Polish tech industry group calls for greater flexibility in 5G private network rules
POLAND 14:30

Polish tech industry group calls for greater flexibility in 5G private network rules

Polish ICT industry group Cyfrowa Polska has warned the draft plan for awarding the 3,800-4,200 MHz band issued by the regulator UKE may hinder the development of private 5G networks in Poland. The industry group supports the general direction of the proposed changes and the alignment of regulations with the EU legal framework. Nevertheless, there are specific areas where the adopted approach is more restrictive than technical analyses conducted by international institutions would suggest is needed.

Kyivstar passes half million users on pilot 5G networks
UKRAINE 14:16

Kyivstar passes half million users on pilot 5G networks

Ukrainian operator Kyivstar, a subsidiary of the Veon Group, said that almost 500,000 customers have accessed its pilot 5G networks since the launch in January. The average daily user base is over 50,000.

GSA survey finds less than quarter of live 5G networks using standalone technology
GLOBAL 14:10

GSA survey finds less than quarter of live 5G networks using standalone technology

Less than a quarter of 5G operators have launched standalone 5G networks, underlining the significant room for expansion still in the 5G market, a survey from the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) shows. As of the end of March, there were 95 operators with 5G standalone networks live, up 42 percent from a year earlier, while the total number of 5G networks worldwide rose 14 percent in the same period, to 392. 

Italy's Ops! Mobile debuts 5G plan with 120GB for under EUR 5
ITALY 13:42

Italy's Ops! Mobile debuts 5G plan with 120GB for under EUR 5

Italian MVNO Ops! Mobile has launched a dedicated plan with 120GB at the highest possible 5G speeds for under EUR 5 a month. The offer, dubbed Ops Senior Extra, comes with unlimited calls, 50 SMS and the 120GB data bundle at full 5G speeds of up to 2 Gbps (download) and 200 Mbps (upload) for EUR 4.99 a month, with a EUR 9.99 activation fee.

Morocco moves ahead with broadband coverage plan
MOROCCO 12:23

Morocco moves ahead with broadband coverage plan

Morocco has covered 10,690 out of 10,740 targeted areas with 2G, 3G and 4G services, according to a parliamentary briefing from Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, delegate minister for digital transition. This means the first phase of the National Broadband Development Plan has been nearly completed, and so the government has officially launched the second phase. This next stage aims to extend and enhance connectivity across an additional 2,000 rural areas by 2026, Moroccoworld News reported.

Rogers launches new 5G+ mobile plans
CANADA 09:34

Rogers launches new 5G+ mobile plans

Rogers Communications has announced new 5G+ plans, with speeds of up to 2 Gbps and unlimited high-speed data. The new plans offer premium features for customers, such as Priority Network Access for consumers and satellite-to-mobile connectivity. Anne Martin-Vachon, President of Wireless, said the new 5G+ plan reflects its commitment to providing customers with "amazing value". 

Freshwave launches new 5G on Omni solution
UNITED KINGDOM 09:09

Freshwave launches new 5G on Omni solution

Freshwave Group, UK-based connectivity-as-a-service provider, has launched the new '5G on Omni' solution to provide UK organisations with guaranteed indoor 5G connectivity from all mobile network operators (MNOs). This expands Freshwave's Omni Network, a 4G indoor small cell solution. The Omni Network solution has gone live in over 6 million sq ft of real state or in-build since launch in June 2024.

SoftBank and Ericsson deploy uplink enhancement for 5G SA networks
JAPAN 05:51

SoftBank and Ericsson deploy uplink enhancement for 5G SA networks

SoftBank and Ericsson have begun deploying a new network technology designed to improve uplink performance on 5G standalone (SA) networks, with commercial availability expected from summer 2026. The technology, known as "Uplink Tx Switching", enhances uplink speed and stability by optimising the use of carrier aggregation and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) configurations. It will initially be supported on selected smartphones to be released by SoftBank, with availability expanding across devices and

Celona partners OneLayer on security for private 5G and LTE networks
GLOBAL 05:06

Celona partners OneLayer on security for private 5G and LTE networks

Celona and OneLayer have announced a partnership to deliver a combined platform aimed at improving security, visibility and control in private 5G and LTE deployments. The joint offering integrates Celona's 5G LAN system with OneLayer's device intelligence and Zero Trust security capabilities, targeting enterprise use cases across IT and operational technology environments. 

Rakuten Symphony to lead Open RAN trials in seven Global South markets
GLOBAL 05:04

Rakuten Symphony to lead Open RAN trials in seven Global South markets

Rakuten Symphony has been selected for a grant from Japan's ministry of economy, trade and industry to support the deployment and testing of Open RAN and RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) technologies across markets in the Global South. The funding, provided under METI's subsidy programmes for future-oriented co-creation projects, will support a demonstration initiative focused on radio access network control optimisation using AI and machine learning. The project forms part of Japan's broader industrial coo

CU Phosco appoints Keith Henry to lead international telecoms strategy
GLOBAL 05:02

CU Phosco appoints Keith Henry to lead international telecoms strategy

CU Phosco has appointed Keith Henry as head of telecoms as part of its plans to expand its telecommunications and smart pole infrastructure business in the UK and overseas. Henry, who joined the company in February 2023 as general manager of its Australian subsidiary, will take responsibility for the company's international telecommunications strategy alongside his existing role in Australia. His remit includes the development of the company's Connected Urban smart pole range and broader telecoms infrastruc

Zong opens 5G airport kiosk in Islamabad, eyes expansion to Lahore, Karachi
PAKISTAN 00:48

Zong opens 5G airport kiosk in Islamabad, eyes expansion to Lahore, Karachi

Zong and the Pakistan Airports Authority have opened a 5G Customer Facilitation and Sales Kiosk at Islamabad International Airport. This initiative is a collaborative effort to modernize airport infrastructure and provide passengers with immediate access to 5G technology.

GERMANY 21 APR

Deutsche Telekom adds 5G+ low latency option for video calls

Deutsche Telekom is expanding services on its 5G+ network with a new option for law-latency video calls. The 5G+ network delivers ultra low latency and was previously available only for gaming applications. The 5G+ Ultra option is based on 5G standalone technologies network slicing and L4S (Low Latency, Low Loss, Scalable Throughput). L4S technology detects network congestion and manages data streams to ensure that latency and jitter remain consistently low and stable, even under heavy mobile data traffic.

ESTONIA 21 APR

Elisa Estonia's revenues up 3% in Q1

Revenues at Elisa Estonia totaled EUR 55 million in the first quarter of this year, up by 3.4 percent year-on-year. In January to March, the operator deployed 90 new 5G base stations and covered 2,600 additional households and 25 commercial buildings with its fibre-optic network. Elisa's mobile subscriber base numbered 687,000 at the end of March, fixed internet subscribers totaled 181,000, and the pay-TV customer base amounted to 149,000.

GLOBAL 21 APR

South Korea keeps top place in OpenSignal network index for Overall Rank in Q1

OpenSignal's Global Network Excellent Index for the first quarter of 2026 has South Korea staying in first place in the Overall Rank List as well as first in the Time on 4G/5G Category again and still second worldwide for Download Speed. In the Overall Rank, Denmark retains second position and the Netherlands rises from fourth place to third, tying with Sweden, which improves its ranking from fifth place. There is therefore no fourth place holder for Overall Rank, and Estonia goes up two notches to fifth pl

SLOVENIA 21 APR

Slovenia completes tender for private networks spectrum

Slovenia's Agency for Communication Networks and Services (Akos) has completed its three-phase public auction for allocating radio frequencies in the 2,300 MHz and 3,600 MHz bands for local use. The first phase of the tender was exclusively for "verticals", organizations using frequencies for their own private networks. The second and third phases allowed other providers to acquire frequencies. In the third and final phase, only one company, T-2, submitted a bid by the deadline.

UNITED KINGDOM 21 APR

O2 UK switches on 5G+ mobile network in Surrey

Virgin Media O2 has activated its 5G+ Standalone network in the English county of Surrey - covering up to 1.2 million residents across 33 large towns, 48 smaller towns and 194 rural villages. The roll-out is part of the group's GBP 700 million Mobile Transformation Plan. Surrey communities covered by the new 5G+ mobile network include Epsom, Dorking, Haslemere, Guildford, Reigate, Redhill, Weybridge and Staines.

MALAYSIA 21 APR

Malaysia's Demanlink deploys telecoms smart pole in Siburan, built-to-suit tower in Bintulu

Demanlink Connexion, a telecoms infrastructure company in the Sarawak state of Malaysia, has deployed two connectivity services for communities in Siburan and Bintulu. Demanlink reports it has deployed Sarawak's first telecommunications smart pole, a multi-function street infrastructure in Siburan, and the company's first built-to-suit (B2S) site in Kampung Jepak, Bintulu. Both deployments comprise 5G equipment and are designed to enhance connectivity coverage in the state's growing urban areas and transpor

MALDIVES 21 APR

Dhiraagu offers free 5G router for FDC flat residents

Maldivian operator Dhiraagu has launched a limited-time offer for Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC) flat residents. Customers who subscribe to 5G Turbo plans priced at MVR 749 or higher will receive a complimentary 5G Turbo router for the internet service. A Dhiraagu team will be present near the FDC towers throughout the week to provide on-site assistance and support.

UNITED STATES 21 APR

Verizon private 5G network supports filming of Fox show 'Extracted'

Verizon has provided Fox Entertainment with a portable private 5G network to cover the area where it filmed season two of reality TV show 'Extracted'. The show involved dropping 12 contestants alone into the Canadian wilderness, with their families following them through a 24/7 live camera feed and biometric data. The Verizon technology helped deliver the live feed in an area with extremely limited connectivity. 

JAPAN 21 APR

SoftBank trial enables spectrum sharing between HAPS and terrestrial networks

SoftBank has conducted a field trial of a dynamic nullforming technology designed to reduce interference between non-terrestrial and terrestrial mobile networks, supporting spectrum sharing in future 5G and 6G deployments. The technology suppresses radiowave emissions in specific directions while continuously adjusting to the movement and orientation of airborne base stations, such as high altitude platform station (HAPS) systems. This enables aerial platforms to operate using the same frequency bands as gr

CHINA 20 APR

China Unicom, Huawei achieve 677 Mbps 5G-A uplink at human-robot marathon in Beijing

China Unicom and Huawei have deployed a 5G-Advanced (5G-A) network to support connectivity at the Beijing E-Town Half-Marathon and Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon, where human and robot runners competed alongside through the E-Town in Daxing District. This event featured over 300 humanoid robots competing alongside 12,000 human runners.

SPAIN 20 APR

Orange Spain spends over EUR 2 mln on Seville fair network upgrade

Orange Spain said it will be investing EUR 2.3 million to boost mobile network coverage at the Feria de Abril in Seville, which this year takes place from 21 to 26 April. The operator has installed 27 additional nodes throughout the fair venue to complement its existing coverage and provide sufficient capacity for around half a million daily visitors.

SPAIN 20 APR

Vodafone Spain cuts price of 5G home broadband offer to EUR 20/mth

Vodafone Spain has cut the price of its '5G Hogar' ('5G Home') Fixed Wireless Access service by EUR 10 a month for a year to match that of its fibre offer. As a result, customers who sign up online pay EUR 20 a month for 12 months for download speeds of up to 1 Gbps, rising to EUR 30 a month thereafter.

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Background

19 APR 23:04

The week in telecoms: SFR takover moves ahead, Amazon bags Globalstar and Netgear in favour in US

12 APR 23:28

The week in telecoms: Samsung profits soar, Netflix targets kids and telcos build defence vertical

9 APR 15:58

Ziggo Group creation at 2026 low point sets stage for growth ahead

7 APR 11:48

Netherlands TV-video market revenues up just 0.5% in Q4