Sir Ian Cheshire confirmed as new chair of Ofcom
UNITED KINGDOM 13:20

Sir Ian Cheshire confirmed as new chair of Ofcom

The UK government has announced the appointment of Sir Ian Cheshire, former chair of broadcaster Channel 4, as the new Chair of Ofcom. The appointment was confirmed following a pre-appointment heating with UK Parliament's Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee. He takes over Lord Michael Grade, who terms as Ofcom chair ended on 30 April 2026. 

Omani TRA plans to connect 49 remote schools with satellite internet
OMAN 12:39

Omani TRA plans to connect 49 remote schools with satellite internet

The Oman Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) says it will launch a nationwide satellite initiative to provide high-speed internet to remote and hard-to-reach government schools, Muscat Daily reported. Samah Al Khudouri, infrastructure specialist at the TRA, said this is the first phase of a plan to ensure full connectivity at every school in Oman. This will enable every pupil and teacher to benefit from digital educational services and modern learning technologies.

Kenya partners with Google to launch AI-driven tourism strategy
KENYA 12:24

Kenya partners with Google to launch AI-driven tourism strategy

The Kenyan Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has launched a partnership with Google Kenya involving the use of artificial intelligence and its Magical Kenya 'Origin of Wonder'. The aim is to double international visitor arrivals and modernise destination management. The government and Google Kenya will introduce a Gemini-powered AI trip planner to create personalised visitor itineraries. They will combine consumer technology with precision marketing and digital training for young people and small and medium-

Denmark launches AltID mobile identification system
DENMARK 08:47

Denmark launches AltID mobile identification system

The Danish Digitisation Authority has announced the availability of AltID, Denmark's new and official mobile identification application. AtID provides two items of evidence, namely proof of age and a virtual identity card. For security, the information is only stored locally on the user's phone, and no-one else can find out where and when an item of evidence has been used.

Mexican watchdog backing automatic registration of mobile lines without consent
MEXICO 08:38

Mexican watchdog backing automatic registration of mobile lines without consent

Mexico's telecommunications regulator CRT is allowing mobile operators to automatically link postpaid lines to the CURP (Unique Population Registry Code) database using customer data already on file, even without seeking fresh consent, according to a report in business daily Expansion. The move comes as Mexico heads toward a 30 June deadline for mandatory registration of all mobile prepay and postpay lines with official ID documents.

TPG Telecom warns of lock-in risks in Australia's universal mobile plan
AUSTRALIA 06:49

TPG Telecom warns of lock-in risks in Australia's universal mobile plan

TPG Telecom has warned that Australia's proposed Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO) could fail to deliver its intended outcomes unless policymakers address funding, regulatory and technology readiness concerns before legislation is finalised. Chief technology officer Giovanni Chiarelli said legislative timelines were advancing ahead of both technology and regulatory readiness, with no clarity on how UOMO would be funded.

London Mayor to back calls for under 16s social media ban
UNITED KINGDOM 2 JUN

London Mayor to back calls for under 16s social media ban

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, will use a speech in London on 01 June to back calls for a social media ban for under 16s. He will also call on tech firms to tackle the spread of misogynistic content on their platforms and publicly confirm how they will revamp their algorithms to stop hateful content being added to children's feeds. This part of a wider campaign to tackle a lost generation of boys and young men negatively influenced by the manosphere. He will also call on regulator Ofcom to adopt a stricte

Polish KPO scheme reaches 294,000 households passed in May
POLAND 2 JUN

Polish KPO scheme reaches 294,000 households passed in May

The Project Centre Digital Poland (CPPC) has announced that 294,102 households were covered by broadband networks under National Recovery and Resilience Programme (KPO) projects by the end of May. The figure comes from the national monitoring and analysis system SIMBA and is up from 274,778 homes two weeks ago. Poland aims to cover 521,000 households by the end of August under an extended deadline for the European Commission programme.

Finnish cyberattack simulation focuses on supply chain vulnerabilities
FINLAND 2 JUN

Finnish cyberattack simulation focuses on supply chain vulnerabilities

The Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communication (LVM) said the 2026 National Cyber Security Exercise (KYHA) for state administration organisations was held from 25 to 29 May. The simulation targeted supply chains and critical dependencies, seeking to influence citizen services through cyber-attacks using real-world threat actor tactics and techniques. It aims ensure the capability of critical infrastructure operators to act in cyber security crisis situations. 

Germany signs MoU with Estonia to foster AI use
GERMANY 2 JUN

Germany signs MoU with Estonia to foster AI use

The German government has announced a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Estonia to foster the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The Federal Ministry for Digitisation and Government Modernisation (BMDS) said the two countries will share concepts, best practices, lessons and policies on ways to support the development and adoption of agentic AI and AI platform technologies in the public sector. They will explore aligning approaches for developing platforms such as AI sandboxes, a trustworthy AI toolbo

Uzbekistan and Omnitele discuss expanding broadband and deploying 5G
UZBEKISTAN 1 JUN

Uzbekistan and Omnitele discuss expanding broadband and deploying 5G

Uzbek Minister of Digital Technologies Sherzod Shermatov has held talks with representatives of Finnish telecommunications consulting and engineering company Omnitele to discuss the development of telecom infrastructure and digital connectivity, Trend reports, citing the ministry. The meeting focused on expanding broadband networks, deploying 5G technologies and improving digital connectivity across Uzbekistan. The parties exchanged views on mobile network planning and optimisation, the use of data-driven a

Brazil launches Infovia 03, doubling internet speed in Amapa
BRAZIL 1 JUN

Brazil launches Infovia 03, doubling internet speed in Amapa

Brazilian Minister of Communications Frederico de Siqueira Filho was due to inaugurate Infovia 03 in Macapa, state of Amapa, on 01 June. Through this project, internet service providers in Macapa will now be able to offer broadband at up to 2 Gbps, doubling the previous 1 Gbps top speed. In Afua, Para, on Marajo Island, speeds will jump from 300 Mbps via radio to 750 Mbps via fibre-optic cable. Furthermore, Infovia 03 should reduce internet outages by providing another access route for both Amapa and Para.

UNITED KINGDOM 1 JUN

UK govt plans tougher penalties for subsea cable damage

The UK government is considering new proposals to impose tougher penalties on ship owners/operators that damage underwater internet cables. A consultation on plans to strengthen national security and deter hostile states from recklessly sabotaging critical national infrastructure (CNI) is planned for later in 2026. The government is also considering imposing new security obligations on cable owners/operators to secure their infrastructure. The plans were outlined in a speech at the Royal United Services Ins

AUSTRALIA 1 JUN

AUKUS launches first Pillar II project focused on uncrewed undersea vehicles

Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States have announced the first AUKUS Pillar II signature project, focused on developing payloads and enabling systems for uncrewed undersea vehicles (UUVs), with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2027. The project will develop technologies that can be deployed across the three nations' UUV platforms, with an emphasis on interoperability, common control systems and shared operational concepts. 

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 1 JUN

Korea unveils private-sector cybersecurity plan to address AI-driven threats

South Korea's ministry of science and ICT has announced a new information security strategy aimed at helping the private sector respond to cyber threats enabled by increasingly capable AI systems. The plan sets out a combination of immediate measures and longer-term initiatives designed to strengthen cybersecurity across industry and establish what the ministry describes as national AI security sovereignty.

FRANCE 1 JUN

SoftBank to invest up to EUR 75 bln in French AI data centre infrastructure

SoftBank Group has announced plans to develop and operate 5 GW of AI-focused data centre capacity in France, representing a potential investment of up to EUR 75 billion. The first phase of the programme will involve an initial investment of EUR 45 billion to deliver 3.1 GW of capacity in the Hauts-de-France region. The project forms part of the 2026 Choose France summit and includes planned data centre developments in Dunkirk, Bosquel and Bouchain, with completion targeted by 2031.

AFRICA 29 MEI

East African telecom regulators resolve to fix cross-border connectivity challenges

Heads of the East African Community (EAC) communications regulatory authorities have concluded a week-long meeting in Tanzania to advance a harmonised regional mobile roaming framework. Key issues including priced structures, consumer protection, compliance monitoring, dispute resolution mechanisms and operational coordination. EAC deputy secretary general in charge of infrastructure, productive, social and political sectors, Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, said digital connectivity has become a strategic enabl

AZERBAIJAN 29 MEI

Azerbaijan integrates AzinTelecom, Aztelekom and Azerbaijan Post, to launch satellite Azerspace-3

Azeri state-owned holding company Azcon is continuing work on combining the companies AzinTelecom, Aztelekom and postal services provider Azerpost as a single ecosystem, according to Report, citing Azcom CEO Shakhin Babayev. The work is focusing on synergies among internal processes. Babayev also said that Azerbaijan plans to start exploitation of the satellite Azerspace-3 by the end of 2029. The project is related to the approaching life expiry of Azerspace-1.

CZECH REPUBLIC 29 MEI

CTU to host 2 training events for European E-Enforcement Academy project

The Czech national telecommunications regulator CTU will organise two professional training events as part of the European E-Enforcement Academy project in 2026 and 2027. The events will focus on detecting illegal conduct online and on sharing experiences between European regulatory institutions.

SIERRA LEONE 29 MEI

Sierra Leone govt begins developing national AI strategy

The government of Sierra Leone has begun developing its first national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy, led by the ICT ministry in partnership with the World Bank Group. The ministry said the government first evaluated the country's technological landscape. The Draft Sierra Leone AI Readiness Diagnostic Report establishes this foundation by assessing national readiness to adopt AI systems that serve all citizens equally. The ministry says its bringing together media organisations, civil society, gover

COLOMBIA 29 MEI

Colombia tests D2D emergency messaging with Skylo and Viasat

Colombia has conducted its first pilot test of direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity, successfully transmitting an emergency message from a remote area without mobile coverage, the Ministry of Information Technology and Communications (Mintic) announced. The message was sent from Sumapaz via Skylo Technologies' non-terrestrial network to a Viasat satellite and routed to an emergency response centre in Bogota.

RUSSIAN FEDERATION 28 MEI

Russia steps up requirements on telecom operators to supply data for law enforcement

Russian Ministry of Digitisation has issued a new legal document including requirements on providing with personal data of users for telecommunications operators, reports Kommersant citing the document placed on the portal of legal information. Operators will be required to provide legal enforcement and security services with ID data, addresses, banking data, taxpayer numbers, IP-addresses, domains, logins, location and employment data. New requirements have been expanded significicantly by comparison to ea

BRAZIL 28 MEI

Brazil to expand mobile connectivity on highways for road safety

The Ministry of Communications (MCom) is working on expanding mobile connectivity on Brazilian highways for road safety reasons. Currently, out of 122,397 kilometres of federal highways, 65,156 km have 4G coverage and 13,139 km have 5G reception. MCom is striving to extend this coverage, particularly in strategic corridors.

CZECH REPUBLIC 28 MEI

Czech mobile ID app user base exceeds 1 mln

The user base of the Czech ID mobile application eDoklady has exceeded the threshold of 1 million, according to a statement from the governmental digitisation and information agency DIA. The threshold of 1 million downloads was regisered on 25 May. The mobile application, which was launched by DIA in January 2024, is being downloaded, on average, by 5,000 new users per week.

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Background

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

11 MEI 00:53

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