German government offers over EUR 1 bln in fibre subsidies and cuts bureaucracy
GERMANY 07:56

German government offers over EUR 1 bln in fibre subsidies and cuts bureaucracy

The German Federal Minister for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation (BMDS) announced over EUR 1 billion in subsidies for the expansion of fibre-optic networks in the latest new call for proposals. Changes under the third amendment to the Gigabit Directive 2.0 aim to cut bureaucracy and speed up processes, the ministry says. In future, market research procedures will be shortened to the minimum required under EU law to accelerate expansion, especially in areas where companies are unwilling to

Google signs 2-year partnership with South Africa higher education department on skills training
SOUTH AFRICA 07:15

Google signs 2-year partnership with South Africa higher education department on skills training

Google South Africa and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) have signed a two-year agreement which will roll out an initial 10,000 scholarships as part of a national AI and digital skills initiative. The MoU is DHET's fourth public-private partnership focused on student and youth skills development in the post-school education and training (PSET) system with artificial intelligence (AI) and digital skills. 

Microsoft outlines USD 5.5 bln Singapore investment
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.

Korea steps up international cooperation on quantum ecosystem
GLOBAL 05:21

Korea steps up international cooperation on quantum ecosystem

South Korea said it has reinforced international collaboration on quantum technology following its participation in the fifth meeting of the Quantum Development Group (QDG) in London. The meeting brought together representatives from 13 countries, including the US, UK, Japan and Germany, to discuss cooperation on building a secure and trusted quantum ecosystem and protecting emerging technologies.

Nigeria inaugurates USPF board to extend rural connectivity
NIGERIA 1 APR

Nigeria inaugurates USPF board to extend rural connectivity

Nigeria has inaugurated the board of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) with a renewed push to expand rural connectivity and drive deeper digital impact across underserved communities. ICT minister Bosun Tijani said the new board comes at a critical time when Nigeria must move beyond basic access to ensuring meaningful use of digital infrastructure. 

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

Zambia declares abuse of AI content as a security threat ahead of August elections
ZAMBIA 1 APR

Zambia declares abuse of AI content as a security threat ahead of August elections

The Zambian government has declared the abuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated applications a threat to national security, ITWeb reported. The nation faces rising political tensions and an increase in AI-generated false information ahead of the general elections on 13 August. Critics have accused the administration of President Hakainde Hichilema of stifling private media, contributing to a surge in misinformation.

Spain court orders EUR 107 mln tax refund to Orange, Vodafone
SPAIN 1 APR

Spain court orders EUR 107 mln tax refund to Orange, Vodafone

Spain's Audiencia Nacional court has ordered the country's tax agency to refund around EUR 107.5 million to the local subsidiaries of Orange and Vodafone after ruling that a business tax applied to telecommunications operators breached European Union regulations, according to court rulings seen by Expansion. The decisions handed down by the country's Audiencia Nacional court on 18 February and 10 March upheld the administrative appeals lodged by the operators against earlier rulings issued by the country's

UK confirms PSTN migration by early 2027, 2G shutdown in 2029-30
UNITED KINGDOM 1 APR

UK confirms PSTN migration by early 2027, 2G shutdown in 2029-30

The UK's Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has confirmed plans to migrate all users on the BT Openreach public-switched telephone network (PSTN) to digital phone lines by early 2027. Its newly-launched Telecommunications Modernisation Package and Connectivity Timeline puts a firm deadline on digital upgrades of fixed landlines. Once this is delivered, the Connectivity Timeline anticipates all 108 legacy Openreach telephone exchanges will be closed gradually by December 2030. Exchange

AT&T to invest USD 1 billion to support FirstNet first responder service following US govt talks
UNITED STATES 1 APR

AT&T to invest USD 1 billion to support FirstNet first responder service following US govt talks

The US National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has confirmed fresh investment and cost efficiencies at the AT&T-operated US first responder network FirstNet. Under the expanded deal, arranged with the US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, AT&T agreed to invest about USD 1 billion in network and coverage enhancements that will support FirstNet users. The additional spending will be tailored to the needs of public safety while integrating feedback from the FirstNet Authority Board, a

AMS-IX moves to local hoster Uniserver in digital sovereignty move
NETHERLANDS 1 APR

AMS-IX moves to local hoster Uniserver in digital sovereignty move

The Amsterdam internet exchange AMS-IX announced it has migrated some of its workloads to local hoster Unisever. The group said this is "a deliberate step to further strengthen control, transparency, and continuity of our digital infrastructure". It comes amid a growing focus on digital sovereignty in the Netherlands and Europe, in an effort to reduce dependency on the dominant American cloud providers.

NLconnect warns of risks to EU plan for telecom supplier controls
EUROPE 1 APR

NLconnect warns of risks to EU plan for telecom supplier controls

The proposed reforms of the EU's Cybersecurity Act (CSA2) may have a negative impact on investments in telecom networks and digital resilience, according to a position paper from the Dutch industry group NLconnect. In a presentation for the Dutch parliament, the group said the proposed restrictions on telecom supply chains are not sufficiently supported with a risk-based, proportional assessment of the security issues. While acknowledging that cyber resilience is a necessity, NLconnect said the current plan

AUSTRALIA 1 APR

ACCC proposes tighter service standards in draft NBN regulatory reset

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has outlined proposed changes to the regulatory framework governing government-owned wholesale broadband provider NBN Co, focusing on improved service quality, revised cost settings and higher baseline broadband speeds. The draft determination sets out the regulator's preliminary position for the next regulatory cycle beginning on 1 July 2026, under the existing Special Access Undertaking (SAU). 

AUSTRALIA 1 APR

Australian govt partners Anthropic on AI safety, research and infrastructure

The Australian government has signed an MoU with Anthropic to support collaboration on AI development, safety and research, marking the first formal arrangement under the country's National AI Plan. The agreement sets out a framework for cooperation between government, industry and research institutions, with a focus on aligning AI development with national policy objectives, including safety, economic impact and infrastructure planning. 

BELGIUM 31 MRT

Proximus to provide cybersecurity training at Wallonia digital centres

Proximus announced a new initiative with the regional government of Wallonia to work on cybersecurity for internet users. They will work together to raise awareness of cyber risks at the publicly run computer centres in the region. 

ALGERIA 31 MRT

Algeria and Niger to deepen cooperation on telecom and digital development

Algeria and Niger have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in the fields of telecommunications and digital technologies, AL24news reported. The meeting between Algerian minister of post and telecommunications Sid Ali Zerrouki with his Nigerien counterpart Adji Ali Salatou focused on enhancing telecommunications infrastructure, with particular emphasis on expanding fibre-optic networks and strengthening interconnection to improve the quality and reliability of digital services

UNITED KINGDOM 31 MRT

AAC Clyde, Spire Global launch Glasgow-built satellites with UK, European agency support

Three satellites built in Scotland have launched on SpaceX's Transporter-16 launch vehicle, after receiving UK Space Agency (UKSA) funding via the European Space Agency's ARTES Pioneer Programme. Two of the satellites were developed by Glasgow-based AAC Clyde Space, while the other satellite was launched by space economy and data specialist Spire Global.

ITALY 31 MRT

Italy invests EUR 21 mln to boost digital resilience in quake-hit regions

Infratel, Italy's state-owned infrastructure agency, said it will invest EUR 21 million to build a fibre-optic network spanning over 1,200 km and provide free high-speed internet to 183 municipal offices in earthquake-hit areas, as part of its "Infrastructure Strengthening for Communication Resilience" project. Funded by the post-pandemic National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), the initiative aims to support reconstruction and boost digital connectivity in regions affected by the 2009 and 2016 earthqu

NETHERLANDS 31 MRT

Dutch ISPs report success with pilot anti-phishing shield

Dutch internet providers and the National Cyber Security Centre report positive results from a pilot project blocking access to fraudulent websites. Access to suspicious sites was blocked around 2 million times during the trial of the Anti Phishing Shield. Due to the successful results, the plans is to make the shield a structural fixture, managed by the NCSC. 

BRAZIL 30 MRT

Brazil invests BRL 104 mln from telecom innovation fund

Brazil's Ministry of Communications is allocating BRL 104 million from the Fund for the Technological Development of Telecommunications (Funttel) to accelerate research, development, and innovation in advanced technologies such as 6G, AI, and cloud computing. The approved funds, managed by the Centre for Research and Development in Telecommunications (CPQD) over the 2026-2028 period, include the Prisma Project for creating a Brazilian platform for managing sustainable data centres and cloud services. The pr

ANGOLA 30 MRT

Angola tops 28 million mobile and 16 million broadband users

Angola currently boasts over 28 million mobile subscribers and 16 million broadband users, according to Mario Oliveira, the Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication, says a report by Jornal de Angola. The country is actively integrating 3G and 4G technologies into its National Development Plan and is progressing towards implementing 5G. Oliveira stated that his ministry is committed to improving service quality, strengthening sector indicators, and increasing the sec

SOMALIA 30 MRT

Somali NCA provides cybersecurity certification training to government ICT professionals

The Somali National Communications Authority (NCA) has begun a training programme to provide government officials with internationally recognised cybersecurity certifications. The first phase takes place in Mogadishu from 29 March to 08 May to train participants from various government agencies. NCA director-general Mustafa Yasin Sheikh said the programme will strengthen the ability of ICT professionals at government institutions to safeguard national data and respond to the growing risks of cyber threats.

SENEGAL 30 MRT

Senegalese e-government platform launches as New Deal Technologique progresses

The Senegalese government has launched a number of structural digital projects under the 'New Deal Technologique' (Technological New Deal) programme to modernise governance, strengthen data sovereignty and accelerate the digital economy, Bantu Gazette reported. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko said this marks the operational roll-out of the New Deal Technologique, which aims to advance digital transformation and expand access to public services. The e-senegal.sn platform provides citizens with direct access to

MALAWI 30 MRT

Macra declares advances towards tower deployment through DMAP

The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has announced progress by the Digital Malawi Acceleration Project (DMAP), as plans advance to procure service providers to roll out more than 90 new communication towers nationwide. Macra director-general Mayamiko Nkoloma said that beyond DMAP's commitment of 100 towers, the authority will continue channeling resources from its annual budget to the Universal Service Fund to deploy even more sites, though he acknowledged current funding remains insuffici

Just In

10:40

MTN Uganda runs Digital Literacy Programme training in Western region

10:36

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

10:32

Cyan meets FY outlook, forecasts further sales growth in year ahead

10:30

Sisvel launches cellular POS patent pool with Huawei, Nokia, LG as licensors

Commentary

11 FEB 12:29

Odido shareholders face tricky exit after abandoned IPO

2 FEB 13:49

KPN results show little bother from the competition

2 JAN 13:21

Open Dutch Fiber's new management team takes up turnaround challenge

15 DEC 2025 13:56

Video market set for slower growth ahead

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