NTT Docomo Business X video service deployed by Kodaira City
JAPAN 05:25

NTT Docomo Business X video service deployed by Kodaira City

NTT Docomo Business X has provided its Video Talk video calling service to Kodaira City in Tokyo through real estate technology company e-Seikatsu, enabling the city to connect branch offices with its main government office in real time for administrative procedures. The service will be used at branch offices to support procedures related to Japan's My Number identification system. Branch office staff and residents will be able to connect with specialist staff at the main office by video when additional sup

KDDI launches AI service based on licensed publishing and media content
JAPAN 05:23

KDDI launches AI service based on licensed publishing and media content

KDDI has launched an AI service that uses content from around 150 books, magazines and specialist web media sources to provide users with search, summaries, analysis and other interactive features. Buffmee, available from 28 July, uses content provided with permission by publishers and specialist media companies rather than searching the wider internet. The service provides source citations with its answers and is designed to help users access and explore information across areas including qualifications, b

Nvidia and industry leaders launch Open Secure AI Alliance
GLOBAL 05:22

Nvidia and industry leaders launch Open Secure AI Alliance

Nvidia and a group of technology and cybersecurity companies have launched the Open Secure AI Alliance, an initiative to develop and share open technologies, tools and techniques aimed at improving the security of AI systems and software. The alliance brings together companies and open source organisations including Nvidia, Adobe, Cisco, Cloudflare, CrowdStrike, Databricks, Dell Technologies, HPE, Hugging Face, IBM, the Linux Foundation, Microsoft, Naver, Palo Alto Networks, Red Hat, Salesforce, SAP, Servic

Databricks appoints former AWS executive to lead APJ partner business
ASIA 05:20

Databricks appoints former AWS executive to lead APJ partner business

Databricks has appointed Corrie Briscoe as vice president of partnerships and alliances for Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ), where she will lead the company's partner ecosystem across the region. Based in Singapore, Briscoe will work with cloud providers, systems integrators, independent software vendors and technology partners as Databricks seeks to expand the deployment of data and AI applications, analytics and AI agents.

Smart, Blacknut to offer cloud gaming services in Philippines
PHILIPPINES 04:58

Smart, Blacknut to offer cloud gaming services in Philippines

Smart Communications has partnered with Blacknut to offer cloud gaming services to Smart and TNT subscribers in the Philippines. Through the partnership, subscribers can access the Blacknut Cloud Gaming platform, which offers a library of more than 1,000 games, including AAA titles, independent games, family-oriented titles, and franchises such as NBA 2K, For Honor, Asphalt, Overcooked!, and LEGO games. Games are streamed through a mobile browser without requiring downloads or dedicated gaming hardware.

Orange rescues French 5G private network specialist Obvios after financial difficulties
FRANCE 27 JUL

Orange rescues French 5G private network specialist Obvios after financial difficulties

The commercial court of Rennes has appointed Orange as the new owner of French 5G private network specialist Obvios, reports Ouest-France. A spin-off of research institution B<>com (formerly B.com), Obvios was established in 2022 to commercialise the 'Dome' private 5G network offering developed by its parent company. It was placed under a safeguard procedure following financial difficulties, prompting a search for a new owner to secure its long-term future.

Netherlands Cyber Security Centre updates organisation for new responsibilities
NETHERLANDS 27 JUL

Netherlands Cyber Security Centre updates organisation for new responsibilities

The Netherlands Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is implementing a new organisational structure and updated management team to reflect an expanded list of tasks. This comes as the updated Cybersecurity Act takes effect, implementing new rules for oversight of more critical infrastructure and service providers. 

EU publishes guidance on new cybersecurity rules for connected devices
EUROPE 27 JUL

EU publishes guidance on new cybersecurity rules for connected devices

The European Commission has published guidance for manufacturers and regulators implementing the Cyber Resilience Act, the EU's law on mandatory cybersecurity for digital devices and related services. In effect since December 2024, the law lays out the requirements for obtaining the CE mark for safe products. The guidelines come ahead of new CRA obligations taking effect this September to report and patch security vulnerabilities discovered in digital products. From December 2027 the remaining obligations t

Rostelecom passes 1.2 mln connnected home security cameras
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 27 JUL

Rostelecom passes 1.2 mln connnected home security cameras

Russian national operator Rostelecom said that it has already installed 1.2 million connected security cameras for households across the country. The city and region of Moscow, the city and region of St Petersburg, as well as the Krasnodar and Rostov regions have the most connected residential cameras. The application Video-Surveillance and Smart Home from Rostelecom is available for download on RuStore, App Store and Google Play.

Armenian telecom operators pay over AMD 22 bln in taxes in H1
ARMENIA 27 JUL

Armenian telecom operators pay over AMD 22 bln in taxes in H1

Armenia's major mobile operators and ISPs paid AMD 22.21 billion in taxes to the state budget in the first half of this year, reports Arka from data published by the Public Revenue Committee. Viva Armenia paid AMD 10.41 billion in taxes, ranking it 19th among major Armenian taxpayers. Ucom was in 27th position (AMD 5.81 billion), and Team Telecom Armenia paid AMD 4.81 billion (35th). The ISP GNC-Alfa, trading under the Ovio brand, paid AMD 1.18 billion (157th).

Azercell collaborates with Starburst to accelerate AI innovation
AZERBAIJAN 27 JUL

Azercell collaborates with Starburst to accelerate AI innovation

Azerbaijan operator Azercell said that it has started a collaboration with Starburst on strengthening its artificial intelligence capabilities. Through this partnership, it has modernised its approach to enterprise data management by creating a unified data environment that simplifies access to information across the organization. The platform enables teams to analyse data more efficiently, supports the development of AI-powered solutions and provides a scalable foundation for future innovation.

Rakuten Symphony selected for grant to test open RAN in Ukraine
UKRAINE 27 JUL

Rakuten Symphony selected for grant to test open RAN in Ukraine

Rakuten Symphony announced its selection for a grant from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) to support Ukraine's reconstruction and strengthening cooperation with CEE countries. Under the project, Rakuten Symphony will provide a cloud-native Open RAN environment in Ukraine and conduct validation testing to facilitate the construction and operation of flexible, cost-efficient networks.

LATVIA 27 JUL

Bite Latvia blocks 4x more cyber-treats in H1

Bite Latvia announced that its security solution Antivirus Plus blocked more than 62.5 million cyber-threats in June, a large increase compared to 12.1 million risks mitigated in June 2025. In turn, in the first six months of 2026, the security solution blocked more than 242.4 million cyber threats, which is almost four times more than in the first half of 2025, when 65.3 million cyber threats were blocked.

GLOBAL 27 JUL

AppleCare One rolls out in UK, Australia, France, Germany

Apple has announced the launch of AppleCare One, its insurance scheme for multiple devices, in the UK from 01 August 2026. Prices will start from GBP 16.99 per month for up to three devices, with customers able to cover extra devices for GBP 4.99 per month per device. AppleCare One includes all benefits of AppleCare+, including unlimited repairs for accidental damage, replacement battery service, and 24/7 priority access to Apple experts. Customers can also cover just their iPhone from GBP 7.99 per month or

AUSTRALIA 27 JUL

Macquarie Cloud Services launches SOC for Australasian universities

Macquarie Cloud Services has launched a Security Operations Centre (SOC) for universities and research institutions in Australasia, with the service aimed at helping institutions strengthen cybersecurity ahead of an October deadline. The SOC will provide onshore, 24-hour monitoring and support from security-cleared engineers, with a focus on threats including insider activity, nation-state actors and vulnerabilities associated with legacy ICT equipment.

CANADA 27 JUL

Canadian govt funds rural, remote broadband projects in Saskatchewan

The federal Canadian government has announced funding of more than CAD 141 million for six projects to deliver high-speed broadband to over 30,000 homes cross rural/remote Saskatchewan communities. This will be provided through the Universal Broadband Fund. The projects will be delivered by RFNOW, Xplore, Stafford Communications, Beaver River Broadband and MCSnet. 

AFRICA 27 JUL

Sonatel H1 revenues increase 9%, EBITDA up nearly 12%

Telecom group Sonatel reported a 9.3 percent year-on-year increase in first-half revenues to XOF 1.050 trillion across its West African footprint comprising Senegal, Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Sierra Leone. Over the same period, EBITDAaL progressed by 11.6 percent to XOF 510.8 billion, representing an EBITDAaL margin of 48.7 percent. The group also achieved double-digit growth in net income, which rose 10.5 percent to XOF 230 billion.

SOUTH AFRICA 27 JUL

South Africa publishes updated national radio frequency plan

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has published its updated National Radio Frequency Plan (NRFP) 2026. The instrument is designed to maximize spectrum efficiency, minimize interference, drive economic growth, and support emerging technologies while safeguarding public safety communications and fulfilling international obligations. The release of the final NRFP 2026 follows an extensive public consultation process that began in April 2025.

SPAIN 27 JUL

Vodafone Spain launches rival Finetwork offer amid brand dispute

Vodafone Spain has launched a new website to market the plans of local MVNO Finetwork, despite an ongoing legal dispute with the brand's original owner, Wewi Mobile. The operator is offering services branded as "Finetwork powered by Lowi" via finetwork.es, a domain it now controls, while Wewi Mobile continues to operate through finetwork.com for a limited period.

UNITED KINGDOM 27 JUL

Openreach stops selling copper services at 112 more exchanges

Openreach has announced the withdrawal of copper phone and broadband services at 112 additional exchanges across the UK. Communications providers are being given 12 months' notice that legacy analogue products/services will no longer be sold when full-fibre becomes available to 75 percent+ of premises in the new exchange locations - a process known as 'Stop Sell'. 

MALDIVES 27 JUL

Dhiraagu marks Independence Day with free data and home internet deals

Dhiraagu organised special promotions to mark the 61st Independence Day of the Maldives, offering customers free mobile data, internet upgrades, and home protection benefits. As part of the national celebrations, all Dhiraagu prepaid customers received a free 6GB data bonus, valid for 24 hours. The complimentary data could be redeemed via the Dhiraagu App or by a short code before 18:00hrs on 26 July.

POLAND 27 JUL

Plus changes prepaid offer to 10 GB for PLN 1 per day

Polish operator Polkomtel, trading under the Plus brand, is updating its prepaid offer. Rather than the previous multiple packages, it will offer a single, simple offer going forward: 10 GB with unlimited local calls and SMS/MMS costs PLN 1 daily. A top-up at PLN 2 means 20 GB and unlimited calls and messages for two days. The maximum PLN 30 top-up provides the services for 30 days, with up to 300GB traffic.

BELGIUM 27 JUL

Bipt consults operators on impact of proposed invoice changes

Belgian regulator Bipt has started a new public consultation on proposed changes to the Law on electronic communications. These are expected to provide greater transparency for consumers on telecom costs and make it easier for them to compare offers and switch providers. The inquiry targets specifically telecom providers, with Bipt looking for feedback on how the changes could impact investments, operating costs, network quality, competitiveness or services provision. 

GLOBAL 27 JUL

Acome Group pulls subsidiary brands to enhance strategic visibility

Acome Group is progressing a brand restructure that will see its subsidiary banners Idea Optical, Lynddahl Telecom, and Acome integrated under a single moniker. Following the restructure, the central Acome Group identity will be used for product and services from all of the former brands. The company argued the decision will streamline its marketing activity while boosting its strategic plan Connect to 2030, which focuses on addressing cabling and connectivity use cases in critical infrastructure.

Just In

05:25

NTT Docomo Business X video service deployed by Kodaira City

05:23

KDDI launches AI service based on licensed publishing and media content

05:22

Nvidia and industry leaders launch Open Secure AI Alliance

05:20

Databricks appoints former AWS executive to lead APJ partner business

Commentary

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?

5 MEI 10:55

KPN: the art of making one-offs structural

4 MEI 14:25

Open Dutch Fiber outlook: time to restart roll-out?

Background

26 JUL 23:19

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

19 JUL 23:41

The week in telecom: OnePlus exits tough smartphone market and Apple takes on OpenAI

12 JUL 23:30

The week in telecom: European telcos take shape as Xavier Niel buys more of Vodafone, Telenor expands in Sweden

5 JUL 23:03

The week in telecom: Comcast gives up on vertical integration, BT and Verizon agree global alliance