Operators

Operator MTN Nigeria has confirmed that American Tower Corporation will take over its Nigerian tower operations from IHS Towers in 2025.

Veon announced its Beeline Uzbekistan unit completed the first phase of its network upgrade as part of wider plans to improve 4G coverage from 78% to 85% and overall service. 

Now Corp entered an MoU with cybersecurity firm Fortinet to enhance 5G security in the Philippines and progress the country’s digital transformation.

Orange announced it will begin switching off its 3G network at the end of September in six counties, to re-farm spectrum and enhance its LTE network to serve growing demand.

The parent companies of Indonesian operators XL Axiata and Smartfren Telecom have reopened discussions to merge telecom operations in Indonesia, reported Bloomberg.

Malaysian operator Maxis conducted a trial of 6GHz spectrum with Universiti Malaysia (UM), as the operator looks to improve network traffic and explore use cases such as cloud computing, VR and AR.

State-owned Indian operators Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) have signed an MoU to synergies their operations and provide pan-Indian telecom services, reported Economic Times (ET).

Operator group Millicom announced its CEO Mauricio Ramos will be promoted to executive chair of the board, as former chair Jose Antonio Rios departs effective immediately.  

For mobile operators, problems with the power grid can be expensive to manage. Now Vodacom in South Africa has announce a novel solution. It’s called virtual wheeling.

Latin American markets also saw smartphone shipments fall as the region experienced a 14% year-on-year drop to 27.9 million units in Q2, but is showing signs of recovery according to analyst company Canalys.

The board of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has greenlit plans to acquire rival Telenor Pakistan with a binding offer to be tabled in September.

Reliance Jio chairman Mukesh Ambani stated the operator is on track to spread 5G coverage nationwide by the end of the year, supported by over one million 5G sites online, reported the Economic Times. 

Mexico’s Federal Telecommunications Institute (Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones, IFT) has approved the takeover of an 18.29% stake in Altan Redes by Australian investment group Macquarie.

Safaricom Ethiopia has reportedly hit five million subscribers less than a year since it launched in the populous East African nation, with ambitions to double that figure in March.

The Ecuadorian government announced it will extend America Movil’s current service contract, enabling the operator to continue operations in the country until a new permanent deal is hammered out.

CelcomDigi revealed in the first half of the year it saw a gain of 391,000 subscribers taking its total to 20.48 million since its mega-merger six months ago, as it reported its H1 results.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines-based operator Flow announced plans to shut down its 2G network this year to free up spectrum to bolster 3G and 4G services.

Telenor Pakistan promoted COO Khurrum Ashfaque (pictured) to CEO, replacing Irfan Wahab Khan who will take a new role as SVP in Telenor Asia.

Now Telecom parent company Now Corporation teamed up with US equipment vendor Celona to deliver private 5G networks to the enterprise sector in the Philippines.

Veon has applied for a digital banking licence via its Bangladesh-based unit Banglalink, as the group looks to expand into fintech services.

Despite recent good news regarding a loan of 20 billion rupees (about US$240 million) to meet payment obligations, Indian operator Vodafone Idea (Vi) has reported widened net losses during the first three months of its financial year to the end of June 2023.

Indian equipment provider Tejas Networks won a contract worth INR74.9 billion (US900 million) from BSNL to supply gear, support and maintain annually the operator’s 4G/5G network.

Thai state-owned operator National Telecom (NT) gained approval from its board to invest THB800 million (£17.7 million) to build its network to tap into spectrum in the 26GHz band, to provide FWA services and connect enterprises to private 5G networks. 

Reliance Jio completed a nationwide rollout of 5G services ahead of schedule across 22 regions in India tapping into multiple spectrum bands, before the end of December as initially expected.

Indian operator Vodafone Idea received a loan of INR20 billion (US$240 million) to aid it in making scheduled payments, as the operator continues to grapple with high debt.  

Globe Telecom stated in its Q2 results its full-year revenue projection will be lower than expected due to continuing macroeconomic pressures, extended high inflation, and low consumer spending power.

Malaysian operator Maxis has finally launched 5G services today (August 15) after state-owned 5G wholesaler Digital Nasional Berhad signed access agreements with the nation’s operators.