Telenor to bring new Android TV box to Sweden and Finland
SCANDINAVIA 15 JAN

Telenor to bring new Android TV box to Sweden and Finland

Advanced Digital Broadcast (ADB) said that it is preparing to expand provision of its Android TV launcher for Telenor's television services in Sweden and Finland, after supplying it for the recently introduced T-We Boks III in Norway. Hardware and software were provided by Kaon with Tech4home supplying the remote control. The T-We Boks III forms the foundation for a unified Nordic TV platform, with upcoming deployments planned for Telenor Sweden and DNA Finland.

Broadband Forum updates CPE model for improved power management and energy savings
GLOBAL 15 JAN

Broadband Forum updates CPE model for improved power management and energy savings

The Broadband Forum has updated its specifications for customer premises equipment in an effort to reduce power consumption by the devices. The latest TR-181 update introduces new power management capabilities that allow for automatic shutdown of ports, radio or other networking functions when not in use on the routers and set-top boxes, resulting in significant energy savings.

Russian tablet market contracts in 2025
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 14 JAN

Russian tablet market contracts in 2025

Sales of tablets in Russia fell to 2.9 million units in 2025, according to figures from the mobile and electronics retail chain M.Video. Sales revenues amounted to RUB 54.6 billion. The retailer a big increase in lower priced devices, with the share of tablets costing RUB 8,000 to RUB 13,000 rising to 22.8 percent of unit sales from 18.1 percent the previous year. Tablets costing up to RUB 8,000 accounted for just over one in five devices sold, while the premium segments RUB 17,000 to RUB 26,000 and over RU

Voneus takes up Netgem Pleio platform for video services
UNITED KINGDOM 14 JAN

Voneus takes up Netgem Pleio platform for video services

Netgem announced a new customer for its Pleio entertainment platform, the regional fibre operator Voneus in the UK. The collaboration will see Voneus offer Netgem Pleio to deliver streaming, TV and gaming services to its broadband customers. 

Dialog launches Blackview 5G smartphone and tablet in Sri Lanka
SRI LANKA 14 JAN

Dialog launches Blackview 5G smartphone and tablet in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka operator Dialog Axiata has launched two Blackview 5G devices on the local market. The new Blackview Shark 6 5G features a 6.88-inch HD+ IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate and an octa-core 5G Unisoc T8100 processor.

Google shifts premium Pixel development to Vietnam - report
UNITED STATES 14 JAN

Google shifts premium Pixel development to Vietnam - report

Google will start developing and manufacturing premium smartphones in Vietnam this year, the Nikkei reports. Google will begin carrying out new product introductions (NPI) for its Pixel, Pixel Pro and Pixel Fold phones in Vietnam. Development of the lower-end Pixel A series will remain in China for now, according to one of the unnamed sources.

Samsung Wallet adds digital car key support for some Toyota models
NORTH AMERICA 14 JAN

Samsung Wallet adds digital car key support for some Toyota models

Samsung Electronics has announced that Samsung Wallet will support digital car key functionality for selected Toyota vehicles from January 2026, starting with the 2026 Toyota RAV4. The capability allows users of compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphones to lock, unlock and start their vehicles without a physical key. The digital key feature uses a combination of ultra-wideband and near field communication technologies to enable vehicle access.

EE launches new insurance plans for multiple devices
UNITED KINGDOM 13 JAN

EE launches new insurance plans for multiple devices

BT Group's consumer unit EE has announced the launch of new Multi Tech Cover insurance plans for devices purchased from EE and elsewhere. The cover includes theft, loss, accidental damage, extended warranty, global coverage and manufacturer-approved repairs for unlimited eligible devices. The launch comes as new research shows that almost 25 percent of Brits have had to replace a device over the last 12 months; with almost two thirds (64%) saying they would prefer a single, easy policy to cover all of their

Apple chooses Google's Gemini to power iPhone's Siri
GLOBAL 13 JAN

Apple chooses Google's Gemini to power iPhone's Siri

Apple and Google have entered into a multi-year collaboration which will see the next generation of Apple Foundation Models based on Google's Gemini models and cloud technology. These models will help power future Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalised Siri due this year. The Siri deal unlocks a large market with Apple's installed base of more than two billion active devices, marking a strategic win for Google in the AI race against OpenAI.

Ghana consults on use of 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi services
GHANA 12 JAN

Ghana consults on use of 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi services

Ghana's National Communications Authority (NCA) has launched a public consultation on a proposal to open up the lower 6 GHz band (5,925–6,425 MHz) for Wi-Fi 6 services. The consultation calls for pubic comments until 25 February. The proposal seeks to boost digital growth by authorising unlicensed Wireless Access Systems/Radio Local Area Networks (WAS/RLANs) in the spectrum band. 

Nkom to oversee compliance with EU Cyber Resilience Act in Norway
NORWAY 12 JAN

Nkom to oversee compliance with EU Cyber Resilience Act in Norway

Norwegian telecoms regulator Nkom said it will expand its remit now that the government is starting to implement the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA). Norway is not an EU member but does belong to the European Free Trade Area (EFTA), which is linked to the EU via the EAA. Nkom is already responsible for oversight under the Radio Equipment Directive, which gained new cybersecurity requirements for radio equipment from 01 August 2025.

Brits hoard 49 million old games consoles, worth GBP 4.14 billion
UNITED KINGDOM 12 JAN

Brits hoard 49 million old games consoles, worth GBP 4.14 billion

New research from Virgin Media O2 shows that Brits are hoarding around 49 million old gaming consoles at home, worth a total of GBP 4.14 billion. This increase follows a Christmas gaming gift book, with Virgin Media O2 reporting a 170 jump in Nintendo Switch console and a 5 percent increase in Xbox sales. With almost three quarters (71%) of Brits struggling for cash in January, games could earn an average of GBP 145 by trading in their old consoles through O2 Recycle.

GLOBAL 12 JAN

Global PC shipments up 9% in 2025 as supply constraints cloud 2026 outlook

Global PC shipments rose 9 percent in 2025 to 279.5 million units, driven by a strong fourth-quarter performance, according to new data from Omdia. Total shipments grew 10.1 percent year-on-year to 75 million units in the October to December period, as both notebooks and desktops recorded solid gains. Notebook shipments for the year climbed 8.0 percent to 220.4 million units, while desktops grew faster at 14.4 percent, reaching 59 million units.

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 12 JAN

ChatGPT tops Korea's mobile app downloads last year

ChatGPT ranked first in new installations in South Korea's mobile application market last year, far outpacing other apps, according to IGAWorks' Mobile Index. ChatGPT reached 16.57 million cumulative new downloads last year, the highest among all mobile applications. The number of ChatGPT users leapt by 341 percent from January to December last year, pushing its overall ranking up to 27th. According to Maeil Business, citing company sources, the number of active devices using the app also reached 19.49 mill

LITHUANIA 9 JAN

Telia Lithuania announces bestselling laptops

Telia Lithuania announced a list of the bestselling laptops in its shops in 2025. The list includes the Apple MacBook Air 13.6, MSI Thin 15.6/ i5 16 GB/512 GB / RTX 3050, Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15.6 / Ryzen 5 / 8 GB/512 GB, MSI Vector AI 16 / Ultra 7/16 GB/1 TB / RTX 5070 Ti and Lenovo LOQ 15.6 / i5 / 24 GB / 1 TB / RTX 4060.

GLOBAL 9 JAN

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.

UGANDA 9 JAN

Ugandan ICT ministry seeks to boost local government digital communication with the public

Uganda's ICT ministry has handed laptops to 176 district communication officers to enhance government information dissemination and strengthen strategic communication at the local administrative level. Aminah Zawedd, permanent secretary in the ICT ministry, said that for many years, communication officers have operated under significant constraints, relying largely on traditional communication methods such as press statements and newspaper articles, despite the rapid shift to digital platforms. She said tha

UNITED KINGDOM 9 JAN

UK pushes ahead with mobile, Wi-Fi sharing in upper 6 GHz band

The UK is moving ahead with plans to allow mobile and Wi-Fi services to share the upper 6 GHz band. Regulator Ofcom has issued a detailed proposal on how sharing the spectrum between Wi-Fi and mobile services would work, and said it expects to allow low-power Wi-Fi applications in the frequency range before the end of this year. The proposal is open for public comment until 20 March.

ASIA 9 JAN

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

GLOBAL 7 JAN

Wi-Fi industry prepares for greater SP 6 GHz adoption, Wi-Fi 8 launch in 2026

The Wireless Broadband Association has shared its expected trends for the Wi-Fi industry in 2026 and beyond in its annual industry report. Among things to watch out for is accelerated Wi-Fi 7 adoption, tapping strong consumer and enterprise demand for 6 GHz-capable networks and building on existing market momentum from 2025. Citing ABI Research, the association says 2025 shipments of Wi-Fi 7-capable access points are estimated at 66.5 million units, more then doubling 2024's volume of 26.3 million units. Th

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.

GLOBAL 7 JAN

Netgear commences pre-orders for 5G M7 portable hotspot

Netgear has started taking pre-orders for a portable 5G hotspot with built-in eSIM marketplace connectivity. Announced in late 2025, the Nighthawk 5G M7 has a list price of USD 499.99. This puts Netgear's product at the quality end of the market, targeting power users such as international and business travellers, catered to through software-based access to eSIM data plans in over 140 countries.

GLOBAL 7 JAN

Wi-Fi Alliance aims to lure IoT interest with new 20 MHz Wi-Fi 7 certification

The Wi-Fi Alliance announced it is expanding its certification programme for Wi-Fi 7 devices, introducing a stream tailored to 20 MHz channel applications used by IoT and smart home devices. The move reflects the fact that a lot of IoT operates purely in narrow spectrum slices. While new iterations of Wi-Fi leverage wider channels to drive performance gains, the Wi-Fi Alliance recognises that its Certified programme has tended to side-line IoT makers that would benefit from other technical advances.

GLOBAL 7 JAN

Infinix presents AI Glasses at CES

Infinix has announced the presentation of its Infinix AI Glasses at CES in Las Vegas. The range comprises a standard and Pro model. These are Infinix's first ever AI wearables and should reach the market in 2026, with pricing and availability varying by region. The new spectacles are run by a purpose‑built, dual‑chip architecture, featuring a 6nm main System on Chip (SoC) processor and dedicated imaging chip for extended battery life and effective thermal control.

Just In

09:52

Airtel Tanzania adds 2 towers in Northern Zone

09:51

Belgian mobile market under pressure from Digi, broadband impact still to come

09:49

Comcast upgrades broadband in Massachusetts public, affordable housing

09:44

Spacecoin obtains approvals for satellite internet pilots in Kenya and Nigeria

Commentary

2 JAN 13:21

Open Dutch Fiber's new management team takes up turnaround challenge

15 DEC 2025 13:56

Video market set for slower growth ahead

8 DEC 2025 11:38

Netflix buys Warner Bros to deepen content catalogue

31 OKT 2025 11:11

KPN's mixed performance in Q3 raises questions for strategy day

Background

09:51

Belgian mobile market under pressure from Digi, broadband impact still to come

15 JAN 08:55

Fairphone still a small player but market share growing in Netherlands

12 JAN 00:04

The week in telecoms: CES brings Wi-Fi 8 and more smart glasses, while Warner sticks with Netflix

5 JAN 00:52

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