Globe Telecom struck a deal to sell off its 77% stake in fintech company Electronic Commerce Payments (ECPay) to Mynt for PHP2.3 billion (US$40.7 million).

Copenhagen, September 20, 2023 – Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (“IOH” or “Indosat”) will celebrate its 56th anniversary this year. Since officially operating as a newly merged entity on January 4, 2022, Indosat was born with the larger purpose to connect and empower the people of Indonesia by accelerating the nation's digital transformation.

MTN revealed plans to expand its fintech arm to include remittance services in a move to tap into the 15% of South Africans who are unbanked. 

State-backed Argentinean provider ARSAT is reportedly planning to deploy fixed wireless access (FWA) services using its 700MHz and AWS spectrum holding.

Telecom Egypt finalised a deal to host AFR-IX Telecom's  Medusa subsea cable which will connect to the Red Sea through the operator's network by the end of 2025.

A Federal Court in Argentina has issued several directives to the country’s regulator ENACOM relating to its upcoming 5G spectrum auction, just days ahead of the deadline for bids.

Saudi Arabia’s digital regulator the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) announced caller IDs will appear on all phone calls from next month, a move to safeguard callers from scammers. 

Huawei AUTIN solutions have successfully passed TM Forum ‘Ready for ODA’ certification at its first batch, demonstrating AUTIN’s industry standard compliance and product leadership in solution design, development and implementation.

Globe Telecom partnered with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and four ISPs to fight back against piracy and protect intellectual property. 

MTS Kosovo looks set to continue providing services in the market, with local media reporting that the country’s authorities have approved its appeal against the cancellation of its licence.

Globe Telecom secured a PHP15 billion (US$263 million) loan from Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company to finance its network upgrade and debt refinancing.

Nokia is launching an Open Innovation lab in Dubai, UAE, with a focus on accelerating adoption of technologies including AI and machine learning for network automation and optimisation.

Lebanon has reportedly received a multimillion-dollar donation from China to install solar energy for the country’s internet provider, according to Lebanon’s ministry of telecommunications.

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

The Ugandan High Court’s commercial division has ruled that Smile Communications and American Tower Corp must settle their dispute via arbitration.

Somalia’s National Communications Authority (NCA) has opened a consultation process for its National 5G Strategy.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Informatics, known locally as KemKominfo, has confirmed that talks are underway regarding a merger of operators XL Axiata and Smartfren.

Brazilian regulator Anatel's board of directors has approved a survey that addresses the very high payments made to the public purse by the telecommunications sector. It will be forwarded to the ministries of finance and communications, bodies responsible for studying and proposing legal changes related to the taxation of the sector. 

Malaysian wholesale 5G provider Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) will be the first network in Southeast Asia to use Ericsson’s new radio access network (RAN) software solution 5G RedCap, according to the vendor.

Scarcely a day goes by without more developments linked to the ongoing changes in Ethiopia’s mobile communications sector to allow more competition. This time it’s news of a delay relating to the second private telecoms licence – one that will bring a third mobile player into the country.

An otherwise uncontroversial recent MoU from Hungary on government and private sector telecoms cooperation nevertheless contained some significant points about taxation policy.

Thai state-owned operator National Telecom (NT) rented RAN gear from AIS to enable its commercial 5G strategy, with the latter tapping into the former's 700MHz spectrum.

What appears to be a stand-off involving operators, the regulator and the country’s finance ministry over spectrum prices looks set to continue in Mexico.

Theft of operator-owned equipment has been in the news in both Botswana and South Africa this week as Botswana Telecommunications Corporation’s (BTC) deals with copper theft and Vodacom with battery theft.

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) admitted it is facing major hurdles in registering subscribers before its deadline, as only 29% have been signed up.