Sivers Semi investor triggers equity conversion of USD 12 mln loan
GLOBAL 09:15

Sivers Semi investor triggers equity conversion of USD 12 mln loan

Sivers Semiconductors announced that the lender responsible for a USD 12 million convertible loan signed in early 2024 has exercised its right to receive equity, resulting in a dilution of about 6.4 percent to existing shareholders. The loan is part of a wider USD 17 million debt facility agreed in early 2024 with Sivers investor Bootstrap Europe IV, a venture debt fund managed by Bootstrap Europe. Sivers said the convertible instrument had supported a comprehensive refinancing of its pre-existing debt obli

Google Play launches USD 1 mln fund for African game developers
AFRICA 09:14

Google Play launches USD 1 mln fund for African game developers

Google Play launched its inaugural Indie Games Fund in Africa, committing USD 1 million to support game studios across 32 African countries. Designed to help developers scale their games and reach a global market, the fund provides equity-free capital, technical support and mentorship. This new initiative aims to deliver the financial and technical backing required for small developers to connect with players worldwide.

Gutierrez takes over as head of Ecuador's Mintel
ECUADOR 09:09

Gutierrez takes over as head of Ecuador's Mintel

Ecuadorian president Daniel Noboa has appointed Ricardo Gutiérrez as head of the country's telecommunications ministry (Mintel), replacing Roberto Kury, who has been named as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Gutiérrez has over 15 years of experience in the ICT sector and was previously the country's Vice Minister of ICT.

Exatel appoints Magdalena Gaj to board
POLAND 09:03

Exatel appoints Magdalena Gaj to board

Polish operator Exatel announced the appointment of its management board for a new term. The council includes Magdalena Gaj, Daniel Ryczek and Jacek Mirgos as new members. Anna Swierk-Skirzynska, Jan Rey and Michal Madejek have left the board, leaving it with seven members in total.

Nos rolls out free AI accessibility app for blind people
PORTUGAL 09:02

Nos rolls out free AI accessibility app for blind people

Portuguese telecoms operator Nos has launched Guia-Nos, a free real-time accessibility application for Android and iOS. Powered by AI, the software uses a smartphone's camera to describe surrounding environments, helping blind and visually impaired users identify objects, read documents, and navigate physical spaces independently. Nos tested the app for the past year in a pilot project before the official launch.

Comoros consumers boycott mobile data over price hikes
COMOROS 09:02

Comoros consumers boycott mobile data over price hikes

The Comorian Association for Information and Communication Technologies (ACTIC), alongside prominent local journalist Oubeidillah Mchangama, has launched a 24-hour boycott campaign urging mobile subscribers to refrain from purchasing airtime or data, Ecofin reported. The strike comes amid mounting consumer backlash over recent mobile data price hikes. Internet users in the Comoros argue that telecom operators' new tariffs are far too expensive, especially when weighed against the country's poor quality of s

Albania reaches 97% of territory with 4G
ALBANIA 08:57

Albania reaches 97% of territory with 4G

4G covers 97 percent of the territory and 100 percent of the population of Albania, according to the 2025 annual report of Albania's Electronic and Postal Communications Authority (AKEP). Fixed broadband has reached a 97 percent household penetration rate, with fibre optics accounting for 75 percent of all connections. Internet speeds exceeding 30 Mbps are used by 89 percent of subscribers.

Polsat Plus Group operators add TV channel Newsmax
POLAND 08:55

Polsat Plus Group operators add TV channel Newsmax

Polsat Plus Group announced that its operator Netia, as well as TV services Polsat Box and Polsat Box Go have added the TV channel Newsmax to their pay-TV lineups. The channel is available for all subscribers of TV services from Netia and Polsat Box and is added to the Premium package from Polsat Box Go. Newsmax Poland is a new news channel which launched earlier this year.

Telecel Group leadership meets Ghana's president and pledges long-term investment
GHANA 08:55

Telecel Group leadership meets Ghana's president and pledges long-term investment

A senior leadership delegation from Telecel Group has paid a courtesy visit to Ghanaian President John Mahama to affirm its long-term commitment to investing in Ghana's digital infrastructure and national development. The delegation was led by Telecel Group board chair Nicolas Bourg, group chief executive Moh Damush and Telecel Ghana CEO Patricia Obo-Nai.  Damush acknowledged and expressed appreciation for Ghana's conducive business environment, noting that it was made possible by strategic government polic

External suppliers cause 76% of telecom network incidents - RDI
NETHERLANDS 08:54

External suppliers cause 76% of telecom network incidents - RDI

External suppliers were to blame for three out of four telecom incidents in the Netherlands in the past year, according to a report from the digital infrastructure agency RDI. Over nine in ten incidents (92%) resulted in a loss of internet or telephony services for customers. The most common cause of network disruptions was a physical break (56%), such as a cable damaged by excavation work, followed by problematic software updates (36%).

Samsung's latest Galaxy Watch and Buds models arrive at Decathlon in France
FRANCE 08:48

Samsung's latest Galaxy Watch and Buds models arrive at Decathlon in France

Samsung said it has strengthened its presence with French distribution partner Decathlon through the arrival of its latest Galaxy Watch and Buds models. The sports retailer, which operates more than 325 stores in France, has started selling the Galaxy Watch8, Galaxy Buds4 Pro and Galaxy Buds3 FE both online and across its retail footprint. Samsung highlighted that this partnership gives shoppers more opportunities to discover the health-focused innovations integrated into the Galaxy Watch8, including the ab

DRC government signs up China's Genew Technologies to build 2,100 km fibre cable along Congo River
CONGO, THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE 08:46

DRC government signs up China's Genew Technologies to build 2,100 km fibre cable along Congo River

The Democratic Republic of the Congo's ICT ministry has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China's Genew Technologies to deploy fibre-optic infrastructure along the Congo River, Ecofin reported. The 2,100 km project includes 1,700 kilometres of riverine cable from Muanda to Kisangani, complemented by nearly 400 km of terrestrial links. The schene aims to establish major connectivity corridors to reinforce the nation's digital backbone.

COLOMBIA 08:44

Claro Colombia launches 5G in 15 more cities

Claro Colombia, a subsidiary of America Movil, said it has further expanded its 5G network to 15 new cities, reaching a total of 78 across the country. Customers with compatible phones can now access the fifth-generation network in Rionegro and Turbo (Antioquia), Malambo, Sabanalarga and Soledad (Atlántico), Chiquinquirá (Boyacá), Puerto Rico (Caquetá), Aguachica (Cesar), Cereté (Cordoba), Cota and Fusagasugá (Cundinamarca), Pasto (Nariño), Villagarzón (Putumayo), La Tebaida (Quindío) and Barbosa (Santander

ZIMBABWE 08:37

Zimbabwean government reverses 75% local ownership rule for telecom firms

The Zimbabwean government has repealed a regulation requiring telecommunications companies to have at least 75 percent local ownership, just weeks after its initial introduction. The shift was formalised through Statutory Instrument (SI) 111 of 2026, gazetted by the ICT minister, which officially repeals SI 101, brought in earlier this month. SI 101 had raised concern among industry players, who warned the rule could deter foreign investment and complicate operations for firms with significant offshore shar

NETHERLANDS 08:35

Dutch govt tightens cloud, AI policies to underline public interests

The Dutch government has updated its policies on cloud computing and AI, in an effort to protect national interests and take account of a changing geopolitical environment, sovereignty demands and a need for vendor independence. The cabinet outlined the approach in two briefs to parliament.

IRELAND 08:31

Pilot Photonics secures EIC Accelerator grant worth over EUR 10 million

Ireland's Pilot Photonics said it will receive EUR 10.4 million (USD 11.9 million) in funding from the European Innovation Council Accelerator. The investment by the EU Horizon Europe-funded deep tech accelerator supports the upcoming phase of Pilot Photonics' growth roadmap, including qualification of upcoming products ahead of high-volume manufacturing as well as taking on additional staff.  Founded in 2011, Pilot Photonics has devised a patented technology for producing photonic chips. Its portfolio incl

GERMANY 08:25

Infineon opens Smart Power Fab in Dresden to strengthen global semiconductor production

Semiconductor company Infineon has opened its Smart Power Fab in Dresden, strengthening its position as a global manufacturer of semiconductors and analogue, mixed-signal technologies. The Smart Power Fab expands Infineon's manufacturing capabilities and streamlines production processes at the site in Dresden through digitisation and AI. Infineon is also connecting its plant in Villach to the Dresden site to accelerate output processes.

SPAIN 08:19

Spain sets November start for DTT DVB-T2 transition, new Siete channel launch

Spain has set out plans to begin the transition of all DTT channels migrating to Ultra HD (UHD) and the launch of a new free-to-air channel, according to a draft resolution published by the Ministry for Digital Transformation. The proposal, open to consultation until 17 July, outlines a reorganisation of national multiplexes and the migration from DVB-T to DVB-T2 technology, which enables more efficient spectrum use and 4K UHD services. Viewers will be required to retune their television receivers as part o

BRAZIL 08:18

OpenX becomes De-Cix reseller in Brazil

De-Cix has partnered with Brazilian connectivity platform OpenX, which serves around 100 networks. Through this deal, OpenX joins the De-Cix partner programme as a Premium Reseller, granting Brazilian networks direct, low-latency access to De-Cix's global ecosystem of cloud providers, digital platforms, and international carriers. The programme enables OpenX to resell De-Cix's peering and cloud solutions directly to local clients, backed by flexible engagement models and dedicated global support.

SLOVAKIA 08:14

Slovak Telekom ends Digi TV sales

Slovak Telekom has added eight regional TV channels to the lineup of it pay-TV service Magio TV, reports Zive.sk. The channels are available for users of the OTT service from the operator, but not IPTV or satellite TV customers. The lineup now includes 29 regional channels. From 01 July, the operator also stopped accepting new subscriptions to the Digi service due to the merger of Digi Slovakia with Slovak Telekom.

SAUDI ARABIA 08:14

Virgin Mobile Saudi Arabia launches Aman Plans with network child protection

Virgin Mobile Saudi Arabia has launched 'Aman Plans' that protect children by filtering content through the mobile network itself. This eliminates the need for families to install applications or configure complex device settings. Aman Plans block access to a variety of social media platforms including TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and Discord.

PORTUGAL 08:02

Portugal agrees spectrum renewal package for Meo, Nos and Vodafone

Portugal's telecoms regulator Anacom has approved a draft decision to renew the radio spectrum rights for Meo, Nos and Vodafone. Interested parties have a 40-working-day window to submit feedback, with the consultation closing on 27 August. If confirmed, the agreement is valued at around EUR 550 million. Full rights for the 800, 1800 and 2100 MHz bands plus half of the 900 MHz band will be extended until 2041/2042, while the remaining half of the 900 MHz band and the under-utilised 2600 MHz band will be ren

ZIMBABWE 07:57

Powertel and Paratus launch Plumtree-Bulawayo section of Zimbabwe digital highway

Powertel Communications and Paratus Zimbabwe said the first phase of their cross-border fibre project is now live and carrying traffic between Plumtree and Bulawayo. This is a milestone in establishing a new, high-capacity digital corridor connecting Zimbabwe to Botswana, Zambia, South Africa and the broader Paratus network across Southern Africa. This follows the signing of a public-private partnership (PPP) in June 2025. 

ITALY 07:51

Equinix, A2A ink data centre heat recovery deal

Equinix and Italian utility A2A have announced a partnership to recover waste heat from data centres and feed it into Milan's district heating network. The project, described as one of Italy's largest circular economy initiatives, will capture thermal energy generated at Equinix's data centre campus in Settimo Milanese on the outskirts of the Lombard capital and repurpose it as a low-carbon heating source.

Just In

09:15

Sivers Semi investor triggers equity conversion of USD 12 mln loan

09:14

Google Play launches USD 1 mln fund for African game developers

09:09

Gutierrez takes over as head of Ecuador's Mintel

09:03

Exatel appoints Magdalena Gaj to board

Commentary

2 JUL 11:26

Canal Plus misses chance to strengthen Dutch business, time for exit?

23 JUN 09:56

ACM blocks Delta/Glaspoort deal - what can KPN do?

5 MEI 10:55

KPN: the art of making one-offs structural

4 MEI 14:25

Open Dutch Fiber outlook: time to restart roll-out?

Background

5 JUL 23:03

The week in telecom: Comcast gives up on vertical integration, BT and Verizon agree global alliance

3 JUL 07:46

TP:Talks - Billogram cuts customer service billing tickets by 40 percent with automated invoicing

28 JUN 23:51

The week in telecoms: Apple raises prices, Qualcomm tries server market and Jio going public

21 JUN 22:52

The week in telecom: sovereignty debate comes to VivaTech, Ericsson succession and Fox buys Roku