Peruvian operators ink 5G concession contracts, commit to connecting 1,731 rural localities
PERU 10:44

Peruvian operators ink 5G concession contracts, commit to connecting 1,731 rural localities

Peru's Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) announced that the concession contracts for the allocation of 5G-compatible frequencies in the 3.5 GHz band have been signed with the operators Claro (America Movil), IntegraTel, Entel and Bitel (Viettel). The operators have committed to investing a total of USD 502.9 million and to close connectivity gaps by bringing 4G to over 180,000 users in 1,731 underserved localities over the next four years.

ACM updates numbers allocation policy
NETHERLANDS 18 DEC

ACM updates numbers allocation policy

Dutch telecom regulator ACM has updated its numbers policy, replacing rules from 2021 to take account of the latest market developments. It said the new policy should provide more transparency for operators and ensure more efficient allocation of numbers. The main change is stricter enforcement of actual use of numbers awarded. 

Poland starts new consultations on 26 GHz band
POLAND 18 DEC

Poland starts new consultations on 26 GHz band

Polish telecommunications regulator UKE announced the third round of unofficial consultations on the optimal term of allocation of the 24.3-27.3 GHz band. Similar market consultations were carried out in 2020 and early 2024, and the regulator does not exclude further rounds before moving ahead with the allocation of the frequencies. During consultations in 2024, telecom operators said the 26 GHz band did not need to be released earlier than in 2026, due to the absence of suitable end-user devices on the mar

Spain consults on 2G and 3G network shutdown
SPAIN 18 DEC

Spain consults on 2G and 3G network shutdown

Spain's Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Administration has announced the launch of a public consultation on the future shutdown of 2G and 3G networks to free up space for 4G, 5G and future 6G technologies. The aim is to gather information and proposals from operators, administrations and other affected stakeholders with a view to carrying out an orderly transition and defining aspects such as shutdown schedules by operator and technology.

1&1 meets mobile network coverage target set by 5G licence
GERMANY 18 DEC

1&1 meets mobile network coverage target set by 5G licence

Germany's 1&1 said its 5G coverage has reached 25 percent of German households, thus meeting the target set by the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur or BNetzA) under the terms of the 5G spectrum licences auctioned in 2019. The company said it also fulfilled the agency's requirement of "competitive independence" by completing the migration of all existing customers previously served under wholesale contracts to the 1&1 mobile network.

Algar Telecom migrates fixed-line telephony concession
BRAZIL 17 DEC

Algar Telecom migrates fixed-line telephony concession

Brazil's Algar Telecom has officially completed the migration of its fixed-line telephony concessions to the private regime. This change, published in the Official Gazette, follows the termination of its old concession contracts and the adaptation of its licenses to operate under a private service model. To facilitate this shift and retain its assets, Algar has committed to investments totalling BRL 240 million. These funds will be allocated to maintaining fixed-line telephony, developing fibre backhaul pro

Namibian consultation attracts mostly positive views on Starlink licence bid
NAMIBIA 17 DEC

Namibian consultation attracts mostly positive views on Starlink licence bid

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has reported the progress of the Starlink telecommunications licence application currently under consideration. By the 12 December consultation deadline, CRAN received 1,180 written submissions reflecting a range of views, most of them expressing support for the application. There were sixteen submissions opposing the bid. There are a number of substantive comments that the applicant will be required to formally address as part of the evaluation proc

Operators slam ACMA decision to add up to AUD 2.3 bln to spectrum costs
AUSTRALIA 17 DEC

Operators slam ACMA decision to add up to AUD 2.3 bln to spectrum costs

Australia's mobile operators have slammed the Australian Communications and Media Authority's decision to increase the price it plans to charge them for spectrum renewals by up to AUD 2.3 billion. Around 80 percent of the country's low and mid-band mobile spectrum licences approach expiry between 2028 and 2032. In April, the ACMA proposed allowing Telstra, Optus, TPG Telecom and NBN Co to renew their licences at a combined cost of between AUD 5 billion and AUD 6.2 billion, which is lower than the AUD 8.2 bi

South Africa softens policy requiring Black equity investors in telecom operators
SOUTH AFRICA 16 DEC

South Africa softens policy requiring Black equity investors in telecom operators

South African ICT minister Solly Malatsi has published a gazette notice endorsing the Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIPs) in the ICT sector. The policy direction follows a draft published in May that received over 19,000 public comments, with 90 percent supporting the policy direction for the regulatory clarity it provides and its potential to expand access to high-speed internet, the minister said. The order instructs the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to permit for

UK govt reviews BBC Royal Charter, as President Trump files lawsuit
UNITED KINGDOM 16 DEC

UK govt reviews BBC Royal Charter, as President Trump files lawsuit

The UK government has launched a review of the BBC's Royal Charter, with the aim of improving trust in the organisation and creating a sustainable funding model. The BBC currently generates GBP 5 billion a year for the UK economy, employs over 20,000 people, and reaches 453 million people worldwide each week. The public can express their views on the BBC through a public consultation, which closes on 10 March 2026. The current BBC Charter expires on 31 December 2027. 

TPay secures licence to offer carrier building for public services in Egypt
EGYPT 16 DEC

TPay secures licence to offer carrier building for public services in Egypt

TPay secured Egypt's first Direct Carrier Billing (DCB) licence from the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) to allow people to pay for government services directly via their mobile balance/bill. The agreement enables mobile-based payments for essential services, such as electricity and utility bills, traffic fines, and civil registry services, directly through the mobile balance or added to a monthly mobile bill. The initiative expands access to people who own mobile phones but do not hold bank ac

Brazil updates spectrum regulations on radio navigation, location services
BRAZIL 15 DEC

Brazil updates spectrum regulations on radio navigation, location services

Brazil's National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) has updated its radio frequency regulations, aiming to modernise spectrum use and align with international standards. In the area of radio navigation and radio location, new rules permit the use of advanced oceanographic radar systems in high-frequency (HF) bands, expanding their application in Brazil, while also setting operational limits for tracking systems used by space launch vehicles and aircraft within the 5,450 MHz to 5,850 MHz sub-band.

UNITED KINGDOM 15 DEC

Ofcom investigates BT, 3 UK over mobile network outages

UK regulator Ofcom has opened investigations into BT and 3 UK following mobile network outages. The network outages in summer 2025 disrupted mobile call services nationwide, including calls to emergency services. BT has informed Ofcom about a software problem that led to UK-wide disruption to mobile call services interconnecting from/to the EE network on 24/25 July. In a separate incident, 3 UK notified the regulator about an incident that disrupted call services nationwide on 25 June. The investigations wi

BRAZIL 12 DEC

Brazil announces new plan for mobile frequency auctions

Brazilian telecom sector regulator Anatel announced a new plan for auctioning radio frequency bands for mobile services. In the short term (until 2026/2028), the regulator expects to offer frequencies in the 450 MHz, 850 MHz, 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz (FDD), 3.5 GHz, 6 GHz, and 26 GHz bands. 

HONG KONG 12 DEC

Hong Kong confirms 2.5/2.6 GHz spectrum auction winners

Hong Kong's Communications Authority has announced the successful bidders in the recent auction for radio spectrum in the 2.5/2.6 GHz frequency band. This spectrum will be used for provision of public mobile services. This announcement confirms the results of the auction carried out in July.

UNITED KINGDOM 11 DEC

Baltic Broadband applies for UK code powers

UK regulator Ofcom is consulting on plans to award electronic communications code powers to Baltic Broadband. The consultation closes on 12 January 2026. Based in Liverpool, the company is planning to provide wireless broadband services to offices and business estates as well as hard-to-reach rural areas. It plans to use wireless infrastructure, offering an alternative to or backup for fibre connections, with internet speeds of 100 Mbps to 100 Gbps. 

INDONESIA 11 DEC

GSMA urges Indonesia to boost investment in 5G spectrum, fibre backhaul, AI infrastructure

The GSMA has urged a sharper, investment‑led push to accelerate Indonesia's digital transformation and drive innovation, outlining findings from its recent reports. Speaking at the Digital Nation Summit (DNS) Jakarta, the GSMA outlined a practical programme to unlock private capital and speed deployment across 5G spectrum, fibre backhaul and AI‑ready data centres, supported by policy certainty and cross‑sector collaboration.

RUSSIAN FEDERATION 10 DEC

Russian telecom watchdog cancels 943 operator licences

Russian federal telecommunications regulator Roskomnadzor has canceled 943 licences for providing telecommunications services, reports Comnews.ru. That's around 4 percent of all licences issued to Russian telecommunications operators. the official reason for the annulment was non-provision of services for more than six months. Nevertheless, the list also includes operators that continue to work on the market.

SVALBARD AND JAN MAYEN ISLANDS 10 DEC

KSAT faces NOK 250,000 fine for operating Svalbard satellite station without communication permit

Norwegian telecoms regulator Nkom has warned Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) that it could face a fine of NOK 250,000 for operating satellite communications from its Svalbard ground station without a communication permit. KSAT has three weeks to respond before Nkom makes a final decision.

OMAN 10 DEC

Oman TRA cracks down on firms selling unapproved telecom devices

Oman's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) took legal action against several companies found to be selling unapproved telecommunications equipment that contributes to the establishment of unauthorised networks. This enforcement comes as part of TRA's ongoing efforts to protect consumer interests, safeguard data privacy, and ensure the quality of telecom services across the country. The authority emphasized that the use of non-certified devices poses risks to network integrity and violates national

EUROPE 9 DEC

GSMA report calls for restraint on European spectrum charges to unlock 5G standalone gains

New research from GSMA Intelligence highlights the mounting cost of European spectrum auctions, indicating that bid expenditures last year represented 8 percent of total operator revenues, up from 3 percent in 2014. GSMA Intelligence's report on European spectrum pricing and renewals reveals that regulators are charging significantly higher rates for spectrum licences compared with ten years ago. It points out that a "smarter approach to spectrum policy" could help accelerate 5G standalone rollouts, and mor

BELGIUM 9 DEC

Belgium to relax radiation limits for indoor small cells

Belgian regulator Bipt has proposed relaxing radiation limits for indoor base stations without active antenna systems in the 3,400-3,800 MHz band. The EIRP limit would increase to -34 dBm/MHz per antenna under 3,390 MHz, which is strong enough to support indoor systems without disturbing military radars using frequencies under 3.4 GHz. The change is in line with EU recommendations to meet the growing demand for indoor small cells. The proposal is open for market comment until 16 January 2026 before being co

UNITED KINGDOM 9 DEC

UK approves rules to allow direct-to-device mobile satellite services

UK regulator Ofcom has confirmed new rules for allowing direct-to-device mobile satellite services in the UK. Mobile operators will need to apply for a change in their licences to offer the services, but mobile phone owners will not need any licence to benefit.

TANZANIA, UNITED REPUBLIC OF 8 DEC

Airtel Tanzania signs new pact with UCSAF to expand rural telecom towers

Airtel Tanzania and the Universal Communication Service Access Fund (UCSAF) have signed an agreement under UCSAF Phase 10 to expand rural telecommunications. As part of this initiative, Airtel will build 132 towers across 132 wards, strengthening connectivity and bridging the digital divide in rural Tanzania. 

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Background

01:04

The week in telecom: Wi-Fi bolt-ons take off to boost broadband growth, video market works on consolidation

01:39

The week in telecom: Netflix wins bidding for Warner Bros, Apple poaches new execs, Samsung debuts trifold

13:51

Proximus vs. Telenet: Proximus performs better in Q3 while Telenet uses up cash

14:16

Proximus Domestic still struggling with low margins