Operators

Bangladesh’s telecoms regulator has fined operators all four major operators BDT76.5 million ($US823,000) for enabling illegal VoIP activities on SIM cards.

The Mexican government announced it will be the majority financer of a credit agreement of US$388 million to bail out bankrupt operator Altan Redes, a move to maintain competition in the Mexican telecoms sector against dominant player America Movil.   

Globe Telecom is reportedly considering a sale of half of its tower portfolio which could net the firm around US$1.5 billion, a move that would fund long-term 5G rollout plans and keep it on the heels of rival PLDT. 

Indonesian operator XL Axiata has chosen Juniper Networks solution to upgrade its existing network infrastructure, a move to support the growing demand for 5G services.

Veon has agreed on the sale of its unit in Georgia to a former local partner for US$45 million, as part of plans to simplify the overall group structure.

Airtel Africa acquired spectrum to expand its 4G network in the Democratic Republic of Congo to support growing data demand in the country.

­­Finnish vendor Nokia has secured an early ten-year contract extension with Orange's Poland unit. 

IHS Towers has completed the acquisition of 5,701 towers from MTN South Africa for ZAR6.4 billion (US$412.5 million) as part of a leaseback agreement.

Described as a key milestone in the company's regional expansion, the recent launch of Virgin Mobile Kuwait isn’t just a first for Virgin Mobile Middle East And Africa (VMMEA); this is, we are told, the first mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in Kuwait.

Pakistani operators Jazz and Telenor Pakistan have paid the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) the next instalment of their licence renewal fees despite their objections to the increases imposed by the regulator.

MTN Group has formed a strategic alliance with BT Group that will see the UK-based firm offer business services to MTN’s African enterprise customers.

Ukraine’s Kyivstar is providing free fixed broadband services to families in temporary housing as a result of being displaced by the country’s ongoing war against Russia.

Telefonica-owned Mexican operator Movistar has said that it is considering a launch of 5G in Mexico via a network sharing agreement with fellow operator AT&T.

Tele2 Russia is reportedly suing Finnish vendor Nokia, claiming the company failed to complete network contracts, as Nokia announced previously it would cease business in Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine.

Dito Telecommunity is reportedly aiming to deploy connectivity services in the Camotes Islands, according to Cebo province governor Gwendolyn Garcia. 

Free Caraibe has launched mobile services in serval locations in the Caribbean and territory of France, laying out a plan that mirrors the strategy of disruption from parent company Illiad.

Ericsson has been chosen to supply Baltics operator Bite Group with 5G RAN equipment in Lithuania and Latvia, as the operator aims to challenge fixed-line broadband and TV providers by tapping into the next-generation technology. 

Viettel and chip manufacturer Qualcomm announced a collaboration to develop next-generation technology to fast track the development and rollout of 5G in Vietnam and globally.

Claro Colombia has announced it will fully dismantle its 2G network by December this year to divert resources to 4G, and is urging customers to trade in their old devices to maintain their services next year.

Vodafone’s Papua New Guinea unit has signed interconnection agreements with rivals Telikom and Digicel, a move to advance its status in the country and fulfil a government coverage demand.  

There’s been good news at last for cash-strapped Indian operator Vodafone Idea as recent results still indicate a net loss – but a slightly less worrying one than the results from the previous quarter.

United Group and investment company PPF are the remaining bidders for Telekom Romania Mobile Communications (TRMC) from Deutsche Telekom (DT) and Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE), reported Ziarul Financiar. 

Safaricom has reportedly been granted 60MHz of spectrum in the 2600MHz band by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) in preparation for its commercial 5G launch.

Globe Telecom said its towers are still on the market and it does not feel the pressure to sell assets immediately despite rival PLDT’s recent billion-dollar deal.

Thai market leader Advanced Info Services (AIS) has voiced its opposition to the merger between rivals True and Dtac, claiming the deal would affect consumers through diminished competition. 

Ethio Telecom has announced the launch of its pre-commercial 5G services in Addis Ababa, but the operator warned a full launch will depend on demand.