Singapore launches data festival focused on AI, privacy and data governance
SINGAPORE 06:40

Singapore launches data festival focused on AI, privacy and data governance

Singapore's Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) will launch the inaugural Singapore Data Festival from 20 to 24 July 2026, bringing together more than 2,000 data and AI professionals, policymakers and business leaders. The event, which will be held at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore, replaces the former Personal Data Protection Week and reflects a broader focus on data governance, responsible data use and artificial intelligence.

KDDI to launch arrows We3 on au and UQ Mobile on 25 June
JAPAN 06:38

KDDI to launch arrows We3 on au and UQ Mobile on 25 June

KDDI and Okinawa Cellular Telephone will launch the 5G-enabled arrows We3 smartphone through their au and UQ Mobile brands on 25 June 2026, with pre-orders opening on 11 June. The device will also support the au Starlink Direct satellite connectivity service. The arrows We3 features a 6.1-inch display and a 5,000mAh battery. The handset is designed to withstand drops from heights of up to 1.5 metres onto concrete under the manufacturer's testing conditions and carries IP6X dust resistance and IPX6, IPX8 and

SK Telecom expands Air points programme to all app members
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 06:36

SK Telecom expands Air points programme to all app members

SK Telecom (SKT) has expanded the points programme within its Air mobile service app, allowing all registered app users to earn and redeem points regardless of whether they subscribe to an Air tariff. The operator announced that points benefits, previously limited to Air tariff subscribers, will now be available to non-subscribers through a range of advertising-based missions within the app. These include activities such as scratch-card games, prediction challenges and points missions.

InternetNZ opens nominations for board elections
NEW ZEALAND 06:35

InternetNZ opens nominations for board elections

InternetNZ has opened nominations for two elected positions on its board, with voting scheduled to take place between 24 July and 10 August 2026. The organisation, which oversees the .nz domain name space and advocates for an open and secure internet in New Zealand, said nominations will remain open until 16 July. Successful candidates will be announced at the organisation's annual general meeting on 13 August.

StarHub highlights bundled services and World Cup viewing offers
SINGAPORE 06:34

StarHub highlights bundled services and World Cup viewing offers

Singapore's StarHub has outlined a series of consumer promotions for June, centred on bundled telecoms services and coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The operator said customers who combine broadband, mobile and entertainment services through its bundling programme can access discounted pricing on selected services, including broadband plans and additional 5G mobile lines. As part of a retail promotion, StarHub is offering a limited-edition "Hubling Happy to Help Blind Box" to eligible customers who sign

KT prepares network capacity measures for World Cup public viewing events
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 06:32

KT prepares network capacity measures for World Cup public viewing events

Korea Telecom (KT) said it has completed network readiness measures for major public viewing locations ahead of South Korea's opening World Cup match on 12 June, with large crowds expected to gather in several areas of Seoul. The operator said it has conducted communications quality inspections and prepared network traffic management plans for Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul Plaza and the Yeongdong-daero area in Gangnam, where significant concentrations of spectators are anticipated.

Stack Infrastructure contributes to Northwest Louisiana community fund
UNITED STATES 06:31

Stack Infrastructure contributes to Northwest Louisiana community fund

Stack Infrastructure has committed USD 100,000 to a community investment fund established by Amazon to support local projects in Northwest Louisiana, where both companies are involved in data centre development activities. The contribution will be made to the Amazon Northwest Louisiana Community Fund, which was launched with an initial USD 250,000 commitment from Amazon. The fund is intended to support community-led projects across the Greater Shreveport area, Caddo Parish and Bossier Parish.

Airtel deploys 2,900 new 5G sites across Upper North region in one year
INDIA 06:29

Airtel deploys 2,900 new 5G sites across Upper North region in one year

Indian mobile operator Bharti Airtel reports it has deployed more than 2,900 new 5G sites across the Upper North region over the past 12 months. Spanning 77 districts, the rollout provides connectivity to nearly 28.6 million customers in cities, towns and remote rural villages. The expanded 5G network now covers all districts of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.

Vi launches 5G services in Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Vellore
INDIA 06:13

Vi launches 5G services in Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Vellore

Following its recent 5G launch in Chennai, Union Territory of Pondicherry Trichy and Salem, Indian operator Vi has now expanded its 5G services to Coimbatore, Tiruppur and Vellore. The planned rollout focuses on high data consumption centres, covering key industrial hubs such as Coimbatore and Tiruppur; as well as an healthcare and education hub Vellore.

Vi expands 5G network coverage across Punjab
INDIA 03:03

Vi expands 5G network coverage across Punjab

Indian operator Vodafone Idea (Vi) is expanding its 5G network coverage across the state of Punjab, following its initial rollouts in Chandigarh, Mohali, Kharar, Zirakpur, Ludhiana, and the Golden Temple area. The operator has now launched 5G services in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Patiala, and plans to extend coverage to the broader Amritsar area by end-June.

China unveils 5-year tech strategy with focus on 6G, quantum computing, AI
CHINA 02:50

China unveils 5-year tech strategy with focus on 6G, quantum computing, AI

China's economic planning agency NDRC has unveiled the country's technology and telecommunications agenda for the next five years, repositioning digital networks and AI as core national infrastructure. Speaking at an economic press conference during the Fourth Session of the 14th National People's Congress, Zheng Shanjie, director of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), announced extensive state-backed capital deployments aimed at achieving sovereign technical autonomy and global leadershi

Telefonica Germany rolls out SD-WAN infrastructure in Deichmann stores in Europe
EUROPE 10 JUN

Telefonica Germany rolls out SD-WAN infrastructure in Deichmann stores in Europe

Telefonica Germany said it is rolling out standardised SD-WAN infrastructure in approximately 4,700 branches of footwear retailer Deichmann in Europe. The company picked Telefonica to upgrade the infrastructures in its shoe stores and streamline retail operations. The SD-WAN infrastructure enables Deichmann to deploy digital applications at scale, and centralise management, providing the foundation for testing and launching new in-store services faster, as well as new technologies and digital applications.

GERMANY 10 JUN

Deutsche Telekom offers n8n licences, implementation and training to mid-sized firms

Deutsche Telekom is offering n8n licences together with implementation support and training to medium-sized businesses. The offering is a further step reinforcing the partnership between Deutsche Telekom and n8n. Last year, the companies agreed to develop AI agents to streamline workflows in the business customer division. Under the latest agreement, Deutsche Telekom offers user training up to a turnkey AI agent solution and oversees the integration into existing business processes, ensuring ready-to-use in

THAILAND 10 JUN

TrueBusiness, Google unveil 'AI Ecosystem' for Thai universities

TrueBusiness and Google for Education have launched a nationwide partnership to accelerate the transformation of Thailand's higher education sector. True says this collaboration establishes an 'AI Ecosystem' designed to help universities systematically develop into 'AI-Driven Universities'. This initiative aims to train educators for the AI era, True added.

GREECE 10 JUN

Vodafone, PPC Group plan fibre joint venture in Greece

Vodafone Greece and PPC Group have signed an initial agreement to explore a potential 50:50 joint venture that would merge their respective FTTH networks and wholesale fiber operations in Greece. Vodafone Greece and PPC Group's combined infrastructure currently covers over 1.6 million homes. The proposed entity aims to offer wholesale open-access network services to Greek internet service providers. The completion of this transaction is subject to mutual due diligence, definitive legal documentation, and st

INDIA 10 JUN

Meta to lease Reliance's first AI-enabled data centre in India

Meta and Reliance Industries have expanded their existing partnership with an agreement for an AI-enabled data center in India. Under the terms of this deal, Reliance will build a data centre with 168 MW capacity, which Meta will lease, with options to scale. Meta is also separately partnering with two leading clean energy providers in India, CleanMax and Fourth Partner Energy, to back nearly 1GW of renewable energy.

NETHERLANDS 10 JUN

Smizer strengthens Dutch regional IT presence with Wanbound addition

Dutch IT managed service provider Wanbound has joined Smizer, the MSP buy-and-build platform of investment firm Riverdam, and will merge with existing Smizer member Accensys. The combination strengthens the companies' position in the central Netherlands region and expands capacity in modern workplace solutions, connectivity and cybersecurity for small and medium-sized businesses.

INDIA 10 JUN

Realme launches P4R 5G smartphone with 8000mAh battery in India

Realme has launched the realme P4R 5G smartphone in India. The device features a 8000mAh battery and 5300mm² AirFlow Vapour Chamber. The Realme P4R 5G smartphone is 8.8mm thin and weighs 224g.

GLOBAL 10 JUN

UiPath Introduces native coding agent integration for enterprise automation

UiPath has launched "UiPath for Coding Agents", a platform-wide integration that allows enterprises to connect, manage, and scale AI coding agents within their existing workflows. The company says UiPath for Coding Agents allows enterprises to use any coding agent to build, test, deploy, operate, and govern automations at scale, with orchestration and governance built in.

AUSTRALIA 10 JUN

Australia sees rise in mobile service and financial hardship complaints

The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) received 14,002 complaints during the January to March 2026 quarter, broadly unchanged from the previous quarter, but reported increases in complaints related to mobile services, financial hardship and compensation for financial losses. According to the TIO's Quarter 3 Complaints Report, complaints involving financial loss rose 32.7 percent quarter-on-quarter to 739 cases, while financial hardship complaints increased 25.3 percent to 505. The report said more

ZAMBIA 10 JUN

Zamtel provides year's internet for centre for visually impaired people

Zamtel has provided twelve months of complimentary internet connectivity to the Zambia library, cultural and skills centre for the visually impaired. This initiative forms part of Zamtel'sefforts to promote digital inclusion and bridge the digital divide for underserved communities. Through comprehensive braille instruction, specialist learning material, mobility training, and ICT skills development, it provides the essential tools for lifelong independence. According to Zamtel, the support is intended to e

JORDAN 10 JUN

Zain Jordan launches official song to back national soccer team

Zain Jordan has launched an official music video for its new anthem, celebrating the Jordan National Football Team (Al Nashama) as they compete on the global stage. As the team's exclusive telecommunications sponsor, Zain Jordan released the tribute to honour the squad's historic achievements and unite Jordanian fans in national pride. The music video delivers messages of encouragement and solidarity, reflecting multi-generational public support for the national team.

BAHRAIN 10 JUN

STC Bahrain invites entries for 2026 entreneurship scheme InspireU

STC Bahrain has launched the thirteenth intake of its inspireU programme, which seeks to drive the growth of innovative start-ups and supports the expansion of the country's evolving digital economy. It offers entrepreneurs and emerging businesses access to mentorship, training, financial support, networking opportunities and exposure to regional and international markets.

SOUTH SUDAN 10 JUN

South Sudanese telecoms regulator NCA hosts Zambian envoy to boost ties

South Sudan's National Communication Authority (NCA) has hosted a special envoy from Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema to strengthen bilateral cooperation and advance African telecommunications development. The meeting was led by NCA director-general Rizig Dominic Samuel and focused on enhancing bilateral telecommunications collaboration, specifically addressing the upcoming African Telecommunications Union (ATU) elections and Zambia's continental connectivity vision.

Just In

06:40

Singapore launches data festival focused on AI, privacy and data governance

06:38

KDDI to launch arrows We3 on au and UQ Mobile on 25 June

06:36

SK Telecom expands Air points programme to all app members

06:35

InternetNZ opens nominations for board elections

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Background

1 JUN 00:13

The week in telecom: EU telcos push sovereign services as governments question foreign tech investors

23 MEI 23:42

The week in telecom: Starlink ready to go public, Singapore telco M&A and Google courts AI subscribers at I/O

18 MEI 00:31

The week in telecom: US operators mount rural satellite challenge, Cisco cashes in on AI boom

11 MEI 00:53

The week in telecom: Lumen, NTT turn to data centre market to revive growth, Hutchison exits UK