Spain's MasOrange launches Starlink direct-to-cell trial
MasOrange has signed an agreement with SpaceX's Starlink to run Spain's first trial of the latter's Direct to Cell (D2C) satellite service in the northern province of Valladolid. The technical pilot aims to test the integration of satellite-to-mobile communications with traditional cellular networks with a view to providing mobile coverage to 4G devices throughout the Iberian Peninsula, said MasOrange.
Spain's MasOrange launches Starlink direct-to-cell trial
MasOrange has signed an agreement with SpaceX's Starlink to run Spain's first trial of the latter's Direct to Cell (D2C) satellite service in the northern province of Valladolid. The technical pilot aims to test the integration of satellite-to-mobile communications with traditional cellular networks with a view to providing mobile coverage to 4G devices throughout the Iberian Peninsula, said MasOrange.
Telia Norway and Ice agree to combine RANs
Telia Norway and Lyse, the Norwegian energy and telecom group that owns the mobile operator Ice, have agreed to combine their mobile radio access networks (RANs) in a 50-50 joint venture. They point to competitive and cost advantages as well as benefits for the new emergency network, preparations for increasingly extreme weather and for national resilience. The RAN joint venture, set to start operations in Q2, should lead to "substantial" improvements in mobile coverage as early as 2027, the companies said.
Telia Norway and Ice agree to combine RANs
Telia Norway and Lyse, the Norwegian energy and telecom group that owns the mobile operator Ice, have agreed to combine their mobile radio access networks (RANs) in a 50-50 joint venture. They point to competitive and cost advantages as well as benefits for the new emergency network, preparations for increasingly extreme weather and for national resilience. The RAN joint venture, set to start operations in Q2, should lead to "substantial" improvements in mobile coverage as early as 2027, the companies said.
Liberty Global signs 5-year Google Cloud deal to drive AI adoption
Liberty Global has signed a five-year contract with Google Cloud to help accelerate its digital transformation and adoption of AI at its European operations. The company will use Google's Gemini AI models to develop new services and devices for its customers across Europe, as well as drive cost savings in its operations. The companies will also look at allowing Google Cloud access to Liberty Global data centres to serve excess customer demand.
Liberty Global signs 5-year Google Cloud deal to drive AI adoption
ICO opens formal investigation into X's Grok AI service
The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has formally opened investigations into X Internet Unlimited (XIUC) and X.AI. These will examine the processing of personal data by the Grok AI system and the potential for Grok to be used for creating sexualised content. This follows reports that Grok had been used to create non-consensual sexual images of people, including children. Ofcom announced an investigation into Grok last month.
ICO opens formal investigation into X's Grok AI service
Global IT spending to reach USD 6.15 trillion in 2026 - Gartner
Global IT spending is forecast to grow by 10.8 percent in 2026 to reach USD 6.15 trillion, according to new research from Gartner. AI infrastructure growth remains strong, with spending increasing across AI hardware and software. Server spending is forecast to grow by 36.9 percent in 2026; with total data centre spending to grow by 31.7 percent to over USD 650 billion, up from around USD 500 billion in 2025.
Global IT spending to reach USD 6.15 trillion in 2026 - Gartner
T-Mobile Poland discontinues Heyah 01 offer
Polish brand Heyah, run by the operator T-Mobile Poland, plans to stop providing its service Heyah 01 from 23 February. Customers using the service will be transferred to the MVNO Red Bull Mobile by default, keeping the same phone numbers. Subscription rates will be slightly less for the majority of customers, T-Mobile said in its communication to customers.
T-Mobile Poland discontinues Heyah 01 offer
MTN Uganda mobile money MD to step down at end-February
MTN Uganda Mobile Money announced the appointment of Sarah Bateta Okwi as the company's acting managing director, replacing Richard Yego who will step down from 28 February, bringing to an end a tenure begun in January 2022. Okwi, the company's chief finance officer, will serve from 1 March while a permanent appointment will be announced later.
MTN Uganda mobile money MD to step down at end-February
Altigen Technologies signs licensing agreement with Crexendo
Altigen Technologies, US-based provider of PBX, UCaaS and customer engagement solutions, has signed a licensing agreement with cloud communications platform provider Crexendo. This will allow Altigen to deliver solutions powered by Crexendo's hosted cloud platform to customers and partners. The Crexendo cloud communications platform has more than 7 million end users worldwide, through a network of over 240 cloud communication platform software subscribers.
Altigen Technologies signs licensing agreement with Crexendo
Kyivstar runs 5G pilot area in Borodyanka
Ukrainian operator Kyivstar announced a new pilot 5G area in the town of Borodyanka in the Bucha municipality in Kiev region. The 5G network covers almost 3.5 km2 there with services provided on the 3,500 MHz band. The operator earlier launched its 5G services in the city of Lviv.
Kyivstar runs 5G pilot area in Borodyanka
UKE report finds 87% of Polish households can access 100 Mbps or higher
A total 87 percent of Polish households were covered with broadband services at 100 Mbps or higher by the end of 2025, according to a report from the national telecommunications regulator UKE on progress with its projects in 2025. The watchdog initially planned for broadband coverage to reach 83 percent last year. In addition, more than 175,500 people participated in training on internet security carried out by the regulator in 2025.
UKE report finds 87% of Polish households can access 100 Mbps or higher
Disney+ appoints exclusive ad sales partner in Ireland
Influent Media has been appointed as the exclusive advertising sales partner in Ireland for Disney+. This coincides with the launch of new Disney+ Standard with Ads subscription plan in Ireland from 03 March. The partnership will help Irish advertisers reach Disney+ audiences through mid-roll and pre-roll ad slows. Ireland becomes the 15th ad tier market across the EMEA region for Disney+.
