Vi to expand 5G footprint to 18 cities of Maharashtra by May
INDIA 10:36

Vi to expand 5G footprint to 18 cities of Maharashtra by May

Indian operator Vi reports it is accelerating its 5G services expansion across the state of Maharashtra. The operator launched its 5G offer in eight additional cities, namely Kolhapur, Vasai, Nanded, Jalgaon, Satara, Malegaon, Shirdi, and Dhule.

Vi expands 5G services to Tirupati city
INDIA 10:27

Vi expands 5G services to Tirupati city

Indian operator Vodafone Idea (Vi) has launched 5G services in the city of Tirupati, extending its network coverage within the state of Andhra Pradesh. This deployment follows the initial 5G rollout in Tirumala during August 2025. The infrastructure is designed to provide connectivity for a resident population of 650,000 and a daily transient population of 70,000 visitors.

Airtel hits 650 million customers milestone, ranks second globally
INDIA 10:18

Airtel hits 650 million customers milestone, ranks second globally

Indian operator Bharti Airtel reports it has topped 650 million customers. According to GSMA Intelligence, Bharti Airtel is ranked second globally by mobile customer base, following China Mobile. Airtel's operations span India and Africa.

Quectel expands localised manufacturing deal with India's Syrma SGS
INDIA 08:44

Quectel expands localised manufacturing deal with India's Syrma SGS

Quectel has expanded its Indian manufacturing partnership with Syrma SGS Technology to cover IoT antennas on top of its existing regional supply of IoT connectivity modules. The expanded agreement is in response to India's emergence as a major hub for electronics manufacturing and IoT innovation, driven by strong demand, a skilled workforce, and a maturing ecosystem. Sanjeev Pandey, vice president for business development at Syrma SGS, noted the deal would support domestic demand and the Make in India initi

HKSTP launches GIE platform to connect Greater Bay Area with international tech markets
ASIA 07:31

HKSTP launches GIE platform to connect Greater Bay Area with international tech markets

The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) has introduced the 'Global Connect – Global Innovation Exchange' (GIE). This platform is designed as a central hub to bridge the Greater Bay Area (GBA) with international technology markets, facilitating cross-border business matching and investment.

Microsoft to invest USD 1 billion in cloud, AI infrastructure in Thailand by 2028
THAILAND 06:46

Microsoft to invest USD 1 billion in cloud, AI infrastructure in Thailand by 2028

Microsoft has announced a major expansion of its partnership with Thailand following a meeting in Bangkok between vice-chair and president Brad Smith and Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. From 2026 to 2028, Microsoft plans to invest around USD 1 billion in cloud and AI infrastructure and ongoing operations across Thailand.

NTT Docomo to launch direct-to-smartphone satellite service using Starlink
JAPAN 05:58

NTT Docomo to launch direct-to-smartphone satellite service using Starlink

NTT Docomo will launch a satellite-to-smartphone communication service, branded 'docomo Starlink Direct', on 27 April, enabling connectivity in areas without terrestrial network coverage. The service uses SpaceX's Starlink satellite network to support text messaging and limited data communication via compatible applications. It is designed for use in locations like mountainous regions, remote islands and at sea, as well as during disasters where ground infrastructure is unavailable.

SoftBank to launch satellite-to-smartphone service, no date revealed
JAPAN 05:55

SoftBank to launch satellite-to-smartphone service, no date revealed

SoftBank said it plans to introduce a direct-to-device communication service using SpaceX's Starlink satellite network, enabling smartphones to connect in areas without terrestrial coverage. The operator said the service will support text messaging and limited data communication through compatible applications in locations such as mountainous regions, remote islands and at sea, as well as in disaster scenarios where ground infrastructure is unavailable.

LG Uplus to develop regional tourism data platform with Gwangju tourism authority
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:52

LG Uplus to develop regional tourism data platform with Gwangju tourism authority

LG Uplus has signed an agreement with the Gwangju Tourism Organisation to develop a data-driven tourism platform covering the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions, aimed at improving policy planning and supporting local economies. The project will use telecoms data to analyse visitor movements, dwell times and spending patterns across the two regions, replacing survey-based approaches with behavioural data derived from actual travel activity.

NTT Docomo completes full virtualisation of mobile core network
JAPAN 05:40

NTT Docomo completes full virtualisation of mobile core network

NTT Docomo said it has completed the full virtualisation of its mobile core network, following infrastructure migration and the shutdown of its 3G services at the end of March 2026. The move transitions the operator's core network from dedicated hardware-based systems to a software-based architecture running on general-purpose servers. The core network supports mobile voice and data services for more than 90 million users.

NTT West adopts offsite PPA to power HQ with renewable energy
JAPAN 05:38

NTT West adopts offsite PPA to power HQ with renewable energy

NTT West has introduced an offsite corporate power purchase agreement (PPA) at its headquarters in Osaka, as part of efforts to advance its sustainability strategy and reduce carbon emissions. The initiative, in collaboration with NTT Anode Energy, enables the operator to procure renewable energy on a long-term basis. Through the combination of electricity sourced from renewable generation and the use of non-fossil fuel certificates, NTT West said it will effectively achieve 100 per cent renewable energy us

KDDI launches new AI integration company following iret merger
JAPAN 05:36

KDDI launches new AI integration company following iret merger

KDDI has combined its group entities iret and KDDI Digital Divergence Holdings to form a new company, KDDI iret, which began operations on 1 April. The new entity is positioned as a core AI integration company within the KDDI Group, bringing together cloud integration capabilities, data preparation, AI model selection and security expertise with KDDI's telecommunications infrastructure. The company said it aims to support enterprise AI deployment end-to-end, from planning through to development and operatio

SINGAPORE 05:33

Denise Wong appointed commissioner of Singapore's data protection regulator

Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has appointed Denise Wong as commissioner of the Personal Data Protection Commission, with effect from 1 April 2026. Wong will continue in her existing role as assistant chief executive of the Data Innovation and Protection Group at IMDA while taking on the additional responsibilities. As commissioner, she will oversee the regulator's strategic direction, lead regulatory and enforcement decisions, and advise the government on data protection issues. 

JAPAN 05:31

NTT Docomo completes shutdown of 3G FOMA and i-mode services

NTT Docomo has terminated its third-generation (3G) "FOMA" mobile network and "i-mode" internet service as of 31 March, marking the end of two long-standing platforms in Japan's mobile market. FOMA, launched in October 2001, and i-mode, introduced in February 1999, had been widely adopted services enabling mobile voice, internet and email access. The operator said usage had declined in recent years as customers migrated to 4G and 5G networks.

SINGAPORE 05:29

Microsoft outlines USD 5.5 bln Singapore investment

Microsoft has announced plans to invest USD 5.5 billion in cloud and AI infrastructure and operations in Singapore between 2025 and 2029, alongside a series of programmes aimed at expanding AI skills across education and the non-profit sector. It said the investment will support the expansion of cloud and AI infrastructure in the country over a five-year period, with the company also signalling continued work on cybersecurity, resilience and governance capabilities as part of the initiative.

JAPAN 05:22

Orex Sai announces new chief operating officer

Orex Sai, the Open RAN joint venture established by NTT Docomo and NEC, announced that Kenichi Takai has been appointed as representative director and chief operating officer (COO), effective April 1, 2026. Under the new management structure, the company said it will "further strengthen its management foundation and continue to enhance its business operations." He replaces Yoshihiro Shiraishi.

JAPAN 05:19

NTT Data partners Nagoya Bank on emissions data platform

NTT Data has begun a collaboration with Nagoya Bank to deploy a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data platform aimed at supporting decarbonisation efforts across Japan's Tokai region. Under the agreement, Nagoya Bank will implement NTT Data's C-Turtle FE platform to improve the calculation of financed emissions linked to its lending and investment portfolio. The system is designed to use primary emissions data from counterparties to enhance the accuracy of emissions measurement in line with international stan

ARMENIA 1 APR

Viva Armenia launches joint promo with Amio Bank

Viva Armenia launched a promotion with Amio Bank, giving customers free activation of digital MasterCard card from Amio Bank if they connect to the bank's website or mobile app using a link in the My Viva app. The digital card is activated instantly on the mobile banking system of Amio Bank.

TURKMENISTAN 1 APR

Turkmenistan govt, Japan's Muroosystems sign MoU on data centre development

Turkmenistan's Ministry of Communications and Japan's Muroosystems Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on setting up data centres. The agreement provides for joint work on the construction of new data centres in Turkmenistan using modern technological solutions and in line with international standards for digital infrastructure. The partners plan to apply innovative approaches both in the design phase and during the subsequent operation of the facilities.

ASIA 1 APR

BDx secures USD 320 million loan to expand AI data centre infrastructure in Asia

BDx Data Centres has closed a USD 320 million loan facility, to expand its digital infrastructure across Asia. The transaction was led by Bank Permata, BCA, and KB Bank.

INDIA 1 APR

Tejas delivers 17,000 IP/MPLS routers for Phase III of India's BharatNet rural broadband project

Tejas Networks reports it has shipped over 17,000 IP/MPLS routers for BharatNet Phase III, the final stage of India's massive rural broadband project, originally launched in 2011 as the National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN). Tejas's TJ1400 routers are being deployed in 9 states and 5 union territories across India by its PIA (Project Implementation Agency) partners and are carrying live traffic at multiple locations.

MALAYSIA 1 APR

Measat appoints Loke as CTO

Malaysian satellite operator Measat has appointed John Loke as its CTO. In this new position, Loke will lead the company's innovation roadmap and long-term growth.

CHINA 1 APR

Huawei revenue growth slows to 2% in 2025 as consumer, cloud markets weaken

Huawei reported revenues for 2025 of CNY 880.9 billion (USD 126.0 billion), up 2.2 percent from a year earlier. The growth in revenues was much slower than the 22 percent the previous year, as challenging conditions in its core network and consumer device markets were offset only in part by Huawei's expansion into new business areas, such as automotive and power systems. The company's operating margin improved to 11.0 percent from 9.2 percent the previous year, and net profit rose to CNY 68.0 billion from C

JAPAN 1 APR

NTT Docomo deploys Ruckus Wi-Fi to support public network expansion

NTT Docomo has deployed Wi-Fi access points from Ruckus Networks as part of the network infrastructure for its public Wi-Fi service, d Wi-Fi, to improve connectivity in high-density environments and support rapid network deployment. The operator said the technology is being used to address challenges in stadiums and large-scale event venues, where congestion and radio interference can affect service stability. Ruckus's directional antenna technology is designed to dynamically focus signals towards connected

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Background

29 MRT 22:46

The week in telecoms: Italy brings back PTT, US bans foreign routers and social media on trial

23 MRT 00:38

The week in telecoms: OFC and Nvidia events drive data centre networking talk, Orange debuts full French office stack

16 MRT 00:25

The week in telecoms: Pakistan ready for 5G, Google exits FTTH market and Canal Plus works on pay-TV turnaround

6 MRT 16:00

The week in telecom: MWC brings 5G advances, AI and satellite integration, plus first robot phone