Semtech says new LoRa transceivers reach production
GLOBAL 12:46

Semtech says new LoRa transceivers reach production

Semtech said its LR2022 and LR2012 transceivers are both now available in production. When they were presented last September, the company expected production in the first half of 2026. The LR2022 and LR2012 extend the LoRa Plus family to serve different types of IoT deployment, from cost-optimised sub-GHz sensors to global multi-band NTN, all using fourth-generation LoRa IP. All Semtech LoRa Plus devices support LoRaWAN, LR-FHSS, Amazon Sidewalk, Wi-SUN FSK and Wireless M-BUS.

Nokia to lay off most of Chinese workforce, close sites by year-end - report
CHINA 10:55

Nokia to lay off most of Chinese workforce, close sites by year-end - report

Nokia plans to cut most of its workforce in mainland China and close sites there in stages by year-end, sources familiar with the situation told the South China Morning Post. An unnamed Shanghai-based source said teams in both Nokia's mobile networks and network infrastructure businesses in mainland China were set to undergo lay-offs in batches, with most of the cuts expected to be completed by the end of this year. After the restructuring, only an after-sales support team is expected to remain the country.

Safaricom Ethiopia activates 16 new 4G sites in southern region
ETHIOPIA 10:22

Safaricom Ethiopia activates 16 new 4G sites in southern region

Safaricom Ethiopia has expanded its 4G network into Southern Ethiopia, bringing high-speed connectivity for the first time to towns including Sawla, Selam Ber, Basketo, Beto, and Leha, alongside surrounding communities. The company confirmed the activation of sixteen new sites connected via a fibre-optic backbone. Built for future demand, the new infrastructure is 5G-ready and supports international roaming, Safaricom said. 

Telia Finland and US space company build satellite ground station in Pyhajarvi
FINLAND 10:22

Telia Finland and US space company build satellite ground station in Pyhajarvi

Telia Finland said Telia Towers has started constructing a satellite earth station at Pyhajarvi in cooperation with an unnamed US space company. The station will connect to satellites in Earth orbit and transmit their data to terrestrial data networks. The project will bring modern space and telecom infrastructure to Pyhajarvi as part of the rapidly growing space industry, said Telia.

Openreach extends roll-out of XGS-PON technology on full-fibre network
UNITED KINGDOM 09:05

Openreach extends roll-out of XGS-PON technology on full-fibre network

Openreach has announced plans to upgrade more of its full-fibre network with XGS-PON technology to deliver faster speeds and increased capacity. It will extend the roll-out of XGS-PON technology, which can support speeds of up to 10 Gbps, to more than one million premises over the coming 12 months. This will build on an ongoing trial launched with 40,000 residential premises in and around Guildford in March 2026.

Guodong Group plans African HQ in Kenya under USD 300 mln investment scheme
KENYA 07:54

Guodong Group plans African HQ in Kenya under USD 300 mln investment scheme

Chinese digital infrastructure provider Guodong Group plans to establish its regional headquarters in Kenya, backed by an investment strategy of up to USD 300 million over the coming years. It aims to expand its footprint in Kenya's digital ecosystem, focusing on infrastructure such as telecom towers, "smart" city developments, data centres, fibre-optic networks, cloud systems and "green" digital technologies. Principal secretary for investment promotion Abubakar Hassan said the scheme advances the governme

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-

Qatar's CRA refers tower manager to public prosecution over unfair access
QATAR 18 AUG

Qatar's CRA refers tower manager to public prosecution over unfair access

The Qatari Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has referred a tower management company to the Public Prosecution for denying a licensed telecommunications provider building access, while granting exclusive rights to a competitor. The CRA said this conduct undermined fair competition, infringed on consumer rights and harmed the public interest. The referral followed the tower manager's failure to comply with official notices and its persistent violations of Telecommunications Law No. (34) of 2006 and i

North upgrades video surveillance security at HM Naval Base Portsmouth
UNITED KINGDOM 18 AUG

North upgrades video surveillance security at HM Naval Base Portsmouth

North, a UK-based provider of IoT and smart building solutions, has won a contract from KBS Maritime to upgrade security at HM Naval Base Portsmouth, headquarters of the Rotal Navy. North will provide a secure video surveillance and analytics upgrade at the facility. This will upgrade the entire video surveillance estate across the base - including network upgrade, new secure control centre, and deployment of advanced cameras with integrated analytics. KBS Maritime is a JV between KBR and BAE Systems.

Ericsson and MediaTek test achieves decimetre-level positioning accuracy over commercial 5G network
GLOBAL 18 AUG

Ericsson and MediaTek test achieves decimetre-level positioning accuracy over commercial 5G network

Ericsson said it achieved decimetre-level accuracy in a high-precision outdoor positioning test with MediaTek. Using standardised 3GPP technology for Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Real-Time Kinematic (RTK), they demonstrated positioning accuracy down to tens of centimetres over a commercial 5G network. Validation was performed using MediaTek's latest 5G modem technology, capable of live processing of advanced GNSS corrections with optimised power efficiency.

Viva Bolivia turns to Rakuten Symphony for open RAN collaboration
BOLIVIA 18 AUG

Viva Bolivia turns to Rakuten Symphony for open RAN collaboration

Rakuten Symphony announced a MoU with Nuevatel PCS de Bolivia, which operates the Viva mobile network in Bolivia. Under the agreement, Rakuten Symphony and Viva will evaluate possibilities across Open RAN, OSS, cloud infrastructure, professional services and AI-enabled digital platforms. The companies will initially focus on evaluating cloud-native technologies that simplify network operations while identifying new opportunities to expand digital services for customers.

Huber+Suhner sees H1 communication orders fall 30%
GLOBAL 18 AUG

Huber+Suhner sees H1 communication orders fall 30%

Huber+Suhner reported orders at its Communication business down 30 percent year-on-year to CHF 140 million amid weaker demand from the mobile networks and CEM components segments. Net sales were down 14.1 percent in the same period to CHF 132.4 million, and the company's Communication business had a negative EBIT margin of 0.8 percent for the first half. The group blamed the loss on upfront investments to increase production of optical circuit switchers, after the surge in orders last year from the data cen

TANZANIA, UNITED REPUBLIC OF 18 AUG

Tanzanian ICT minister presents connectivity report to parliamentary infrastructure committee

More than 8.5 million Tanzanians in 1,400 villages now have access to mobile and internet services following the government's completion of 758 communication towers, the Daily News reported. The TZS 126 billion project, funded by TZS 55 billion from the World Bank and TZS 71 billion from the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF), was overseen by the ICT ministry. ICT minister Angellah Kairuki presented an implementation report to the parliamentary standing committee on infrastructure and said

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 18 AUG

Hanwha Systems and Schiebel begin development of airborne 5G comms UAV

South Korea's Hanwha Systems has begun developing an airborne communications unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with 5G connectivity in partnership with Austrian UAV manufacturer Schiebel, expanding their existing cooperation from naval applications into ground operations and the global UAV market. The companies held a project kickoff meeting in Seoul on 18 August, following an exclusive MoU signed in Austria in May.

UNITED STATES 18 AUG

Viasat selects Rocket Lab to build satellite for US Space Force

Viasat has selected Rocket Lab to build a satellite bus for the US Space Force's Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global (PTS-G) programme. The contract forms part of Viasat's May 2026 award from the Space Systems Command to deliver one of the first small, manoeuvrable geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) satellites for the PTS-G constellation. The initial production award, known as Swarm 1, covers manufacturing, integration and testing, launch and on-orbit checkout of the satellite system.

AFRICA 17 AUG

NuRAN Wireless secures Nasdaq listing and USD 5 mln West Africa expansion contract

NuRAN Wireless announced the commencement of trading in its shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market alongside the launch of a new three-year, USD 5 million rural telecom project in West Africa. Under the contract, NuRAN will fund, build and operate solar-powered rural mobile network sites for a state-owned mobile network operator, expanding coverage to hard-to-reach communities. The dual milestones reflect both expanding international market access on Wall Street and continued operational growth across remote r

LATVIA 17 AUG

Bite Latvia deploys 33 new base stations in year to date

Bite Latvia has deployed 33 new base stations so far this year. The operator invested EUR 7 million in the construction of new base stations since the beginning of this year, with new sites opened in Daugavpils, Liepaja, Rezekne, Jelgava and Riga, as well as numerous other locations.

UNITED STATES 17 AUG

T-Mobile US supports Hawaiian customers impacted by Hurricane Lala

T-Mobile US is working to restore connectivity for customers across Hawaii following Hurricane Lala. Crews are working to restore sites impacted by the storm, with portable generators deployed and more on the way. T-Satellite is also helping customers stay connected, with around 29,000 text messages sent via satellite since access to the service was extended ahead of the storm. The satellite service has also been used to deliver Wireless Emergency Alerts to compatible phones.

GHANA 17 AUG

MTN Ghana to build 80 sites in northern regions

MTN Ghana will construct 80 network sites in the country's five northern regions in 2026 as part of its USD 1.1 billion nationwide infrastructure investment, MyJoyOnline reported. There will be 38 in the Northern region, seventeen in Savannah, fourteen in Upper East, eleven in North East, and one in Upper West. Senior manager for base station subsystems Emmanuel Kwei Afutu announced the roll-out at the company's 30th anniversary celebrations and said that USD 380 million has been earmarked for network deplo

UNITED STATES 17 AUG

Rocket Lab-built satellites deployed for Globalstar constellation replenishment

Rocket Lab has delivered the first eight satellite buses it is building for MDA Space as part of the replenishment of Globalstar's Hibleo-4 satellite constellation, which supports direct-to-device communications and IoT services. The eight satellites were launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 on 15 August from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Rocket Lab said it had established contact with all eight spacecraft and confirmed that they were generating power and operating nominally. Commissioning of

IRELAND 14 AUG

NBI to complete Offaly, Sligo fibre network builds in September

National Broadband Ireland (NBI) said the National Broadband Plan (NBP) rural fibre network roll-out is on track for completion in Offaly and Sligo counties in September. The NBP Intervention Area includes 13,000 premises in Offaly and 15,000 in Sligo county. The main NBP network build is on track to be completed nationwide by end-2026 - enabling high-speed broadband access for 566,000 rural homes, businesses and farms across Ireland. 

GLOBAL 14 AUG

UTStarcom posts 26% fall in H1 revenues

China-headquartered telecoms vendor UTStarcom has reported a 26.1 percent fall in net sales to USD 3.4 million in the first half of 2026. The net loss widened to USD 5.1 million from USD 3.7 million one year earlier, reflecting a corresponding USD 1.8 million rise in operating losses to USD 6 million.

BURKINA FASO 14 AUG

Nigeria supports Burkina Faso scheme to halve internet costs

Nigeria and Burkina Faso are laying the groundwork for a new digital connectivity partnership that could cut Burkina Faso's internet costs by up to 50 percent. The idea was discussed during a visit by Nigerian ICT minister Bosun Tijani to his Burkina Faso counterpart Aminata Zerbo-Sabane in Ouagadougou. Central to the talks was Project Bridge, Nigeria's flagship infrastructure initiative to expand access to faster, more affordable and resilient internet across the region.

BOTSWANA 14 AUG

BoFiNet completes BWP 43 mln local access fibre project in 3 villages

Botswana Fibre Networks (BoFiNet) has completed its 2025/26 Local Access Projects, extending high-speed fibre internet to Moshupa, Ramotswa/Taung, and Thamaga. The BWP 43 million scheme has connected 191 customers in the three villages, comprising residential homes, local businesses, and government offices, specifically 68 in Moshupa, 66 in Ramotswa/Taung, and 57 in Thamaga. The construction phase created 210 local jobs for Batswana, too.

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Background

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