Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has unveiled a number of coverage and service provision targets during a recent meeting discussing telecommunications infrastructure expansion projects for this year.

Indian state-owned operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) ordered INR150 billion (US$1.83 billion) worth of infrastructure equipment and software from IT firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). 

MTN Nigeria expanded its 5G network to 13 cities since its commercial launch in September last year and revealed there are no plans to shut down 2G and 3G networks. 

Philippines-based operator PLDT revealed it closed the sale and leaseback of 135 towers with Unity Digital Infrastructure. 

Four of Vietnam’s major network operators have applied to compete for three spectrum licences at the country’s next auction, reported VietnamNet. 

Vietnamese state-owned operator Viettel implemented analytics software from Ericsson in a move to upgrade 4G quality of service.

Guyana’s Public Utilities Commission expects mobile number portability to go live across the country this July.

Cambodian operator CamGSM has confirmed that it will proceed with listing on the Cambodia Securities Exchange (CSX) after receiving approval in principle in April.

Argentina’s regulator ENACOM (Ente Nacional de Comunicaciones) has revealed that it is aiming to hold the country’s long-delayed multi-band 5G spectrum auction in June 2023.

It has been widely reported in the Indian press recently that Vodafone Group has raised concerns over the ability of Vodafone Idea, its joint venture in India with the conglomerate Aditya Birla Group, to make payments, presumably relating to its vast debt.

New and expanded Microsoft Airband partnerships are set to provide high-speed internet access to nearly 40 million people across Latin America and Africa, the company says.

Zimbabwean state-owned mobile provider Telecel has been placed under bankruptcy protection measures to avoid its liquidation.

The Philippines’ Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) confirmed that between 95 million and 96 million mobile SIMs were registered nationwide by 10^th May.

The Egyptian government has sold a 9.5% holding in fixed-line provider Telecom Egypt for EGP3.747 billion (US$121 million).

An investment consortium led by Zimbabwean businessman Edd Branson is mobilising a US$100 million fund to obtain holdings in mobile network providers in Benin, Chad and Gambia.

As seen in other global markets, smartphone shipments in the Middle East and Africa have fallen 11% year-on-year, the lowest Q1 shipment figure since 2016, as macroeconomic factors continue to batter economies.

MTN and Airtel Africa have confirmed that their respective Nigerian units will renew their 2100MHz spectrum licences for a further 15 years.

Telekom Malaysia pulled out of its deal to acquire shares in state-owned 5G wholesale company Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) after the government revealed plans to deploy a second 5G network.

Malaysia’s Axiata Group has confirmed a restructuring plan that will alter the roles of its Indonesian units to improve efficiency via more effective asset utilisation.

Cisco announced it will start manufacturing in India as part of plans to diversify its global supply chain and drive US$1 billion in domestic production and exports over the next few years. 

Senegal’s regulator ARTP (L’Autorite de Regulation des Telecommunications et des Postes) has confirmed plans to launch national mobile roaming this month, ahead of 5G licence allocation by end-July.

Uruguay’s 5G spectrum auctions have concluded with the local units of Claro and Movistar each obtaining holdings in the 3.5GHz band.

Telecom Egypt announced the landing of the 2Africa subsea cable in Port Said, a move that will enhance connectivity in Egypt and provide capacity for the operator to grow. 

MTN celebrated its super app Ayoba for gaining 25 million monthly users in four years after launching, with ambitions laid out to reach 100 million by 2025.

As promised earlier this year, South African operator Rain is no longer a data-only service provider. It is now part of the country’s highly competitive mobile network space, joining Vodacom, MTN and Telkom with a network offering national voice, SMS and data coverage.