Plus introduces roaming pack for winter sports fans
POLAND 12 JAN

Plus introduces roaming pack for winter sports fans

Polish operator Polkomntel, trading under the Plus brand, introduced a new roaming package for fans of winter sports. The package is available for both prepaid and postpaid customers and is valid in Czechia, Italy, Slovakia, Austria and France. Customers receive a 6 GB package valid for a month, at a cost of PLN 30. The offer will be valid until 30 April.

LepsiaTV adds 2 new TV channnels
SLOVAKIA 12 JAN

LepsiaTV adds 2 new TV channnels

Slovak online TV service LepsiaTV has expanded its pay TV lineup with the channels 360 Tune Box and Erox HD. Both channels are added to the Classic package, costing EUR 9.59 monthly, as well as the Top package, costing EUR 12.59 monthly. 

Play offers promo of 5G smartphone contracts
POLAND 12 JAN

Play offers promo of 5G smartphone contracts

Polish operator Play, controlled by Iliad, started s a promotion of 5G smartphones in its shops. Up to 50 percent discounts are offered to customers buying devices and connecting to S+, M, L or Homebox plans from the operator using number porting. That means the Xiaomi 15T Pro 5G costs PLN 1,799 instead of PLN 3,599, the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE 5G is reduced to PLN 1,499 from PLN 2,999, and the Motorola Edge 60 Pro 5G is offered for PLN 1,199 instead of PLN 2,399. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro is down to PLN 5

Vodafone NL expands unlimited data offering with 3 new plans
NETHERLANDS 12 JAN

Vodafone NL expands unlimited data offering with 3 new plans

Vodafone Netherlands has launched three different unlimited mobile data plans. With speeds up to 1 Gbps over 5G, the plans differ in the amount of call minutes and roaming allowances. They are available for both consumer and business customers, with the latter also getting extra security and connectivity options. 

A1 Bulgaria intros discounts of up to 80% on smartphone purchases
BULGARIA 12 JAN

A1 Bulgaria intros discounts of up to 80% on smartphone purchases

A1 Bulgaria has launched a promotion, slashing smartphone prices by up to 80 percent for customers looking to upgrade their devices. This promotion will offer discounts on cash purchases and flexible leasing options paired with Unlimited plans.

ZTE Uganda introduces Blade A36
UGANDA 12 JAN

ZTE Uganda introduces Blade A36

ZTE has introduced its Blade A36 smartphone aimed at Ugandan consumers seeking quality, durability and affordability. Jason Zhang, country director, said the Blade A36 embodies its vision of delivering world-class devices at prices that make sense for the market.  The cost in Uganda generally ranges from UGX 220,000 to UGX 250,000, depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions, typically with 4GB RAM (expandable to 6 GB dynamic) and 64 GB storage.

Xiaomi's Redmi Note 15 phones set for wider commercial availability from 15 January
GLOBAL 12 JAN

Xiaomi's Redmi Note 15 phones set for wider commercial availability from 15 January

Xiaomi has scheduled additional market entries on 15 January for its latest generation Redmi Note smartphones. While Xiaomi did not go into specifics on each territory's launch schedule, the Chinese release was in August 2025 and shipments to Indian consumers reportedly began on 06 January.

TIM hikes price of further landline plans by up to EUR 5/mth
ITALY 12 JAN

TIM hikes price of further landline plans by up to EUR 5/mth

Telecom Italia (TIM) has announced on its website that more existing landline customers will be subject to a price increase of EUR 2.99 to EUR 5 a month (including VAT) applied to their plans starting 01 February. The company attributed the increase to "economic needs arising from the need to sustain the investments connected to the increase in data traffic".

Icasa still working on rules for mobile data rollover
SOUTH AFRICA 12 JAN

Icasa still working on rules for mobile data rollover

 The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) is working on new rules that will allow consumers to roll over their mobile data bundles, MyBroadband.co.za reported. Parks Tau, the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, said that Icasa is finalising the regulations for publication. Tau, who was responding to a Parliamentary question, said the regulations will address the rollover and transfer of data bundles to align with the Consumer Protection Act.

One Hungary fined over misleading pricing
HUNGARY 12 JAN

One Hungary fined over misleading pricing

The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) has issued a HUF 352 million fine to One Hungary, the successor to Vodafone Hungary, for failing to clearly communicate inflation-linked price adjustments to consumers between October 2022 and May 2024. The GVH's investigation found that Vodafone Hungary's advertising of loyalty packages was misleading. While promotions highlighted monthly fees, they did not adequately inform consumers about the potential for annual price increases due to inflation. This meant custo

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.

Africell Sierra Leone starts SIM-based online child protection service Kidzonet
SIERRA LEONE 9 JAN

Africell Sierra Leone starts SIM-based online child protection service Kidzonet

Africell Sierra Leone has launched a SIM-based online child protection service called Kidzonet to enable parents and guardians to manage and track their child's social media and online content consumption. Kidzonet operates directly at SIM level, letting parents activate and manage content controls. It filters and blocks content considered inappropriate for minors but leaves standard voice calls and SMS unaffected. 

UNITED KINGDOM 9 JAN

LINX outlines 2026 service portfolio and fee changes

The London Internet Exchange (LINX) has announced its service portfolio and fees for 2026, detailing changes that affect peering capacity and the bandwidth included with membership. Under the new portfolio, members using 100 GE port access networks will be able to consume 10 Gbps of peering on a 100 GE port. LINX has also increased the amount of service bandwidth included in the monthly membership fee from 2 Gbps to 4 Gbps on a 10 GE port. 

GERMANY 8 JAN

RTL+ to offer new bundle with HBO Max at launch in Germany

RTL+, the streaming service of German private broadcaster RTL, will combine its offering with that of HBO Max for the launch of the streaming service from Warner Bros in Germany on 13 January. RTL+ and HBO Max will offer subscribers two options, one including RTL+ Premium and HBO Max Basic with advertising for EUR 11.99 per month, and a second option including RTL+ Premium Max, its ad-free subscription, and HBO Max Standard for EUR 17.99 per month.

CZECH REPUBLIC 8 JAN

Vodafone Czechia introduces new convergent offer Giga Kombo

Vodafone Czech Republic has introduced a new fixed-mobile convergent offer called Giga Kombo, giving customers who take multiple services discounts of up to 30 percent discount on the subscriptions. The new offer applies to a whole range of services from Vodafone, including the new BezLimit and Black mobile tariffs, plus their Extra variants, as well as fixed broadband (including fixed wireless) and the Vodafone TV+ service. By combining the above services, a total of four levels of benefits can be achieved

GLOBAL 8 JAN

Xiaomi unwraps 5G-capable Poco M8, M8 Pro handsets

Xiaomi has launched the latest iteration in its budget to mid-range Poco M smartphone line-up. Poco M8 and M8 Pro 5G both support 5G mobile services straight out of the gate, whereas last year's Poco M7 was available in 4G-only versions as well as 5G. Poco M8 and M8 Pro will retail at a list price of EUR 269.90 and EUR 349.90, respectively. A limited-time EUR 60 discount is available on Xiaomi's online storefront until 14 January. In the UK, the RRP is GBP 229 for the M8 5G and GBP 309 for the M8 Pro 5G, re

CHILE 8 JAN

Entel to compensate over 2 mln clients for improper charges

Chile's consumer protection authority Sernac said operator Entel has agreed to compensate subscribers affected by improper non-renewals of contracts and offers of new contracts that took effect on 01 January 2023. Under the voluntary collective procedure, Entel will pay a total of CLP 8,500,243,960 to over 2.63 million consumers of mobile, fixed and pay-TV telecommunications services for unilaterally terminating contracts and immediately setting up new ones without customer consent. 

KENYA 8 JAN

Oppo A6x goes on sale in Kenya

Oppo Kenya has announced the launch of its new Oppo A6x handset and highlighted a reliable battery life, smooth performance and "immersive" display. The smartphone is available for purchase at KES 15,999 for the 4+128GB variant and KES 19,999 RRP for the 4+256GB one. Fredrique Achieng, PR manager at Oppo Kenya, said the phone is ideal for all-day use without the need for constant charging. It also features reverse wired charging with a rate of 5V and 1A for charging other mobile devices when the need arises

ALBANIA 8 JAN

Vodafone Albania updates GigaFibra packages

Vodafone Albania is updating its GigaFibra packages for business customers, enhancing speeds and integrating security features. The GigaFibra Prime package now includes DDoS Protect Basic at no extra cost. GigaFibra Pro has been renamed GigaFibra Static, and GigaFibra Prime has become GigaFibra Protect. Current customers can keep their existing plans if they choose not to switch to the new portfolio when renewing their contracts. The speeds of the packages range from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps, priced from ALL 4.50

NETHERLANDS 8 JAN

Odido increases FWA price by EUR 1 per month

Dutch operator Odido has increased the price of its fixed-wireless service 'Klik&Klaar' by EUR 1 per month for new subscribers, to EUR 26. Existing customers stay on the previous price. The higher price is part of a wider inflation-based price increase at the operator from the start of 2026. 

UNITED STATES 8 JAN

BBC starts paid app subscription in US

UK public broadcaster the BBC is launching a paid subscription for its mobile app in the US. This extends a subscription model started for its website in the US last June. The app costs USD 49.99 per year or USD 8.99 per month and includes unlimited access to BBC news and live streams, as well as an archive of documentary series and films. Additional premium content such as exclusive or early-release podcasts are planned in the coming months for paid subscribers.

GHANA 8 JAN

MTN Ghana cuts tariffs for all products and services after VAT reforms

MTN Ghana has announced a reduction in tariffs for all its products and services following recent changes to the country's Value Added Tax (VAT) regime. In a public notice to customers, MTN assured subscribers that the cuts take immediate effect across its offerings. The operator advised customers to it its official website for further details on the revised tariffs.

UNITED STATES 7 JAN

T-Mobile US brings in 'Better Value' plan for families and small businesses

T-Mobile US announced a new family plan called 'Better Value', also suitable for small businesses, that offers several mobile lines with unlimited data and streaming services plus a five-year price guarantee. It says existing T-Mobile customers upgrading their family plan with three or more lines from its existing Essentials offer can save over USD 50 a month thanks to included benefits such as entertainment, satellite and premium scam protection. Better Value is available for a limited period from 14 Janua

UNITED KINGDOM 7 JAN

Sky Mobile to raise prices by GBP 1.50 per month for existing customers

UK MVNO Sky Mobile announced plans to increase monthly prices for the majority of its existing customers by GBP 1.50 from 14 February. The company noted that this is the first price hike for in-contract customers in seven years, and it's also less than most other major mobile providers. Out-of-bundle tariffs will be unchanged. 

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Background

12 JAN 00:04

The week in telecoms: CES brings Wi-Fi 8 and more smart glasses, while Warner sticks with Netflix

5 JAN 00:52

The week in telecom: Finnish security check, M&A completions and telco job cuts

23 DEC 2025 10:32

Netherlands TV-video market grows 2.6% in Q3 to EUR 759 mln

22 DEC 2025 00:25

The week in telecoms: YouTube, Instagram take on TV market and WBD rejects Paramount