It’s been a few days since the Peruvian telecommunications regulator Programa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (Pronatel) sprung a surprise by calling a halt to a tender to take over the operation and maintenance of the national backbone network Red Dorsal Nacional de Fibra Óptica (RDNFO). But two questions still remain to be answered.

Chilean regulator Subtel (Subsecretaria de Telecomunicaciones / Department of Telecommunications) has plotted a course towards settling an ongoing dispute over 3.5GHz spectrum licensing.

MTN Group has formed a strategic alliance with BT Group that will see the UK-based firm offer business services to MTN’s African enterprise customers.

Malawian service provider Nyasa Mobile Limited (NML) is said, according to a number of reports, to be partnering the vast Vodafone Group in a deal that will lead to the rollout of the country’s third operator. However, Vodafone has clarified that its role is mainly a consulting one.

Following the demonstration of low earth orbit (LEO) satellite support for 5G backhaul in Latin America, reported yesterday, there’s now news of medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite applications for 3G and 4G in Kazakhstan.

Brazil can claim its first 5G backhaul demonstration over low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, according to satellite operator Telesat and international service provider Telefónica, which have together announced the successful completion of the demonstration in Brazil and Latin America.

Ukraine’s Kyivstar is providing free fixed broadband services to families in temporary housing as a result of being displaced by the country’s ongoing war against Russia.

Lithuania’s Communications Regulatory Authority (RRT / Rysiu Reguliavimo Tarnyba) has commenced the sale of 700MHz spectrum for 5G mobile use.

NEC Corporation and Juniper Networks have partnered with Algeria Telecom to deploy the operator’s nationwide IP metro commercial network.

Wireless broadband technology Curvalux has announced a collaboration agreement Brazilian ITC Consultancy Tree Net to bring highspeed Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) solutions to Brazil.

Madagascan operator Blueline has selected Ribbon’s Apollo Optical Networking solution to upgrade the bandwidth capacity of its communications network.

Egypt and MEA-focused digital solutions and ICT infrastructure provider Benya Group has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with OneWeb, the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications company, relating to satellite coverage in MEA.

Telefonica-owned Mexican operator Movistar has said that it is considering a launch of 5G in Mexico via a network sharing agreement with fellow operator AT&T.

Tele2 Russia is reportedly suing Finnish vendor Nokia, claiming the company failed to complete network contracts, as Nokia announced previously it would cease business in Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales has confirmed that TSTT (Telecommunication Services of Trinidad and Tobago) is set to shutter its legacy copper networks by September this year.

The government of Botswana is implementing new measures to help expand connectivity across the country.

Brazilian data centre firm Odata has opened its first Mexican data centre to add to its operations in Brazil, Colombia and Chile.

With the Safaricom Ethiopia launch still some months off, the country’s state-owned incumbent Ethio Telecom has again taken advantage of its sole service provider position with the introduction of another mobile finance-related service in Africa’s second most populous country.

Apple has reportedly shifted even more to production outside of its main manufacturing hub of China, as the country continues its strict lockdown measures. 

Avanti Communications has signed a five-year partnership agreement with Free which will see the latter firm build and host a new satellite gateway in Senegal for Avanti’s HYLAS 4 state-of-the-art Ka-band satellite.

The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has outlined a five-year plan to spur the adoption of ICT services in rural and remote locations in the country.

stc Bahrain has launched a 5G Standalone network which it claims marks a first for the Kingdom.

Dito Telecommunity is reportedly aiming to deploy connectivity services in the Camotes Islands, according to Cebo province governor Gwendolyn Garcia. 

Malaysia’s controversial shared network access approach to 5G may have received another setback with rumoured demands for a bigger stake and reviews of the plan from the four largest Malaysian operators, Celcom Axiata Bhd, DiGi Telecommunications, Maxis Bhd and U Mobile.

Two recent announcements underline the continuing drive on the part of fintech groups to bring their technology to African institutions and consumers.

Rwandan firms HUI and Annos have signed agreements with off-grid energy equipment vendor Vanu.

Hard on the heels of an agreement with Telefonica aimed at rural and remote parts of both Latin America and Europe, low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications company OneWeb has announced another, this time involving Uzbekistan.