Operators

Uzbektelecom (Uztelecom) trialled its 5G network on consumers in the capital city of Tashkent as the operator prepares for a full launch, reported CommsUpdate.

CamGSM, which operates as Cellcard, has had its application to list on the Cambodian stock exchange approved in principle by the Cambodia Securities Exchange (CSX).

As part of its debt-cutting plan, Digicel Group announced three-quarters of bondholders are set to take shares in the company to resolve its debts and reduce founder Denis O’Brien’s stake from 99.9% to 10% to have US$1.8 billion written off, reported the Irish Times.

Industrial action by employees of Lebanon’s state-run Ogero has been suspended by the Executive Council of the fixed operator’s union.

Veon Group announced it will use OneWeb low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites to extend its coverage in emerging markets.

Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has called for state-owned TTCL (Tanzania Telecommunication Corporation) to reconsider its future as an operator given its failure in the telecoms space.

MTN and Vodafone expanded a pilot roaming agreement nationwide in Ghana to bolster connectivity in the country, reported Ghana Web.

AIS partnered with Bangkok Bank to expand its fintech strategy by launching a debit card, which the operator aims to have six million accounts opened by 2028.

Axiata Group’s proposed sale of shares in its tower unit edotco has attracted the interest of four possible buyers.

Philippines-based operator Globe Telecom penned a memorandum of understanding with Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), to enhance their communication channels and safeguard bank accounts against online fraud.

Vodafone Idea is equipping a technology factory in the city of Hazira, India, with a private 4G network to showcase automation through IoT, a move to advance its enterprise unit.

Ethio Telecom has upgraded its mobile money Telebirr app into a so-called ‘super app’ with crucial upgrades and integration of services, a move to bolster its mobile money proposition in the face of new competition from Safaricom.

UPDATE: Claro Brasil has joined Vivo and TIM Brasil in abandoning its sale of surplus assets acquired through the three-way acquisition of Oi Movel.

PLDT stated there was no fraudulent activity in relation to its PHP48 billion (US$866 million) capex overspending last year, but profit fell in its full 2022 financial year due to the overrun.

Safaricom opened a US$2 million operations centre in Kenya to enhance its M-Pesa mobile money platform and prepare for launches into new markets.

Brazilian ISP Brisanet said it is still on course to launch commercial 4G/5G services in the second quarter of this year.

The Egyptian government has reportedly suspended plans to sell a stake in state-owned operator Telecom Egypt due to market conditions, reported Reuters.

Slovenia’s Telemach has long been a pioneer in its market, launching the country’s first commercial 5G network in June 2021, and it has now had its achievements in 5G recognised at a global level in the Opensignal 5G Global Mobile Network Experience Awards 2022.

South Africa’s Rain, which describes itself as the country’s mobile data-only network, may not be data-only for long. Its major investor, African Rainbow Capital (ARC), has reportedly said that Rain hopes to launch a full mobile service this year.

Tele2 Russia has reportedly withdrawn its RUB478 million (US$6.2 million) lawsuit against Finnish vendor Nokia, after the company ceased supplying operators and departed the Russian market due to the invasion of Ukraine.

Rostelecom has reportedly reconsidered selling its Armenian subsidiary GNC-Alfa, and plans to invest and broaden the unit. 

Several of Digicel Group’s major creditors have reportedly expressed reservations over Chairman Denis O’Brien’s proposed agreement for restructuring the group’s debt.

The Panamanian National Public Services Authority (Autoridad Nacional de los Servicios Publicos, ASEP) revealed it received a bid for the telecoms licence vacated by Digicel Panama.

PLDT subsidiaries Smart Communications and Digital Mobile Philippines struck a sale and leaseback deal with Frontier Tower Associates Philippines, for 1,012 sites worth PHP12.1 billion (US$220.7 million), continuing its tower sale strategy. 

Philippines-based operator PLDT agreed to acquire cable TV and broadband provider Sky Cable, in a move to bolster the operator’s broadband offering.

Telecom Egypt chose IBM automation technologies to upgrade its OSS systems across mobile, fixed and core networks to enable the operator to reduce operational costs and minimise the time in finding and fixing network incidents.