Realme 16 Pro handset set for India launch on 06 January
INDIA 12:34

Realme 16 Pro handset set for India launch on 06 January

Realme's 16 Pro series handset will commence sales to Indian consumers on 06 January. The full list of specifications will be published at a launch event in January. At this stage, Realme has not confirmed the size of the battery, but says it should be sufficient for 9.3 hours of usage in gaming-oriented sessions, or up to 125 hours of audio streams on Spotify. The handset contains an "industry-leading" Snapdragon chipset which will also be specified closer to launch. Realme is a leading contender in the In

Dhiraagu introduces NetProtect to tackle online scams
MALDIVES 10:19

Dhiraagu introduces NetProtect to tackle online scams

Maldivian operator Dhiraagu has introduced Dhiraagu NetProtect, a security service to safeguard users from suspicious SMS links, social media links and phishing websites. It costs MVR 35 monthly for Dhiraagu mobile customers and MVR 50 for fixed broadband customers. Subscribers receive an alert if a link or website is potentially unsafe before access is granted. Dhiraagu NetProtect blocked over 9 million security threats in November alone.

Lyca Mobile to launch postpaid plans in Portugal
PORTUGAL 09:02

Lyca Mobile to launch postpaid plans in Portugal

MVNO Lyca Mobile is preparing to launch postpaid services in Portugal in 2026, country manager Antonio Arnaut told Digital Inside. Lyca Mobile serves around 300,000 subscribers in Portugal, primarily focused on prepaid bundles for residential customers. The company leverages a vast distribution network of over 5,000 SIM card sales points and 15,000 top-up locations.

Frogfoot set to increase fibre prices in February
SOUTH AFRICA 09:00

Frogfoot set to increase fibre prices in February

South African fibre network operator (FNO) Frogfoot will increase its fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) pricing on 01 February 2026, MyBroadband reported citing a notice from Vox Telecom sent to its fibre customers on Frogfoot's network. One customer told the news portal that their mid-range fibre package was going up by 12.65 percent. The notice says that Vox's general terms and conditions allows Vox to lift its charges for the affected service in proportion to the rise in cost.

MTS offers new parental control service
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 08:57

MTS offers new parental control service

Russian operator MTS has introduced  its new service Safe Internet for mobile customers, helping parents set up controls to block access to unsafe websites on their children's devices. Up to three telephone numbers connected to the Family Group from the operator can be connected to the service. A free weekly trial of the service is available, after which the monthly subscription costs RUB 99.

EU adopts fair-use rules for voluntary move to intra-EU calls at domestic rates
EUROPE 08:31

EU adopts fair-use rules for voluntary move to intra-EU calls at domestic rates

EU operators may opt out of caps on the price of calls between EU countries, if they charge the same for domestic and EU calls, according to a new regulation published by the European Commission. This is part of the compromise agreed in the Gigabit Infrastructure Act, which extended the prices caps on intra-EU calls to June 2032. The measure is expected to encourage an end to differentiated pricing for international calls across the EU, making the regulated caps no longer necessary.

Digi Spain rules out price hikes in 2026
SPAIN 07:58

Digi Spain rules out price hikes in 2026

The Digi Spain subsidiary of Romania's Digi Communications Group has once more announced that it will not raise the current price of any its products and services in 2026, unlike rivals including Telefonica, MasOrange and Vodafone, who have blamed the rising costs of pay-TV content and services for upcoming January price hikes.

Iliad's Free increases termination fee for Freebox customers to EUR 69
FRANCE 18 DEC

Iliad's Free increases termination fee for Freebox customers to EUR 69

French operator Free, part of the Iliad group, has raised the termination fee owed by Freebox customers cancelling their fixed broadband service. According to Free's latest tariff brochure, the fee is now EUR 69, marking the second consecutive increase this year. On 01 April, it went up from EUR 49 to EUR 59.

Safaricom runs publicity event for taxi drivers
KENYA 18 DEC

Safaricom runs publicity event for taxi drivers

Kenyan operator Safaricom and taxi hailing companies have hosted an even for drivers and riders aimed at maximising taxi earnings. It took the opportunity to publicise its Bundle Ya Deree and Ofa Ya Boda services. Over 200 people attended the taxi event and there were opportunities for health check-ups, vehicle diagnostic checks, financial advisory sessions and partner-led engagements.

MTS offers unlimited data for WhatsApp, Telegram with 'Abroad' option
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 18 DEC

MTS offers unlimited data for WhatsApp, Telegram with 'Abroad' option

Russian operator MTS has added a new option to its service 'Abroad', for unlimited data traffic on messengers WhatsApp and Telegram in 20 countries. The list of countries includes Austria, Armenia, the UK, Hungary, Germany, Greece, Georgia, China, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the UAE, Romania, Slovakia, Turkey, Finland, Croatia, Czechia and Switzerland.

Vodafone Albania rolls out new digital roaming packages
ALBANIA 18 DEC

Vodafone Albania rolls out new digital roaming packages

Vodafone Albania has rolled out new Digital Roaming Packages, accessible exclusively through the My Vodafone App. These packages offer data allowances for use in Europe, the United States, and Canada, and are valid for five days from activation. The packages include Giga Travel S (1 GB for ALL 500), Giga Travel M (2 GB for ALL 800), and Giga Travel L (4 GB for ALL 1,200), with prices inclusive of VAT.

MTN Zambia offers Alola 4G and Alola Max smartphones with Huawei Cloud-powered 'smart connectivity'
ZAMBIA 18 DEC

MTN Zambia offers Alola 4G and Alola Max smartphones with Huawei Cloud-powered 'smart connectivity'

MTN Zambia has launched what it describes as the world's first 4G Cloud Smartphone service, which aims to address digital problems. It integrates MTN's affordable Alola-branded smartphone, 4G network service and the AppJoy cloud ecosystem to make "smart connectivity" accessible to everyone. The Alola is available in 5-inch and 6-inch models with dual SIM slots, dual cameras, 32 GB storage and 2500mAh/3000mAh batteries. Alola 4G costs ZMK 649 and Alola Max costs ZMK 699 from any MTN Service Centre

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 18 DEC

E& launches Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold exclusively in UAE

E& UAE has announced the exclusive launch of Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold smartphone. It becomes available only at e& UAE and Samsung stores across the country starting 19 December at the price of AED 3,670.

BELGIUM 18 DEC

Belgian study finds more competitive mobile prices since Digi launch

The mobile services market is more competitive in Belgium than a year ago, according to the latest international price comparison by market regulator Bipt. However prices for fixed broadband and multiplay packages remain relatively high. The study looks at prices in relation to the neighbouring countries Germany, France, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

RUSSIAN FEDERATION 18 DEC

MTS offers seasonal promo on Tecno smartphones

Russian operator MTS started a seasonal promotion of smartphones from Tecno in its shops. Up to RUB 5,000 discount is available when buying the devices before 31 January 2026. The Tecno Camon 40 is offered for RUB 16,990 under the promotion, down from RUB 21,990. The Tecno Camon 40 Pro costs RUB 19,990, down from RUB 24,990. Additional discounts of RUB 2,000 to RUB 4,000 discounts are available when buying other devices from the promotional list.

LUXEMBOURG 18 DEC

Orange Luxembourg offers FTTR connectivity to Livebox customers

Orange announced that it has become the first operator in Luxembourg to introduce FTTR (Fibre To The Room) connectivity. This service extends multi-gigabit performance through the use of nearly invisible cabling. Livebox fibre customers can now benefit from FTTR as part of their existing package at the same monthly rate. Subscribers are responsible for the cost of the FTTR equipment and the associated labour for installation, which varies depending on individual requirements.

NETHERLANDS 18 DEC

Youfone to raise prices 3.3% in February

Dutch provider Youfone, owned by KPN, announced a price increase from February 2026 of 3.3 percent on existing plans. This is based on the national CPI inflation reported by the statistics agency CBS. Sim-only mobile and home broadband and TV customers are affected by the price hike, but any new or renewed subscriptions signed since 01 October will not be impacted.

MALAYSIA 18 DEC

CelcomDigi upgrades One services bundle

CelcomDigi has upgraded its 'One' plan for Malaysian households. The revamped CelcomDigi One plan is available in two variants, One Ultra and One Pro, which come with 500Mbps home fibre, postpaid lines with unlimited 5G/4G internet access, as well as a Disney+ subscription. One Plan customers will also receive monthly discounts on roaming passes, as well as the option to add on additional family lines, and GadgetSIMs.

NETHERLANDS 17 DEC

Odido expands SimWallet to offer eSim roaming bundles

Dutch operator Odido is expanding its eSim service SimWallet to offer international roaming packages. Customers can book data bundles for over 140 countries in the app, with near instant activation.

GREENLAND 17 DEC

Tusass upgrades satellite internet speed in Eastern Greenland

Tusass said it is upgrading internet services for customers in Eastern Greenland served by satellite connectivity. So far, there had been two options, namely a 3 Mbps/1 Mbps service for DKK 299 monthly or a 6/2 Mbps service for DKK 599. On 16 December, Tusass automatically upgraded customers on the latter service to 10/2 Mbps at no extra cost. It also brought in a new subscription for service at 15/5 Mbps for DKK 799, benefiting customers in Tasiilaq and Ittoqqortoormiit as well as residential areas.  The

UNITED STATES 17 DEC

Motorola prepares launch of refreshed Moto G Power in US, Canada in January

Motorola Mobility announced the upcoming North American release of its 2026 Moto G Power handset. Available in two colour options, Pantone Pure Cashmere or Pantone Evening Blue, the updated Power Moto G will launch in the US and Canada on 08 January. It is available universally unlocked at launch from US operator Verizon as well as retailers Best Buy, Amazon.com and Motorola.com.

NETHERLANDS 17 DEC

Delta to raise prices for fibre customers in February

Dutch operator Delta announced it will increase prices for customers on its FTTH network from February 2026. Internet, TV and call costs will increase by 3.5 percent to take account of inflation. This is the same as the national CPI increase for the year to August 2025. 

TAJIKISTAN 17 DEC

Megafon Tajikistan expands add-on bundles

Megafon Tajikistan launched a new line of add-on packages, designed to supplement a customer's basic plan when they need more volume. The four data bundles contain 500 MB to 3 GB and cost TJS 7 to TJS 25, and the four voice packages offer 50 to 300 minutes for TJS 10 to TJS 50. There are also two SMS packages, for 50 SMS for TJS 2 or 100 SMS for TJS 3. Plans can be activated over USSD and are valid for the same billing period as the customer's existing basic plan.

JAPAN 17 DEC

KDDI introduces monthly data add-on subscription options to povo

KDDI Digital Life, together with KDDI and Okinawa Cellular, has launched monthly subscription-based data add-ons for its povo2.0 mobile service. The new "subscription toppings" are offered as recurring monthly plans priced at JPY 1,380 for 5 GB and JPY 2,780 for 30 GB, including tax. Each plan provides data valid for one month from the purchase date and renews automatically on the same day each month, with data recharged without the need for manual repurchase. Customers can cancel the subscription at any ti

Just In

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Italy business and consumer morale rise again in December

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Digita deploys 5G private network at Outokumpu's Kemi mine

13:05

Traficom announces new sender ID rules from May 2026 to curb scam SMS

Commentary

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Video market set for slower growth ahead

11:38

Netflix buys Warner Bros to deepen content catalogue

11:11

KPN's mixed performance in Q3 raises questions for strategy day

15:26

Stock markets breaking records but what happened to Odido's IPO plans?

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