KDDI launches Starlink Direct international roaming in the US
UNITED STATES 02:52

KDDI launches Starlink Direct international roaming in the US

KDDI and Okinawa Cellular have begun international roaming support for their au Starlink Direct satellite-to-smartphone service in the United States from 4 March 2026. The operators said the launch represents the first cross-border roaming connection for direct satellite communications between smartphones and Starlink satellites. Initially, the service is supported on selected Google Pixel devices, with additional models expected to be added later.

SKT advances modular and CXL-based AI data centre strategy
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 01:25

SKT advances modular and CXL-based AI data centre strategy

SK Telecom (SKT) has announced two agreements at MWC 2026 aimed at reducing the cost and deployment time of AI data centres and improving infrastructure efficiency. The operator signed a three-party memorandum of understanding with Supermicro and Schneider Electric to develop an integrated AI data centre solution based on a pre-fabricated modular model. Under the approach, power, cooling and IT infrastructure are pre-assembled into modules and installed on site, rather than being built sequentially in a con

LG Uplus CEO Hong Beom-sik outlines AI voice strategy at MWC26 keynote
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 01:23

LG Uplus CEO Hong Beom-sik outlines AI voice strategy at MWC26 keynote

LG Uplus chief executive Hong Beom-sik delivered a keynote address at MWC26 in Barcelona, positioning the operator's AI call agent ixi-O as central to the future of voice communications. It was also the first time an LG Group executive had delivered an official MWC keynote. Speaking under the theme "Humanizing Every Connection", Hong argued that voice will remain a core interface in the emerging AI era, despite the proliferation of devices and applications.

Australia sees 211-day average approval time for new mobile towers
AUSTRALIA 01:17

Australia sees 211-day average approval time for new mobile towers

Delays in planning approvals remain a significant barrier to improving mobile coverage across Australia, according to recent analysis cited by industry representatives. The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) analysed 477 development applications for mobile towers and found that the average approval timeframe for new facilities was 211 days. The analysis also identified council requirements that add compliance burdens without what the industry considers a commensurate public benefit.

Soracom opens pre-orders for SGP.32-compatible Connectivity Hypervisor
GLOBAL 01:15

Soracom opens pre-orders for SGP.32-compatible Connectivity Hypervisor

Soracom has opened pre-orders for Connectivity Hypervisor, its SGP.32-compatible capability for remote management and switching of multiple operator profiles on a single IoT eSIM. The announcement was made during Mobile World Congress 2026, where SGP.32 readiness is increasingly referenced in enterprise and automotive IoT procurement processes. Soracom said the platform enables devices to activate initially on a Soracom profile and dynamically switch to local or application-specific carrier profiles, includ

NTT Data to acquire CareYell home care platform from Sompo Care
JAPAN 01:13

NTT Data to acquire CareYell home care platform from Sompo Care

NTT Data will acquire the CareYell home care support application and the CareYell PRO system from Sompo Care, with the business transfer scheduled for April 2026. The operator said it will take over provision of the services and expand its digital transformation activities in the care sector by linking CareYell with its existing senior-focused communication service, Voista. CareYell is designed to enable elderly users, family members and care and medical professionals to share daily health conditions and ca

Optus, Ericsson and FrontierSI trial 5G Advanced positioning for emergency services
AUSTRALIA 01:11

Optus, Ericsson and FrontierSI trial 5G Advanced positioning for emergency services

Optus, Ericsson and FrontierSI have completed a public safety proof-of-concept on the Optus 5G Standalone network, demonstrating centimetre-level positioning for emergency response operations on a live commercial network. The trial paired a first responder vehicle with an autonomously tracking drone, using 5G Advanced Global Navigation Satellite System Real-Time Kinematic positioning correction data and a dedicated public safety network slice. 

Rakuten Symphony partners Lightstorm on sovereign network-as-a-service platform
INDIA 01:09

Rakuten Symphony partners Lightstorm on sovereign network-as-a-service platform

Rakuten Symphony and Lightstorm Telecom have announced a strategic collaboration to deliver an integrated sovereign network-as-a-service (NaaS) platform targeting telecom operators, data centre providers and sovereign cloud operators across India, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia-Pacific. The partnership combines Lightstorm's Polarin NaaS platform with Rakuten Cloud-Native Platform and Rakuten Cloud-Native Orchestrator. 

Ayar Labs raises USD 500 mln Series E to scale co-packaged optics production
UNITED STATES 01:06

Ayar Labs raises USD 500 mln Series E to scale co-packaged optics production

US-based optical interconnect company Ayar Labs has closed a USD 500 million Series E funding round to expand high-volume production and testing capacity for its co-packaged optics (CPO) technology, bringing total funding to USD 870 million and valuing the company at $3.75 billion. The round was led by Neuberger Berman, with participation from institutional investors including ARK Invest, Insight Partners, Qatar Investment Authority, Sequoia Global Equities and 1789 Capital. 

NTT completes IOWN-based immersive live viewing trial
JAPAN 01:05

NTT completes IOWN-based immersive live viewing trial

NTT Docomo Solutions has completed a proof of concept for an immersive live viewing service using IOWN and AI technologies, enabling simultaneous real-time delivery of 3D and augmented reality (AR) video from remote locations. The operator said the February 2026 trial combined its IOWN All-Photonics Network (APN) with AI-based video analysis to stream multiple immersive feeds without requiring advanced ICT equipment at the capture site.

NTT signs domestic resale agreement with Blackwired for ThirdWatch platform
JAPAN 01:02

NTT signs domestic resale agreement with Blackwired for ThirdWatch platform

NTT Security Japan has signed a domestic resale agreement with Singapore-based Blackwired to provide the ThirdWatch threat intelligence platform in Japan from March 2026. The agreement marks the first time ThirdWatch will be resold in the Japanese market, according to the companies. ThirdWatch is a threat intelligence platform that monitors and analyses activity by state-sponsored actors and advanced cybercriminals in real time, including across dark web and closed community sources.

Zayo appoints Chris Ranalli as Enterprise CRO in commercial restructure
UNITED STATES 00:59

Zayo appoints Chris Ranalli as Enterprise CRO in commercial restructure

Zayo has appointed Chris Ranalli as chief revenue officer for Enterprise as part of a revised commercial leadership structure aimed at expanding its enterprise business. The Denver-based communications infrastructure provider said the change separates leadership accountability between its enterprise and digital infrastructure segments. Under the new model, Ranalli will oversee all enterprise industry verticals and the company's indirect channel organisation.

GLOBAL 00:58

NTT Data secures 115 MW in new US data centre capacity commitments

NTT Data has secured nearly 115 MW of new data centre capacity commitments across sites in the United States, as demand from hyperscale and enterprise customers for infrastructure supporting AI and high-density workloads continues to expand. The operator said its Global Data Centers division had signed four agreements spanning campuses in Gainesville, Virginia; Chicago, Illinois; and Sacramento, California. The largest commitment is for more than 90 MW at the VA11 campus in Virginia from a major hyperscale

SPAIN 00:56

Fujitsu to develop ocean digital twin at Port of Barcelona

Fujitsu has agreed with the BCN Port Innovation Foundation to develop a proof of concept for an ocean digital twin at the Port of Barcelona during 2026, aimed at supporting marine regeneration and biodiversity protection. Under the agreement, Fujitsu Spain will work with the foundation to deploy underwater drones combined with artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to create high-resolution digital representations of the seabed. The system is designed to visualise and quantify biodiversity, calculat

JAPAN 00:54

KDDI agrees Yokosuka digital trial using number verification and RCS

KDDI has agreed to conduct a joint proof of concept with Yokosuka City and Toppan Edge to address challenges in digital administrative services, including identity fraud in online procedures and communication during disasters. Under the agreement, KDDI will provide its "Number Verification" telephone number authentication technology via API, along with technical support and RCS messaging APIs. The technology will be integrated by Toppan Edge into an RCS-based messaging platform and Japan's Public Key Infras

AUSTRALIA 00:52

TPG waives call and roaming charges for customers affected by Middle East war

TPG Telecom has introduced temporary support measures for customers seeking to contact family and friends in the Middle East following recent events in the region. From 8:00am AEDT on 3 March, Vodafone postpaid mobile customers are able to make free standard international voice calls from Australia to selected destinations in the Middle East. Customers located in those destinations can also make standard voice calls back to Australia at no charge. The calls will not be deducted from included plan minutes an

GLOBAL 00:50

Arrcus and Fujitsu partner on sovereign AI infrastructure architecture

Arrcus has announced a collaboration with Fujitsu and 1Finity to develop an architecture aimed at supporting distributed and sovereign AI infrastructure. The initiative centres on Fujitsu-Monaka, Fujitsu's next-generation Arm-based CPU, and combines it with Arrcus's ArcOS network operating system and 1Finity's optical interconnect technology. The companies said the joint architecture is designed to address requirements linked to distributed AI workloads, including edge inference and large-scale training, wi

JAPAN 00:47

Microamp partners High Tech Inter for 5G mmWave deployment in Japan and APAC

Polish company Microamp and Japanese firm High Tech Inter have entered into a strategic partnership to accelerate the deployment of 5G millimetre wave networks in Japan and across the Asia-Pacific region. The companies said the agreement combines Microamp's end-to-end 5G mmWave network technology with High Tech Inter's system integration and deployment capabilities, targeting commercial and mission-critical applications requiring high resilience, ultra-high capacity and low latency connectivity.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA 00:45

PNG province sets out AI-led digital govt plan with PNG DataCo and Oracle

Papua New Guinea's Morobe provincial government has outlined plans to become what it describes as the Pacific's first fully AI-enabled sub-national administration, under a proposed partnership with PNG DataCo and Oracle. The initiative, known as the Morobe Digital Government Project – MMU, would see PNG DataCo and Oracle act as technology and solutions partners, delivering a cloud-based platform to support the province's digital transformation. 

UNITED STATES 00:43

Anritsu test systems integrated into ETS-Lindgren 5G FR2 OTA platform

Anritsu has announced that its MT8000A and MT8821C wireless communication test systems have been integrated into a CTIA-certified 5G FR2 over-the-air (OTA) test platform developed by ETS-Lindgren, headquartered in Cedar Park, Texas. The US company specialises in electromagnetic and acoustic measurement and shielding systems. Its FR2 OTA system has obtained certification under the CTIA specification for millimetre wave testing, enabling spatial evaluation of 5G millimetre wave radio performance.

NEW ZEALAND 00:42

InternetNZ survey highlights unequal online experiences across nation

New research from InternetNZ indicates that online experiences in New Zealand vary significantly across different communities, with higher reported levels of harm and concern among Maori, Pacific peoples and people with disabilities. The findings come from Internet Insights 2025, an annual survey commissioned by InternetNZ as a measure of internet use and attitudes. The study, conducted by Verian between 25 November and 8 December 2025, surveyed 1,003 New Zealanders aged over 18, with a reported margin of e

PHILIPPINES 3 MRT

PLDT, Smart open first joint store in Tacloban City

Philippines operator PLDT and its mobile unit Smart Communications have officially opened their first-ever co-located store in Marasbaras district in Tacloban City. The new store is already fully operational and will serve customers in Tacloban City and its surrounding areas.

PHILIPPINES 3 MRT

Smart revenue grows 5% in Q4, amid expanding ARPU and 5G adoption

Philippines operator Smart Communications saw its fourth-quarter revenue grow 5 percent sequentially. Fourth-quarter revenue growth was mainly boosted by higher ARPU, the company said. Smart reported 606,079 net additions in the fourth quarter, while churn reached 2.5 percent at end-2025.

PHILIPPINES 3 MRT

PLDT offers free emergency calls for Filipinos in Middle East conflict areas

In light of the escalating conflict in the Middle East, PLDT Group chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan has announced that the PLDT Group will provide communication assistance to overseas Filipinos in affected areas. PLDT and Smart will offer free calls for Filipinos in countries affected by the conflict in the Middle East.

Just In

02:52

KDDI launches Starlink Direct international roaming in the US

01:25

SKT advances modular and CXL-based AI data centre strategy

01:23

LG Uplus CEO Hong Beom-sik outlines AI voice strategy at MWC26 keynote

01:17

Australia sees 211-day average approval time for new mobile towers

Commentary

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2 FEB 13:49

KPN results show little bother from the competition

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Open Dutch Fiber's new management team takes up turnaround challenge

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Video market set for slower growth ahead

Background

1 MRT 13:21

The week in telecoms: Paramount tops bidding for WBD, Samsung S26 kicks off MWC showcase

23 FEB 00:28

The week in telecoms: Liberty Global tackles cable vs fibre question, Orange promises dividends and MEA market goes wholesale

16 FEB 00:17

The week in telecoms: Cisco rides AI investment wave and European telcos invest in South America

9 FEB 01:54

The week in telecoms: hyperscalers vie for capex crown, Telenor and Vodafone profit from smaller footprints