Megafon deploys indoor network at Volga Arena in Nizhny-Novgorod
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 15:31

Megafon deploys indoor network at Volga Arena in Nizhny-Novgorod

Russian operator Megafon has deployed a telecommunications system in Volga Arena in Nizhniy-Novgorod. Mobile broadband at up to 250 Mbps speed has become available in the ice-hockey arena, the average speed is 100 Mbps. The 5G-ready network has been deployed in the arena, including 12,000 seats.

Google updates Pixel range with increase in phone prices, predictive health on smartwatch
GLOBAL 15:30

Google updates Pixel range with increase in phone prices, predictive health on smartwatch

Google has unveiled its updated range of Pixel smartphones as well as introduced a new Pixel smartwatch with predictive health functions and its own Pixel Tag tracker. Powered by the new Google Tensor G6 processor, the Pixel 11 smartphone range costs USD 100 more than last year's models, starting at USD 899 for the Pixel 11 and going up to USD 1,899 for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. During the pre-order period in August Google is offering up to USD 1,000 off with trade-ins and its new Pixel Watch 5 discounted or f

Rostelecom up 11% in Q2, EBITDA grows 9%
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 14:22

Rostelecom up 11% in Q2, EBITDA grows 9%

​Revenues at Russian national operator Rostelecom reached RUB 226.8 billion in the second quarter of this year, up by 11 percent year-on-year. The company said the main growth drivers were the expansion of digital services and growing demand for broadband, infrastructure, and mobile services. The share of digital services in revenue increased to 23 percent.

Beeline expands coverage in Moscow residential buildings
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 14:21

Beeline expands coverage in Moscow residential buildings

Russian operator Beeline has raised the capacity of its mobile network in residential areas in the city of Moscow and its surroundings. New base stations were deployed at 13 residential complexes there, and the operator also connected the buildings to its fixed broadband services.

Poland to allocate PLN 10 bln to business and economy digitisation
POLAND 14:20

Poland to allocate PLN 10 bln to business and economy digitisation

Poland's state development bank BGK and the Ministry of Digital Affairs will allocate a total of PLN 10 billion to the digitisation of businesses and the economy in the coming months and years, the deputy prime minister and minister for digital affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski said at a press conference reported by the news agency PAP. The funds will be allocated in the coming months and years, Gawkowski said. This money will be available for use across various programmes, as it will also come from the Security

MTN South Africa launches AI-powered job platform
AFRICA 14:18

MTN South Africa launches AI-powered job platform

MTN South Africa says it's advancing its commitment to digital and economic inclusion by introducing an AI-enabled Job Board to the MTN Skills Academy. In a statement issued to mark International Youth Day, MTN said the new feature brings job opportunities, high-demand courses, and personalized skills guidance together onto a single platform. Available across eleven MTN Skills Academy markets, the Job Board features regional job listings and uses algorithmic recommendations based on each candidate's backgro

MVNO Otvarta grows annual revenues 13%
POLAND 13:58

MVNO Otvarta grows annual revenues 13%

Revenues of Polish MVNO Otvarta totaled PLN 12.891 million in 2025, up by 13.25 percent year-on-year, reports Telko.in from a corporate filing at the national register. The company's net profit was PLN 2.496 million, up by 12.83 percent. Otvarta provides mobile services on the Polkomtel network.

Orange to deploy rail traffic management infrastructure in Pomerania
POLAND 13:57

Orange to deploy rail traffic management infrastructure in Pomerania

Orange Poland, in cooperation with Hitachi Rail and ZUE, has won a contract to deploy a digital system for rail traffic management in the Pomerania region. The system will cover a 56-kilometre section of train line No 202 with nine stations, connecting Gdynia Chylonia and Lebork. New infrastructure and a cable network will be deployed, wired and wireless communications systems installed, and video surveillance, dynamic passenger information, closed-circuit television at railway crossings, fire protection sy

Middle East smartphone market contracts 19% in Q2 as vendors prioritize profitability
MIDDLE EAST 13:38

Middle East smartphone market contracts 19% in Q2 as vendors prioritize profitability

Middle East smartphone shipments (excluding Turkey) fell 19 percent year-on-year to 10.6 million units in Q2, the region's sharpest decline since Q4 2025, according to Omdia's latest research. Rising device prices, persistent supply constraints, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty led vendors to prioritize unit profitability over sheer volume. Concurrently, regional retailers adopted cautious inventory strategies to mitigate softening consumer confidence.

MTN South Africa offers one hour free data for TikTok on Sundays
SOUTH AFRICA 13:33

MTN South Africa offers one hour free data for TikTok on Sundays

MTN South Africa launched TikTok Open Time, a new offer under its updated MTN App rewards platform. Available through the MyGifts tab in the MTN App, the feature provides subscribers with one hour of free, uninterrupted TikTok access every Sunday, with no data charges. The offer must be redeemed before noon. The new reward is part of the MTN 'Yiyo' campaign, promoting its platform as the only Sim a person needs to stay connected. 

CTN, Unconnected.org and Internet Society expand LTE internet access across Lilongwe
MALAWI 13:29

CTN, Unconnected.org and Internet Society expand LTE internet access across Lilongwe

Converged Technology Networks (CTN) has extended its LTE fixed-wireless coverage across multiple neighborhoods in Malawi's capital, Lilongwe, in partnership with Unconnected.org and the Internet Society. Brian Munyao Longwe, chief executive officer of CTN confirmed that the collaborative initiative will also provide more than 20 secondary schools with permanent, free internet access. By eliminating recurring service fees for educational institutions, the program aims to bolster digital learning, enhance acc

Liberia streamlines telecom licensing with online system
LIBERIA 13:26

Liberia streamlines telecom licensing with online system

The Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) is automating its licensing and renewal process to cut processing times, lower costs, and eliminate unnecessary paperwork for applicants nationwide. LTA said in a statement that citizens and business owners across Liberia will no longer need to travel to the capital to apply for or renew telecommunications licenses, as it prepares to roll out a nationwide digital licensing platform. The automated system is designed to modernize operations, allowing individuals,

GERMANY 13:25

1&1 Versatel expands security services portfolio for business customers

1&1 Versatel is expanding its portfolio of security services for business customers. The company is introducing 1&1 Security Services, a solution combining secure connectivity, cybersecurity consulting, and managed security services. 1&1 Security Services bundles Penetration Testing & Security Consulting, Managed Firewall, and round the clock monitoring of security-relevant events. The solution enables companies to secure their IT and network infrastructures and meet regulatory requirements such as NIS2 an

KUWAIT 13:24

Ooredoo Kuwait advances AI network strategy with NWDAF deployment

Ooredoo Kuwait deployed the 3GPP-standardized Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) across its 5G Core. By leveraging AI and machine learning to analyze real-time network, service, and user data, NWDAF enables proactive network management, rapid anomaly detection, and optimized service quality, the operator said. 

JORDAN 13:23

Zain Jordan upgrades Ericsson BSS on Red Hat for postpaid offers

Ericsson and Zain Jordan announced the next phase of the upgrade of Zain's Business Support Systems (BSS), to cover also postpaid subscribers. Ericsson will deploy cloud-native Ericsson Billing on Red Hat OpenShift within Zain's private cloud. The agreement introduces the Ericsson Telco DataOps Platform to deliver real-time data streaming, proactive customer experience management, and network optimization for AI-driven autonomous operations. To accelerate time-to-market for new offers, the scope also incorp

BENELUX 13:03

Spotify raises prices in Benelux

Spotify has increased the monthly subscription cost for its ad-free Premium service to EUR 13.99 per month in the Benelux countries. The Duo plan now costs EUR 19.99 monthly, and the Family plan rises to EUR 23.99. The prices are valid already for new subscribers, while existing customers will see the change at their next invoice in September. 

ZAMBIA 12:52

Smart Zambia Institute partners with Cisco to offer free training to youth

The Smart Zambia Institute, in partnership with Cisco Networking Academy, is offering free technology training to young Zambians through its 2026 Skills Programme. Targeting Grade Ten to Twelve learners and recent school leavers, the initiative provides beginner-friendly courses in cybersecurity and computer networking. Participants can study online at their own pace and earn industry-recognized digital badges to boost their CVs and LinkedIn profiles. No prior experience is required.

NEW ZEALAND 12:51

New Zealand agrees to lift Chorus shareholder restrictions

New Zeland's national fibre network operator Chorus announced plans to lift ownership caps imposed by the state. This follows the New Zealand government selling off its remaining loans to the operator after the completion of the national network roll-out.

NIGERIA 12:33

Nigerian subscriber association threatens legal action if mobile service does not improve by September

The National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) has given a September deadline for the country's mobile operators to improve network quality or face legal action, CommunicationsWeek reported. NATCOMS president Deolu Ogunbanjo said subscribers have endured deteriorating network services despite repeated interventions, warnings and sanctions by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). He said that if regulatory oversight fails to resolve the issue, NATCOMS will seek judicial redress by the end

ITALY 12:14

Italian inflation dips to 2.9% in July

Italy's main domestic inflation rate (NIC) dipped to 2.9 percent on an annual basis in July, compared with 3.0 percent in June, according to data from statistics agency Istat. The preliminary estimate had been for annual inflation of 2.8 percent.

JORDAN 12:10

Zain Jordan relaunches Basma+ line with upgraded benefits for deaf customers

Zain Jordan has relaunched its Basma+ line for deaf customers with enhanced benefits to provide a more accessible service. It prioritises video calls and SMS as essential communication tools. The package includes 30 GB of data alongside 3,000 video call minutes, enabling users to interact easily in both personal and professional settings. Subscribers also receive 20,000 local Zain minutes, 3,000 minutes to other domestic networks and 3,000 text messages.

GLOBAL 11:50

Radcom confirms 33% Q2 sales slump due to customer delays

Radcom has reported a 33.4 percent decline in second quarter sales to USD 11.8 million. The firm scaled back its FY revenue target in July to account for anticipated weakness in Q2 attributed to customer postponements. In its Q2 statements, Radcom confirmed that prolonged purchasing and deployment timeframes had impacted its revenue base. Some customers are holding off on infrastructure builds required to implement its service assurance products due to elevated pricing for certain components, Radcom added. 

BELGIUM 11:49

Belgian regulator flags cheaper standalone broadband plans as TV shifts to streaming

The average cost of 100 Mbps unlimited home broadband service in Belgium reached EUR 47.65 per month in Q2 2026, according to the latest price comparison by the regulator Bipt. The average does not include Digi, which only offers services in a few large cities. Where Digi is available, it is the cheapest provider by far for all three speeds compared in the study - 100 Mbps, 300 Mbps or 1 Gbps. The difference in prices is wide, with annual savings of EUR 432 to EUR 636 possible depending on the speed, Bipt n

ZAMBIA 11:01

MTN Zambia offers new subscribers free calls to favourite contact with certain bundles

MTN Zambia has introduced 'My Laka Number' as an incentive for new subscribers to join its network. From 07 August, customers who activate a new MTN Sim can designate one preferred contact as their 'Laka Number' and get free calls to that number for up to 90 days, when they buy eligible daily or weekly bundles. These are 1Zed or Mixo Mixo bundles valued between ZMK 10 and ZMK 20.

Just In

15:31

Megafon deploys indoor network at Volga Arena in Nizhny-Novgorod

15:30

Google updates Pixel range with increase in phone prices, predictive health on smartwatch

14:22

Rostelecom up 11% in Q2, EBITDA grows 9%

14:21

Beeline expands coverage in Moscow residential buildings

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Background

9 AUG 23:44

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

2 AUG 23:37

The week in telecom: Telcos resist economic slowdown in Q2 while big tech gears up for more AI investment

26 JUL 23:19

The week in telecom: Samsung works on foldable challenge, US telcos try FMC

19 JUL 23:41

The week in telecom: OnePlus exits tough smartphone market and Apple takes on OpenAI