Operators

Telecel Faso announced the launch of 4G+ (LTE-A) mobile services which deliver download speeds of 100Mbps and upload speeds of 20Mbps, as the operator moved to match rival offerings in Burkina Faso.

Nokia conducted 5G standalone tests in the 3.5GHz band in collaboration with Colombian operator Tigo in the city of Medellin, as the companies prepare for the country’s commercial launch of 5G.

Saudi operator STC hailed successful trials, in collaboration with Ericsson and MediaTek, to demonstrate the first global 5G carrier aggregation using low and mid-band spectrum, a move illustrating its 5G network development.

Now Telecom chose Nokia as its equipment supplier to deploy standalone 5G network, as the Philippines operator progresses plans to launch nationwide fixed wireless access and mobile services.

Telefonica’s Brazilian unit Vivo strengthened its B2B transformation program with the inclusion of e-commerce support, choosing Netcracker solutions to facilitate this move.

Saudi operator announced group chief executive officer Nasser Al Nasser resigned from his role and will depart the company on 28 March 2021, due to personal circumstances.

Vodacom Lesotho launched an appeal against the Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA), which recently demanded operators must seek the watchdog’s approval before appointing senior staff.

There’s a new mobile operator in Kazakhstan. Jýsan Bank, a major Kazakh bank founded in 1992, and Mobile Telecom Service, the third-largest mobile operator in the country, are to launch Jýsan Mobile Communications, an MVNO with a strong focus on banking products and services.

Hungarian operator Magyar Telekom claimed it was the first operator in the country to expand 5G services using the 2,100MHz frequency band via dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) technology.

America Movil’s Colombian unit Claro launched a 5G network trial in an exclusive collaboration with Nokia, which is apparently the largest 5G pilot to take place in the country, to test the network standard in sectors such as health, smart cities and education.

Iliad announced Polish operator Play’s shareholders accepted its public tender offer, with the operator also reorganising its board of directors to reflect the incoming owners, further completing the acquisition.

South Africa has a new MVNO – PnP Mobile – launched by the major retailer Pick n Pay.

Vodafone Idea sold its stake in infrastructure unit Indus Towers for INR37.6 billion ($507.2 million) as the debt-ridden operator looked to ease its financial burden.

Indonesian operator Telkomsel invested $150 million into taxi-booking firm Gojek, a move to expand their services and accelerate digital transformation in the country.

Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society (DES) minister has confirmed that the merger between the country’s state operators TOT and CAT Telecom should be complete by 13th January 2021.

Philippines operator Globe Telecom announced it expanded its 5G network to 17 key cities in populous areas Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao, as the operator continues its mass connectivity upgrade campaign.

South African fixed wireless access (FWA) operator Rain is apparently planning to switch off 4G network capabilities on its 5G packages in the near future.

Employees of Indian operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) will hold a strike in protest of the government limiting the operator from acquiring 4G equipment vital for deployment plans.

Russian operator Rostelecom Group acquired a stake in the telecommunications arm of energy conglomerate Lukoil for RUB2 billion ($25.8 million), a move to expand its B2B propositions.

Philippines operator Globe Telecom made good on a pledge to ramp up connectivity coverage, announcing the construction of 107 new cell towers and laid more fibre lines in October.

China Unicom announced it is accelerating the switch-off of its 2G and 3G networks, as the operator pushes 4G and 5G upgrades.

Suriname’s Telesur is offering high-volume mobile data bundles for users on both its 4G and 5G networks.

Indosat Ooredoo chose Cisco for the construction of its 5G-ready transport network for the island of Java, a move to deliver one of the most advanced transport networks in Southeast Asia.

Econet Group tapped Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory for its high-speed internet solution to roll out affordable broadband offerings across its subsidiaries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Brazilian operator Oi announced it will sell its stake in Companhia Santomense de Telecomunicacoes (CST), a move to increase cash flow and offset economic pressures brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.

A Brazilian court announced the long-awaited auction of Oi Movel will take place next month in Rio de Janeiro, where its three main rivals plan to acquire a stake.

Safaricom pledged to cover the whole of Kenya with its 4G network by the end of this year by ramping up investments despite a dip in its H1 financial results.

Brazil’s largest operators snubbed a senior US official who advocated the exclusion of Huawei gear from the country’s 5G market, an apparent blow to the US government’s campaign against the Chinese vendor.

Airtel Africa announced plans to shed 4,500 towers across five countries to aid the company in reducing its $3.5 billion debt, and prepare for upcoming repayment dates.

Telefonica’s Colombian unit Movistar chose Nokia to modernise its operations support systems (OSS), to expand the provisioning of mobile and fixed services.