UK govt launches Sovereign AI R&D Procurement competitions
UNITED KINGDOM 15:06

UK govt launches Sovereign AI R&D Procurement competitions

The UK government has launched the first procurement competitions through the GBP 100 million Sovereign AI R&D Procurement Scheme. This will help British AI start-ups tackle some of the biggest societal/public sector challenges, such as boosting cyber and national security, and reducing NHS waiting list. The fund will help them start operations, scale in the UK and compete globally. 

O2 Czechia updates management, adds AI director
CZECH REPUBLIC 15:03

O2 Czechia updates management, adds AI director

O2 Czech Republic appointed Petr Hirs the director for AI transformation. Hirs has been involved in artificial intelligence, automation and data work for a long time. He studied computer science, worked in software development for the banking and insurance sectors and, before joining O2, built a competence centre for robotic automation providing services to thirteen countries in Central and Eastern Europe. At O2, he takes over the management of the Dataclair AI centre.

NTT's Transatel brings eSIM Bootstrap service to Samsung Galaxy Z phones
UNITED STATES 15:00

NTT's Transatel brings eSIM Bootstrap service to Samsung Galaxy Z phones

Mobile connectivity expert Transatel, a subsidiary of NTT Group, announced a new collaboration with Samsung aimed at improving the customer experience for people powering on a Galaxy Z smartphone for the first time. This means Samsung's customers can benefit from eSIM-based connectivity within minutes as part of the device onboarding process. It is initially available in the United States and could soon be extended to future Galaxy smartphones. Transatel brings to this collaboration its eSIM Bootstrap Conne

Smith Micro powers connected-care solution for Consumer Cellular
UNITED STATES 14:57

Smith Micro powers connected-care solution for Consumer Cellular

Consumer Cellular, US mobile service provider for over 50s, has launched a new connected-care solution for older adult, based on the SafePath OS for Senior Phone platform from Smith Micro Software. The connected-care solution is delivered through Consumer Cellular's SpeakEasy brand. The SafePath OS for Senior Phone solution allows family members to remain informed about their family member's well-being through an accompanying caregiver app. 

Elea Data Centers offsets CO2 with Rio carbon credit scheme
BRAZIL 14:54

Elea Data Centers offsets CO2 with Rio carbon credit scheme

Brazil's Elea Data Centers has formally joined Rio de Janeiro's 'ISS Neutro' (Carbon Neutral ISS) municipal programme, acquiring 2,550 tonnes of CO2 equivalent in carbon credits to support local reforestation and conservation projects. The credit purchase builds on Elea's existing use of International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs) and "green" debentures to support a carbon-neutral footprint across its digital infrastructure.

Portugal grows to 13.5 mln mobile connections in Q2
PORTUGAL 14:52

Portugal grows to 13.5 mln mobile connections in Q2

Mobile connections in Portugal reached 13.5 million by the second quarter of 2026, marking a slight 0.2 percent annual growth, according to telecom regulator Anacom. The vast majority of these lines—10.9 million, or 80.2 percent—bundle both voice and internet capabilities, and showed a 7.3 percent increase from the previous year.

Egypt partners with Cisco on AI infrastructure and skills training
EGYPT 14:50

Egypt partners with Cisco on AI infrastructure and skills training

Egypt's National Telecommunication Institute (NTI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Cisco Systems to train and certify 3,000 instructors under the Cisco Networking Academy programme. The partnership aims to strengthen Egypt's digital workforce development by building a high-level pool of accredited trainers capable of delivering internationally recognized technology certifications.

UK homes with SVoD service falls to 20.7 million in Q2 - Barb
UNITED KINGDOM 14:49

UK homes with SVoD service falls to 20.7 million in Q2 - Barb

A total of 20.7 million UK homes (69.7%) had access to a SVoD service in Q2 2026, down slightly from 20.8 million homes in Q1, according to the latest Barb data. Netflix was in 18 million homes (60.4%), down from 18.1 million in Q1, of which 41 percent or 7.3 million were on the ad tier. Amazon Prime Video was in 13.6 million homes (45.9%), compared to 13.7 million in Q1; with 89 percent or 12.1 million using its ad tier.

Yettel Hungary overhauls postpaid plans
HUNGARY 14:48

Yettel Hungary overhauls postpaid plans

Yettel Hungary has refreshed its residential postpaid mobile portfolio, offering updated plans, reduced rates for the first six months, and unrestricted 5G access across all tiers without additional fees or speed caps. The entry-level Yettel Start plan provides 100 minutes of domestic calls and 5 GB of data. With an 11-month contract commitment (excluding device purchases), the tariff costs HUF 4,490 per month for the first six months, rising to HUF 4,990 thereafter.

EN3 plans large data centre in Wloclawek
POLAND 14:46

EN3 plans large data centre in Wloclawek

Polish company EN3, headquartered in Wloclawek, announced plans to build the Green Data Centre Campus Wloclawek on a site covering approximately 17 hectares in Wlocławek, a city of around 100,000 residents in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian region, reports Investmap.pl. The project entails the construction of five independent server buildings, with an estimated investment value running into the billions of PLN. The venture is currently undergoing the environmental permitting process.

ProSiebenSat.1 Media appoints Chief Digital Business Officer
GERMANY 14:43

ProSiebenSat.1 Media appoints Chief Digital Business Officer

ProSiebenSat.1 Media has announced the appointment of Silke Kuisle as its new Chief Digital Business Officer with immediate effect. She will be responsible for the broadcaster's digital strategy and the 'Growth and Digital Business' division - including the Joyn streaming platform, marketing, Studio71 and the Seven.One podcast division. The appointment was confirmed by the group in a LinkedIn post.

Hrvatski Telekom hires new corporate communications director
CROATIA (HRVATSKA) 14:37

Hrvatski Telekom hires new corporate communications director

Marina Burazer has taken over as Director of Corporate Communications at Hrvatski Telekom (HT). She brings over two decades of senior executive experience spanning corporate communications, reputation management, marketing, and sustainability across top-tier organisations in Croatia and the wider region. Burazer succeeds Igor Vukasovic, who has directed the department since 2020.

GERMANY 14:36

ZDF launches new ZDF Channels streaming feature

German public broadcaster ZDF has launched a new 'ZDF Channels' section on the ZDF streaming portal, with more than 15 curated thematic channels available at launch covering genres such as films, crime dramas and nature documentaries. The new ZDF Channels is designed to provide viewers with an enhanced, intuitive streaming experience. The content on each channel is generated by algorithm and changes daily. 

BRAZIL 14:35

Eletronet boosts network connectivity at Recife's Surfix Data Centre

Brazilian telecom provider Eletronet has partnered with Surfix Cloud & Data Centre to integrate its infrastructure directly into Surfix's facility in Recife, Pernambuco. Through this deployment, hosted clients can access high-performance services including IP transit, anti-DDoS defense and data transport, expanding both domestic and global interconnection options.

REUNION 14:34

Orange launches submarine cable project linking La Reunion and South Africa

Orange has partnered with a consortium of telecommunications operators and infrastructure providers, including Telco OI, Reunicable and La Reunion Connectee, on the ReuNION submarine cable project. This digital infrastructure initiative is designed to enhance the French island of La Reunion's international connectivity by boosting network resilience and minimizing latency. 

UNITED KINGDOM 14:31

London Underground has strong 4G, 5G mobile coverage - Ookla

The London Underground network offers good 4G and 5G mobile connectivity, with coverage concentrated exactly where Transport for London (TfL) says it is, according to new research from Ookla. This is based on over 50 million background signal scans across Greater London collected between 25 March-30 April 2026. It shows that almost 1 in 5 (19.8%) of below-ground scans connected over 5G during this period, compared to 16.5 percent above ground across London. This is supported by a single shared 4G and 5G net

SLOVAKIA 14:31

Skylink offers Viasat Epic Drama and Sport1 free in September

Slovak operator Skylink said it is offering customers the opportunity to watch the Viasat Epic Drama and Sport1 television channels in September free, until 29 September. The channels are available for subscribers of both satellite TV and the online service Skylink Live TV.

BRAZIL 14:31

Unifique acquires 3D Telecom to expand Santa Catarina fibre footprint

Brazil's Unifique announced an agreement to acquire 3D Telecom, a deal that encompasses all operating assets, rights, and customer bases. In business since 2007, 3D Telecom serves residential and business clients across nine municipalities in Santa Catarina, including Sao Ludgero, Orleans and Braço do Norte, and manages 10,259 active fibre-optic connections.

BRAZIL 14:30

Sateliot and Grupo Constanta to power Brazil's IoT satellite connectivity

Sateliot formed a strategic partnership with Grupo Constanta to integrate satellite connectivity directly into Grupo Constanta's IoT devices, focusing initially on Brazil's utilities and energy sectors. Scheduled to launch with a demonstration later this year, the initiative will mark Brazil's first LEO satellite connection for energy distribution infrastructure. Future expansion will target smart grids, public lighting, sanitation, energy efficiency, and agriculture.

KUWAIT 14:28

VertiGIS expands telecom network mapping infrastructure for Kuwait airport

Geospatial software provider VertiGIS said it deployed its ConnectMaster platform for system integrator Arabian Construction Company (ACC) at Kuwait International Airport. The software provides network inventory management across passive network infrastructure layers and active electronic equipment, delivering a centralized physical network record to support operational maintenance and future airport terminal expansion.

NETHERLANDS 14:20

KPN to raise mobile tariffs by 3.3% in October

Dutch operator KPN announced it will increase mobile prices by 3.3 percent in October. The annual increase in subscription rates is based on the official inflation rate for the country in 2025 and applies to all existing customers who started a contract before 01 July. Customers will be informed in September of the change in monthly subscriptions, with no impact on promotional discounts, extra bundles or out-of-bundle costs. 

SCANDINAVIA 14:12

Partners Group keeps 10% of AtNorth as deal with Equinix and CPP Investments reaches completion

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) and Equinix said they have completed their acquisition of Reykjavik-based data centre provider AtNorth. In February, they said CPP Investments would spend approximately USD 1.6 billion to buy a stake of about 60 percent from Partners Group, with Equinix owning the rest. However, Partners Group has since decided to re-invest and buy a 10 percent stake in AtNorth, citing the strength of the opportunity and confidence in the partnership.

EUROPE 14:06

InterDigital wins new video patent injunction against Disney in Europe

InterDigital announced that it has been awarded another injunction against Disney by a court in Europe. The local division of the European Unified Patent Court in Duesseldorf, Germany ruled that InterDigital is entitled to an injunction over Disney's infringement of an InterDigital patent covering technology for seamless viewing of video content across devices. The court also confirmed the validity of this patent, according to Interdigital. The injunction against Disney covers Germany and the Netherlands, p

GLOBAL 13:48

Westcon-Comstor agrees to distribute SonarQube in several regions

Westcon-Comstor has signed an agreement to distribute products from code verification vendor Sonar in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. This expands Westcon-Comstor's cybersecurity portfolio by the addition of Sonar's enterprise platform, SonarQube. The platform automates code verification within DevSecOps workflows, enabling software development and security personnel to detect and resolve vulnerabilities, exposed secrets and quality flaws prior to production dep

Just In

15:06

UK govt launches Sovereign AI R&D Procurement competitions

15:03

O2 Czechia updates management, adds AI director

15:00

NTT's Transatel brings eSIM Bootstrap service to Samsung Galaxy Z phones

14:57

Smith Micro powers connected-care solution for Consumer Cellular

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Background

30 AUG 23:50

The week in telecom: Meta pays up, SKT and MTN monetise data centres, and mobile network-sharing in demand

27 AUG 10:09

Viaplay sports content to help Videoland towards goal of becoming largest streamer in Netherlands

16 AUG 23:57

The week in telecom: Lenovo and Cisco profit from AI-driven demand in Q2, Google updates Pixels and reaches 1 bln Gemini users

9 AUG 23:44

The week in telecom: Starlink's mobile ambitions and LEO challengers, plus Hollywood studios try streaming shorts and sports