In the latest 5G partnership with a focus on the potential of private networks, technological solutions provider Entel says it is set to accelerate the digital transformation of industry in Chile thanks to a new 5G standalone (SA) deal with Ericsson.

The Qatar Investment Authority is reportedly in advanced negotiations with the Egyptian government to acquire around US$2.5bn of state holdings in various firms, including market-leading mobile operator Vodafone Egypt.

American Tower Corporation has tapped Nokia deploy a neutral fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) network in Argentina.

The board of Vodafone Idea (aka VIL) has announced plans for its board of directors to look at a new fundraising proposal at the end of this week.

A reminder that African connectivity is no longer entirely about mobile phones comes in the form of an announcement from Liquid Networks, part of technology solutions group Liquid Intelligent Technologies, which has unveiled a high-speed internet product called Liquid Home.

Thai operator AIS paused its acquisition of broadband units from Jasmine International as shareholders of one of the units did not approve conditions to enable AIS to change leasing optical fibre cables and payments.

Free Caraibe, which provides telecom services across the French Antilles, has been fined by French regulator ARCEP (Autorite de Regulation des Communications Electroniques et des Postes) for failing to meet deployment requirements across several of its markets.

Vodafone Oman has added analytics, DevOps processes and an integration layer to its ongoing engagement with Netcracker. This latest expansion to the partnership will, says Netcracker, further add to the operator’s data-driven capabilities, allowing it to grow and enhance its business and deliver an improved experience for customers.

The Central Bank of Eswatini is looking into the development of a digital currency option with a little help from international technology group Giesecke+Devrient.

It’s not being described as an extension in either case, but both Kenya and Ghana are now offering more time for the SIM card registration process to be completed.

Brazil’s Algar Telecom has selected Infinera to modernise and scale its subsea network infrastructure.

The president of Mexico’s Communications and Transportation Commission of the Chamber of Deputies, Víctor Manuel Perez Diaz, has called for spectrum prices to be lowered to facilitate the country’s deployment of 5G.

Indian smartphone manufacturer Lava International held negotiations with China-based Huaqin technology, to advance plans in creating a manufacturing venture in India, reported Bloomberg.

Hot on the heels of rival Globe Telecom, Philippines-based operator PLDT is reportedly considering a sale of 2,000 towers for US$300m according to sources speaking to Bloomberg.

Treten Networks, an ICT solutions and enterprise security services business, has partnered with Africa Data Centres. This partnership will, it says, allow Treten's customers access to the cloud and infrastructure they need to realise their digital transformation goals.

Reliance Jio signed up Nordic vendors Ericsson and Nokia to build its standalone 5G network in the wake of India completing its long-awaited 5G auction.

Airtel, a global communications solutions provider and a major player among India’s mobile network operators, has announced the launch in India of what it calls an Always On IoT Connectivity solution, apparently with an eye to the vehicle tracking market.

The uneasy relationship that many governments have with online discourse continues; a new law in Uganda has imposed restrictions on the use of the internet that some people feel could silence legitimate criticism.

Globe Telecom transferred 701 towers to Miescor Infrastructure Development Corporation, as part of plans to sell over 7000 towers to raise PHP71 billion to pay for coverage expansion and debts.

Guinea’s telecom minister Ousmane Gaoual Diallo has affirmed the government’s commitment to re-launching state-owned Societe des Telecoms de Guinee (Sotelgui) in the first half of 2023.

The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has concluded a multiband spectrum auction, bringing in a total of US$187.5 million.

The 800G Pluggable Multisource Agreement (MSA), which was established in 2019 and consists of more than 40 member companies, announces the demonstration of the industry’s first 800G-LR4 transceiver prototype with up to 10 km reach based on 200Gbps-per-wavelength PAM4 and wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technologies.

Apple was again fined for selling iPhones without chargers in Brazil, this time by the Sao Paulo state court to the tune of BRL100 million (US$19m), reported Reuters.

Gulf Bridge International (GBI) is increasing its international network capacity with optical upgrades from Nokia to enable high-speed connectivity between Doha, Qatar and Milan, Italy.

Operator Airtel Africa and payments company Cellulant have announced deals that will help them to expand their presence in the Zambian market.

The Carrier and Wholesale Services division of e& (formerly the Etisalat Group) has announced a partnership with technology giant Microsoft and satellite operator SES to host the co-located SES O3b mPOWER and Microsoft ground station at Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE.

MTN Cote d’Ivoire is set to boost its rural coverage via a new agreement with NuRAN Wireless.

Brazilian regulator Anatel ruled that Telefonica can expand mobile coverage in underserved locations instead of slapping its local unit Vivo a fine to the tune of BRL45.2 million (US$8.5m).

Airtel Africa, a provider of telecommunications and mobile money services in 14 countries across Africa, is again making its presence felt in the African market with a spectrum acquisition that will boost its network in Tanzania.

The deadline for complying with the Indian government’s controversial new cybersecurity directives is likely to be extended, according to Indian media – though only for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as well as small and medium enterprises (SMEs).