Operators

Globe Telecom showcased Voice over New Radio (VoNR) in the Philippines as it moves to enhance its service against rival offerings.

Indian operator Vodafone Idea (aka Vi) says it is in advanced talks with various network vendors for finalisation of its 5G rollout strategy and has concluded device testing of all major OEMs on its upcoming next-generation mobile broadband network.

In a rather surprising move, an Angolan government minister has said that plans to privatise the troubled state-owned operator Angola Telecom have been cancelled and the government is now focusing on restructuring the company.

Mobile service revenue in Indonesia was predicted to stay flat over the next four years as the decline in revenues from voice services outweighs steady data returns.

Reliance Jio is reportedly negotiating loans with several banks to raise US$1.6 billion to purchase equipment from Finnish vendor Nokia. 

Safaricom Ethiopia announced its first-ever CEO Anwar Soussa will depart his role on July 31 after taking the helm of the unit almost two years ago.

Ooredoo Qatar has announced two high-profile agreements this week, one with Dell Technologies and one with Ericsson.

American Tower Corporation has rebuked Smile’s allegation that it “illegally disconnected” the Ugandan operator from its network.

South African operator Cell C has announced the successful completion of its move to a virtual radio access network model – some months before its originally announced target date.

Safaricom and Kenyan operator Jamii Telecommunication have reportedly partnered with Shenzhen TeleOne Technology to locally manufacture smartphones, with a factory to be operational in two months' time. 

Thai operator True Corp revealed ambitions to reduce e-waste dumping into landfills to zero by 2030, as it launched a campaign to spur customers to donate old devices to collection points. 

Russia’s Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) has lost its longstanding legal battle against Turkmenistan after it was allegedly forced to abandon its operations in the market in 2017.

Chilean operator WOM claimed it had deployed 80% of planned 5G sites after the operator had missed mandated targets and was subsequently fined. 

MTN Group has warned that its operations in Cameroon are in jeopardy over a dispute in which it claims to play no part.

MTN Group has moved to quell speculation that it could be mounting another takeover bid for Telkom SA, following the confirmation of a buyout offer from the operator’s former CEO.

Following Monday’s news of an acquisition bid, Serame Taukobong, the CEO of Telkom, South Africa's third-biggest telecom company, has apparently said his company does not need saving.

Guyana’s mobile network operators welcomed with open arms the government’s decision to abolish taxes on mobile phones, in a bid to spur growth in the telecoms sector.

Two World Bank members revealed plans to invest in Safaricom Ethiopia, intending to invest US$157.4 million in the operator’s parent company and loan the operator US$100 million, to enable expansion plans.

Colombian mobile providers Movistar and Tigo have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to pursue a network sharing arrangement via a jointly-owned infrastructure company.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications apparently announced its recent spectrum auction has been unsuccessful with no bids for airwaves, reported VietNamNet. 

Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund is reportedly still in the mix to acquire Vodafone Egypt shares from Telecom Egypt Egypt, with a deal potentially to be announced this month, reported Daily News Egypt. 

Illiad-owned Polish operator Play expanded its TV and broadband arms by acquiring 100% shares in rival provider Syrion. 

While there are strong rumours that funding may soon be withdrawn from one state-owned Indian operator, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL), the much bigger Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) is clearly still deemed worthy of support after a major injection of funding got the go-ahead this week.

Mexican operator Telmex reached a settlement with a worker’s union proposing a 5.6% rise in pay after almost a year of disputes with striking employees.

Indian press reports are suggesting that state-owned operator Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) may be shut down in the face of continuing losses and mounting debt.

MTC Namibia recorded the fastest mobile and fixed internet speeds in Namibia last year, according to data from industry bench markers Ookla.

Starlink has received an operating licence from the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT), further expanding its Latin American footprint.