Hard on the heels of the news of a big Nokia agreement for 5G rollout with rival operator Globe, Philippines operator PLDT is now claiming that it has the widest 5G network reach in the country.

Until recent years, Bulgaria’s telecoms market was affected by the country’s difficult macroeconomic climate, as well as by relatively high unemployment and a shrinking population.

South African mobile operator MTN is reportedly hoping to do a deal worth US$65 million for its Syrian business. However, Reuters reports that this sale, amounting to 75% of MTN’s Syrian unit, may now be under threat.

Vodacom DRC has partnered with mobile technology firm Mondia to roll out a new healthcare service aimed at new mothers across the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Somalia’s Hormuud Telecom already offers mobile money services but, in an effort to formalise the country’s fast-growing digital payments infrastructure and integrate it with the global financial system, Somalia’s central bank has now awarded the country’s first mobile money licence to the operator.

Ecuadorian operator CNT (Corporación Nacional de Telecommunicaciones) has chosen Nokia to help it deploy the country’s first 5G network.

As the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown extend into their second year, monetisation platform-as-a-service will shape the digital ecosystem argues Olivier Letant of Centili.

Cellnex is acquiring 99.99% of Polish tower company Polkomtel Infrastruktura from its parent company Cyfrowy Polsat for €1.6 billion.

Zimbabwean state-owned operator NetOne is collaborating with Huawei on the second phase of its ICT services upgrade.

Digital and mobile finance and payment services are continuing to make advances in developing regions – as recent announcements involving Latin America and the Middle East suggest.

ZTE Corporation and Global Data have jointly released a new white paper on precision 5G transport, to shed light on the latest changes of 5G network architecture and new requirements for transport networks.

The Maldives Sri Lanka Cable system (MSC) is set to deliver high speed broadband connectivity between the two nations.

ZTE Corporation has released its Intelligent Orchestration Radio Network solution, which employs an innovative AI-based intelligent orchestration engine to enable MNOs to achieve maximum value from 5G networks.

If India is to successfully pursue its self-reliance aims it will need skilled workers. However, a new report commissioned by Amazon Web Services (AWS) from strategy and economics consulting firm AlphaBeta indicates a massive shortfall in one key area: digital technology.

Digital infrastructure company Equinix Inc and telecoms giant Vodafone are to build a new subsea hub as part of the massive 2Africa cable system that will directly connect 16 countries in Africa to Europe and the Middle East.

Serbian internet service provider SBB has called on regulator RATEL and the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications to auction 5G spectrum.

Slovakian cellcos 4ka and Orange Slovakia have both revealed that they expect to launch commercial 5G services by April.

Guyana’s prime minister has signed an exemption order for small local internet service providers in a bid to issue them licences more quickly.

DITO Telecommunity has set 8th March as its commercial launch date after passing a technical audit conducted by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

A 1,200-kilometre advanced subsea fibre optic cable system is being planned by FB Submarine Partners, Xtera, IT International Telecom and GigNet. It will connect Florida in the US and Cancun in Mexico.

The global internet brand Opera has announced the launch of a new dedicated chat service, for which Africa will be one of the target markets.

Indian communications solutions provider Bharti Airtel and wireless technology company Qualcomm have announced what they describe as a collaboration for accelerating 5G in India. 

O2 Slovakia has selected Ericsson to modernise its RAN and deploy its 5G network.

Adani Enterprises, the flagship company of the Adani Group, one of India’s largest multi-infrastructure organizations, and EdgeConneX, a leading global data centre operator with 50 facilities in 30 markets around the world, have announced a 50:50 joint venture to develop and operate data centres throughout India.

IXAfrica, the new-entrant data centre operator in Kenya, has announced plans to build what it describes as a world-leading and sustainable campus at a newly secured location in Nairobi.

After its long-delayed decision to appoint an administrator to develop and enact mobile number portability (MNP), Uruguay’s Regulatory Unit of Communications Services (URSEC) has asked stakeholders to help with the selection process.

KKR, a leading global investment firm, has entered into an agreement with international operator Telefónica to establish Chile’s first open access wholesale fibre optics company.

Brazilian operator Altarede Telecom has made what it calls a record investment in products from DWDM specialist Padtec to expand routes in the states of Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo.

Ethio Telecom has expanded its 4G coverage to six new regions in Ethiopia while at the same time pledging to extend this reach further in the near future.

Operators in Qatar and Sri Lanka have recently announced SD-WAN-related partnerships with global technology provider Cisco.

Zambian communications regulator, the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA), has awarded the nation’s fourth mobile operator licence to Beeline Telecoms.