Mauritania introduces new mobile phone customs clearance rules
MAURITANIA 13:37

Mauritania introduces new mobile phone customs clearance rules

Mauritania has introduced new rules on customs clearance for mobile phones used on national networks as part of the country's 2026 Finance Law, Ecofin reported. The reform, announced in a communique published on 07 March, lowers tax rates on imported devices and introduces a digital control system for phones in circulation, including the possibility of suspending a line if a device is not cleared through customs within fifteen days.

3 Sweden offers Samsung Care Services with 3Trygg insurance
SWEDEN 12:16

3 Sweden offers Samsung Care Services with 3Trygg insurance

3 Sweden said it has become the first operator in the Nordic region to offer official Samsung Care Services, which it is doing in partnership with Samsung itself and insurance technology company Bolttech. The aftercare service will be included when customers insure their Samsung Galaxy device through Tre's insurance service 3Trygg via a direct 3 Sweden channel. The aim is to extend product lifespan and improve everyday digital usage for its customers.

Samsung starts selling Galaxy S26 smartphones and Galaxy Buds4 series in UAE
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 09:38

Samsung starts selling Galaxy S26 smartphones and Galaxy Buds4 series in UAE

Samsung Gulf has announced that the Galaxy S26 Series and Galaxy Buds4 Series have become available in the UAE online at Samsung.com/ae, Samsung stores, carriers and selected retail partners. The Galaxy S26 Ultra (1 TB) will retail at AED 7,099 with the 512 GB version costing AED 5,899 and the 256 GB model priced at AED 5,099. The Galaxy S26 Plus 512 GB will likewise cost AED 5,099 while the 256 GB version will be offered ​for AED 4,299. The standard Galaxy S26 will cost AED 4,399 for the 512 GB variant wit

Sky Mobile offers new Galaxy S26 smartphone range to customers
UNITED KINGDOM 09:12

Sky Mobile offers new Galaxy S26 smartphone range to customers

Sky Mobile is now offering the new Samsung Galaxy S26, Galaxy 26+ and Galaxy S26 Ultra smartphones to UK customers. The Galaxy S26 is available from GBP 26 per month, the Galaxy S26+ from GBP 34 per month, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra from GBP 41 per month - all with an upfront cost of GBP 12 and saving of GBP 144. The Galaxy S26 range is available in the colours Sky Blue, White, Black and Cobalt Violet.

Gigaset partners Apostrophy to deliver sovereign mobile OS for enterprise devices
GLOBAL 06:01

Gigaset partners Apostrophy to deliver sovereign mobile OS for enterprise devices

Gigaset Technologies has signed a strategic partnership with Swiss mobile operating system developer Apostrophy to integrate a sovereign-capable operating system into enterprise mobile devices. Under the agreement, Apostrophy will provide a mobile operating system designed for enterprise and public sector deployments, which Gigaset plans to integrate into its enterprise device portfolio. The companies said the collaboration is aimed at organisations requiring greater control over software environments, incl

NTT expands Katalon partnership for global mobile app testing
ASIA 05:48

NTT expands Katalon partnership for global mobile app testing

NTT Resonant Technology, a subsidiary within the NTT Group's digital services operations, has expanded its strategic partnership with US-based test automation platform provider Katalon to support global mobile application testing. The company said the agreement will integrate Katalon's automated testing platform with its cloud-based device testing service, Remote TestKit. The integration allows developers using Katalon to access Remote TestKit's pool of around 1,200 physical smartphones and tablets to run a

Plus adds Samsung Galaxy S26 to smartphone range
POLAND 11 MRT

Plus adds Samsung Galaxy S26 to smartphone range

Polish operator Polkomtel, trading under the Plus brand, has started sales of the Samsung Galaxy S26 smartphones in its shops. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G 12/256GB costs PLN 6,499, and the 12/512GB version is available for PLN 6,949. The Samsung Galaxy S26+ 12/256 GB costs PLN 5,599, and the 12/512GB version is offered for PLN 6,049, while the Galaxy S26 12/256 GB model is priced at PLN 4,499 and sells for PLN 4,949 for the 12/512 GB version.

MediaMarkt introduces shopping by appointment
NETHERLANDS 11 MRT

MediaMarkt introduces shopping by appointment

MediaMarkt has started offering shopping by appointment in the Netherlands. Customers can choose a dedicated time to meet a specialist in the shop and receive one-to-one advice so they can select a product faster and more in line with their needs. MediaMarkt said consumers may do research online before visiting a shop, but often they would like professional advice in-store to confirm their purchase. 

Vivo launches Y51 Pro 5G smartphone with 7200 mAh battery in India
INDIA 11 MRT

Vivo launches Y51 Pro 5G smartphone with 7200 mAh battery in India

Vivo has launched its Y51 Pro 5G mid-range smartphone in India. The vivo Y51 Pro 5G is manufactured at Vivo India's Greater Noida facility. The smartphone runs on Android 16 platform, and features a 7200 mAh battery.

Plus starts sales of iPhone 17e
POLAND 11 MRT

Plus starts sales of iPhone 17e

Polish operator Polkomtel, trading under the Plus brand, has started sales of the iPhone 17e smartphone in its shops. The device is available for sale under the installment programme Play Exchange, where customers pay over a 36-month contract and can upgrade their phone to a new model after 24 months. Under this programme, the iPhone 17e costs PLN 2,229 (PLN 299 initial payment and 24 monthly payments totaling PLN 83.33 each). 

Nigerian platform for regulators to track recycled phone numbers launches at end of March
NIGERIA 11 MRT

Nigerian platform for regulators to track recycled phone numbers launches at end of March

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is planning to launch a cross-sector platform letting financial and security regulators track recycled phone numbers and prevent fraud linked to SIM card reassignment. The plan is outlined in a Telecoms Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) information document and the portal should launch by the end of March. It will collect and share data about recycled (churned) phone numbers. as well as numbers flagged by other sector regulators as having been used for frau

TIM launches spring 2X1 handset deals
ITALY 11 MRT

TIM launches spring 2X1 handset deals

Telecom Italia (TIM) has launched a device-led spring offer whereby any new and existing customers acquiring a smartphone in instalments will receive a free handset or device from the same brand completely free of charge. The promo, dubbed "2x1", is available via the TIMFin financing service until the end of March in TIM stores and online.

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 11 MRT

Korean operators launch Apple iPhone 17e with promotional offers

South Korea's three mobile network operators have launched the Apple iPhone 17e, introducing a new model in the iPhone 17 series alongside a range of promotional offers tied to mobile tariffs and device bundles. SK Telecom (SKT) said the handset is available through its retail network and online store with storage options of 256 GB and 512 GB. The operator stated that the base model is priced at KRW 990,000, the same launch price as the previous generation model but with double the base storage capacity. Th

SPAIN 10 MRT

Jazztel launches sub-EUR 45 a month convergent offer with free Oppo phone

After giving away a smart TV with its convergent rates earlier this year, MasOrange's Jazztel brand has now introduced a plan with fibre and two mobile lines for under EUR 45 a month. It includes fibre broadband at symmetric (download and upload) speeds of up to 600 Mbps, unlimited calls and two mobile lines with 60GB of data each for EUR 44.95 a month for good.

GLOBAL 10 MRT

Honor takes licence for Via Advanced Audio Coding patent pool

Via Licensing Alliance (Via) has announced that smartphone manufacturer Honor is taking a licence in its Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) patent pool. This brings the penetration of Via's AAC pool in the mobile market beyond over 80 percent. Via president Kevin Mack said AAC remains a foundational audio standard globally. AAC delivers essential patent rights and enables higher quality audio at lower bit rates than older MPEG formats.

EUROPE 10 MRT

Hytera's 450MHz radio gets whitelisting and German distributor

Hytera said its mission-critical smart device PNC660 450MHz was granted whitelist certification by 450Connect at MWC Barcelona 2026, authorising its full commercial deployment across European 450 MHz private broadband networks. Hytera also announced a German distribution agreement for the 5G-enabled smart broadband radio.

CHINA 10 MRT

Oppo to unpack Find N6 foldable on 17 March in preparation for global launch

Oppo's latest foldable smartphone, the Find N6, will make its global debut in a publicity event hosted at its Binhai Bay campus on 17 March. Building on 2025's Find N5 entry, this year's model is available in Stellar Titanium or Blossom Orange. 

GLOBAL 10 MRT

Global smartphone production reaches 1.25 bln units in 2025 - TrendForce

Global smartphone production reached approximately 1.254 billion units in 2025, an increase of 2.5 percent year on year, with Apple and Samsung Electronics each producing nearly 240 million devices to jointly lead the market, according to analysis by TrendForce. Global output totalled 337 million units in the fourth quarter of 2025, up 2.7 percent quarter on quarter. Shipments during the period were supported by demand for Apple's new iPhone 17 line-up.

UNITED KINGDOM 9 MRT

London Mayor provides extra funds for mobile phone theft crackdown

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced additional investment of GBP 4.5 million in the 2026/27 budget to support a major crackdown on mobile phone theft in the city. This will include the establishment of a new Command Cell to coordinate intelligence and respond to mobile phone theft, robbery and other crimes in the West End. The investment will also fund extra enforcement operations and action against shops selling handsets.

UNITED KINGDOM 9 MRT

Currys boosts minimum hourly wage for store workers by 4 percent

UK electricals retailer Currys has announced a 4 percent increase in the minimum hourly rate for skilled store workers to GBP 13.01 from 29 March, rising to GBP 14.26 per hour in London. This is higher than the incoming National Living Wage of GBP 12.71 per hour for over 21s. This latest increase means that hourly pay has risen by 37 percent over the last three years. It will benefit around 7,800 employees at 280 UK stores, regardless of age.

LIBERIA 9 MRT

Lonestar Cell MTN runs 'Recharge & Bumpay' campaign with iPhone 17 Pro Max among prizes

Liberian operator Lonestar Cell MTN has launched the "Recharge & Bumpay" campaign, giving subscribers a chance to win prizes including the newly released iPhone 17 Pro Max smartphone. Those who top up their mobile balance or use the Bumpay mobile payment platform will automatically be entered into a raffle draw. Johnett Horace, head of human resources at Lonestar Cell MTN, said the promotion supports the wider drive for digital transformation and mobile financial services in Liberia. It also showcases the g

THAILAND 7 MRT

True dtac announces iPhone 17e pricing details

Thai operator True dtac has announced it will offer the new iPhone 17e on the local market. Customers can now pre-order the iPhone 17e at True Shops, dtac Shops, and the True Store. The device will be commercially available starting with 11 March.

INDIA 6 MRT

Samsung begins early deliveries of Galaxy S26 series in India

Samsung has announced early deliveries of its Galaxy S26 AI-powered smartphone line for customers who pre-booked the devices in India. The Galaxy S26 series includes the S26 Ultra, S26+ and S26. The Galaxy S26 series is available for pre-order at all major online and mainline retail outlets in India until 10 March.

NAMIBIA 6 MRT

CRAN and Hulina Offshore Energy run public education campaign to tackle e-waste and plastic pollution

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) and Hulina Offshore Energy have begun a national awareness campaign to highlight the problems of electronic waste and plastic pollution. CRAN said technology has transformed communication, connectivity and productivity but improper product disposal poses serious environmental risks. Many electronic devices contain toxic substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium and brominated flame retardants. If not properly managed, these substances can leach into

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Background

6 MRT 16:00

The week in telecom: MWC brings 5G advances, AI and satellite integration, plus first robot phone

1 MRT 13:21

The week in telecoms: Paramount tops bidding for WBD, Samsung S26 kicks off MWC showcase

23 FEB 00:28

The week in telecoms: Liberty Global tackles cable vs fibre question, Orange promises dividends and MEA market goes wholesale

16 FEB 00:17

The week in telecoms: Cisco rides AI investment wave and European telcos invest in South America