KPN expands technical support contract with Future Connections
NETHERLANDS 3 JUL

KPN expands technical support contract with Future Connections

KPN has extended a contract with Future Connections for field engineering and technical support for five years. The contract also moves beyond the south of the Netherlands to cover the entire country. The companies work together since 2018, with Future Connections' unit Managed Telco Services helping serve KPN's consumer and small business customers. 

Salam Telecom opens research and innovation centre in Al-Ahsa to train young people
SAUDI ARABIA 3 JUL

Salam Telecom opens research and innovation centre in Al-Ahsa to train young people

Saudi operator Etihad Salam Telecom Company (Salam) has opened a second research and technical innovation centre in Al-Ahsa as it aims to support young people and advance technical education in the country. The new centre aims to foster a culture of innovation and provide practical education aligned with current labour market demands. Al-Ahsa was selected because of the presence of the Girls' Technical College, aligning with Salam's commitment to encouraging Saudi women in technical and digital sectors.

Lightera hollow-core fibre carries multiplexed PON signal in Japanese R&D trial
JAPAN 3 JUL

Lightera hollow-core fibre carries multiplexed PON signal in Japanese R&D trial

Fibre materials vendor Lightera is participating in a Japanese government-backed R&D project aimed at maturing multiplexed-wavelength links in fibre PON systems supporting 5G infrastructure. The project has successfully deployed a hollow-core fibre cable developed by Lightera to transmit optical signals at an input power of over 10 watts, Lightera said.

Google Cloud passes Dutch public sector privacy assessment
NETHERLANDS 3 JUL

Google Cloud passes Dutch public sector privacy assessment

Google Cloud announced it has been approved as a supplier to the government of the Netherlands following a data protection impact assessment by the state's strategic supplier agency, SLM Rijk. Assuming Google Cloud adheres to the recommended conditions, the company does not present any significant risks to privacy, the evaluation found.

PLDT, Smart, Dito strike infrastructure sharing deal in Philippines
PHILIPPINES 3 JUL

PLDT, Smart, Dito strike infrastructure sharing deal in Philippines

Philippines operator PLDT, its mobile unit Smart Communications, and market competitor Dito Telecommunity have agreed to jointly pursue resource-sharing initiatives aimed at expanding network coverage and enhnace connectivity for customers across the country. PLDT also reports that this agreement establishes a framework for collaboration across three key areas of telecommunications infrastructure through reciprocal resource sharing, with no monetary exchange between the parties.

CelcomDigi launches Future Pros Bootcamp to recruit esports talent for Selangor Red Giants
MALAYSIA 3 JUL

CelcomDigi launches Future Pros Bootcamp to recruit esports talent for Selangor Red Giants

Malaysian operator CelcomDigi has launched the third edition of its Future Pros Bootcamp, an esports talent development initiative organized in partnership with the Selangor Red Giants (SRG) Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) team and the Moonton Games Student Leader Programme. The nationwide programme has expanded its reach to include universities and tertiary institutions, aiming to establish a developmental pathway for amateur Malaysian gamers to enter the professional esports industry.

TIM Brasil launches ChatGPT app for customer service
BRAZIL 3 JUL

TIM Brasil launches ChatGPT app for customer service

TIM Brasil has launched a dedicated application within the ChatGPT platform. The new integration allows consumers to research mobile plans, services, products, and partnerships using natural language and seamlessly initiate the subscription process directly within the AI interface. 

MTC transfers Namibian Annual Music Awards intellectual property to ministry
NAMIBIA 3 JUL

MTC transfers Namibian Annual Music Awards intellectual property to ministry

Namibian operator MTC has announced the transfer of all copyright, intellectual, audio and visual material associated with the Namibian Annual Music Awards (Namas) to the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture. MTC and the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) supported the awards as headline sponsor for a decade. Since the conclusion of its sponsorship in 2019, MTC has remained committed to the growth and sustainability of the local creative industry.

M.Video, Eldorado merge online sales platforms
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 3 JUL

M.Video, Eldorado merge online sales platforms

Russian mobile and electronics retail chain M.Video said that it has merged its online commerce channels into a single platform. The website and mobile application Eldorado has been merged with the online commerce platform M.Video. The application and the website will continue operating under the M.Video brand. The merger is part of M.Video's long-term strategy to transform into a technologically advanced omnichannel platform and one of the largest marketplaces in the Russian market.

Space Hellas expands SenseOne Iot platform with new Managed Data Lake service
GREECE 3 JUL

Space Hellas expands SenseOne Iot platform with new Managed Data Lake service

Space Hellas has expanded its SenseOne Iot platform with a new Managed Data Lake service as part of its strategy to develop applied intelligence and IoT services. The new Managed Data Lake service mainly targets organizations in complex business environments, such as industry, energy, hospitality and retail, where managing and using large volumes of data is powers digital transformation.

T-Mobile Poland offers discount at gas chain Mol
POLAND 3 JUL

T-Mobile Poland offers discount at gas chain Mol

T-Mobile Poland has introduced a joint promotion with the fuel chain Mol to participants of its loyalty programme Magenta Moments. Discounts buying fuel in selected fuel stations of the chain will be available to customers until 28 July. at PLN 0.40 per litre when buying up to 100 litres. The promotion can be activated on the mobile application Magenta Moments.

Airtel expands mobile network for Amarnath Yatra annual pilgrimage
INDIA 3 JUL

Airtel expands mobile network for Amarnath Yatra annual pilgrimage

Indian mobile operator Bharti Airtel has expanded its mobile network along the Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage routes. This network expansion is designed to provide connectivity for pilgrims, security personnel, and local authorities in the region.

EUROPE 3 JUL

TP:Talks - Billogram cuts customer service billing tickets by 40 percent with automated invoicing

The Swedish fintech Billogram helps telecom operators cut billing-related customer support calls by automating the invoice-to-cash process, with results of up to 40 percent fewer support tickets at some clients. In this TP:Talks episode Ed Achterberg speaks with Jonas Suijkerbuijk, CEO and founder of Billogram, about recurring payments, open banking and why the invoice is one of the most underused touchpoints in the customer journey. Billogram, founded in 2011 in Sweden, has grown into a pan-European paymen

UNITED KINGDOM 3 JUL

O2 Belfast starts early ticket sales for Priority customers

O2 UK's new naming agreement for the arena in Belfast has taken effect. The operator said its customers will have access to tickets for shows at The O2 Belfast 48 hours before anybody else, starting with shows announced from 08 July. It's also boosted the 4G and 5G coverage at the site and will offer other benefits through its Priority loyalty programme, such as discounted entry to the W5 science centre and early access to Belfast Giants ice hockey tickets, plus an exclusive O2 Blueroom launching this Septe

INDIA 3 JUL

Airtel Money launches operations as non-banking financial company in India

Indian operator Airtel has announced that its Airtel Money subsidiary has launched commercial operations, following its registration as a non-banking financial company (NBFC). The launch of these operations allows Airtel to expand its financial services portfolio and digital wallet ecosystem through a dedicated, regulated corporate structure.

JAPAN 3 JUL

Sakura Internet partners Tokyo Kosen on sovereign cloud and AI education

Tokyo National College of Technology (Tokyo Kosen) and Sakura Internet have signed a partnership to develop education programmes using Japanese cloud and AI platforms, supporting the training of next-generation engineers and accelerating the practical application of AI technologies. The agreement will see Sakura Internet provide cloud infrastructure, GPU computing resources and technical expertise to support teaching and research, while Tokyo Kosen will integrate the technologies into its engineering curric

GLOBAL 3 JUL

ElevenLabs plans share sale in September at USD 22 bln valuation - report

AI voice firm ElevenLabs is exploring a secondary share sale that would allow its employees to sell some of their awarded shares, Bloomberg News reported citing unnamed people familiar with the matter. The share sale could value the group at around USD 22 billion, double its worth at its series D round in February, and would likely take place in September, the report said. 

JAPAN 3 JUL

KDDI expands festival connectivity programme for summer 2026

KDDI will extend its au Festival Project across four major music festivals in Japan between July and September 2026, combining temporary network enhancements with customer engagement activities at each event. The programme will cover Kyoto Daisakusen 2026, Wild Bunch Fest. 2026, Space Shower Sweet Love Shower 2026 and Rock In Japan Festival 2026. To support network demand at crowded venues, KDDI said it will deploy a combination of 5G infrastructure, vehicle-mounted and portable base stations, and Starlink-

SRI LANKA 3 JUL

Dialog Axiata commercially launches Air Fibre 5G-based wireless broadband service

Sri Lankan telecommunications operator Dialog Axiata has commercially launched its Air Fibre 5G-powered wireless broadband service, following a pre-order phase that started in May. The service uses Dialog's 5G network, which currently covers more than 1,000 sites nationwide, to deliver internet access without physical cable installations.

JAPAN 3 JUL

NTT West partners Tansoman GX to support SME decarbonisation

NTT West has signed a business partnership agreement with Tansoman GX to provide decarbonisation support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in collaboration with local authorities in Japan. The initiative is intended to help municipalities implement carbon neutrality policies while supporting SMEs that may lack the resources or expertise to measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

THAILAND 3 JUL

True, Bangkok university launch AI-based learning model for students

Thai operator True has partnered with Bangkok University's School of Communication Arts to launch the 'BU be TRUE: The Future Takes Off Together' educational initiative. This project is designed to bridge the gap between higher education and the private sector by providing students with hands-on training, creative-AI skills, and direct industry exposure.

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 3 JUL

LG Uplus expands summer benefits, launches event for long-term customers

LG Uplus said it is strengthening the summer benefits available through its monthly membership programme, U+Tooplus, and will hold a Legoland Waterful Party for long-term customers in August. The operator said the July programme focuses on categories with higher seasonal demand, including dining, shopping and water-based leisure activities. It has also added new partner brands to the membership offering.

JAPAN 3 JUL

NTT implements virtual PPA to power research facility with additional renewable energy

NTT Facilities and NTT Anode Energy have signed a long-term virtual power purchase agreement (PPA) that enables the NTT Facilities Innovation Centre in Tokyo to source the environmental value of electricity generated by a woody biomass power plant, achieving what the companies describe as 100% additional renewable energy coverage for the building. The agreement uses environmental attributes from a woody biomass power plant operated by BPS Ikoma, in which NTT Anode Energy has invested. 

HONG KONG 3 JUL

HKBN, Shanghai uni, Sunglowsec develop AI-based Vulnerability Scanning and Validation Platform

HKBN Enterprise Solutions (HKBNES) has partnered with Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Sunglowsec Infotech (Hong Kong) to jointly develop an AI-Powered Vulnerability Scanning and Validation Platform (AI-VSVP). The platform is intended to provide smart monitoring and automated defence capabilities for enterprise customers in Hong Kong and beyond. Sunglowsec has officially joined the HKBN InnoTech Ecosystem Alliance (iTEA) to collaborate on the cybersecurity market.

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Commentary

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Background

3 JUL 07:46

TP:Talks - Billogram cuts customer service billing tickets by 40 percent with automated invoicing

28 JUN 23:51

The week in telecoms: Apple raises prices, Qualcomm tries server market and Jio going public

21 JUN 22:52

The week in telecom: sovereignty debate comes to VivaTech, Ericsson succession and Fox buys Roku

1 JUN 00:13

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