Korea launches private-sector AI certification ecosystem through industry alliance
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 06:11

Korea launches private-sector AI certification ecosystem through industry alliance

South Korea's Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA) has announced the formal launch of a private sector-led ecosystem for AI reliability certification, following the first 2026 general meeting of the AI Trustworthiness Alliance held in Seoul on 29 April. The meeting brought together government representatives, research bodies and industry participants, including Kakao, Naver, Korea Telecom (KT) and NC AI, alongside academic experts, to discuss frameworks for ensuring AI safety and reliability.

ETRI deploys AI-driven pig farming testbed in Jeju
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 06:10

ETRI deploys AI-driven pig farming testbed in Jeju

South Korea's Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) has deployed an AI-enabled smart livestock farming testbed in Jeju, aimed at developing a carbon reduction model for pig farming. The testbed, developed in collaboration with Jeju Province, was inaugurated on 30 April at Jeju National University and forms part of a broader initiative to apply AI technologies to agricultural operations in response to climate-related challenges.

Circles and OpenAI launch AI concierge as part of AI-native telco stack initiative
SINGAPORE 06:07

Circles and OpenAI launch AI concierge as part of AI-native telco stack initiative

Singapore technology company Circles and OpenAI have announced the launch of an AI concierge, marking a milestone in their ongoing collaboration to develop what they describe as an AI-native telco stack. The AI concierge is built on OpenAI's API platform and is designed to integrate customer engagement, operations and monetisation functions within a single system. It forms part of Circles' broader platform, which includes CareX, a multi-agent system handling tasks such as customer support, network diagnosti

NTT West launches subscription-based business phone service for fibre users
JAPAN 06:04

NTT West launches subscription-based business phone service for fibre users

NTT West announced it will launch a rental-based business phone service, branded "Hikari Business Phone", from 1 May 2026 for users of its fibre telephony services. The service is designed for use with Hikari Denwa, Hikari Denwa Office Type and Hikari Denwa Office A, and introduces a monthly subscription model that includes support. It allows enterprises to deploy and operate business telephony systems without upfront equipment purchases.

VNPT and KDDI target Vietnam mobile sub-brand launch with povo-based model
VIETNAM 06:03

VNPT and KDDI target Vietnam mobile sub-brand launch with povo-based model

Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) and KDDI have agreed to launch a mobile sub-brand in Vietnam, with a joint service targeted for rollout later in 2026. The companies signed a business cooperation contract to support the initiative, combining VNPT's domestic network infrastructure, brand presence and customer base with KDDI's experience in operating its online-only povo mobile service in Japan. The offering is expected to adopt elements of the povo model, including app-based customer managem

Tait opens Santiago office to expand Latam operations
CHILE 06:00

Tait opens Santiago office to expand Latam operations

New Zealand-based Tait Communications has opened a new office in Santiago, Chile, as part of efforts to strengthen its presence and support capabilities across South America. The office, located in Santiago's Isidora Goyenechea district, represents the company's second base in the region alongside its existing operations in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It will be led by Andres Vidal, business development manager for South America.

NBN Co to implement CPI-linked wholesale price changes from July
AUSTRALIA 05:59

NBN Co to implement CPI-linked wholesale price changes from July

Australian government-owned wholesale broadband provider NBN Co will introduce its annual wholesale pricing increases for broadband services from 1 July 2026, with changes broadly aligned to inflation under its existing regulatory framework. The operator said wholesale prices charged to retail service providers will increase on average by slightly less than the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI), which rose by 3.63 percent over the 12 months to 31 December 2025. Across its most widely used residential fixed-

Vocus launches Pure channel partner programme after TPG fibre deal
AUSTRALIA 05:58

Vocus launches Pure channel partner programme after TPG fibre deal

Australian operator Vocus has announced the launch of Pure, a new channel partner programme aimed at technology solution providers, following the completion of its acquisition of TPG Telecom's enterprise, government and wholesale fixed business and fibre assets. The programme provides partners with access to the combined Vocus and TPG fibre networks, alongside a unified product roadmap and a revised commissions structure. It is designed around what the company describes as a "partner-first" model, in which

KDDI and Ocean link eSIM offer with tax-free platform for inbound visitors
JAPAN 05:55

KDDI and Ocean link eSIM offer with tax-free platform for inbound visitors

KDDI and Ocean announced the launch of a joint initiative to provide a data-only eSIM service for inbound visitors to Japan via the "Ocean Tax Refund" platform from 30 April 2026. The service integrates KDDI's povo2.0 "Japan SIM" with Ocean's tax-free processing platform, enabling travellers to obtain connectivity alongside tax refund services. To mark the launch, the companies have introduced a campaign offering a free 24-hour unlimited data promotion code to users who newly register for both services.

Halter begins global satellite rollout for virtual fencing technology
NEW ZEALAND 05:53

Halter begins global satellite rollout for virtual fencing technology

New Zealand based firm Halter has begun a global rollout of direct-to-satellite connectivity for its virtual fencing system, enabling livestock management without reliance on terrestrial network infrastructure. The company said its GPS-enabled cattle collars will now connect directly to its application via satellite, removing the need for on-farm radio towers or mobile network coverage. The development is intended to extend the use of virtual fencing to remote and large-scale agricultural operations where c

Digicel PNG renews rugby league sponsorship and backs 2026 season launch
PAPUA NEW GUINEA 05:50

Digicel PNG renews rugby league sponsorship and backs 2026 season launch

Digicel PNG has reaffirmed its long-standing involvement in Papua New Guinea's premier rugby league competition, supporting the launch of the 2026 Digicel ExxonMobil Cup season and extending its principal sponsorship through to 2028. The 2026 season was officially launched at an event in Port Moresby attended by clubs, sponsors and stakeholders, marking the start of the latest edition of the national competition. The tournament continues to be supported through a partnership between Digicel PNG and ExxonMob

SKT revamps T Factory site with lounge and data centre-themed exhibition
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:48

SKT revamps T Factory site with lounge and data centre-themed exhibition

SK Telecom (SKT) has reopened its T Factory Seongsu brand experience space in Seoul following a redesign aimed at combining customer facilities with experiential content, alongside the launch of a new exhibition series focused on data centres. The operator said the site has been reconfigured to reflect increased visitor traffic in the Seongsu district and demand for rest areas, shifting the venue from a primarily exhibition-led format to a combined space for leisure and interactive experiences.

JAPAN 05:47

Verbex to relocate headquarters to Japan to expand voice AI business

AI start-up Verbex plans to move its global headquarters from Singapore to Japan by the end of 2026 as it shifts its market focus, according to Nikkei, citing company sources. The company, which develops voice-based conversational AI, is aiming to expand its presence in Japan, targeting sectors like e-commerce call centres, tourism and public services. The move follows a change in strategy away from Bangladesh, where political instability has affected its initial expansion plans.

GLOBAL 05:45

Global cloud market exceeds USD 500 bln annual run rate - Synergy

Enterprise spending on cloud infrastructure services reached USD 129 billion in the first quarter of 2026, pushing the market to an annual revenue run rate of more than USD 500 billion, according to data from Synergy Research Group. The figures represent an increase of more than USD 35 billion compared with the same period a year earlier, with year-on-year growth accelerating for the ninth consecutive quarter to 35 percent, the highest rate recorded since late 2021.

UNITED STATES 05:43

FCC proposes stricter customer verification rules for voice providers

The US Federal Communications Commission has adopted a proposal to strengthen "know-your-customer" (KYC) requirements for voice service providers, as part of efforts to prevent illegal calls from entering telecommunications networks. The proposal, set out in a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking adopted on 30 April 2026, seeks industry comment on introducing more rigorous customer verification standards. These could include requirements for providers to verify customer identity details such as name, addre

GLOBAL 02:22

Eutelsat to roll out OneWeb LEO connectivity across 1,000 Station Satcom vessels

Eutelsat and Indian maritime connectivity provider Station Satcom have signed an expanded multi-year, multi-million dollar agreement to scale the deployment of Eutelsat's OneWeb LEO connectivity services across Station Satcom's global maritime fleet. The agreement builds on the activation of hundreds of vessels on the OneWeb network in 2025. Station Satcom will now expand the number of vessels equipped with Eutelsat's LEO services, with over 1,000 vessels in the current deployment pipeline.

INDIA 02:07

Vi expands 5G services to Goa state

Indian operator Vodafone Idea (Vi) has launched its 5G services in Goa state, on the southwestern coast of India. Vi's 5G deployment in Goa is designed to deliver enhanced mobile services across the region, especially in high-density locations, popular tourist hotspots and commercial hubs.

PAKISTAN 01:59

Zong launches bundles for Hajj pilgrims

Pakistani mobile operator Zong has introduced customized bundles for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage. Zong says pilgrims will be able to continue using their existing Pakistan number while staying connected on Zong's own network. With instant connectivity upon arrival at the airport, users can access communication services immediately and share updates without disruption throughout their journey, Zong added.

UNITED KINGDOM 30 APR

UK rural ISP Airband confirms departure of CEO

UK rural broadband provider Airband confirmed that CEO Kashif Rahman will step down from his role on 28 April. He has been CEO since October 2025. This follows the appointment of a new chairman in March. In a statement, Airband thanked him for his leadership and wished him success for the future. The company provides fixed wireless access (FWA) and fibre broadband services in rural areas. 

UNITED STATES 30 APR

eX2 signs 20-year dark fibre agreement with Navajo County

US fibre network provider eX2 Technology signed a dark fibre Indefeasible Right of Use (IRU) contract with an incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) for dedicated capacity on the middle mile network in Navajo County in northeast Arizona. The 20-year agreement covers the whole 106-mile Navajo County middle-mile network. 

UNITED KINGDOM 30 APR

Millions of Brits ignoring mobile handset security - Uswitch

New research from Uswitch.com shows that millions of Brits are failing to activate basic security features on their mobile phones, leaving them exposed to identity theft and financial fraud. The warning comes as new data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) shows that 272,000 incidents of mobile phone theft were recorded in the year to March 2025, up around 16 percent year-on-year.

CANADA 30 APR

Telus Foundation, Indspire announce new 4-year partnership

Telus has announced a new partnership between the Telus Friendly Future Foundation and Indigenous national charity Indspire. The 4-year, CAD 500,000 partnership, combined with federal match funding, will help provide CAD 1 million in bursaries to Indigenous students - helping to remove post-secondary education barriers for First Nation, Metis and Inuit youth. Eligible students must be enrolled in their first undergrad degree/diploma programme at a recognised post-secondary institution in Canada.

GERMANY 30 APR

NL-ix opens PoP in Munich

NL-ix is introducing a new PoP in Munich. The Dutch operator said it sees growing demand in south Germany for local, scalable connectivity. The new exchange will be connected to the NL-ix European backbone with capacity up to 400 Gbps and direct connections to Frankfurt and Paris. Peering, IP transit and cloud connectivity are among the services available at the new site.

UNITED STATES 30 APR

AOI clinches Texas chip funding to deliver production lines for optical transceivers

Applied Optoelectronics (AOI) said it has secured USD 20.85 million from the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund (TSIF) to fund additional production lines for making optical transceiver modules. Proceeds from the AOI grant will advance development of a 210,000-square foot manufacturing facility adjacent to AOI's existing Sugar Land headquarters, with Sugar Land situated around 20 miles southwest of central Houston.

Just In

06:11

Korea launches private-sector AI certification ecosystem through industry alliance

06:10

ETRI deploys AI-driven pig farming testbed in Jeju

06:07

Circles and OpenAI launch AI concierge as part of AI-native telco stack initiative

06:04

NTT West launches subscription-based business phone service for fibre users

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Background

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