Uzbekistani CDMA provider Rubicon Wireless Communications, which operates as Perfectum, has announced plans to deploy a 5G network in partnership with Nokia.

Airtel announced the milestones of connecting 900,000 customers to its 5G network in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, and 1.7 million in Kerala.

Nokia has collaborated with Pakistani fixed-line provider Cybernet to deploy the country’s first DWDM network operating at 600Gbps per wavelength.

A preliminary agreement with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation & Aerospace will see Starlink provide high speed internet access to around 2000 rural schools across the country.

Cambodian operator CamGSM PLC says it has cleared two key regulatory hurdles to listing its planned US$20 billion sustainability bond next month.

Indian feature phone vendor Lava International stated ambitions to take a third of the feature phone market in India within 12 months and transform into a significant player in the budget segment.

Counterpoint Research predicted Apple will gain a larger share of the Indian smartphone market on the back of its latest iPhone 15 range launched last week. 

India’s Vodafone Idea (Vi) has shot down speculation in the local press that it could be acquired by a US company.

Kazakhstan’s largest communications service provider, Kcell, has selected Ericsson as a 5G radio access network (5G RAN) partner in a seven-year partnership aimed at accelerating Kazakhstan’s digital transformation and widespread adoption of 5G technology.

State-owned Indian operators Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) have signed an MoU to synergies their operations and provide pan-Indian telecom services, reported Economic Times (ET).

The board of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has greenlit plans to acquire rival Telenor Pakistan with a binding offer to be tabled in September.

Reliance Jio chairman Mukesh Ambani stated the operator is on track to spread 5G coverage nationwide by the end of the year, supported by over one million 5G sites online, reported the Economic Times. 

Georgia’s Communications Commission has concluded an auction of 5G spectrum that attracted just one participant - Cellfie Mobile, formerly known as Veon (Beeline).

Telenor Pakistan promoted COO Khurrum Ashfaque (pictured) to CEO, replacing Irfan Wahab Khan who will take a new role as SVP in Telenor Asia.

Apple manufacturer partner Foxconn has reportedly begun production of the iPhone 15 in a factory in Southern India, as the semiconductor giant continues to pivot away from its reliance on Chinese manufacturing.

Veon has applied for a digital banking licence via its Bangladesh-based unit Banglalink, as the group looks to expand into fintech services.

Indian equipment provider Tejas Networks won a contract worth INR74.9 billion (US900 million) from BSNL to supply gear, support and maintain annually the operator’s 4G/5G network.

Indian operator Vodafone Idea received a loan of INR20 billion (US$240 million) to aid it in making scheduled payments, as the operator continues to grapple with high debt.  

Apple supplier Foxconn is reportedly in motion to increase investment to over US$1.2 billion in India, by pumping US$500 million into two new factories, a move to further divest away from China, reported Bloomberg.

Kazakhstan’s state-backed operator Kazakhtelecom (KT) is planning to sell one of its mobile subsidiaries before the end of this year.

Analyst company GlobalData hailed the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for its recommendations for adopting AI, stating this will fuel “ground-breaking advancements” in the Indian telecoms industry.

Satellite communications company AST SpaceMobile opened an R&D facility to build space technology in India, as it identified the South Asian market for growth in mobile broadband connectivity.

Kazakh conglomerate Freedom Holding has confirmed its intent to enter the country’s mobile market with a 5G start-up player.

Belgium-based operator group Proximus acquired a 58% stake in Indian cloud enterprise company Route Mobile for INR59.2 billion (US$721 million), a strategic move to enhance its digital communications.

Nokia trimmed its sales and profit forecast for 2023 blaming a tightening economic landscape for cutting customer budgets.

Georgia is set to commence 5G auctions next month after the country’s Communications Commission approved the sale of airwaves in the 700MHz, 800MHz, 1800MHz, 2600MHz and 3.5GHz bands.

Kyrgyzstan’s Fund for State Property Management is set to auction off 100% of shares in the state-owned mobile operator MEGA.

Reliance Jio launched an affordable 4G feature phone in a move to gain more subscribers from remote locations in India to its digital services.