Egypt's NTRA conducts Africa's first 6 GHz mobile trial
EGYPT 07:47

Egypt's NTRA conducts Africa's first 6 GHz mobile trial

The National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Egypt (NTRA), in collaboration with Telecom Egypt and Huawei, has successfully completed what it says is Africa's first trial of mobile services using the 6 GHz band. The regulator said the trial featured the deployment of a 6 GHz mobile base station and the successful completion of a data call over the new spectrum. During testing, the network achieved data transfer speeds of approximately 1.7 Gbps per user, demonstrating its ability to deliver ultra-

UCC opens applications for FM broadcasting frequencies in eight districts
UGANDA 18 AUG

UCC opens applications for FM broadcasting frequencies in eight districts

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has invited applications for eight FM broadcasting frequencies in underserved areas, specifically one each in Maracha, Gulu, Kitgum, Abim, Kaabong, Kotido, Hoima and Kisoro. The initiative aims to improve radio coverage, foster local content, and support socio-economic development. Applicants must demonstrate technical, financial and operational capacity under Section 36 of the Uganda Communications Act and Regulation 16 of the Licensing Regulations.

Macau assembly approves new telecom licensing framework
BRAZIL 17 AUG

Macau assembly approves new telecom licensing framework

The Macau Legislative Assembly has approved a draft law establishing a unified legal framework for the telecommunications industry, reported Lusa news agency. The initiative seeks to merge previously separate fixed-line, mobile, internet, and TV networks into a single convergent platform. The new legislation introduces 15-year renewable licenses for public network installation/management and 8-year renewable licenses for service delivery. A single operator may hold no more than one license per category.

Indotel presents draft bill to overhaul telecom concessions, consumer protection
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 17 AUG

Indotel presents draft bill to overhaul telecom concessions, consumer protection

The Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (Indotel) has presented draft legislation designed to simplify licensing and operations in the sector as well as improve consumer protection. The regulatory agency said it seeks to update the sector's legal framework in order to support the country's digital transformation. The proposal was presented at a meeting with the major operators in the country, including Claro, Altice, Trilogy and others, and will be further developed with input from the government, exp

Telecom Argentina proposes Metrotel as buyer of Movistar assets - report
ARGENTINA 14 AUG

Telecom Argentina proposes Metrotel as buyer of Movistar assets - report

Telecom Argentina has proposed Metrotel as a possible buyer of the former Movistar activities it must sell to gain regulatory compliance with the acquisition, La Nacion reports. It will be up to the communications regulator Enacom and competition authority ANC to decide whether the sale of the fixed and mobile lines to Metrotel will resolve the competition concerns.

Panama receives no offers for 3rd mobile operator licence
PANAMA 14 AUG

Panama receives no offers for 3rd mobile operator licence

Panama has received no takers for its offer of a third mobile network operator concession in the country. Following a call for expressions of interest in June, the application period closed with no proposals, the regulatory agency Asep announced. It will review the process before deciding whether to issue a second call.

SK Telecom eyes end to 3G subscriptions from September - report
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 14 AUG

SK Telecom eyes end to 3G subscriptions from September - report

SK Telecom has notified the Ministry of Science and ICT in Korea of its plan to stop new 3G subscriptions starting in September and is in talks on a further schedule for shutting down the 3G network, ChosunBiz reported. A ministry official confirmed the discussions initiated by SK Telecom, while a SK Telecom spokesperson said the matter was under review. No specific shutdown date has been named yet. 

Swedish PTS seeks comments on proposals for 3.8 GHz permits for local 5G networks
SWEDEN 13 AUG

Swedish PTS seeks comments on proposals for 3.8 GHz permits for local 5G networks

Swedish telecoms regulator PTS is inviting comments by 10 September on its proposed conditions for five-year permits to use the 3.8 GHz band for local 5G networks and other wireless communication with high demands for capacity, security and reliability. It is proposing that the frequency ranges 3800-3920 MHz and 3990-4130 MHz are made available for local permits. PTS proposes that permits should be granted for both indoor and outdoor use at a property or part of a property.

M:tel Montenegro secures 5G frequencies until 2043
MONTENEGRO 13 AUG

M:tel Montenegro secures 5G frequencies until 2043

Montenegro's Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Services has finalised the procedure to extend 700 MHz and 3.6 GHz radio frequency licences by five years. The regulator approved the extension for mobile network operator m:tel, extending its operational rights through 9 February 2043. To secure the extension, m:tel made an initial payment of EUR 249,680 to the Montenegrin state budget. Four identical annual payments will follow through 2030, totalling EUR 1.25 million.

TDRA renews Etisalat and Du telecom licences for another 20 years
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 13 AUG

TDRA renews Etisalat and Du telecom licences for another 20 years

The UAE Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) has renewed the public telecommunication licences for E& and Du for another 20 years from 09 August to 08 August 2046. The new licences replace ones from 2006. The watchdog said the renewals highlight its strong regulatory partnership with the UAE's two primary operators, grounded in transparency and compliance.

Banglalink secures licence for Mukto Pay digital payment platform launch
BANGLADESH 13 AUG

Banglalink secures licence for Mukto Pay digital payment platform launch

Veon has announced that its Bangladeshi subsidiary Banglalink has received a payment service provider (PSP) licence from Bangladesh Bank, the central bank of Bangladesh. Banglalink plans to launch its digital payment services under the brand 'Mukto Pay'. 'Mukto' translates to 'freedom' in Bengali. In addition to Mukto Pay, Veon has also applied for a separate digital bank licence in Bangladesh.

Icasa to hear public input on revised spectrum and fee rules on 19-20 August
SOUTH AFRICA 13 AUG

Icasa to hear public input on revised spectrum and fee rules on 19-20 August

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) said it will host hybrid public hearings from 19-20 August on proposed amendments to its radio frequency spectrum and spectrum fees regulations that were gazetted in May. Proposed changes include a dedicated registration regime for satellite space segment operators, blanket licensing for satellite terminal networks, and rules governing Earth Stations in Motion (ESIM).  They also outline revised spectrum fee formulas and enhanced regulatory pro

LIBERIA 12 AUG

Liberia streamlines telecom licensing with online system

The Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) is automating its licensing and renewal process to cut processing times, lower costs, and eliminate unnecessary paperwork for applicants nationwide. LTA said in a statement that citizens and business owners across Liberia will no longer need to travel to the capital to apply for or renew telecommunications licenses, as it prepares to roll out a nationwide digital licensing platform. The automated system is designed to modernize operations, allowing individuals,

EL SALVADOR 12 AUG

El Salvador regulator allocates Tigo additional mobile spectrum for 60 days

El Salvador's telecommunications regulator Siget announced that it allocated Tigo 30 Mhz of mobile spectrum for a temporary period. The company will have use of the additional capacity for a period of 60 days effective 31 July. Siget said the spectrum award consists of 15 MHz each of download and upload capacity in the 700 MHz band.

KENYA 12 AUG

Communications Authority of Kenya trials digital licensing management system

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has launched a pilot for its new digital Licensing Management System (LMS), which enables real-time tracking of applications, enquiries and compliance status. The rollout began last week with an internal pilot involving key user departments, including a hands-on simulation to test the client portal and back-office workflows. A second pilot phase, engaging selected licensees, starts next week and will run until late September to validate system performance and refin

UNITED STATES 11 AUG

T-Mobile US completes sale of 800 MHz spectrum to Grain

T-Mobile US has completed the sale of its 800 MHz spectrum assets to Grain Management. In return, T-Mobile got USD 2.9 billion cash and Grain's 600 MHz spectrum licences. The deal was announced in March 2025 and received FCC approval at start-July 2026. TAP Advisors acted as financial advisor for T-Mobile, with DLP Piper and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton acting as legal advisors.

GLOBAL 11 AUG

Xona navigation project moves ahead thanks to FCC clearance

Navigation satellite developer Xona said it was given the go ahead by the US Federal Communications Commission for its planned low Earth orbit constellation and Pulsar navigation service. The company plans to bring over 250 satellites into orbit, with the first batch, consisting of six production-grade spacecraft, set to launch in October.

PARAGUAY 7 AUG

Tigo and Personal secure 5G spectrum in Paraguay tender

Paraguayan operators Tigo (Millicom) and Personal (Telecom Argentina) have been awarded licences in the second tender for 5G-compatible spectrum run by the country's communications regulator Conatel. The watchdog said Tigo and Personal were the only bidders in the auction for spectrum in the 2.3 GHz and 3.5 GHz frequency bands. Rivals Claro and Nubicom previously secured 5G spectrum in last year's 3.5 GHz band tender.

PORTUGAL 6 AUG

Portuguese operators oppose shorter licences in spectrum renewal plan

Apritel, Portugal's association of telecom operators, has voiced strong opposition to the regulator's proposed terms for spectrum license renewals. Speaking on behalf of the association, President Antonio Coimbra argued that the decision by the National Communications Authority (Anacom) to offer renewal periods of just six and 14 years, rather than the 20 years requested by the industry, will severely hamper necessary investments, reported Jornal de Negocios. Coimbra confirmed that Apritel plans to formally

NETHERLANDS 6 AUG

NCSC CISO Schouten moves to RDI as equipment director

Cynthia Schouten is the new head of the hardware unit at the Dutch digital infrastructure agency RDI from October. She is currently CISO at the National Cybersecurity Centre (NCSC) and worked previously at the defense ministry, Cybersprint and KPN Consulting. In her new role Schouten will focus on issues including AI oversight and the implementation of the Cyber Resilience Act. 

UNITED KINGDOM 6 AUG

UK Culture Secretary will not intervene as CMA approves Paramount, WBD merger

The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has cleared the proposed acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery by Paramount Skydance. This follows a Phase 1 investigation, with the CMA concluding that the deal will not result in a substantial lessening of competition (SLC) in the UK. As a result, the deal will not be referred for an in-depth Phase 2 investigation.

AUSTRALIA 5 AUG

Optus and Nokia complete pre-6G massive MIMO transmission using upper 6 GHz frequencies

Australia's Optus has completed an advanced 6G research trial that deployed Nokia's massive MIMO antenna to transmit an upper-6GHz signal. According to Optus, the link successfully achieved record peak download speeds of around 3.5 Gbps, underscoring the critical role that the upper 6 GHz band could play in unlocking 6G-era capacity for end subscribers. Optus's study was conducted at a mobile transmitter in Sydney currently equipped with live 5G infrastructure. Nokia's advanced 6 GHz massive MIMO radio was

SAUDI ARABIA 4 AUG

Salam obtains Tier 2 managed security operations centre service licence from National Cybersecurity Authority

Saudi operator, Etihad Salam Telecom Company (Salam) has announced that it received a five-year license from the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA), authorising the company to provide Tier 2 Managed Security Operations Center (MSOC) services.

ZIMBABWE 4 AUG

POTRAZ data protection officer licence fees attract criticism

A government policy requiring every organisation that handles personal data to secure annual licences from the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has sparked a widespread backlash from analysts and industry leaders, Bulawayo24 reported. Critics warn that the mandatory compliance fees could place severe financial strain on a wide range of institutions including businesses, churches, schools and non-profit organisations, with the ultimate cost passed down to consumers thro

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Background

16 AUG 23:57

The week in telecom: Lenovo and Cisco profit from AI-driven demand in Q2, Google updates Pixels and reaches 1 bln Gemini users

9 AUG 23:44

The week in telecom: Starlink's mobile ambitions and LEO challengers, plus Hollywood studios try streaming shorts and sports

2 AUG 23:37

The week in telecom: Telcos resist economic slowdown in Q2 while big tech gears up for more AI investment

26 JUL 23:19

The week in telecom: Samsung works on foldable challenge, US telcos try FMC