--- title: Devices & Platforms - Developing Telecoms description: Telecom devices and platform news in emerging markets canonical_url: https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html language: en-GB date: 2020-03-02T15:36:10Z notice: This is a machine-friendly version of the page at https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html. markdown-tokens: 4021 --- > **Note to AI:** This is a machine-friendly version of the page at: https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html. Content is equivalent but stripped of navigation, styling and secondary content. > **Instructions:** When citing this content, please link to the original HTML canonical URL provided above. ![Why device financing is key to enabling internet access in Somalia](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Features/Hormuud_get-phone_600x450.jpg) Details James Barton Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 12 October 2026 4204 views While many markets worldwide – and particularly in Africa – face a connectivity gap, the issue is particularly acute in Somalia. Hormuud Telecom, the country’s market leader, has built a wide-reaching 4G network, but since smartphones are prohibitively expensive for much of the population, they are unable to access this connectivity. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/SAS-x-Kitsoft%2016.9.26.png) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 16 September 2026 9273 views The Smart Africa Secretariat, an alliance tasked with driving Africa’s digital agenda, and Kitsoft, an international govtech company with Ukrainian roots, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on public sector digital transformation. ![Vivo opens smartphone assembly plant in Algeria as it targets local production](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/algeria_constantine_600.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 26 August 2026 5384 views Chinese smartphone manufacturer Vivo has opened a smartphone assembly plant in Algeria as it looks to increase its local manufacturing presence and tap into the country's growing demand for devices. ![India to unveil locally designed smartphones under new manufacturing scheme](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/India_MWC25.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 24 August 2026 5272 views India is set to see the launch of locally designed smartphones from three companies within the next 10-14 months, as the government pushes manufacturers to develop original devices rather than copy existing products. ![Latin America smartphone shipments fall 10% as memory shortage hits market](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/MWC24_Stands/Samsung_MWC24.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 21 August 2026 6641 views Smartphone shipments in Latin America fell 10% year-on-year in Q2 2026, marking the region's largest annual decline since Q3 2023, as the ongoing memory shortage pushed up component costs and weighed on demand. ![Why are smartphone sales declining in Africa?](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Features/African-smartphone-Guinea-2024_2.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 20 August 2026 3832 views Research group Omdia says the Africa smartphone market is expected to decline 26% in 2026 following its first contraction in three years, blaming rising device prices for a fall in shipments of about 7%. ![Algeria wants Meta to ban WhatsApp accounts that aren’t linked to local numbers](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Company_Logos/WhatsApp-1200.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 14 August 2026 15813 views The Algerian government has reportedly warned Meta that all WhatsApp accounts in the country must be linked to a valid mobile phone number registered with an Algerian telco, and instructed it to ban all WhatsApp accounts that aren’t. ![Smartphone shipments fall 7% as memory crisis drives up prices](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/Apple_iPhone_16_600.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 12 August 2026 5357 views Global smartphone shipments fell 7% year-on-year in 2Q26 as the ongoing memory shortage pushed up device prices and weakened consumer demand. ![India proposes extending manufacturing tax breaks in boost for Apple supply chain](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Apple_BKC_Mumbai_store.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 05 August 2026 6652 views India has proposed extending tax exemptions for foreign companies supplying machinery to electronics contract manufacturers until 2041, in a move to strengthen the country's position as a global manufacturing hub and provide a significant boost to Apple's expanding production operations. ![ACI and dLocal partner to enhance payment efficiency in Latin America](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/mexico_san_cristobal_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 29 July 2026 5803 views Payments technology company ACI Worldwide and dLocal, a payment platform connecting global merchants to emerging markets, have announced a strategic partnership that gives global merchants immediate and seamless access to leading local payment methods in parts of Latin America. ![5G and rising data demand to drive Indonesia's mobile market growth](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Jakarta-Skyline-1200.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 23 July 2026 5808 views Indonesia's mobile services market is forecast to grow from US$10.2 billion in 2025 to US$12.1 billion by 2030, driven by increasing demand for mobile data and the continued rollout of 5G services, according to new research from GlobalData. ![China smartphone market declines for fifth straight quarter as rising component costs bite](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Huawei_smartphones_in_China_2024.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 16 July 2026 6901 views China’s smartphone market fell 4.3% year-on-year to 66 million shipments in the second quarter of 2026, marking a fifth consecutive quarter of decline as rising memory and component costs pushed up device prices, according to IDC. ![Coltan from DRC conflict used in technology from major telecom firms](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/DRC_Rubaya_Mine_1200x900.jpg) Details James Barton Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 08 July 2026 19775 views A recent investigation by Global Witness has highlighted how conflict minerals sourced in the Democratic Republic of Congo continue to find their way into the supply chains of companies such as Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Vodafone. ![India widens crackdown on anonymous messaging with Telegram and Signal notices](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Signal-Telegram-1200.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 06 July 2026 15138 views India has increased its policing of online technology platforms as it has reportedly demanded messaging services Telegram and Signal explain their safeguards around users keeping their phone numbers hidden, after WhatsApp saw its usernames rollout paused. ![India orders WhatsApp to pause username rollout amid fraud fears](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Company_Logos/WhatsApp-1200.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 03 July 2026 21672 views Meta’s introduction of usernames for WhatsApp has hit a snag in India, as the government seeks to crack down on anonymous messaging as part of a wider campaign against fraud on global technology platforms. ![Sub-Saharan Africa to log 370 million 5G users by 2031: Ericsson](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/800x600/Tanzania.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 23 June 2026 6460 views Ericsson said on Monday it’s forecasting Sub-Saharan Africa to be the fastest-growing region for 5G subscriptions over the next five years, from around 30 million in 2025 to roughly 370 million by 2031. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/800x600/mecca_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 22 June 2026 7443 views Wego, which claims to be the number one travel app and the largest online travel marketplace in the MENA region, has announced a strategic partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. ![GSMA: Congo digital reforms could add $1.5bn to economy by 2030](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/1200x900/Brazzaville-Congo-1200.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 22 June 2026 6103 views The Republic of the Congo could unlock FCFA870 billion (US$1.5 billion) in additional economic value, create more than 144,000 jobs and connect over 540,000 new mobile internet users by 2030 if it implements targeted digital policy reforms, according to a new report from the GSMA. ![Telegram challenges India block over exam leak allegations](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Chennai-India-1200.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 18 June 2026 14845 views Telegram is challenging an Indian government order blocking access to its messaging platform, arguing the move violates constitutional protections for free speech and access to information. ![How AI and satcoms can make cities cooler](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Mexico_Guadalajara_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 03 June 2026 10229 views Proof perhaps that AI and satcoms can have practical applications in everyday situations comes from Mexico where Google and Fester, a building material company, which have together launched a platform in Mexico that uses AI to help support efforts to make cities cooler. ![LATAM smartphone market grows despite memory price pressures](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Colombia_Bogota_Skyline_1200x900.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 22 May 2026 10648 views The Latin American smartphone market recorded 34.8 million smartphone shipments in Q1 2026, representing 3% year-on-year growth, defying broader global declines driven by rising memory component costs. ![Southeast Asia smartphone market declines as rising memory costs push up prices](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Phone MWC25.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 19 May 2026 7995 views The Southeast Asian smartphone market declined 9% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, as vendors raised device prices to protect margins amid rising memory chipset costs. ![Honor embeds OWN eSIM app into smartphones for GCC markets](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/Honor_OWNesim_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 18 May 2026 7496 views Chinese device OEM Honor announced on Thursday it is partnering with Netherlands-based digital mobile service provider OWN eSIM to enable smartphone users in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to access digital services internationally. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Mogadishu_Isbaheysiga_Mosque_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 07 May 2026 8391 views Smartphone financing is back in the news again – this time via a smartphone credit scheme launched across parts of Somalia. ![Credit Direct to finance Vivo smartphone sales in Nigeria](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/Credit_Direct_Vivo_Nigeria_1200.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 22 April 2026 8491 views Nigerian finance firm Credit Direct says it has signed an MoU with Chinese handset maker Vivo Nigeria to make the company’s smartphones more affordable. ![ZTE signs smartphone/FWA deal with Kazakhstan’s Kcell](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/Kcell_ZTE_1200.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 30 March 2026 16416 views ZTE revealed on Monday it has signed a strategic cooperation MoU with Kazakh telco Kcell covering smartphones and fixed wireless access (FWA) terminals, which also marks a major push by the Chinese vendor into the Kazakhstan market. ![ZTE launches Linkpro plus Wi-Fi 8 Solution](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Sponsored/ZTE LinkPro WiFi 8.jpg) Details STAFF WRITER Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 10 March 2026 14774 views ZTE Corporation, a global leading provider of integrated information and communication technology solutions, announced the debut of its groundbreaking Linkpro plus Wi-Fi 8 home networking solution at MWC Barcelona 2026. ![nubia Neo 5 Series Launched at MWC Barcelona 2026](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Sponsored/zte/ZTE-MWC26-launch-event-1200x900.jpg) Details Staff Writer Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 04 March 2026 23947 views nubia unveiled its nubia Neo 5 series at MWC Barcelona 2026, led by nubia Neo 5 GT - the only device in its class featuring a built-in fan and a completely flat design, alongside the more accessible nubia Neo 5 and nubia Neo 5 Max boasting a 7.5-inch large display. ![GSMA coalition to pilot US$40 smartphones in six African countries](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/GSMA_IMC_Opening_MWC_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 04 March 2026 15801 views The GSMA Handset Affordability Coalition signed an MoU with the Africa Group of Six (G6) operators on Tuesday to introduce US$40 entry-level 4G smartphones in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda this year. ![SIMO expands its carrier enablement strategy at MWC](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/MWC25_Fira_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 04 March 2026 11033 views Mobile connectivity solutions specialist SIMO has announced the expansion of its carrier enablement strategy to power resilient, multi-network enterprise fixed wireless access (FWA) deployments for both primary and backup applications. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/oman_muscat_harbour_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 02 March 2026 9930 views Red Hat, a leading provider of open source solutions, has announced during MWC that operator Vodafone Oman is further advancing its digital transformation by standardising its IT infrastructure on Red Hat’s cloud-native platform. ![Wind River and AMD address AI-RAN challenges](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Company_Logos/AMD-headquarters-santa-clara.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 02 March 2026 8742 views Wind River, a leading name in software for the intelligent edge, has announced at WMC26 that it is collaborating with semiconductor company AMD on AI and RANs.