Filipino operator Globe Telecom has surpassed its network upgrade targets for Q1 2021, deploying 318 new sites for a year-on-year increase of 152%.

The Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) and broadband infrastructure provider CSquared have made an agreement that will involve leasing of GRIDCo’s excess fibre capacity to mobile network operators and internet service providers in Ghana.

Kazakhstan’s Republican Center for Space Communications (RCSC) and the global content connectivity solutions provider SES have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore satellite service agreements.

China has built the world's largest 5G high-speed mobile network with 260 million 5G mobile connections now, reported Chinese official media quoting Liu Liehong, vice-minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

Finland-based smartphone manufacturer Nokia has announced that it has been selected by Taiwanese carrier Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) to expand the operator’s 5G network in Taiwan.

Yet another initiative to increase the reach of the cashless society has been announced – this time in Sri Lanka.

Two technology companies, Group 42 (G42), based in Abu Dhabi, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, based in Israel, have agreed to form a new joint venture (JV) that aims to commercialize artificial intelligence (AI) and big data technologies and solutions for multiple sectors.

Indonesia has commenced the auction phase of its 2.3GHz spectrum tender.

Telxius, a leading neutral telecommunications infrastructure operator with an extensive tower and submarine cable portfolio, has announced that it is providing diverse subsea capacity between Brazil and Argentina through a new submarine cable.

Fast-growing pan-African operator Africell has signed a multi-million-dollar agreement with wireless transport solutions company Aviat, which will provide Africell with a 5G-ready end-to-end disaggregated transmission network across multiple African countries.

Indosat Ooredoo, the wireless telecommunications provider in Indonesia, has conducted OpenRAN (Radio Access Network) field trials on its video grade 4G network, including proof of concept and functional testing.

MTS, Russia’s largest mobile operator, and the Chinese tech giant Huawei have activated 5G networks at 14 iconic locations in Moscow.

Global smartphone shipments surged to 340 million units in Q1 2021, up +24% YoY representing the highest growth since 2015, according to the latest research from Strategy Analytics.

State-owned operator Telecom Egypt and Sudatel Group, a leading telecommunications service provider in Sudan, have signed a cooperation agreement in the field of international connectivity.

Slovenia’s multi-band 5G spectrum auctions have generated a total of EUR164.2 million (US$195.7 million).

Registration of new SIM cards had been suspended in Nigeria for about four months. Now there’s been a change of mind by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

International communications enabler BICS has been appointed as the main provider of managed roaming services by Unified National Networks (UNN).

The arrival of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) system will benefit underserved users in remote areas by supporting high-speed, low latency broadband service.

According to a recent report by Allied Market Research, the cybersecurity market is on its way to reaching $304.91 Billion, Globally, by 2027 at 9.4 percent CAGR; a market that had only generated $149.67 billion in 2019.

UPC Polska, the nationwide operator and provider of fibre-optic internet in Poland has expanded the coverage of its fixed broadband network services in an additional 12 cities, with customers able to reach up to 1 Gbps speed.

As promised at the launch in February, South African ISP Supersonic is now extending the coverage of its Unlimited Air Fibre wireless broadband product.

Cash is probably not going to disappear anytime soon in Africa, but a growing number of digital finance initiatives – including two recently announced in Kenya and Nigeria – may help to accelerate the process.

ScholarX Technologies Limited, an edtech start-up founded in 2016 and headquartered in Lagos, has announced a strategic partnership with telecommunications services provider Airtel Nigeria.

French regulator Arcep has approved Digicel and Free Caraibe’s network-sharing arrangement for the Antilles-Guyane region (covering French Guiana, Guadeloupe and Martinique).

Bharti Airtel’s board has approved a proposed restructuring of the operator’s business to shift its focus towards digital initiatives.

Israeli operator Partner Communications decided not to accept any of the bids received from potential investors for a 20% stake in its fibre infrastructure unit.

Veon has partnered with ZTE to deploy Uzbekistan’s largest virtualised SDM (Subscriber Data Management) platform via its local unit Beeline.

Seamless viewing, gaming and download experiences for customers in Bahrain could receive a boost after a recent deal between Tata Communications, a digital ecosystem enabler, and Bahrain Internet Exchange (BIX), its exclusive cable landing partner in Bahrain.