Operators

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.

Safaricom has confirmed the resignation of its Board Director and longstanding employee Michael Joseph.

Airtel Uganda has announced that it is set to make an initial public offering via the Uganda Securities Exchange (USE).

Authorities in Kosovo have reportedly revoked the licence of MTS Kosovo, a subsidiary of Telekom Srbija, with “seemingly” immediate effect.

Philippines-based Now Group signed a memorandum of understanding with state-owned corporation the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), to deploy telecoms infrastructure in the Cagayan province.

In an interesting illustration of contrasting fortunes in the Indian telecoms market, operator Bharti Airtel has prepaid a Department of Telecommunications (DoT) debt while rival Vodafone Idea (Vi) is gearing up for admittedly smaller payments, but payments that are part of a much larger overall debt burden.

As part of its ongoing modernisation programme, CelcomDigi announced the consolidation of two clusters of networks in east Malaysia.

We reported last month that the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) appeared intent on acquiring Telecom Egypt’s entire 45% stake in Vodafone Egypt, and reports now indicate that the deal could be finalised by September this year.

Kazakhstan’s state-backed operator Kazakhtelecom (KT) is planning to sell one of its mobile subsidiaries before the end of this year.

Globe Telecom reportedly saw a surge of over three million sign-ups on deadline day for SIM card registrations in the Philippines.