Dialog to invest LKR 420 mln in healthcare, education sectors recovery after Cyclone Ditwah
SRI LANKA 04:41

Dialog to invest LKR 420 mln in healthcare, education sectors recovery after Cyclone Ditwah

Sri Lanka operator Dialog Axiata has committed LKR 420 million toward the government's 'Rebuilding Sri Lanka' national initiative, following the impact of Cyclone Ditwah. The commitment will support critical recovery efforts across healthcare and education benefiting communities in affected regions. These include the restoration and upgrading of essential hospital infrastructure and the refurbishment of ICT facilities in affected schools, in collaboration with relevant authorities.

Chad's ADETIC officially joins ITU
CHAD 12 JAN

Chad's ADETIC officially joins ITU

Chad's Agency for the Development of Information and Communication Technologies (ADETIC) has officially joined the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to help strengthen digital governance in Chad. This membership grants ADETIC the status of Sector Member of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (ITU-D) and marks a significant strategic step forward in the implementation of the national digital transformation policy and the positioning of Chad within international telecommunications regulatory an

Polish president vetoes law implementing DSA
POLAND 12 JAN

Polish president vetoes law implementing DSA

Polish president Karol Nawrocki has vetoed a law implementing the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) in the country. The president claims that this law, de facto, means implementation of censorship. The Ministry of Digitisation responded with a statement saying the law is focused on expanding citizen rights against digital corporations and the fight against illegal online content.

UK opposition pledges to introduce social media ban for under 16s
UNITED KINGDOM 12 JAN

UK opposition pledges to introduce social media ban for under 16s

The UK's main opposition party, the Conservatives, have pledged to introduce a ban on under 16s using social media if they are elected to government, reports BBC News. Speaking on the 'Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg' programme on BBC One, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the party would also look to ban smartphones in school if they win power.

Cyberflashing becomes Priority Offence under UK's Online Safety Act
UNITED KINGDOM 12 JAN

Cyberflashing becomes Priority Offence under UK's Online Safety Act

The sending of unsolicited nude images, or 'cyberflashing', has become a Priority Offence under the UK's Online Safety Act, with a new law coming into force from 08 January 2026. This will help better protect users of dating apps and social media platforms from receiving unsolicited nude images, supporting the government's strategy to cut Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) by half over the next 10 years. 

Hungary sets up Artificial Intelligence Council
HUNGARY 12 JAN

Hungary sets up Artificial Intelligence Council

Hungary has set up the Hungarian Artificial Intelligence Council (MMIT), tasked with implementing the European Union's AI Act in Hungary and developing the country's AI strategy. Led by Government Commissioner László Palkovics and with the participation of the National Media and Communications Authority (NMHH) as a permanent member, the MMIT will serve as a crucial professional forum. Its work aims to boost Hungary's digital competitiveness, foster innovation, and ensure regulatory alignment with EU law. Th

Iran shuts down internet amid widespread violence
IRAN (ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF) 12 JAN

Iran shuts down internet amid widespread violence

Iran has shut down the internet across the country to curb growing unrest as videos showed anti-government protests raging across the country, Reuters reported. Iran's Ministry of information and communications technology said the decision to shut down the internet was made "by the competent security authorities under the prevailing circumstances of the country."

Industry seeks clarity as Korean AI Framework Act looms
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 12 JAN

Industry seeks clarity as Korean AI Framework Act looms

South Korea is preparing to enforce what it describes as the world's first comprehensive AI law, positioning itself as an early regulator of AI as global rules remain fragmented, according to the Korea Herald, citing industry sources. The AI Framework Act, passed in December 2024, is due to take effect on 22 January, with the government promising a one-year grace period before penalties are applied.

SK AX gains first government recognition for gen AI certification
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 12 JAN

SK AX gains first government recognition for gen AI certification

South Korea's SK AX has received government recognition for its generative AI skills certification scheme, marking the first such approval in South Korea for a programme focused on generative AI capabilities. The company said its AI Competency Certification Platform had been approved under the "company qualification government recognition system" by the ministry of employment and labour and the human resources development service of Korea.

South Korea steps up AI cooperation with Nvidia and OpenAI
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 12 JAN

South Korea steps up AI cooperation with Nvidia and OpenAI

South Korea's ministry of science and ICT has moved to deepen international cooperation on AI following senior-level meetings with Nvidia and OpenAI in California, alongside engagement with Korean-founded startups and investors in the US. The ministry said second vice minister Ryu Je-myoung visited the headquarters of Nvidia and OpenAI on 9 January, as part of efforts to strengthen public-private collaboration on AI infrastructure, talent development and safety. The visit builds on discussions held last yea

Pakistan to slash taxes on mobile phone imports
PAKISTAN 12 JAN

Pakistan to slash taxes on mobile phone imports

Pakistan's National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance has formally directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Ministry of Finance to reassess the current tax structure for imported mobile phones. The FBR is expected to submit a report with specific 'policy options' for tax reduction by March 2026.

Portugal to invest over EUR 400 million in AI by 2030
PORTUGAL 9 JAN

Portugal to invest over EUR 400 million in AI by 2030

Portugal is set to invest over EUR 400 million by 2030 in its National Artificial Intelligence Agenda (ANIA), primarily using European funds. This plan, approved by the Council of Ministers, aims to boost Portugal's competitive edge, with AI projected to add EUR 18-22 billion to the country's GDP within the next decade, reported Lusa.

UGANDA 9 JAN

Ugandan ICT ministry seeks to boost local government digital communication with the public

Uganda's ICT ministry has handed laptops to 176 district communication officers to enhance government information dissemination and strengthen strategic communication at the local administrative level. Aminah Zawedd, permanent secretary in the ICT ministry, said that for many years, communication officers have operated under significant constraints, relying largely on traditional communication methods such as press statements and newspaper articles, despite the rapid shift to digital platforms. She said tha

SPAIN 8 JAN

Spanish govt invests EUR 7 mln in AI fashion startup Lookiero

Spain's Ministry of Digital Transformation has invested EUR 7.2 million in Lookiero, a Bilbao-based startup that specialises in the application of Artificial Intelligence technology in the fashion industry. The funds come from the state-backed Spanish Society for Technological Transformation (SETT) launched in 2024 to manage all of the country's investments in technological matters.

PERU 8 JAN

Peru launches regional broadband scheme in Ancash

The government of Peru's central Ancash region has announced the launch of a public connectivity scheme to connect 817 public institutions in 481 localities to fibre. The USD 122 million project awarded to YOFC Peru included installing over 1,900 km of fibre-optic cables to ensure educational institutions, health facilities, police stations and other municipal buildings could access connectivity services, benefiting families, students, teachers and public servants alike.

UKRAINE 7 JAN

Uganda denies rumoured plans to block internet during election

Uganda has denied plans to shut down internet access during 15 January general elections, dismissing reports of a possible blackout as unfounded, the BBC reported. Concerns were raised by the main opposition candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi who has repeated claims that the government intended to block the internet to disrupt mobilisation and the sharing of election results. On 2 January, satellite internet provider Starlink restricted its services in Uganda following an order from the communications regulator,

ARGENTINA 7 JAN

Argentina sets up National Cybersecurity Centre

The Argentinian government has announced a sweeping overhaul of its national intelligence system with the creation of the National Cybersecurity Centre (CNC), established by decree on 01 January 2026. The new body will serve as the national authority on cybersecurity policy under the Secretariat of Innovation, Science and Technology, which reports to the Cabinet Chief's Office.

ARMENIA 6 JAN

Starlink to help connect remote schools in Armenia

Armenia will receive over 100 terminals from Starlink to improve internet access in schools in remote communities, reports Arka.am citing the minister of high-tech industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan. Starlink satellite internet services are available in Armenia since March 2025. 

CHAD 6 JAN

Chad talks with Huawei on advancing 2030 digital plan

Chad's digital economy minister held talks with Huawei to discuss accelerating the rollout of the country's national digital strategy, Tchad Connexion 2030, Ecofin reported. The discussions focused on several strategic projects, including the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure, wider access to connectivity services, and faster digitization of public services. 

PORTUGAL 6 JAN

Portugal commits EUR 6.4 million to microelectronics projects

Portuga's National Innovation Agency (ANI) committed EUR 6.4 million to two strategic microelectronics projects. Led by the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) and the Telecommunications Institute (IT), this funding supports Portugal's involvement in European Chips Joint Undertaking Partnership (CHIPS JU) projects, a key component of the European Chips Act. This initiative is a crucial step in implementing Portugal's National Semiconductor Strategy, aiming to bolster the country's technolo

BELGIUM 6 JAN

Bipt rules out universal service provider as social internet tariff gains traction

Basic internet services remain widely available and affordable in Belgium, making the designation of a universal service provider unnecessary, according to an annual assessment by the regulator Bipt. Its research shows 99.4 percent of households can access fixed internet services with speeds of at least 10 Mbps. The few un-served spots are in rural areas, mainly in Wallonia, and these areas are served by mobile and satellite networks.

BRAZIL 6 JAN

Brazil connects 68% of public schools with internet

The Connected Schools programme run by Brazil's Ministries of Communications and Education connected 68.4 percent of its target public educational institutions in 2025. This achievement brings Brazil closer to its goal of providing universal internet access in schools by 2026, with 94,221 out of 138,000 public schools now online. Throughout 2025, 22,800 schools gained internet access. The states Parana (83.6%), Piaui (81.4%) and Goias (81.3%) lead in school connectivity.

KENYA 6 JAN

Kenyan ICT Authority promises to accelerate fibre and hotspot deployments in 2026

The ICT Authority said in a New Year message on LinkedIn that it is committed to accelerating the expansion of Kenya's fibre network to 100,000 km and reach 25,000 public Wi-Fi hotspots in 2026, enabling citizens to access digital services at their convenience. By working with the ICT sector, the authority said it will equip members of the public with digital literacy skills, provide links for digital opportunities, ensure responsible data management and support measures that minimise the ICT footprint and

OMAN 6 JAN

Oman Broadband fibre network reaches 926,884 homes in November with 326,406 active subscribers

Oman Broadband Company plans to cover 1 million residential units over the next three years, Oman News Agency reported. CEO Sultan Ahmed al Wahibi said that by the end of November 2025, its fibre-optic network had reached 926,884 units nationwide, comprising 415,792 in Muscat Governorate and 511,092 in other governorates. Wahibi said the total number of active subscribers reached 326,406, surpassing the 320,000 mark for the first time since the company's establishment.

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