Gilat Satellite Networks won another contract to boost mobile connectivity, this time to expand signal for two Mexican operators in a multi-million-dollar deal from AXESS Networks.

Satellite operator Eutelsat Communications has signed a framework agreement with its distribution partner InterSat to provide connectivity services to the Post Office in Côte d’Ivoire.

Philippines-based operator Globe Telecom reportedly announced plans to upgrade 3G infrastructure to 5G-ready 4G systems in several locations on the islands of Visayas and Mindanao, continuing its mass connectivity upgrade programme.

Cameroon was for many years one of the few countries in Africa with only two competing mobile operators. After some delays, Viettel Cameroon launched a third network and has since grown its subscriber base rapidly.

Swedish equipment vendor Ericsson was chosen by Taiwanese operator Asia-Pacific Telecom (APT), to modernise its national 4G network with non-standalone 5G-ready equipment and services.

The Brazilian government will not prevent Huawei from competing in 5G auction which is due to be held in June, a potential blow to US government efforts in restricting the manufacturer.

Telecom services in Madagascar have benefited from intensifying competition between the main operators, including Orange Madagascar, Airtel and the incumbent telco Telma.

Recent publicity from Equatorial Guinean operator Getesa has confirmed that it is now offering 4G/LTE smartphone services.

Chile’s regulator Subtel has confirmed that it now plans to auction several 5G frequencies across several rounds of bidding after a stalemate between the initial technical offers received from the country’s major players.

As part of its commitment to ensuring access to affordable broadband connectivity in Africa’s underserved populations, Tizeti, which describes itself as West Africa’s pioneer solar-based internet service provider, is rolling out its LTE network in Nigeria’s Edo State.

Jordan is host to a growing number of ICT companies and has emerged as a technology start-up hub for the Middle East. This has been made possible due to a focus on ICT education and a regulatory environment supportive of ICT investment.

The Philippines government pushed on with plans to rapidly deploy towers in the country to improve connectivity, by adding another company to its exclusive list of independent tower companies.

This week a decree was announced in Algeria, promising number portability – which should be a reality two to three years after it was first included in the provisions to a new law.

Investment company Scale Capital was reportedly considering a mobile services launch, following up to its recent acquisition of DirecTV's broadcast business.

A partnership to help satellite service providers access Brazil’s connectivity market has been announced between satellite connectivity provider SatADSL and Telespazio, a satellite solutions and services company with a wide international network of space centres and teleports.

Debt-troubled South African operator Cell C has started the process of migrating customers to its roaming partners’ tower infrastructure as it prepares to switch off its own radio access network.

The only English-speaking nation in South America, Guyana has a small population which traditionally had one of the lowest GDP rates in the region. Although GDP growth had been steady in recent years, the sale of oil from offshore reserves which started in February 2020 promises to completely transform the economy.

The government of Pakistan has renewed the licence of state operator PTCL (Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited) for a further 25 years.

The new chief executive of Telecom Namibia, Stanley Shanapinda, announced the operator will look to leverage its current footprint and strike network sharing agreements with rivals to tap into new locations in its pursuit of growth in the country.

Effective regulatory reform has made Botswana’s telecom market one of the most liberalised in the region. There is a service-neutral licensing regime adapted to the convergence of technologies and services, and several operators now compete in all telecom sectors.

During the last few years Libya has struggled to rebuild its economy and infrastructure following disruption caused by the civil war and the subsequent political unrest. Much of the telecom infrastructure was destroyed or stolen following the 2011 disturbances, including about a quarter of the country’s mobile tower sites.

Angola’s President Joao Lourenco has cleared the way for Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) on government-owned stakes in three of the country’s telecoms operators.

Lightstorm Telecom Ventures (LTV) has deployed Ciena’s coherent optics, network management and advanced automation software to serve OTT, data centre and cloud providers across India.

The Peruvian Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) announced it will invest PEN15 billion ($415 million) as part of measures to bring 4G connectivity to over a million citizens who have never had access to mobile services before.

The founder of Indian messaging app Hike has called on users to shun services from Facebook and opt instead for privacy-focused apps such as Telegram and Signal as his company exits the messaging market.

Philippines-based operator Globe Telecom awarded Gilat Satellite Networks a multi-million-dollar contract to expand the operator’s cellular backhaul through satellites, a move designed to upgrade Globe’s nationwide coverage.

Philippines-based mobile wallet platform GCash gained an investment of over $175 million from private equity company Bow Wave Capital Management (Bow Wave) and shareholders, as part of the financial growth plans of Globe Telecom.

A pilot project, recently launched in Uganda, aims to demonstrate more cost-efficient ways in which both electricity and ICT can be brought to rural areas. It comes at a time of renewed growth for the country’s telecoms sector.

Claro Brasil has selected Ribbon’s SBC Software Edition to expand and secure their extensive Voice over IP network.

Ethiopia was one of the last countries in Africa to allow its national telco a monopoly on all telecom services including fixed, mobile, internet and data communications.