Telecompaper Weekly: Germany
GERMANY 14:14

Telecompaper Weekly: Germany

Deutsche Telekom dominated the week with several announcements, including the addition of HBO Max to its MagentaTV offering, plans to open 50 smaller retail branches by 2027, and a campaign against online misogyny. On the regulatory side, the Federal Network Agency published guidelines for wholesale fibre access fees, a move industry group Breko called a starting point for broader market analysis. Elsewhere, Deutsche Glasfaser reached one million fibre customers and ProSiebenSat.1 appointed a new group chie

Telecompaper Weekly: Belgium
BELGIUM 11:13

Telecompaper Weekly: Belgium

Orange Belgium saw significant changes at the executive level this week, with chief consumer officer Christophe Dujardin leaving to become RTBF's new CEO and former Digi Belgium head Jeroen Degadt joining as chief enterprise officer. Telenet discontinued mobile services under its Tadaam brand while adding a new portable broadband plan, and fintech company Monizze launched NFC payments for meal vouchers. Artificial intelligence featured prominently in enterprise IT news, with Belgian CIOs naming AI governanc

Telecompaper Weekly: Netherlands
NETHERLANDS 10:54

Telecompaper Weekly: Netherlands

This is a weekly telecom news roundup, compiled from Telecompaper's own published news articles for the week. Pieces that are analysis or opinion rather than straight news (such as the KPN commentary piece) are explicitly labeled (Commentary), and pieces based on Telecompaper's own research (such as the video market figures) are labeled (Telecompaper research), so readers can distinguish these from factual news reports.

Bangladesh adds 650,000 mobile subscribers in August
BANGLADESH 07:33

Bangladesh adds 650,000 mobile subscribers in August

Bangladesh added 650,000 mobile subscribers in August this year, according to a report from Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission (BTRC). Bangladesh ended August with 191.09 million mobile customers, up from 190.44 million in the previous month and 188.57 in August 2025.

Comcast NBCUniversal awards latest local impact grants
UNITED STATES 25 SEP

Comcast NBCUniversal awards latest local impact grants

Comcast NBCUniversal and NBCUniversal Local have awarded unrestricted grants worth USD 2.5 million to 80 non-profits operating in one of the 11 US markets covered by NBC/Telemundo-owned stations. These have been awarded through the NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants programme, which has provided grants worth USD 24.3 million to 695 non-profit organisations since 2018.

U-wifi signs nationwide MVNO agreement with T-Mobile US
UNITED STATES 25 SEP

U-wifi signs nationwide MVNO agreement with T-Mobile US

U-wifi, US-based 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) internet provider, has signed an MVNO agreement with T-Mobile US to expand availability of affordable, wireless broadband nationwide. U-wifi will use the T-Mobile network to provide wireless broadband connectivity to low-income homes, underserved communities, seniors, students, veterans and families impacted by the termination of the FCC Affordable Connectivity Programme (ACP). 

Lumen board approves stock exchange listing transfer to Nasdaq
UNITED STATES 25 SEP

Lumen board approves stock exchange listing transfer to Nasdaq

The Board of Directors of Lumen Technologies has approved plans to voluntary transfer the listing of its common shares, as well as 6.500% Notes 2051 and 6.750% Notes due 2052 issued by subsidiary Qwest, from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to the Nasdaq Stock Market. The shares will be de-listed from the NYSE at close of markets on 05 October, and listed on Nasdaq for the start of trading on 06 October, subject to customary conditions being satisfied.

Arqiva recommends managed DTT switch-off in 2044
UNITED KINGDOM 25 SEP

Arqiva recommends managed DTT switch-off in 2044

Arqiva has submitted its response to the UK government Green Paper on the future of UK TV distribution. Arqiva's proposal outlines a clear and fully-costed proposal for a managed DTT network switch-off in 2044 - arguing that this is the most affordable, resilient and practical option. 

NBI continues fibre network roll-out across Cork, Carlow
IRELAND 25 SEP

NBI continues fibre network roll-out across Cork, Carlow

National Broadband Ireland (NBI) confirmed that the National Broadband Plan (NBP) fibre network roll-out is almost complete in West Cork, with the remaining 500 premises to be covered in the coming months. The high-speed fibre broadband network is now available to more than 77,000 homes, businesses and farms across County Cork, with 23,841 connections made to date. The final 500 rural premises are located in areas including Bantry Bay, the Beara Peninsula, Bere Island, and the Sheep's Head Peninsula. 

Project Gigabit creates over 3,000 jobs, apprenticeships in England
UNITED KINGDOM 25 SEP

Project Gigabit creates over 3,000 jobs, apprenticeships in England

The UK government's Project Gigabit programme has helped created over 3,000 jobs and apprenticeships across England, according to new data from broadband suppliers. These include network engineering roles, as well as office-based jobs in operations, finance and other areas. The latest Social Value Employment update for Project Gigabit shows that broadband supplies provided more than 3,000 jobs, apprenticeships and training placement in England between August 2022 and July 2026.

Verizon offers new Motorola 2026 devices; preps network for tropical storm
UNITED STATES 25 SEP

Verizon offers new Motorola 2026 devices; preps network for tropical storm

Verizon is now offering the latest 2026 Motorola device range. Customers can now get the motorola razr fold, motorola razr+ 2026, motorola razr 2026 with Crystals by Swarkovski, and moto watch ultra. Customers switching to Verizon can get the motorola razr fold for USD 25 per month on Simplicity with no trade-in needed, and also get a free moto watch ultra when adding a new watch line.

Eir to start 3G network switch-off in County Donegal
IRELAND 25 SEP

Eir to start 3G network switch-off in County Donegal

Irish operator Eir has confirmed that the 3G network switch-off will start in the county of Donegal from 01 October. The 3G network will then be switched off in other counties on a phased basis, and completed over the following weeks. The switch-off is part of the group's mobile network transformation programme and will support the continued expansion of 4G and 5G mobile services. 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 25 SEP

E& UAE launches secure web hosting with NOC and SOC support

E& UAE has launched its secure website hosting service, offering government organisations and businesses locally hosted infrastructure backed by round-the clock network and security monitoring. It is hosted in E& UAE's on-premises data centres under the oversight of the UAE Cyber Security Council. It provides enhanced control over the security, availability and performance of public-facing and mission-critical websites. Continuous management from its Network Operations Centre (NOC) and Security Operations C

UNITED KINGDOM 25 SEP

New report recommends GBP 11 per month broadband levy to fund BBC

A new report from the Social Market Foundation (SMF) think-tank warns that the withdrawal of TV licence fee funding for the BBC would result in the loss of 18,000-29,000 jobs and an estimated GBP 2.1-3.3 billion form the UK culture and broadcasting sector and related supply chain. These job losses would be concentrated in areas outside London and the SE of England - including in Scotland, Wales and the NW of England.

BAHRAIN 25 SEP

STC Bahrain cuts Rova roaming rates for 2026 Malaysia Grand Prix

STC Bahrain said it is offering a 67 percent discount until 05 October on selected Rova roaming packs for customers traveling to Malaysia, coinciding with the 2026 Grand Prix in Malaysia. STC customers can get the 20 GB 30-day pack for BHD 3.30. The Rova travel app featuring lifetime eSIM. The promotion simplifies international roaming by eliminating physical SIM cards in favour of instant digital activation.

UGANDA 25 SEP

Airtel Africa expands Starlink Mobile to Uganda

Airtel Africa and Starlink have launched satellite-to-mobile services in Uganda, marking Airtel's second commercial roll-out in Africa after the launch in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in August. Airtel subscribers with compatible smartphones can use the service to send SMS and use applications such as WhatsApp in areas beyond traditional cell coverage, requiring only a clear view of the sky. There is no need for satellite dishes, special hardware or extra devices.

GERMANY 25 SEP

German regulator orders telcos to strengthen compliance checks with sales partners

The German Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) has mandated telecommunication companies to strengthen compliance checks with sales partners and retailers following a campaign called Operation Herakles to tackle cybercriminals. The operators must subject them to more rigorous scrutiny in the future. This is one of a series of measures put in place to prevent the abusive registration and use of telephone numbers by perpetrators of cyber crimes. Operators must deactivate affected telephone numbers and a

GERMANY 25 SEP

MagentaSport secures Basketball Champions League broadcasting rights for 2026/27 season

Deutsche Telekom has secured the rights to broadcast Basketball Champions League (BCL) matches during the 2026/27 season on MagentaSport. It will show up to 64 games and highlights from matches. MagentaSport will air every game played by German teams including Alba Berlin, BMA365 Bamberg Baskets, Telekom Baskets Bonn and Rasta Vechta live and exclusively. From the quarter-finals onwards, MagentaSport will show every match including the final four tournament, with semi-finals and the final.

ITALY 25 SEP

Fastweb and Telespazio reach 515 Mbps in Lombardy satellite internet trial

Fastweb (Fastweb + Vodafone) and satellite operator Telespazio recorded internet download speeds of up to 515.8 Mbps in a Lombardy trial designed to test whether satellite links could connect difficult-to-reach areas where terrestrial networks are lacking. The EUR 6.5 million project was backed by Italy's Department for Digital Transformation, the Lombardy Region and ARIA, with support from the University of Pavia.

GERMANY 25 SEP

Deutsche Telekom to open 50 smaller brick-and-mortar retail branches in Germany in 2027

Deutsche Telekom will expand the network of brick-and-mortar stores focusing on smaller shops offering personal advice and consultation services. The company plans to open 50 new small shops nationwide in Germany by 2027. Telekom aims to reach urban areas and regions previously underserved, to provide personal service and expert advice on-site. At the heart of this new strategy are personal consultation, the marketing of converged services, and the integration of physical and digital offerings. Telekom will

GLOBAL 25 SEP

STL rolls out pre-terminated Neuralis trunk assemblies

India's Sterlite Technologies (STL) has announced pre-terminated trunk assemblies under its data centre-targeted fibre optic cabling brand, Neuralis. With counts ranging from 48 to 6,912 fibres, STL's prepared trunk cables will support high-density cabling requirements in the data centre, helping clients cope with increased AI and HPC workload. The firm's pre-terminated design aims to pack fibre density into a slimmer form factor, allowing operators to route more capacity through existing pathways without c

MALAYSIA 25 SEP

ZTE's Malaysia CelcomDigi Dual-Network Integration Project Won the Gold Award of IPMA Global Project Excellence Awards 2026

ZTE has won the Gold Award at the IPMA Global Project Excellence Awards 2026 for its exceptional performance on the Malaysia CelcomDigi dual-network integration project. Standing out among numerous outstanding projects worldwide, this honor marks strong industry recognition of ZTE's capabilities in delivering ultra-large-scale, highly complex communication networks. It also reflects ZTE's systematic practices in independent innovation, digital-intelligence applications, and localized operations, earning authoritative international certification for its globally competitive project management system. 

DENMARK 25 SEP

3 Denmark appoints head of marketing as director in charge of Oister and Flexxi brands

Mobile operator 3 Denmark has announced the appointment on 02 September of Maj-Brit Dam Kjaergaard as director in charge of its Oister budget mobile brand and its Flexxi self-service subscription range. In her role as head of marketing, Kjaergaard was involved in developing the recent 'Born to be Oister' advertising campaign. 3 Denmark said Oister is boosting its brand at a time when competing for customers' attention has become much harder.

UNITED KINGDOM 25 SEP

New Ofcom research examines telecoms customers use of AI

New research from UK regulator Ofcom shows that more than half (53%) of adult internet users in the UK have used a GenAI tool and/or AI customer service chatbot in the last 12 months. The new Technology Tracker research found that 8 percent of UK online adults use an AI tool to help manage their telecoms services ; 6 percent have used one to resolve a telecoms issue; 3 percent have used AI to compare prices/products/services; and 2 percent have used AI to make a complaint about their telecoms service. 

Just In

14:14

Telecompaper Weekly: Germany

11:13

Telecompaper Weekly: Belgium

10:54

Telecompaper Weekly: Netherlands

07:33

Bangladesh adds 650,000 mobile subscribers in August

Commentary

24 SEP 13:37

What is KPN's response to the brand expansion at Odido and VodafoneZiggo?

8 SEP 10:16

Odido matches KPN and VodafoneZiggo on cash flow margin, but growth remains limited

11 AUG 10:49

Can Ziggo Group creation improve visibility for the Dutch market?

2 JUL 11:26

Canal Plus misses chance to strengthen Dutch business, time for exit?

Background

11:13

Telecompaper Weekly: Belgium

10:54

Telecompaper Weekly: Netherlands

21 SEP 11:23

Netherlands video revenues grow 2.5% in Q2, helped by Videoland success

21 SEP 01:59

The week in telecom: Samsung, Apple, Snap test consumer appetite for mobile AI and EU brings in internet age checks