Singapore finds weaknesses in app store safety checks despite age controls
SINGAPORE 06:31

Singapore finds weaknesses in app store safety checks despite age controls

Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has found gaps in app review processes and age-rating accuracy across designated app distribution services, despite generally effective age-assurance measures, in its first assessment of their online safety controls. The report assessed measures to verify users' ages, protect children from harmful apps, assign appropriate age ratings and handle user reports. Singapore introduced its App Distribution Services Online Safety Code in March 2025.

KDDI launches Elyza Robotics with JPY 30 bln investment in physical AI
JAPAN 06:29

KDDI launches Elyza Robotics with JPY 30 bln investment in physical AI

KDDI and AI company Elyza have launched Elyza Robotics, a new company focused on developing and deploying physical AI, with plans to invest JPY 30 billion in research and development by fiscal 2030. The company brings together expertise from Elyza, which develops AI foundation models, KDDI Research and other KDDI Group businesses. It will oversee the development of physical AI technologies through to deployment in operational environments.

KDDI partners with Alphabet's Wing to launch drone deliveries in 2027
JAPAN 06:25

KDDI partners with Alphabet's Wing to launch drone deliveries in 2027

KDDI, its subsidiary KDDI SmartDrone and Alphabet-owned Wing Aviation have formed a strategic partnership to introduce commercial drone delivery services in Japan, targeting an initial launch in selected areas during 2027. The companies aim to deliver groceries, everyday household goods and other small retail items, including products from Lawson convenience stores. Over time, they plan to expand the range of goods and delivery areas in collaboration with local governments and regional partners.

ServiceNow Japan, NTT and CP-SOL partner on integrated cybersecurity services
JAPAN 06:23

ServiceNow Japan, NTT and CP-SOL partner on integrated cybersecurity services

ServiceNow Japan, NTT Security Holdings and Crosspoint Solutions (CP-SOL) have formed a partnership to develop integrated cybersecurity services covering IT, operational technology (OT) and internet of things (IoT) devices, with plans to expand into managed security operations centre (SOC) services. The collaboration will initially focus on vulnerability management, combining asset visibility, risk assessment and remediation to help organisations prioritise threats according to asset importance and potentia

NTT develops voice AI that cuts response times by more than 50%
JAPAN 06:22

NTT develops voice AI that cuts response times by more than 50%

NTT has developed a voice dialogue AI technology designed to handle customer conversations more naturally, reducing average response time by more than 50 percent compared with commercial dialogue AI services in a test simulating Japanese call centre interactions. The system achieved an average response time of 0.43 seconds across 400 simulated conversations, compared with 0.31 seconds for human Japanese call centre operators, according to NTT.

Australian telcos join charter to redistribute retired devices
AUSTRALIA 06:19

Australian telcos join charter to redistribute retired devices

Australia's major operators are among the founding signatories of a new voluntary charter encouraging businesses to donate surplus digital devices for refurbishment and redistribution to people experiencing digital exclusion. The Tech Reuse for Good Charter was signed by assistant minister for science, technology and the digital economy Dr Andrew Charlton, with the initiative led by the Business Council of Australia, WorkVentures and Good Things Australia in partnership with the federal government.

KDDI launches AI avatar platform for customer service and staff training
JAPAN 06:17

KDDI launches AI avatar platform for customer service and staff training

KDDI will launch its AI avatar platform, KDDI Avatar Canvas, for corporate customers on 2 November, combining automated customer service with staff training and other workplace applications. The platform is based on an AI avatar system developed by partner AVITA. It is designed to handle initial customer enquiries through avatars displayed on in-store signage or tablets, while transferring more complex consultations to remote human operators. The hybrid approach is intended to reduce staffing requirements w

Fujitsu launches cyber defence solution to help companies prioritise risks
GLOBAL 06:15

Fujitsu launches cyber defence solution to help companies prioritise risks

Fujitsu will begin providing a cybersecurity solution that helps organisations identify internet-exposed IT assets, assess cyber risks and prioritise countermeasures according to their potential business impact. The solution combines existing services, including attack surface management (ASM) and cyber threat intelligence (CTI), with asset management information and knowledge gained from Fujitsu's internal cybersecurity initiatives. It is designed to give organisations a continuous process for identifying

TVer, NTT Docomo and Data One plan to link viewing and purchase data
JAPAN 06:13

TVer, NTT Docomo and Data One plan to link viewing and purchase data

Japanese streaming platform TVer, NTT Docomo and data company Data One have agreed to combine streaming viewing data, membership information and retail purchase data to improve advertising measurement and expand TVer's user base. The collaboration will link TVer's viewing data with NTT Docomo's d Point Club membership data, which includes demographic information, location data and transactions at participating retailers, and purchase data managed by Data One on behalf of retailers.

New Zealand regulator recommends scrapping mobile tower-sharing rules
NEW ZEALAND 06:12

New Zealand regulator recommends scrapping mobile tower-sharing rules

New Zealand's Commerce Commission has recommended removing regulatory requirements for mobile tower sharing, arguing that changes in ownership have made the rules unnecessary. The rules, introduced under the Telecommunications Act 2001, were designed to support competition by allowing mobile operators to install equipment on competitors' towers rather than build their own infrastructure.

GMO Internet suspends desktop cloud service after breach
JAPAN 06:10

GMO Internet suspends desktop cloud service after breach

Japanese internet services group GMO Internet Group has confirmed that a cyberattack on its subsidiary GMO Internet's Onamae.com Desktop Cloud service exposed customer information, including trading account login credentials, and may have enabled unauthorised financial transactions. The company identified malicious software on some customer server environments on 20 October, following an enquiry from a customer the previous day. It subsequently suspended new registrations and access to its control panel, be

Australia tests SMS access to triple zero emergency service
AUSTRALIA 06:07

Australia tests SMS access to triple zero emergency service

The Australian government has engaged Accenture Australia to test whether direct SMS messaging could provide a safe and effective way to contact Triple Zero, the country's emergency services number, when a voice call is not possible or practical. The testing, commissioned by the triple zero custodian, will take place in a simulated environment designed to reflect operational requirements. It will not be accessible to the public and will not affect the live emergency service.

JAPAN 06:05

Sky Perfect Jsat launches satellite-based flood analysis service

Japanese satellite operator Sky Perfect Jsat has launched Aquana, a satellite data analytics service that uses synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery to identify flooded areas and deliver results in as little as 30 minutes. The service allows users to upload a single post-disaster SAR image through a web-based platform. Its proprietary algorithm automatically identifies inundated areas, with image processing taking approximately 10 minutes. The company says the complete process, from uploading an image to r

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 06:04

LG Uplus app reaches 6.1 million monthly users after first year

LG Uplus said its integrated customer platform U+one reached a peak of 6.1 million monthly active users in August, up 20.2 percent from approximately 5.08 million users in October 2025, before the operator combined its customer service and membership apps. LG Uplus attributed the growth to improvements in AI-powered customer services, personalised features and content. The platform combines telecoms account management with membership benefits and lifestyle content.

JAPAN 06:02

NTT unit partners with two firms on sewer infrastructure management

NTT Infrastructure Network, a subsidiary of NTT Group that manages underground telecommunications infrastructure, has signed a sales partnership agreement with Fukuyama Consultants and Kyuden Drone Service to develop proposals for sewer network maintenance and management. The three companies have been collaborating since the 2025 financial year, combining NTT Infrastructure Network's digital infrastructure management solutions, Fukuyama Consultants' AI-based deterioration assessment technology and Kyuden Dr

AUSTRALIA 06:00

AirTrunk secures AUD 4.25 bln green loan for Sydney data centre campus

Australian-based data centre operator AirTrunk has secured AUD 4.25 billion in green financing to fund the continued development of its SYD3 campus in Western Sydney, Australia. The campus is under construction and is expected to be completed by mid-2028. The financing was backed by 32 Australian and international financial institutions, with 14 banks underwriting the facility.

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:58

Keysight supplies NR-NTN testing systems to South Korea's KTL

Keysight Technologies has supplied its New Radio Non-Terrestrial Network (NR-NTN) radio frequency (RF) and Radio Resource Management (RRM) test solutions to South Korea's Korea Testing Laboratory (KTL), expanding the laboratory's capabilities for testing and certifying satellite-enabled devices and networks. The systems will support pre-conformance testing and certification activities as the industry moves from LTE-based direct-to-device services towards NR-NTN, which is designed to extend 5G connectivity t

UNITED STATES 05:56

Astranis secures dedicated Falcon 9 launch for six GEO satellites in 2028

US satellite manufacturer Astranis has upgraded its fourth launch contract with SpaceX to a dedicated Falcon 9 mission in 2028, allowing it to launch six MicroGEO satellites as part of its Block 4 production run. The satellites will be placed directly into geostationary orbit (GEO) using an Impulse Helios upper stage. The launch will increase Astranis's planned fleet to 16 satellites, adding to the 10 built across its first three production blocks.

JAPAN 05:55

KDDI launches project to accelerate AI and mobility in Osaka

KDDI has launched a project to develop and deploy AI-driven technologies with industry partners, using its Osaka Sakai data centre as the foundation for testing autonomous vehicles, robots and drones in operational environments. The Alliance Park Project will establish three regional innovation hubs: Takanawa in Tokyo as a testing ground for future technologies, Yamaguchi as a gateway to space, and Sakai in Osaka as a base for AI implementation.

JAPAN 05:53

NTT Docomo develops framework to improve emotional intelligence in voice AI

NTT Docomo has developed an evaluation framework, reference architecture and four supporting technologies designed to help conversational AI respond more appropriately to users' emotions and circumstances while maintaining safety. The company's AI EQ+1 Framework assesses AI responses across four areas: basic performance, including response speed; safety and integrity; interaction quality, including empathy and consistency of character; and user outcomes, such as willingness to continue using the service.

KAZAKHSTAN 26 OKT

Transtelecom to provide infrastructure for hosting AWS Outposts in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan operator Transtelecom will provide data centre infrastructure to host AWS Outposts as part of a collaboration with Processing.kz, an online payment gateway and internet acquiring service provider. This project will enable the use of Amazon Web Services (AWS) to power payment services, with data storage and processing taking place entirely within Kazakhstan. 

POLAND 26 OKT

OpenAI to work with Poland's NASK on AI safety

Polish national R&D institute NASK and OpenAI signed an agreement to collaborate on AI safety research. This partnership will combine the expertise and experience of both organisations to more rapidly identify risks associated with this technology and improve defenses against them. It will also enable a more effective assessment of how advanced AI methods can help enhance the security and resilience of digital services.

POLAND 26 OKT

Polsat claims top spot in Polish video market in September

Nielsen has published its All Screens Video Landscape report for September. The report measures total household viewership, defined as a combination of total reach and time spent, across four screens: TVs, PCs/laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Polsat captured a 19.05 percent audience share in September, overtaking Warner Bros. Discovery (18.41 percent) to claim the top spot in the distributor rankings for the first time in 2026. 

SLOVAKIA 26 OKT

Orange Slovakia raises 5G coverage to 94% of population

Orange Slovakia has launched its 5G services in 96 villages, reports Zive. This makes the 5G network available in 1,644 sites including 94.2 percent of the country's population.

Just In

06:31

Singapore finds weaknesses in app store safety checks despite age controls

06:29

KDDI launches Elyza Robotics with JPY 30 bln investment in physical AI

06:25

KDDI partners with Alphabet's Wing to launch drone deliveries in 2027

06:23

ServiceNow Japan, NTT and CP-SOL partner on integrated cybersecurity services

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Background

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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