Ooredoo Qatar has announced two high-profile agreements this week, one with Dell Technologies and one with Ericsson.

Guatemala’s regulator SIT (Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones) is reviewing several requests for spectrum licences in the 700MHz band.

American Tower Corporation has rebuked Smile’s allegation that it “illegally disconnected” the Ugandan operator from its network.

South African operator Cell C has announced the successful completion of its move to a virtual radio access network model – some months before its originally announced target date.

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has talked up the potential benefits of privatising state-owned ICT companies.

Safaricom and Kenyan operator Jamii Telecommunication have reportedly partnered with Shenzhen TeleOne Technology to locally manufacture smartphones, with a factory to be operational in two months' time. 

Nicaragua’s telecoms regulator Telcor (Instituto Nicaraguense de Telecomunicaciones y Correos / Nicaraguan Institute for Telecommunications and Posts) is set to have its powers expanded by the country’s National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional).

Malawian asset financier Yellow has closed $14 million in series B funding to expand its business, which involves digital and financial products related to connectivity and solar power.

Thai operator True Corp revealed ambitions to reduce e-waste dumping into landfills to zero by 2030, as it launched a campaign to spur customers to donate old devices to collection points. 

Russia’s Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) has lost its longstanding legal battle against Turkmenistan after it was allegedly forced to abandon its operations in the market in 2017.

Chilean operator WOM claimed it had deployed 80% of planned 5G sites after the operator had missed mandated targets and was subsequently fined. 

In what could prove to be a highly significant development for mobile operators, a number of South Africa’s broadcasters have agreed to the newest deadline to vacate the so-called ‘digital dividend’ bands.

MTN Group has warned that its operations in Cameroon are in jeopardy over a dispute in which it claims to play no part.

MTN Group has moved to quell speculation that it could be mounting another takeover bid for Telkom SA, following the confirmation of a buyout offer from the operator’s former CEO.

Colombia’s long-anticipated spectrum auction process is slated to begin on 20^th December 2023.

Following Monday’s news of an acquisition bid, Serame Taukobong, the CEO of Telkom, South Africa's third-biggest telecom company, has apparently said his company does not need saving.

Guyana’s mobile network operators welcomed with open arms the government’s decision to abolish taxes on mobile phones, in a bid to spur growth in the telecoms sector.

Attempts to finalise SIM registration in Ghana are continuing, even though the latest deadline seems to have past and many unregistered SIMs have been blocked.

Peruvian operator Bitel has won bids for spectrum in two bands.

Two World Bank members revealed plans to invest in Safaricom Ethiopia, intending to invest US$157.4 million in the operator’s parent company and loan the operator US$100 million, to enable expansion plans.

Colombian mobile providers Movistar and Tigo have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to pursue a network sharing arrangement via a jointly-owned infrastructure company.

France’s telecoms regulator Arcep has confirmed the results of spectrum auctions held in the French overseas territories of French Guiana, Saint Barthelemy and Saint-Martin.

The Sri Lankan government was advised by the Sectoral Oversight Committee to not pursue privatisation of state-owned telco operator Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT-Mobitel), stating national security concerns. 

Ericsson and Thailand’s Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) announced ambitious plans to develop Thailand’s own version of Silicon Valley. 

The Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications apparently announced its recent spectrum auction has been unsuccessful with no bids for airwaves, reported VietNamNet. 

Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund is reportedly still in the mix to acquire Vodafone Egypt shares from Telecom Egypt Egypt, with a deal potentially to be announced this month, reported Daily News Egypt. 

Illiad-owned Polish operator Play expanded its TV and broadband arms by acquiring 100% shares in rival provider Syrion.