MTS offers to buy back smartphones for cash
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 14:04

MTS offers to buy back smartphones for cash

Russian operator MTS introduced Smart Cash, an offer for customers to sell back smartphones and other electronic goods purchased in shops of the operator. The maximum repayment is 70 percent of the price of the device. The option is available in all regions where MTS operates. Repayment can reach up to 70 percent after six months from acquisition, and up 50 percent starting from the 182th day after acquisition.

Huawei launches new Curve Pay feature with Watch Fit 5
UNITED KINGDOM 13:06

Huawei launches new Curve Pay feature with Watch Fit 5

Huawei is promoting a new contactless pay feature with its new Huawei Watch Fit 5 series. The smartwatch supports phone-free payments at any NFC contactless terminal with Curve Pay. To protect against unauthorised payments, the watch automatically triggers a passcode requirement if the watch is taken off the user's wrist. The passcode must be entered to access sensitive features or payments on the watch.

Smart home devices reach 30% of Dutch households
NETHERLANDS 09:20

Smart home devices reach 30% of Dutch households

Around 30 percent of Dutch households have smart home devices, up from 24 percent in 2022. At the same time almost 1.2 million, or 14 percent of households, have plans to buy a smart device within the next year, according to a report from Multiscope. Robot vacuums in particular have proven popular, owned by 12 percent of households, followed by smart washing machines or dryers (9%) and connected dishwashers (6%).

Acer, Asus ordered intro arbitration with Nokia over video license
UNITED KINGDOM 07:37

Acer, Asus ordered intro arbitration with Nokia over video license

Nokia has secured a victory in its patent licensing dispute with Acer and Asus. A UK court dismissed suits brought by the Taiwanese companies and said they must enter arbitration with Nokia over licensing its video coding technology, Reuters reports. 

Japan's mobile operators align incentives for Xperia 1 VIII launch
JAPAN 06:55

Japan's mobile operators align incentives for Xperia 1 VIII launch

KDDI and Okinawa Cellular Telephone, NTT Docomo and SoftBank have announced the launch of Sony's Xperia 1 VIII smartphone in Japan on 11 June 2026, with all three operators opening reservations on 13 May. Across all operators, the launch is accompanied by a common campaign framework offering up to JPY 15,000 equivalent in loyalty points, subject to pre-registration, purchase within a set period and application via the Xperia Lounge app.

Google rethinks laptops with Android OS, AI cursor
GLOBAL 06:41

Google rethinks laptops with Android OS, AI cursor

Google is launching a new line of laptops, running the Android operating system. While the Googlebooks will be made by other manufacturers, including Acer, Asus, Lenovo, HP and Dell, they will feature tight integration of Google's own software, showcasing the latest advances in its Gemini AI. The first models will launch this autumn.

SK Broadband targets digital education market with 5 Gbps school networking switch
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 05:53

SK Broadband targets digital education market with 5 Gbps school networking switch

South Korea's SK Broadband (SKB) has developed a 5 Gbps network switch designed for school communications networks as demand grows for AI-enabled and high-bandwidth digital learning applications. The operator said the new "5Giga PoE Switch" was jointly developed with NST Information & Communication and provides 5 Gbps connectivity across 24 Ethernet ports, doubling the throughput supported by many existing PoE switches used in schools.

Imec spinout Eyeo attracts EUR 40 mln to advance colour-splitting image sensors
BELGIUM 12 MEI

Imec spinout Eyeo attracts EUR 40 mln to advance colour-splitting image sensors

Eyeo has raised USD 40 million in series A funding to commercialise a novel image sensing concept that would capture all incoming light to guide colour photons to individual pixels. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Eyeo is an academic spinout based on research assets from Belgian nanoelectronic institute Imec. The investment, which lifts Eyeo's lifetime funding to EUR 55 million, was led by a pan-European venture fund called Innovation Industries with participation from existing Eyeo investors Imec.xpand,

US FCC loosens restriction on foreign-produced routers to permit software updates until at least end-2028
UNITED STATES 12 MEI

US FCC loosens restriction on foreign-produced routers to permit software updates until at least end-2028

The US Federal Communications Commission has tweaked its policy on consumer-grade internet routers manufactured abroad to ensure existing devices can receive security patches and other software updates for longer. In a notice issued by the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology, the commission moved to extend waivers on software and firmware updates that mitigate security risks until at least 01 January 2029 from January 2027 previously. The exemption will also be expanded to cover a broader range of so

Nokia rolls out new agentic AI features in fixed broadband management software
GLOBAL 12 MEI

Nokia rolls out new agentic AI features in fixed broadband management software

Nokia has announced that it is bringing new agentic AI features to fixed broadband management software platforms including Altiplano, Corteca and Broadband Easy. The AI agents leverage natural language processing to implement automated root cause analysis and problem solving, targeting access and residential equipment managed with Nokia's software, including fibre and Wi-Fi use cases.

Matter alliance partners OpenADR to link smart home with flexible energy demand services
GLOBAL 12 MEI

Matter alliance partners OpenADR to link smart home with flexible energy demand services

The Connectivity Standards Alliance has struck a deal with the OpenADR Alliance to build a bridge between the Matter smart home interoperability protocol and the OpenADR 3 specification, which empowers demand-side management in energy utilities. Together, the two protocols would form an end-to-end communications pathway from energy distribution grids to residential end devices, allowing OEMs to build smart technology that responds to grid activity and produces consumer benefits in terms of bill credits and

Huawei leads expanding wearables market in Russia
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 11 MEI

Huawei leads expanding wearables market in Russia

Sales of wearable devices totaled around 1.5 million units in Russia in the first quarter of this year, according to figures from the mobile and electronics retail chain M.Video. Sales revenues amounted to RUB 11.5 billion. The average retail price of the devices grew by 10 percent year-on-year to RUB 7,800. Huawei, Xiaomi and Redmi led unit sales, and Huawei, Apple and Samsung were at the top by sales revenues.

GLOBAL 11 MEI

Sony and TSMC consider new joint venture to deliver leading-edge image sensors

Sony and Taiwanese chip foundry TSMC will explore the possibility of establishing a joint venture (JV) to develop next-generation image sensor components, building on their existing partnership in the CMOS image sensing arena. At this stage, the companies have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding that would see Sony take a majority stake in the new entity. The incorporation of a JV vehicle is dependent on a legally-binding agreement and customary closing conditions being satisfied, Sony added.

POLAND 8 MEI

Plus sells new Huawei smartwatches

Polish operator Polkomtel, trading under the Plus brand, has started sales of new smartwatches from Huawei in its shops. The Huawei Watch Fit 5 is available for PLN 599 (PLN 1 plus twelve monthly payments of PLN 49.83 each). The Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro costs PLN 949 (PLN 1 plus twelve monthly payments of PLN 79 each).

GLOBAL 8 MEI

Nintendo confirms Switch 2 price increase to offset rise in memory prices

Nintendo has forecast a fall in sales and profits in its new fiscal year to March 2027, as the rise in memory costs leads to a reduction in demand and profitability for its game consoles. While its revenues nearly doubled in the past year following the launch of the Switch 2, the company forecasts an 11 percent fall in turnover this year to around JPY 2.05 trillion. The company confirmed that Switch 2 prices will go up from 25 May in Japan (+JPY 10,000) and September in the rest of the world (+USD 50/EUR 30

JAPAN 8 MEI

Sony forecasts results under pressure in new fiscal year from rise in memory costs

Sony reported slightly lower net profit for its fiscal year to March, as growth in digital music and imaging sensors was offset by writedowns on video game production company Bungie and its exit from the electric car market. For the new year the Japanese company gave a cautious outlook as the spike in memory prices leads to a slowdown in game console and smartphone sales. 

GLOBAL 8 MEI

Google updates Fit app to Google Health, adds coach subscription and Fitbit Air

Google is making a new push in the consumer health market, citing health as one of the top subjects on its search engine. The company launched the new Google Health app with a premium subscription and an entry-level wearable called the Fitbit Air. 

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 8 MEI

Regulator fines KT KRW 640 mln over Galaxy S25 pre-order cancellations

South Korea's Korea Communications Commission (KCC) has fined Korea Telecom (KT) KRW 640 million for violations of the Telecommunications Business Act linked to the operator's Galaxy S25 smartphone pre-order campaign. The regulator said KT failed to properly inform customers during the January 2026 pre-order period that promotional benefits beyond official subsidies were limited to the first 1,000 customers on a first-come, first-served basis.

GLOBAL 8 MEI

Huawei expands consumer device portfolio with new tablets, wearables and smartphones

Huawei has launched a range of new consumer devices at a global product event in Bangkok, including tablets, smartwatches, children's wearables and smartphones, as the company continues to expand its connected device ecosystem. The launch included the MatePad Pro Max tablet, the Watch FIT 5 Series, the Watch GT Runner 2 Racing Legend Edition, the Watch Ultimate Design Spring Edition, the Watch Kids X1 Series and the nova 15 Max smartphone.

BELGIUM 7 MEI

MediaMarkt, Snapdragon sign up as Tomorrowland sponsors

Retailer MediaMarktSaturn and Qualcomm's Snapdragon are the new sponsors of the Belgian dance music festival Tomorrowland. The three partners are launching a media campaign from 15 May across 11 countries under the name 'Tomorrow's AI' to highlight the roll of new technology in live entertainment.  

BRAZIL 7 MEI

ZTE and MediaTek target premium broadband market in Brazil

ZTE announced a partnership with MediaTek to bring premium Wi-Fi 7 and XGSPON connectivity products to the Brazilian market. This collaboration is targeting the high-end segment of residential users and small businesses. At the 2026 ZTE Broadband User Congress, the two companies unveiled their joint strategy to expand a product portfolio designed for consumers demanding advanced technology, comprehensive coverage, ultra-high speeds, and low-latency network performance. This enhancement is expected to notabl

GLOBAL 7 MEI

Global tablet shipments flat at 37 million units in Q1 - Omdia

Global tablet shipments were flat at 37 million units in Q1 2026, up 0.1 percent from Q1 2025, according to Omdia. Apple led the market with shipments of 14.83 million units, up 7.9 percent from 13.75 million a year-earlier, for a 40.1 percent market share. Samsung tablet shipments reached 5.79 million in Q1, down 12.6 percent year-on-year, for a 15.7 percent market share.

BRAZIL 7 MEI

Claro launches 4K set-top box from ZTE in Brazil

ZTE announced a contract with Claro Brasil to launch a new generation of 4K Ultra HD IP set-top box (STB) in Brazil. This new device aims to deliver an integrated and seamless entertainment experience, combining stunning Ultra HD visuals, intelligent voice control, fast connectivity, and a vast array of content. The Z4KW6 offers sharper picture quality and intuitive, hands-free far-field voice interaction, ensuring a faster, smoother, and more user-friendly experience. Its enhanced connectivity guarantees s

FRANCE 7 MEI

Bouygues Telecom unveils limited designer edition of latest Bbox

French operator Bouygues Telecom announced the forthcoming availability of a limited‑edition version of its latest Bbox, which supports Wi‑Fi 7 connectivity. The casing of this broadband equipment has been given a unique makeover in collaboration with French designer brand Maison Sarah Lavoine, featuring abstract motifs in black, white and dark teal. The launch forms part of a programme of initiatives organised by Bouygues Telecom to celebrate 30 years in business.

Just In

14:26

Mobiuz expands 5G network in Namangan region

14:25

Meeza agrees backup services with European and Asian partners

14:23

Beeline Russia adds favourite numbers option

14:19

STC Group rebrands Giza Systems as Pulse by Solutions

Commentary

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

11 FEB 12:29

Odido shareholders face tricky exit after abandoned IPO

Background

11 MEI 00:53

The week in telecom: Lumen, NTT turn to data centre market to revive growth, Hutchison exits UK

3 MEI 23:05

The week in telecoms: big tech faces costs of AI boom and Wi-Fi market consolidates

27 APR 14:33

Virgin Media O2: from coax to fibre and 80% coverage in 2028

26 APR 23:04

The week in telecoms: sovereign hopes take hold in Europe and Apple confirms new CEO