Europol backs international crackdown on illegal streaming networks
EUROPE 10:17

Europol backs international crackdown on illegal streaming networks

Europol said a seven-month international law enforcement operation has resulted in 29 arrests and the dismantling of nine organised crime groups involved in the illegal distribution of premium sports, film and television content. Operation Kratos 2 was coordinated by Bulgaria's GDBOP with Europol's support and involved authorities from 13 countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Google Wallet expands Digital ID, adds direct checkout for Google Pay and updates payment authentication
EUROPE 10:05

Google Wallet expands Digital ID, adds direct checkout for Google Pay and updates payment authentication

Google has announced the presentation of Wallet updates at Money 20/20 Europe from 02-04 June in Amsterdam. These include expanding its Digital ID capability to ore users, a direct online checkout service for Google Pay, and Secure Payment Authentication (SPA) updates.

Broadband, sports bundle customers overpaying by GBP 400 a year - Uswitch
UNITED KINGDOM 10:04

Broadband, sports bundle customers overpaying by GBP 400 a year - Uswitch

New research from Uswitch.com shows that out-of-bundle sports fan customers could be overpaying by GBP 400 a year for broadband and TV bundles. More than one third (35%) of UK bundle customers incorrectly believe they need to remain with their broadband provider to retain their sports content access - rising to over half (53%) of customers with sports already included in their bundle. Almost 1 in 5 Brits (19%) have upgraded a package to watch a specific sport event, but 21 percent never cancelled this after

Vodafone expands 5G coverage in Catalan govt buildings
SPAIN 09:49

Vodafone expands 5G coverage in Catalan govt buildings

Vodafone Spain, in collaboration with the Catalan government's Centre for Telecommunications and Information Technologies (CTTI), has deployed several 5G antennas to improve mobile coverage across public administration buildings in Catalonia. The project is part of the operator's contract with the Catalan government (Generalitat) to modernise ICT infrastructure and enhance digital services across the region.

Free5GC joins LF-managed CNTi Test Suite as reference tool
GLOBAL 09:36

Free5GC joins LF-managed CNTi Test Suite as reference tool

Linux Foundation (LF) Networking has onboarded the LF-managed Free5GC project as a reference tool in its cloud-native network function (CNF) test suite. Free5GC is now available as a reference in LF's Cloud Native Telecom Initiative (CNTi), which aims to promote vendor-neutral processes and validation to enhance service outcomes in cloud-native telecom deployments. Free5GC's introduction in the CNTi Test Suite should allow test cases to be checked against an open source 5G Core implementation to evaluate c

MTN Zambia and Huawei deploy five-band LampSite system at Mulungushi conference centre
ZAMBIA 09:30

MTN Zambia and Huawei deploy five-band LampSite system at Mulungushi conference centre

MTN Zambia and Huawei have completed the world's first commercial deployment of the new five-band LampSite system at the Mulungushi international conference centre. It combines 1.8 GHz, 2.1 GHz, 2.3 GHz, TDD 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz in a single box and supports multi-band coordination for peak speeds of 1 Gbps. This marks a new phase of upgraded 5G indoor connectivity in Zambia.

Delta Fiber to shift focus from network build-out to growth
NETHERLANDS 09:27

Delta Fiber to shift focus from network build-out to growth

Delta Fiber said it is entering a new phase, shifting its strategic focus from years of investment in the construction of fibre networks to growth on the network through service development, customer acquisition and good service. Newly appointed CEO Stefan Fuchs said the fibre infrastructure is now present throughout the Netherlands, creating opportunities for further expansion.

South African Supreme Court of Appeal to rule on Telkom dispute with Special Investigating Unit
SOUTH AFRICA 09:23

South African Supreme Court of Appeal to rule on Telkom dispute with Special Investigating Unit

A ruling is awaited from the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) after it heard an appeal by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and President Cyril Ramaphosa against a court judgment that blocked a probe into Telkom's disposal of several African assets, ITWeb reported. SIU and Ramaphosa are challenging a July 2023 Gauteng Division High Court ruling that struck down Proclamation R49 of 2022. That presidential proclamation authorised the SIU to scrutinise allegations of serious maladministration and corruption in

Pyur expands fibre-optic network for 7,700 households in Weisswasser
GERMANY 09:11

Pyur expands fibre-optic network for 7,700 households in Weisswasser

Pyur, the brand of German operator Tele Columbus, has expanded the fibre-optic network for 7,700 households in Weisswasser. Residents in the city located in the state of Saxony have now access to internet speeds of up to 1 Gbps. Connections providing 1 Gbps speeds cost EUR 39 monthly for new customers, the 250 Mbps EUR 23 per month, and the 500 Mbps EUR 29 monthly.

Mainland France 5G 3.5GHz footprint reaches 32,000 cell sites at end-May
FRANCE 09:08

Mainland France 5G 3.5GHz footprint reaches 32,000 cell sites at end-May

The number of French 5G cell sites emitting a signal on 3.5 GHz frequencies increased by 261 during May to reach 32,140 as of 01 June. According to spectrum agency ANFR, 3.5 GHz sites have maintained their lead over those active on the 700 MHz and 2.1 GHz bands (30,648 and 22,565 respectively). This mainly reflects the steady focus on 3.5 GHz deployments by Orange, which remained the only network operator with more than 14,000 sites using 3.5 GHz frequencies.

Keysight, NTT progress 6G channel modelling project
GLOBAL 09:06

Keysight, NTT progress 6G channel modelling project

Keysight Technologies is working with NTT and the NTT Docomo mobile unit to explore pre-6G channel modelling and lab simulation technology. The collaboration, part of an ongoing memorandum of understanding between the two parties, is  announcing early development milestones, including channel modelling advances expected to support realistic 6G signal measurements and a simulation concept that would emulate distributed MIMO radio infrastructures.

US FCC advances proposal to accelerate wireline builds, unveils fast-track exemption for submarine cables
UNITED STATES 09:03

US FCC advances proposal to accelerate wireline builds, unveils fast-track exemption for submarine cables

The US Federal Communications Commission is moving ahead with proposals designed to expedite submarine cable deployments, as well as changes to licensing processes for fixed broadband infrastructure at state level. The latter package confirms expectations that the US would adopt new restrictions on state and local governments, after the Commission launched an inquiry to consider whether the regime was excessively impeding wireline service rollouts.

GLOBAL 08:59

Broadcom Q2 semiconductor revenue from AI climbs 143% with more growth to come

Broadcom CEO Hock Tan said the company achieved record revenue, operating profit and free cash flow in its second fiscal quarter to 03 May, driven by accelerating growth in AI semiconductor turnover and strong operating leverage. Its Q2 semiconductor income from AI climbed by 143 percent year on year to USD 10.8 billion, driven by rising demand for custom AI accelerators and AI networking. It expects the momentum to continue and in Q3, it foresees semiconductor revenue from AI expanding by more than 200 per

BANGLADESH 08:56

Bangladesh to auction additional 8.4 MHz of EGSM spectrum

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has announced plans to allocate additional lower-band spectrum to mobile operators through an auction process. This initiative is designed to improve network coverage, indoor connectivity and rural service quality. The specific decision to auction the additional 8.4 MHz of EGSM spectrum was announced in late May this year, with official details finalized in a commission meeting held in early June.

CHILE 08:47

Chilean court orders Amazon to pay USD 7 mln in actors' rights case

A Chilean court has ordered Amazon to pay CLP 6.5 billion (around USD 7.3 million) to the country's actors' union for failing to compensate performers whose work was streamed on its Prime Video platform, reports local daily La Tercera. The ruling by Santiago's First Civil Court found the US company liable for unpaid intellectual property rights tied to audiovisual content featuring Chilean artists.

UNITED STATES 08:35

AT&T adds Slacker Radio to Connected Car Platform

AT&T is expanding the AT&T Connected Car Platform with premium content from LiveOne and its subsidiary Slacker Radio. The offering will make Slacker Radio available as a bundled option in selected vehicles connected by AT&T. The AT&T Connected Car platform is powered by Cisco SIM management platform multi-party billing capabilities. LiveOne/Slacker Radio join a growing list of in-vehicle entertainment providers working with the AT&T Connected Car platform - including iM Media Labs and SiriusXM.

GLOBAL 08:17

Netskope announces CFO's retirement as Q1 ARR rises 29%

Netskope has announced the retirement of chief financial officer Drew Del Matto as it reported a year-on-year rise in annual recurring revenue (ARR) of 29 percent in its fiscal Q1 ended 30 April. First quarter revenue climbed by 28 percent to USD 201.6 million. CEO Sanjay Beri said the Netskope One platform provides semantic intent and context for secure AI usage that differentiates it from its competitors, at a time when most organisations lack policy controls to deploy agents securely, as the rise of arti

UNITED KINGDOM 08:15

Comcast NBCUniversal to start construction of UK theme park

Comcast NBCUniversal said it would soon start building the first Universal Destinations & Experiences theme park in Europe, located in Bedford UK. The Universal United Kingdom Resort will have a theme park with several immersive lands, 500-room hotel, and retail, dining and entertainment facilities. Brian Roberts and Mike Cavanagh, Co-CEOs of Comcast, said bringing the first Universal theme park/resort in Europe was a "proud moment for the company", adding that the UK was a "highly attractive market". 

MEXICO 08:04

Televisa issues MXN 6.9 bln in convertible debentures

Mexican broadcaster and telecommunications operator Grupo Televisa has issued around MXN 6.92 billion in zero-coupon mandatory convertible debentures, following shareholder approval granted at an extraordinary meeting on 28 April. The debentures will not pay interest and will be converted into the company's Series A, B, D and L shares and/or ordinary participation certificates (CPOs) one year after issuance, subject to regulatory approvals.

UNITED STATES 08:03

CTA Foundation awards USD 700,000 grants to 32 projects

The US Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has announced the award of grants worth USD 700,000 to 32 accessibility projects through the CTA Foundation. The 32 non-profit groups are using technology to improve the lives of people across North America - including 14 first-time grant recipients and 18 returning grantees. The funded programmes focus on caregiving, ageing, hearing, mobility, cognitive/neurological differences, vision and other areas. 

BELGIUM 08:02

Telenet reports fixed network disruptions, pledges 40% increase in field engineers

Telenet said it is suffering intermittent disruptions on its fixed network in certain areas. The Belgian operator attributed the problems to a combination of ongoing infrastructure works in public spaces affecting cables, variable weather conditions, and network components currently requiring additional attention.

UNITED STATES 07:55

Qualcomm AI tech powers Project 91 car at Nascar San Diego

Qualcomm Technologies has partnered with Trackhouse Racing on the Project 91 entry into the inaugural Nascar San Diego Cup Series Race. Kevin Magnussen, former F1 and current FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) driver, will drive the No 91 Qualcomm Chevrolet in the race on 21 June at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego. Qualcomm is the Official Circuit Partner of Nascar San Diego race weekend. 

UNITED STATES 07:45

ATN International completes initial sale of US wireless towers

ATN International confirmed that subsidiary Commnet Wireless has initially completed the sale of Southwestern US towers and related assets. ATN has received cash proceeds of USD 268 million upon initial closing the sale, which was announced in February. Naji Khoury, ATN's CEO, said the closing the deal was an important step in "building a stronger, more resilient" company. He said the net proceeds from the initial closing are almost the size of ATN's annual adjusted EBITDA, helping to boost its liquidity an

SPAIN 07:43

Telefonica chief Murtra urges EU telecom consolidation, regulatory simplification

Telefonica's executive chairman Marc Murtra called for consolidation in Europe's telecommunications sector and a simplification of EU regulations to boost competitiveness in an intervention at the Cercle d'Economia roundtable in Barcelona. Murtra said Europe must scale up its technology and infrastructure capabilities to secure strategic autonomy and compete with the United States and China, noting an ever-widening gap between US tech giants and Europe's telecom sector. "We are in an era of scale," he said,

Just In

10:17

Europol backs international crackdown on illegal streaming networks

10:05

Google Wallet expands Digital ID, adds direct checkout for Google Pay and updates payment authentication

10:04

Broadband, sports bundle customers overpaying by GBP 400 a year - Uswitch

09:49

Vodafone expands 5G coverage in Catalan govt buildings

Commentary

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KPN: the art of making one-offs structural

4 MEI 14:25

Open Dutch Fiber outlook: time to restart roll-out?

20 APR 10:36

Netflix back to organic growth and doing just fine

11 FEB 12:29

Odido shareholders face tricky exit after abandoned IPO

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