural Video Surveillance project will use a central, multi-vendor platform to install 350 interconnected video surveillance points across the province, with standardised equipment meeting current technical and safety regulations.

UNITED STATES 09:13

Zayo extends long-term fibre-optic cable supply contract with Corning

Zayo is extending a fibre supply contract with Corning to secure delivery of a major part of the fibre-optic cable needed for an expansion of its long-haul network. This will help Zayo achieve its target of adding 15,000 new route miles by 2030, including over 8,000 miles of new long-haul fibre in partnership with Nvidia. Troy Lupe, Zayo's Chief Networks Officer, said that long-haul network construction takes "years of planning, permitting and materials", and that securing optical cable early in the plannin

BAHRAIN 09:10

Zain Bahrain's OneCX joins Text Solution partner programme

Zain Bahrain said its OneCX arm has joined customer service technology provider Text Solution's partner programme to expand its portfolio of customer experience (CX) tools for commercial enterprises across Bahrain. As a certified Text partner, OneCX will enable organisations to centralise customer interactions such as chat, ticketing and email, automate routine workflows using AI, and translate service data into actionable insights.

UNITED KINGDOM 09:06

BT supports new business digital skills scheme in Highlands and Islands

BT has announced a new 12-month Digital and Technology Entrepreneurship (DaTE) programme in the Highlands and Islands region of Scotland. This will support around organisations and start-ups to develop new technology and digital products, services and processes. Participants will have access to mentoring, expert advice and funding, with the programme led by Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE) and delivered in partnership with BT.

UNITED KINGDOM 08:59

O2 offers in-game rewards code for Fortnite Override

Virgin Media O2 is offering a unique code for the new Fortnite Season, Override, which launches on 20 August. The O2 Arena in London the only physical, out-of-home site in the UK where gamers can discover O2's Lobby Hack code and access in-game rewards. The code can be found in the Priority app and through 200 screens in the O2 Arena until 30 September. Override will bring iconic gaming franchises - such as Tetris and Sonic - into Fortnite.

SAUDI ARABIA 08:55

Saudi Arabia cuts gaming latency by 89%

Saudi Arabia has achieved an 89 percent improvement in gaming latency across its most popular online titles, according to the fifth edition of the 'Saudi Internet' report from the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST). The report highlights ultra-low response times for several major titles, dropping to 11 milliseconds for Teamfight Tactics and League of Legends, and 12 milliseconds for Mobile Legends.

Just In

12:05

Spanish FTTH lines jump 84,000 in June, Digi overtakes Vodafone

11:56

Globe Telecom capex jumps 39% to more than PHP 26 billion in H1

11:53

3 Denmark uses old Steppenwolf hit in new Oister commercial

11:30

El Salvador consults on project to build first subsea cable

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Background

16 AUG 23:57

The week in telecom: Lenovo and Cisco profit from AI-driven demand in Q2, Google updates Pixels and reaches 1 bln Gemini users

9 AUG 23:44

The week in telecom: Starlink's mobile ambitions and LEO challengers, plus Hollywood studios try streaming shorts and sports

2 AUG 23:37

The week in telecom: Telcos resist economic slowdown in Q2 while big tech gears up for more AI investment

26 JUL 23:19

The week in telecom: Samsung works on foldable challenge, US telcos try FMC