Claro, the second – and only other – network in Guatemala after Tigo, has claimed a 5G launch not long after its rival. This week it has launched 5G operations with initial coverage in parts of all of Guatemala's 22 departments (or administrative divisions).

Mexican operator Telmex is the latest company to face industrial action from staff, marking the first strike since 1985 after the company and trade union STRM (Sindicato de Telefonistas de la Republica) failed to agree on terms.

Africa’s Phase3 Telecom, an independent aerial fibre optic network infrastructure and telecommunications service provider, has partnered with satellite broadband service YahClick to offer high-speed, low-latency satellite broadband services.

Vodacom pledged to invest ZAR1 billion (US$58.2 million) into its mobile network in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal to accelerate connectivity in the deep rural areas.

Vodacom will retain full ownership of the tower company subsidiary which will have full ownership of the operator’s tower portfolio.

International service provider Sparkle has added another submarine cable to its assets in the Atlantic with the activation of spectrum capacity on the Monet submarine cable system connecting Brazil to the United States.

State-owned fixed and mobile operator Cameroon Telecommunications (Camtel) has announced plans to deploy fixed broadband infrastructure and services to new housing projects in the country.

A leading Israeli colocation data centre infrastructure provider has attracted the attention of one of the world’s biggest and best-known private investment firms.

Latin American data centre deals have been in the news recently thanks to a major acquisition in Ecuador and two facility openings in Mexico.

Ethiopian mobile money service TeleBirr has now passed the 20 million subscriber mark. In fact the Xinhua agency reports that TeleBirr, a service designed and rolled out with help from Huawei, now boasts more than 21 million subscribers.

Telecom Namibia pledged to invest NAD2.3 billion (US$134m) into its infrastructure to address the country’s “urgent need” to improve low connectivity adoption and high prices.

Tanzanian telecoms regulator TCRA called out operators Vodacom, Tigo, Airtel, Tanzania Telecommunications Company and Halotel for subpar connectivity services, particularly in 15 districts.

Google is set to take a 1.2% stake in Indian operator Bharti Airtel via an equity share issue after the move was cleared by the Indian firm’s directors.

A project that could massively expand the available infrastructure for 5G in Brazil has been mooted by two major players in their fields in that country.

Colombian multi-service provider LIWA SAS has launched a mobile offering, with cybersecurity firm cyan supplying its BSS/OSS-Platform to enable its commercial model.

At a meeting held on 12^th July, shareholders in Mexican conglomerate Alfa approved the group’s proposal to spin-off its stake in operator Axtel.

Mobile network expansion is in the news again, with Vodacom in South Africa and Telkom in Kenya announcing plans to invest in better coverage.

Less than a year after the last review, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has allowed operators to raise their tariffs.

In a rather unusual escalation of a dispute between Apple and Ericsson, it seems both the import and sale of 5G iPhones and iPads have been banned in Colombia where a court has determined that Apple's products infringe on a 5G patent owned by Ericsson.

Cable & Wireless Seychelles (CWS) has selected Cerillion to implement a complete digital BSS/OSS solution.

Tigo Guatemala, part of the Millicom stable of operators, has activated what it claims to be Guatemala’s first 5G network, at the Experience Centre in Cayalá, a purpose-built private city with a focus on housing, dining, shopping, entertainment and business, on the outskirts of the capital Guatemala City.

Orange Cameroon has been granted permission by the country’s Ministry of Finance to launch Orange Money Cameroon SA, a subsidiary dedicated to financial transactions via mobile phones.

Operator AT&T Mexico and vendor Nokia have announced that they are collaborating to bring the benefits of 5G to Mexico.

Kazakhstan’s state-backed operator Kazakhtelecom (KT) has published its roadmap for launching 5G in a bid to kick-start the digital transformation of the country’s economy.

Brazil has seen its first Standalone (SA) 5G networks go live in the capital Brasilia, with Claro, TIM and Vivo all launching their networks after receiving government approval.

Lenovo, which claims the world’s widest portfolio of technology products, and operator Etisalat UAE are planning to build a new 5G edge solution. This, they say, will enable the rapid roll-out of 5G connectivity for a wide range of edge-of-network deployment scenarios.

For the second time in a week, Safaricom’s M-Pesa is in the news with one of its products, as the Kenyan mobile money service launches an interest-free loan service for buying goods.

South African technology company Huge Group acquired MVNO Tethys Mobile for an undisclosed fee, a move to bolster its software capabilities and develop a platform that enables companies to launch MVNO services. 

Beleaguered South African operator Cell C has had a reprieve after a vote in which some lenders have agreed to take an 80% loss on their debt.