A1 Belarus adds partner promos to loyalty programme
BELARUS 15:20

A1 Belarus adds partner promos to loyalty programme

A1 Belarus has added a new option to its loyalty programme AI Plus, allowing customers to use their accumulated points for promotions at partners of the operator. Up to 100 percent of the price of a partner purchase can be covered in this way.

UPC Slovakia expands pay-TV lineup with 6 new channels
SLOVAKIA 15:17

UPC Slovakia expands pay-TV lineup with 6 new channels

UPC Slovakia has expanded its pay-TV lineup with six additional channels. The list includes the Ukrainian channel Dim, as well as five Slovak regional and local channels: TV Vega, TV Zemplin, TV Vychod, TV Sirava and TV Michalovce. This follows the end of the channels MTV 80s, MTV 90s, MTV 00s, MTV Live HD and Club MTV, which were withdrawn from the market. 

Kino Polska Group offers localised version of DocuBox
POLAND 13:01

Kino Polska Group offers localised version of DocuBox

Polish broadcaster Kino Polska Group, part of SPI International is offering new version of the television channel DocuBox tailored for Polish viewers with dedicated programming and voice-over. DocuBox now offers a brand new schedule with a carefully curated selection of content but also the ability to watch every title from its library with Polish narration. 

Orange Poland runs promotion for VoLTE smartphones after 3G switch-off
POLAND 12:43

Orange Poland runs promotion for VoLTE smartphones after 3G switch-off

Orange Poland has introduced a promotion for VoLTE smartphones aimed at customers handing in obsolete devices after the operator switched off its 3G network in December. Orange is sending messages about the promotion to postpaid customers who are using smartphones that only support GSM/3G services. Customers can obtain a discount of up to PLN 500.

T-Mobile Poland adds Eurosport 3 to TV lineup
POLAND 11:16

T-Mobile Poland adds Eurosport 3 to TV lineup

T-Mobile Poland has added the channel Eurosport 3 from Warner Bros Discovery to the lineup of its pay-TV service Magenta TV. The channel will be available in an open window for all subscribers of the operator until 31 March. The lineup already included Europsort 1 and Eurosport 2.

VodafoneZiggo works on customer service automation with DeepDesk
NETHERLANDS 11:08

VodafoneZiggo works on customer service automation with DeepDesk

VodafoneZiggo has improved its customer service in a cooperation with the Amsterdam-based company Deepdesk. According to an interview posted by the companies, this has supported automation of 20 percent of customer contacts, a 15 percent reduction in the time to handle customer queries and a total savings of some 36,000 man hours. Customer satisfaction also improved, the company said. 

Azercell offers 56 GB data package for 6 months with iPhone 17 until 31 January
AZERBAIJAN 10:32

Azercell offers 56 GB data package for 6 months with iPhone 17 until 31 January

Azeri operator Azercell Telecom is running a promotion for the latest Apple smartphone models, the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone Air. Customers buying one of these will receive a six-month subscription to Azercell's 56 GB internet package. The offer is available to both new and existing Azercell subscribers and runs until 31 January at selected Azercell sales and service centres.

Honor brings flagship Magic8 Pro smartphone to Europe
EUROPE 10:24

Honor brings flagship Magic8 Pro smartphone to Europe

Honor announced the release of its Magic8 Pro flagship smartphone in Europe. It first comes to the UK, priced at GBP 1,099 and available from multiple operators and retailers, and the phone also is available for pre-order in selected other European markets for EUR 1,299. Released in China last autumn, the Magic8 Pro is designed to show off the latest in AI innovations. 

Asus teams up with Xreal for ROG gaming glasses
GLOBAL 08:48

Asus teams up with Xreal for ROG gaming glasses

Asus has teamed up with smart glasses market Xreal to release its own augmented reality glasses under the ROG – Republic of Gamers brand. The ROG Xreal R1 glasses come with a dock to connect to a PC or games console and can also connect over USB to devices like the ROG Ally handheld in order to project a larger display. With a refresh rate up to 240 Hz and micro-OLED FHD display, they draw on Xreal's expertise in connected glasses to deliver a new high-performance gaming experience.

KDDI launches K-Pop YouTube channel "PBLive Produced by au"
GLOBAL 06:39

KDDI launches K-Pop YouTube channel "PBLive Produced by au"

KDDI has launched a new YouTube music channel, PBLive Produced by au, to distribute K-Pop content globally. The channel is built around the concept "One Booth, One Live" and features live-style performances by K-Pop artists filmed in a phone booth–inspired set. Through the format, KDDI aims to deliver Korean music content produced in Korea to audiences worldwide via YouTube. The first release will feature a music clip by Korean three-piece band CNBLUE, scheduled for publication on 12 January. A teaser video

Viu launches short-form vertical video offering on mobile app
ASIA 06:22

Viu launches short-form vertical video offering on mobile app

Viu, the video streaming service operated by PCCW, has launched a new short-form video section called Viu Shorts, expanding its content catalogue with vertically formatted micro-dramas designed for mobile viewing. Viu Shorts is available within the Viu mobile app and features episodic content typically running between one and three minutes per episode. The new section sits alongside Viu's existing long-form television series and films and is aimed at viewers seeking shorter viewing sessions on mobile device

Vodafone Czechia introduces new convergent offer Giga Kombo
CZECH REPUBLIC 8 JAN

Vodafone Czechia introduces new convergent offer Giga Kombo

Vodafone Czech Republic has introduced a new fixed-mobile convergent offer called Giga Kombo, giving customers who take multiple services discounts of up to 30 percent discount on the subscriptions. The new offer applies to a whole range of services from Vodafone, including the new BezLimit and Black mobile tariffs, plus their Extra variants, as well as fixed broadband (including fixed wireless) and the Vodafone TV+ service. By combining the above services, a total of four levels of benefits can be achieved

POLAND 8 JAN

Samsung Poland offers rebate with some Galaxy smartphones until 18 January

Samsung Electronics Poland is offering PLN 500 cashback to customers buying certain of its flagship smartphones by 18 January. The rebate will be made to their Samsung Wallet or a bank card. The promotion applies for purchases of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25+, Galaxy S25 Edge or Galaxy S24 made from Samsung's web shop or at branches of certain retail  partners, including the chains Media Expert, RTV Euro AGD, Media Markt, x-kom and Komputronik.

GLOBAL 8 JAN

Xiaomi unwraps 5G-capable Poco M8, M8 Pro handsets

Xiaomi has launched the latest iteration in its budget to mid-range Poco M smartphone line-up. Poco M8 and M8 Pro 5G both support 5G mobile services straight out of the gate, whereas last year's Poco M7 was available in 4G-only versions as well as 5G. Poco M8 and M8 Pro will retail at a list price of EUR 269.90 and EUR 349.90, respectively. A limited-time EUR 60 discount is available on Xiaomi's online storefront until 14 January. In the UK, the RRP is GBP 229 for the M8 5G and GBP 309 for the M8 Pro 5G, re

CHILE 8 JAN

Entel to compensate over 2 mln clients for improper charges

Chile's consumer protection authority Sernac said operator Entel has agreed to compensate subscribers affected by improper non-renewals of contracts and offers of new contracts that took effect on 01 January 2023. Under the voluntary collective procedure, Entel will pay a total of CLP 8,500,243,960 to over 2.63 million consumers of mobile, fixed and pay-TV telecommunications services for unilaterally terminating contracts and immediately setting up new ones without customer consent. 

SPAIN 8 JAN

Finetwork launches gigabit plan with two mobile lines for under EUR 30

Spanish operator Finetwork has announced the launch of two new low-cost convergent plans less than a couple of months after Vodafone Spain (Zegona) took over the brand. Both come with two mobile lines with 50GB of data each plus 600 Mbps fibre for EUR 25 a month and 1 Gbps for EUR 30.

UNITED STATES 8 JAN

Apple signs up Chase to take over credit card business

Apple is changing banks for its credit card operation in the US and announced a new deal with Chase. The companies agreed a 24-month transition period for Chase to become the new issuer of Apple Card, replacing Goldman Sachs, which has run the Apple service since it launched in 2019. Mastercard will remain the payment network for Apple Card, and other services are unchanged, the company said. 

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 8 JAN

SKT sees customer satisfaction with post-incident compensation measures

A survey conducted by SK Telecom (SKT) has highlighted customer responses to compensation initiatives introduced following last year's cyber security incident, with discounts on mobile bills and additional data allowances receiving the highest satisfaction ratings. The survey, carried out between 2 and 5 January 2026 among 4,978 customers, found that 68.7 percent of respondents identified the one-month 50 percent discount on August 2025 mobile bills as the most impactful measure.

UNITED KINGDOM 7 JAN

5 claims strongest streaming growth among UK public broadcasters

The 5 streaming service in the UK claims it was the fastest-growing streaming service among UK public service broadcasters for the second year in a row in 2025. The platform owned by Paramount grew its total viewing minutes, as measured by Barb, by 34 percent last year. That is better than ITVX (+24%), 4 Streaming (+11%) and BBC iPlayer (+7%), it said. 

UNITED KINGDOM 7 JAN

Sky Mobile to raise prices by GBP 1.50 per month for existing customers

UK MVNO Sky Mobile announced plans to increase monthly prices for the majority of its existing customers by GBP 1.50 from 14 February. The company noted that this is the first price hike for in-contract customers in seven years, and it's also less than most other major mobile providers. Out-of-bundle tariffs will be unchanged. 

UKRAINE 7 JAN

Lifecell extends 2-year price freeze offer

Ukrainian operator Lifecell has extended its promotion for a two-year price freeze. Customers connecting to convergent tariff plans Lifeset L or Lifeset XL over the number porting by 15 February are offered the same subscription rate for two years.

BELARUS 7 JAN

MTS Belarus starts collection of unused devices for recycling

MTS Belarus started a programme to collect unused devices in its shops. Special boxes for handsets, tablets and small household appliances have been placed in 14 service centres of the operator in Minsk, regional centres, as well as Baranovichi, Borisov, Orsha and Polotsk. The project is planned to expand, with all the collected devices recycled.

RUSSIAN FEDERATION 7 JAN

Motiv offers free Yandex subscription with new smartphones

Russian mobile operator Motiv has introduced a promotion to customers buying smartphones in its shops. Customers buying a smartphone from RUB 20,000 and connecting to the Own Tariff 500 or higher and the package Easy are offered a free annual subscription to Yandex Plus from the internet company Yandex. The promotion is valid until 15 January.

FRANCE 7 JAN

Orange delays plan to stop selling ADSL in France

Orange France has been forced to revise its plans to withdraw ADSL connectivity from its commercial offers, reports Le Monde. An analysis of an Excel document released in mid-December shows that the operator has postponed the deadline for this withdrawal for nearly 23 million premises, representing approximately half of the country's total. This decision leaves open the option for B2C and B2B customers across this footprint to subscribe to a new ADSL line until 31 January 2027. Under the previous deadline,

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Background

5 JAN 00:52

The week in telecom: Finnish security check, M&A completions and telco job cuts

23 DEC 2025 10:32

Netherlands TV-video market grows 2.6% in Q3 to EUR 759 mln

22 DEC 2025 00:25

The week in telecoms: YouTube, Instagram take on TV market and WBD rejects Paramount

15 DEC 2025 01:04

The week in telecom: Wi-Fi bolt-ons take off to boost broadband growth, video market works on consolidation