Bouygues Telecom updates 5G box offer with lower prices
FRANCE 23 JUN

Bouygues Telecom updates 5G box offer with lower prices

French operator Bouygues Telecom has updated its 5G home internet offer. The Wi-Fi 7 router introduced earlier this year is now available without TV service, for EUR 29.99 per month the first year and then EUR 39.99 per month. The 5G box supports download speeds up to 1 Gbps. 

Telefonica Deutschland joins Blue Planet for concept trial of agentic 5G slicing
GERMANY 23 JUN

Telefonica Deutschland joins Blue Planet for concept trial of agentic 5G slicing

Telefonica Deutschland has completed a proof of concept (PoC) with Ciena's Blue Planet to gauge agentic AI's capability in drawing up complex telecom offerings such as advanced 5G network slices. The joint concept trial was delivered as part of an ongoing transformation of Telefonica Deutschland's OSS systems aimed at achieving higher levels of network autonomy. AI agents are being tested in Telefonica Deutschland's Multi-Domain Service Orchestration environment, which aims to facilitate end-to-end orchestr

E& brings 5.5G connectivity to world's tallest hotel
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 23 JUN

E& brings 5.5G connectivity to world's tallest hotel

E& UAE has deployed 5G-Advanced (5.5G) connectivity at Ciel Dubai Marina, the world's tallest hotel. This deployment delivers ultra-fast, low-latency indoor connectivity to support the growing demand for seamless digital experiences across premium hospitality spaces, from high-speed browsing, video calling and content streaming to connected guest services, smart building applications and operational communications in dense, high-footfall spaces. In collaboration with Ericsson, E& UAE engineered and deployed

MTS Belarus expands LTE network with beCloud
BELARUS 23 JUN

MTS Belarus expands LTE network with beCloud

MTS Belarus launched more than 70 new LTE base stations in May, using the infrastructure of state-owned operator beCloud. The coverage and capacity of the network increased in almost 50 sites across the country. The network expanded in the cities of Minsk, Mogilyov, Baranovichi and Bobruysk, as well as in numerous smaller sites. Around 70 percent of newly-deployed base stations work on the 1,800 MHz band.

Czech operators cover train tunnels with 5G
CZECH REPUBLIC 23 JUN

Czech operators cover train tunnels with 5G

Czech operators have installed their 5G equipment in the infrastructure deployed by the Czech national railway carrier in train tunnels on the corridor from Prague to Brno and Ostrava. The operators will provide data and voice services in the tunnels on their own, using the shared infrastructure.

Bigleaf launches new Circuit Data Metering service
UNITED STATES 23 JUN

Bigleaf launches new Circuit Data Metering service

Bigleaf Networks has expanded the Bigleaf Cloud Connect portfolio with the launch of Circuit Data Metering. This helps business customers manage and control data usage across metered WAN circuits to connect remote locations, provide failover support or connect new sites - including LEO satellite, Starlink, metered 5G/LTE cellular and other usage-based circuits. 

Nokia to pitch expanded AI agent roadmap and rApp-ready SMO interface at DTW
GLOBAL 23 JUN

Nokia to pitch expanded AI agent roadmap and rApp-ready SMO interface at DTW

Nokia is present at this year's DTW Ignite event to highlight its expanded roster of AI agents, including a new Agent Library rolled out in the latest iteration of its Autonomous Networks Suite. The announcement comes as Nokia is working with Google Cloud to implement several agents in its service assurance platform. At DTW 2026, Nokia is additionally spotlighting broader AI-driven frameworks to advance its IP, fixed, and optical network portfolios, providing a basis for higher levels of network autonomy, w

Sub-Saharan Africa to lead global 5G growth with over 10-fold subscriber increase by 2031
AFRICA 23 JUN

Sub-Saharan Africa to lead global 5G growth with over 10-fold subscriber increase by 2031

Sub-Saharan Africa's transition to advanced connectivity is moving at a rapid pace and the region is forecast to lead global 5G subscription growth, surging from roughly 30 million users in 2025 to 370 million by 2031, according to the latest Ericsson Mobility Report. Total mobile subscriptions in sub-Saharan Africa are projected to reach 1.31 billion by 2031, up from 1.05 billion in 2025.

KT M Mobile launches ChatGPT-based tariff recommendation service
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 23 JUN

KT M Mobile launches ChatGPT-based tariff recommendation service

KT M Mobile, the mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) majority owned by Korea Telecom (KT), has launched a conversational AI service that recommends mobile tariffs based on customer requirements and usage patterns. The new service, available through KT M Mobile's direct online sales channel, uses ChatGPT to help users identify suitable mobile plans through natural language interactions. The company said the service is available to both existing subscribers and non-customers.

KDDI launches eSIM data top-up cards through Yahoo! Shopping
JAPAN 23 JUN

KDDI launches eSIM data top-up cards through Yahoo! Shopping

KDDI, Okinawa Cellular and KDDI Digital Life have begun selling povo data eSIM top-up cards, branded as "Giga Charge Cards", through Yahoo! Shopping in Japan from 23 June 2026. The cards allow customers to add data allowances to the povo mobile service without purchasing directly through the povo application. Payments can be made using methods supported by Yahoo! Shopping, including credit cards and PayPay, according to the companies.

Japanese broadcasters complete 5G network slicing trial using long-distance transport
JAPAN 23 JUN

Japanese broadcasters complete 5G network slicing trial using long-distance transport

Media Links, Mainichi Broadcasting System (MBS), Seiko Solutions and TBS Television have completed a trial using carrier 5G technology to transport broadcast transport stream (TS) and Precision Time Protocol (PTP) signals between Osaka and the Tokyo area. The companies said the trial was the first in Japan to demonstrate long-distance transmission of broadcast TS and PTP signals using carrier 5G connectivity.

KDDI and NTT Docomo to trial shared millimetre-wave repeater in Tokyo
JAPAN 23 JUN

KDDI and NTT Docomo to trial shared millimetre-wave repeater in Tokyo

KDDI and NTT Docomo have developed a shared millimetre-wave repeater designed to extend 5G coverage more efficiently and plan to begin field testing the technology in Tokyo's Ueno Park this summer. Developed in collaboration with Kyocera, the repeater can simultaneously relay millimetre-wave signals from both operators' networks using a single unit. The companies said the approach is intended to reduce the infrastructure required to expand millimetre-wave coverage compared with deploying separate repeaters

GLOBAL 22 JUN

Mavenir unveils agentic telecoms layer built to TM Forum spec

Mavenir is preparing to launch a TM Forum-compliant framework for agentic telecoms implementations. The Agentic Service Assurance Framework complies with TM Forum's IG1251 and IG1453 specifications, and was announced ahead of the alliance's DTW Ignite event in Copenhagen.

EUROPE 22 JUN

5G availability soars to almost 80 percent across 29 European markets - Opensignal

Opensignal has published market research exploring 5G performance and adoption in most EU markets plus the UK, Switzerland and Norway. The insights are based on sample connection data collected in Q1 2026. These figures show that user devices were in reach of a 5G signal more than 78 percent of the time, with the figure rising above 90 percent in a handful of markets, namely Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and Cyprus. This indicates that 5G infrastructure has reached maturity across the EU and aligned stat

LITHUANIA 22 JUN

Telia Lithuania acquires 5G frequencies for almost EUR 10 mln

Telia Lithuania acquired two blocks in the 1,500 MHz band for almost EUR 10 million in an auction organized by the regulator RRT. The company received the largest share of these frequencies sold, at 40 MHz, sand said it will use the spectrum for further development of the 5G network. A total of three 20 MHz frequency blocks were sold at the auction. 

GERMANY 22 JUN

Vodafone Germany expands 5G network at University Hospital Frankfurt

Vodafone Germany has expand the 5G network at the University Hospital Frankfurt. The company said it installed over 650 antennas in the main building of the campus and across the hospital grounds, ensuring almost full coverage both indoors and outdoors. Additionally, Vodafone laid approximately 24,000 meters of Cat7 cables and 10,700 meters of fibre-optic cable. The network infrastructure at the hospital campus is also equipped with 458 Distributed Antenna Systems, seven GPS antennas, 59 indoor radio units

MEXICO 22 JUN

Mexico launches consultation on 2.3 GHz spectrum tender for industrial use

Mexico's Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (CRT) has opened a public consultation on a proposed tender for spectrum in the 2.3 GHz band, aimed at supporting industrial use and digital transformation. The watchdog intends to grant 10-year commercial concessions for the use and operation of frequencies intended to boost technological infrastructure and competitiveness across productive sectors.

UNITED STATES 22 JUN

Tampnet provides connectivity for US Gulf offshore projects

Tampnet, provider of high-speed, off-shore communications, has won a contract from a major international energy group to provide advanced connectivity solutions for two developments in the US Gulf. Tampnet will provide underwater optical fibre and 5G connectivity to both projects in Keathley Canyon in the Gulf of Mexico/America. This will support secure, real-time data transfer between offshore installations and operations centres onshore.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 22 JUN

Du deploys indoor 5G+ network for Dubai Mallathon

UAE operator Du announced it will provide high-speed connectivity for the second annual Dubai Mallathon as its official sponsor. The operator is deploying its indoor 5G+ network infrastructure to support participants throughout the city-wide community sports initiative.

EUROPE 22 JUN

Vodafone to offer RugGear devices for mission-critical use cases

Vodafone's mission-critical communications (MCx) customers will soon have the opportunity to purchase RugGear's two-way 5G and 4G radios and toughened smartphones. The devices will connect via Airbus's secure collaboration platform, Agnet, as part of an existing collaboration between Airbus and Vodafone.

ZAMBIA 22 JUN

MTN Zambia delivers 5G home internet for new Nkwashi estates

MTN Zambia has launched a strategic partnership with Nkwashi, one of the country's fastest-growing residential developers, to deliver advanced digital connectivity directly to homes. The initiative aligns with a broader national effort to accelerate the growth of connected housing estates and expand access to advanced broadband services. Under this partnership, MTN is extending to Nkwashi residents the opportunity to access 5G Home Internet at no upfront cost for the device, coupled with Home Internet subsc

SWEDEN 22 JUN

Telia, Ericsson, AstaZero open 5G, 6G test lab with public backing in Sweden

Sweden's leading telecom companies are opening a new lab to test 5G, 6G and AI innovations. The Digital Area Sweden initiative is led by Telia, Ericsson and AstaZero, with support from the public innovation fund Future by Lund and the national innovation agency Vinnova through Sweden's 'Advanced Digitalization' industrial programme. The lab will be open to businesses and public administration bodies to test advanced digital solutions in a range of conditions, helping accelerate adoption of new mobile and AI

JAPAN 22 JUN

NTT Docomo deploys Nokia AI platform for autonomous network optimisation

NTT Docomo has deployed Nokia's MantaRay AutoPilot system to automate mobile network optimisation using AI, becoming the first operator in Japan to introduce the platform, according to the operator. Docomo said it has also successfully deployed the system on a public cloud platform and used it to optimise its mobile network from a cloud-based environment, which it claimed was a global first.

JAPAN 22 JUN

Rakuten Mobile launches public Wi-Fi service for mobile subscribers

Rakuten Mobile has begun rolling out a public Wi-Fi service, branded Rakuten Mobile WiFi Spot, for consumer and business subscribers across selected mobile plans. The service became available from 19 June and is being offered to customers subscribed to Rakuten Saikyo Plan, Rakuten Saikyo U-NEXT, Rakuten Saikyo Plan (Data Type), and the operator's business voice and data plans.

Just In

23 JUN 17:57

PLDT data centre unit Vitro files for PHP 24 billion REIT IPO

23 JUN 16:13

Vodafone Ukraine installs solar panels at 100 base stations

23 JUN 16:12

Burkina Faso inspects telecom infrastructure to boost security

23 JUN 16:10

Bouygues Telecom updates 5G box offer with lower prices

Commentary

23 JUN 09:56

ACM blocks Delta/Glaspoort deal - what can KPN do?

5 MEI 10:55

KPN: the art of making one-offs structural

4 MEI 14:25

Open Dutch Fiber outlook: time to restart roll-out?

20 APR 10:36

Netflix back to organic growth and doing just fine

Background

21 JUN 22:52

The week in telecom: sovereignty debate comes to VivaTech, Ericsson succession and Fox buys Roku

1 JUN 00:13

The week in telecom: EU telcos push sovereign services as governments question foreign tech investors

23 MEI 23:42

The week in telecom: Starlink ready to go public, Singapore telco M&A and Google courts AI subscribers at I/O

18 MEI 00:31

The week in telecom: US operators mount rural satellite challenge, Cisco cashes in on AI boom