SKT advances modular and CXL-based AI data centre strategy
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 01:25

SKT advances modular and CXL-based AI data centre strategy

SK Telecom (SKT) has announced two agreements at MWC 2026 aimed at reducing the cost and deployment time of AI data centres and improving infrastructure efficiency. The operator signed a three-party memorandum of understanding with Supermicro and Schneider Electric to develop an integrated AI data centre solution based on a pre-fabricated modular model. Under the approach, power, cooling and IT infrastructure are pre-assembled into modules and installed on site, rather than being built sequentially in a con

LG Uplus CEO Hong Beom-sik outlines AI voice strategy at MWC26 keynote
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 01:23

LG Uplus CEO Hong Beom-sik outlines AI voice strategy at MWC26 keynote

LG Uplus chief executive Hong Beom-sik delivered a keynote address at MWC26 in Barcelona, positioning the operator's AI call agent ixi-O as central to the future of voice communications. It was also the first time an LG Group executive had delivered an official MWC keynote. Speaking under the theme "Humanizing Every Connection", Hong argued that voice will remain a core interface in the emerging AI era, despite the proliferation of devices and applications.

NTT Data to acquire CareYell home care platform from Sompo Care
JAPAN 01:13

NTT Data to acquire CareYell home care platform from Sompo Care

NTT Data will acquire the CareYell home care support application and the CareYell PRO system from Sompo Care, with the business transfer scheduled for April 2026. The operator said it will take over provision of the services and expand its digital transformation activities in the care sector by linking CareYell with its existing senior-focused communication service, Voista. CareYell is designed to enable elderly users, family members and care and medical professionals to share daily health conditions and ca

Rakuten Symphony partners Lightstorm on sovereign network-as-a-service platform
INDIA 01:09

Rakuten Symphony partners Lightstorm on sovereign network-as-a-service platform

Rakuten Symphony and Lightstorm Telecom have announced a strategic collaboration to deliver an integrated sovereign network-as-a-service (NaaS) platform targeting telecom operators, data centre providers and sovereign cloud operators across India, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia-Pacific. The partnership combines Lightstorm's Polarin NaaS platform with Rakuten Cloud-Native Platform and Rakuten Cloud-Native Orchestrator. 

NTT completes IOWN-based immersive live viewing trial
JAPAN 01:05

NTT completes IOWN-based immersive live viewing trial

NTT Docomo Solutions has completed a proof of concept for an immersive live viewing service using IOWN and AI technologies, enabling simultaneous real-time delivery of 3D and augmented reality (AR) video from remote locations. The operator said the February 2026 trial combined its IOWN All-Photonics Network (APN) with AI-based video analysis to stream multiple immersive feeds without requiring advanced ICT equipment at the capture site.

NTT signs domestic resale agreement with Blackwired for ThirdWatch platform
JAPAN 01:02

NTT signs domestic resale agreement with Blackwired for ThirdWatch platform

NTT Security Japan has signed a domestic resale agreement with Singapore-based Blackwired to provide the ThirdWatch threat intelligence platform in Japan from March 2026. The agreement marks the first time ThirdWatch will be resold in the Japanese market, according to the companies. ThirdWatch is a threat intelligence platform that monitors and analyses activity by state-sponsored actors and advanced cybercriminals in real time, including across dark web and closed community sources.

KDDI agrees Yokosuka digital trial using number verification and RCS
JAPAN 00:54

KDDI agrees Yokosuka digital trial using number verification and RCS

KDDI has agreed to conduct a joint proof of concept with Yokosuka City and Toppan Edge to address challenges in digital administrative services, including identity fraud in online procedures and communication during disasters. Under the agreement, KDDI will provide its "Number Verification" telephone number authentication technology via API, along with technical support and RCS messaging APIs. The technology will be integrated by Toppan Edge into an RCS-based messaging platform and Japan's Public Key Infras

Microamp partners High Tech Inter for 5G mmWave deployment in Japan and APAC
JAPAN 00:47

Microamp partners High Tech Inter for 5G mmWave deployment in Japan and APAC

Polish company Microamp and Japanese firm High Tech Inter have entered into a strategic partnership to accelerate the deployment of 5G millimetre wave networks in Japan and across the Asia-Pacific region. The companies said the agreement combines Microamp's end-to-end 5G mmWave network technology with High Tech Inter's system integration and deployment capabilities, targeting commercial and mission-critical applications requiring high resilience, ultra-high capacity and low latency connectivity.

PLDT, Smart open first joint store in Tacloban City
PHILIPPINES 3 MRT

PLDT, Smart open first joint store in Tacloban City

Philippines operator PLDT and its mobile unit Smart Communications have officially opened their first-ever co-located store in Marasbaras district in Tacloban City. The new store is already fully operational and will serve customers in Tacloban City and its surrounding areas.

Smart revenue grows 5% in Q4, amid expanding ARPU and 5G adoption
PHILIPPINES 3 MRT

Smart revenue grows 5% in Q4, amid expanding ARPU and 5G adoption

Philippines operator Smart Communications saw its fourth-quarter revenue grow 5 percent sequentially. Fourth-quarter revenue growth was mainly boosted by higher ARPU, the company said. Smart reported 606,079 net additions in the fourth quarter, while churn reached 2.5 percent at end-2025.

PLDT offers free emergency calls for Filipinos in Middle East conflict areas
PHILIPPINES 3 MRT

PLDT offers free emergency calls for Filipinos in Middle East conflict areas

In light of the escalating conflict in the Middle East, PLDT Group chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan has announced that the PLDT Group will provide communication assistance to overseas Filipinos in affected areas. PLDT and Smart will offer free calls for Filipinos in countries affected by the conflict in the Middle East.

Taiwan Mobile, AST SpaceMobile partner on LEO satellite communication services
TAIWAN 3 MRT

Taiwan Mobile, AST SpaceMobile partner on LEO satellite communication services

Taiwan Mobile has signed a cooperation deal for low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication services with AST SpaceMobile, the company building a space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by everyday smartphones. Taiwan Mobile expects this collaboration to promote the synergistic operation of 'space base station' technology and existing mobile networks in Taiwan, accelerate the implementation of an integrated satellite-terrestrial communication architecture, and strengthen ubiquitous conn

UZBEKISTAN 3 MRT

Beeline Uzbekistan offers free roaming in Middle East

Beeline Uzbekistan, a subsidiary of the Veon Group, is offering customers roaming in the Middle East a free 1 GB mobile data bundle and 10 minutes of calls. The bundles are valid in the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan and Oman for 30 days.

MALAYSIA 3 MRT

Time dotCom's profit jumps nearly 11% in 2025, lifts dividend payout cap to 75%

Malaysian operator Time dotCom posted revenue of MYR 1.79 billion in 2025, which represents an increase of 6.1 percent year-on-year. Revenue growth was mainly boosted by increased demand for Time's data and connectivity offerings, with Retail and Enterprise continuing to be the primary contributors. Profit after tax jumped 10.8 percent year-on-year to MYR 427.1 million.

INDIA 3 MRT

Jio Platforms appoints Bailey as president to lead international expansion strategy

India's Jio Platforms has appointed Dan Bailey as its president. In his new role, Bailey will lead the company's international business initiatives. This marks one of Jio's first major leadership hires focused specifically on global markets.

ASIA 3 MRT

Lightstorm, Arrcus to deliver AI-optimized networking across APAC

Arrcus has signed a partnership deal with Lightstorm to deliver purpose-built networking services for distributed AI inference and training workloads. Designed for AI cloud providers, enterprises, and infrastructure operators, the partnership combines Arrcus' intelligent routing capabilities with Lightstorm's Polarin NaaS platform to deliver automated, policy-driven connectivity optimized for AI workloads across geographically distributed data centres.

CHINA 3 MRT

ZTE presents Nubia NEO, Redmagic handsets at MWC, updates on AI strategy

ZTE is presenting new product launches and AI integrations at Barcelona Mobile World Congress 2026. The Chinese vendor said its exhibition covers the entire AI value chain, presenting a framework for full-fledged digital intelligence alongside eight next-generation innovations, including GigaMIMO for future 6G networks, Air Max AI stacks, 200G-grade PON equipment, a Wi-Fi 8 mesh product, and the agentic AI studio ZTE Co-Sight. Products debuting at MWC include mobile handsets in the gaming-focused Nubia NEO

ARMENIA 3 MRT

Viva Armenia offers free roaming calls, SMS in the Middle East

Operator Viva Armenia has introduced free outgoing and incoming calls and SMS for its subscribers using roaming services in the Middle East. The offer is valid temporarily during the conflict in the region. The states covered with the offer include Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia.

MALAYSIA 3 MRT

IEC Telecom launches operations in Malaysia as authorized Starlink reseller

IEC Telecom has officially launched its office in Malaysia, marking the expansion of its enterprise connectivity services across Southeast Asia. IEC Telecom Malaysia introduces enterprise-grade Starlink-powered services designed to boost last-mile connectivity. The company will deliver integrated customised satellite communication services for sectors such as energy, maritime, government, logistics, and remote enterprise operations.

MALAYSIA 3 MRT

Tune Talk completes first phase of cloud core network modernization with Nokia

Malaysian operator Tune Talk has announced at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 the completion of Phase 1 of its cloud core network modernization in partnership with Nokia. The operator has deployed this cloud native core technology at scale. Phase 1 was completed in January, with Phase 2 now underway to enhance automation, orchestration, and intelligent network capabilities, Tune Talk added.

INDONESIA 3 MRT

IOH launches Security Command Centre powered by Cisco in Jakarta

Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH) has officially launched its Security Command Center (SCC) in Jakarta. The SCC is powered by Cisco's unified security platform Splunk's threat detection and machine analytics, and the local and global expertise of Cisco Customer Experience Services.

JAPAN 3 MRT

Rakuten Mobile selects Samsung as nationwide 5G Open RAN radio supplier

Rakuten Mobile has selected Samsung Electronics as its nationwide supplier of Open RAN-compliant 5G radios in Japan, with commercial deployment expected to begin later this year following testing and validation. The operator said Samsung's radios will support the continued expansion of its fully virtualised, cloud-native Open RAN network. The portfolio includes low-band 700 MHz and mid-band 1.7 GHz radios, as well as Massive MIMO units for the 3.8 GHz band.

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 3 MRT

KDDI to launch au PAY code payments in South Korea

KDDI and au Payment will enable overseas use of au PAY code payments from March 2026, starting in South Korea. The service will allow au PAY users who have completed identity verification via the app to make QR code payments at more than 300,000 merchants affiliated with South Korean payment provider paybooc, including convenience stores, cafes and duty-free outlets. Payments will be made using existing au PAY balances, with users able to view balances and transaction histories in both Japanese yen and loca

JAPAN 3 MRT

NTT Docomo to launch pilot of SyncMe personal AI agent

NTT Docomo will begin recruiting users for a pilot version of its new personal AI agent, SyncMe, ahead of a planned commercial launch in summer 2026. The operator said the pilot version will be made available to selected monitors from spring 2026, with feedback used to refine the service before wider release. Up to 5,000 participants will be selected from applicants, with participation conditional on completing three surveys. Eligible users must hold a d account and use supported Android or iOS devices.

Just In

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KDDI launches Starlink Direct international roaming in the US

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SKT advances modular and CXL-based AI data centre strategy

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LG Uplus CEO Hong Beom-sik outlines AI voice strategy at MWC26 keynote

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Australia sees 211-day average approval time for new mobile towers

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Background

1 MRT 13:21

The week in telecoms: Paramount tops bidding for WBD, Samsung S26 kicks off MWC showcase

23 FEB 00:28

The week in telecoms: Liberty Global tackles cable vs fibre question, Orange promises dividends and MEA market goes wholesale

16 FEB 00:17

The week in telecoms: Cisco rides AI investment wave and European telcos invest in South America

9 FEB 01:54

The week in telecoms: hyperscalers vie for capex crown, Telenor and Vodafone profit from smaller footprints