MTN group president and CEO Ralph Mupita has called on governments across Africa to harmonise tech regulations, which he says is necessary to increase the capital investment in digital infrastructure needed to accelerate economic development.

Bangladesh telcos Robi Axiata and Banglalink have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to evaluate ways that they can share and rationalize their network resources to expand and improve 4G access across the country.

Malaysian satellite operator MEASAT announced on Thursday that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with local healthcare tech company Mudah Healthtech to bring telehealth services to remote communities.

A coalition of humanitarian NGOs in Sudan has warned that the shutdown of telecoms services in the midst of the country’s civil war is making a massive humanitarian crisis even worse, and urged all stakeholders – including Starlink – to restore services as soon as possible.

Veon Group announced revenue was up by 6.6% US$942 million, and maintained its full-year guidance for revenue of between 16% and 18%.

The long-rumoured merger of Indonesian telcos XL Axiata and Smartfren moved another step closer to reality on Wednesday as parent companies Axiata Group and Sinar Mas announced they have officially signed an MoU to explore the proposed merger.

Over 1.5 billion women used mobile internet in 2023 in developing nations, as women are adopting connectivity faster than men, according to the GSMA.

Malaysian telco CelcomDigi says it’s close to the halfway mark in integrating and modernising its mobile network across the country, which puts it ahead of schedule in its post-merger transformation plan.

­Bharti Airtel signed a long-term agreement with Google Cloud to deliver cloud and gen AI solutions in the Indian B2B market.

Vodacom reported a dip in profits due to higher energy costs and forex rates which have also affected other operators on the African continent.

Cambodia’s telecoms regulator has reportedly warned SIM card vendors and mobile operators to stop activating unregistered SIM cards or face prosecution.

The Sri Lanka government is reportedly making moves to amend the country’s telecoms laws to allow independent companies to build telecoms towers.

Airtel Africa reported a loss of US$89 million as it also suffered from the devaluation of the Nigerian naira, despite growth in customer base.

Veon-owned Bangladesh operator Banglalink said on Thursday that it has become the first mobile operator in the country to phase out 3G services as it shifts focus to boosting performance of its 4G network.

Safaricom announced flat profit growth in its full 2023 financial year as income was dampened by investment into its new Ethiopian unit and inflation. 

Kenya has reportedly begun talks on data sharing with the European Union (EU) – a process that could enhance Kenya’s income from digital trade.

The parent companies of Indonesian telcos XL Axiata and Smartfren have reportedly asked permission from telecoms regulator KemKominfo to carry out a long-planned merger of the two companies – and seem likely to get it.

El Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFT), the Mexican telecommunications regulator, has announced plans to put out to tender 6,158 spectrum blocks for wireless access services.

The planned introduction of a new levy on electronic banking transactions in Nigeria is facing a backlash.

Pakistan’s antitrust regulator warned Pakistan Telecommunication Company’s (PTCL) acquisition of Telenor’s local unit will substantially reduce competition in the mobile market.

Repair work to three damaged subsea cables off the coast of Yemen was delayed due to access disputes in the Red Sea, stemming from the ongoing civil war in the country. 

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) announced it is in discussion to loan Airtel Africa US$200 million, to fill the operator's coffers to fund network expansion in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Kenya. 

Malaysia’s special purpose company for 5G deployment Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) partnered with Ericsson to boost digitalisation in the country, with microchip giant Intel also involved. 

UAE-based operator e& denied a Bloomberg report claiming the company was in discussions to buy United Group.

Hormuud Telecom employees were killed in a roadside bomb attack on the outskirts of the Somali capital of Mogadishu. 

Philippines-based operator Globe Telecom sold off more towers in a deal sealed back in 2022, raising PHP13.5 billion (US$234 million) to support future capex plans and pay down debts.

Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH) reported profits surging in its Q1 results supported by revenue growth across its units, and cutting down costs.

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has demanded that the government crack down on sales of Wi-Fi 6E routers that use the 6 GHz spectrum band, which has not yet been officially designated an unlicenced band.

Operator Claro Costa Rica has started providing 5G services on what is described as a trial basis. Speeds of up to 1.7Gbps and the lower latency that 5G promises are part of the package.

Mauritius Telecom is in talks with operators including Reliance Jio and Orange to build a new subsea cable connecting Africa, Indian Ocean islands and Asia, a move to avoid network downtime experienced last month.

Hard on the heels of yesterday’s story about the use of multi-orbit satellite terminals on farm equipment in remote farmland throughout Brazil come no fewer than three news items focusing on how telecoms is boosting agribusiness in that country.

The UAE’s e& is reportedly considering an acquisition of Europe-focused United Group for as much as US$8.6 billion (€8 billion).