BSNL, Viasat to power Indian Navy's satellite communications upgrade programme
INDIA 08:53

BSNL, Viasat to power Indian Navy's satellite communications upgrade programme

Indian operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Viasat have announced they are supporting the next phase of the Indian Navy's satellite communications upgrade programme, scheduled for launch later this month. Under the terms of an agreement signed between BSNL and the Indian Defense Forces, Viasat's Ka-band satellite systems will be used alongside its existing L-band infrastructure to deliver secure connectivity for Indian naval platforms.

US, Taiwan strike USD 500 billion semiconductor trade agreement
TAIWAN 08:38

US, Taiwan strike USD 500 billion semiconductor trade agreement

The American Institute in Taiwan and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US have signed a trade deal designed to reshore America's semiconductor sector. The US Department of Commerce said it expects this commitment of investment from Taiwan to strengthen US economic resilience, create high-paying jobs, and increase national security. Taiwanese semiconductor and technology enterprises will make new, direct investments totaling at least USD 250 billion to build and expand semiconduct

Egypt and UK agree to strengthen ICT cooperation
EGYPT 08:36

Egypt and UK agree to strengthen ICT cooperation

Egypt and the UK have resolved to boost investment in the ICT sector and attract more UK companies to invest in the North African country's offshoring industry. Egyptian ICT minister Amr Talaat and British Ambassador Mark Bryson-Richardson have discussed cooperation in the areas of digital modernisation, training, artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies. They explored opportunities to expand cooperation in cloud computing, data centres, cybersecurity, fintech and digital infrastructure, and t

SKT advances to next phase of Korea's national AI Project
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 06:18

SKT advances to next phase of Korea's national AI Project

SK Telecom (SKT) has confirmed that its specialist team has progressed to the second phase of South Korea's national "Independent AI Foundation Model" project, following the successful evaluation of its large-scale language model, A.X K1. A.X K1 is a 519-billion-parameter model, making it the first domestically developed AI model in South Korea to exceed the 500-billion-parameter threshold. 

Korea chooses three teams for next phase of AI foundation model project
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 06:13

Korea chooses three teams for next phase of AI foundation model project

South Korea's ministry of science and ICT has announced the results of the first-stage evaluation of its national "Independent AI Foundation Model" project, confirming that teams led by LG AI Research, SK Telecom (SKT) and Upstage will advance to the second phase. A fourth team is set to be selected through an additional call to maintain a four-team competition structure in 2026.

German government provides another EUR 1.8 bln for fibre expansion
GERMANY 15 JAN

German government provides another EUR 1.8 bln for fibre expansion

The German government has held a ceremony to mark the latest allocation of EUR 1.8 billion in federal funding towards fibre-optic expansion in areas where it is not commercially lucrative for companies to build networks. Federal Minister for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation Karsten Wildberger said the state provided the funds last year to 536 projects. This went to expanding the fibre broadband coverage even in small villages and communities, and he presented certificates to some of the o

Nigerian Parliament could pass AI law by end of March
NIGERIA 15 JAN

Nigerian Parliament could pass AI law by end of March

Nigeria is seeking to become one of the first African countries to formally regulate artificial intelligence (AI), Bloomberg reported. Lawmakers there are working to pass the National Digital Economy and E Governance Bill before the end of March.

AWS starts sovereign cloud service in Europe
EUROPE 15 JAN

AWS starts sovereign cloud service in Europe

Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced the general availability of the AWS European Sovereign Cloud, its new offering designed to meet demand from the public sector and critical industries for local storage and increased data protection. Located physically and logically separate from other AWS Regions, the new service launches first in Germany and will come soon to AWS Local Zones in Belgium, the Netherlands and Portugal. 

Korean govt completes second emergency radio exercise
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 15 JAN

Korean govt completes second emergency radio exercise

South Korea's central radio management office (CRMO) of the ministry of science and ICT has conducted the second emergency radio communications simulation exercise to ensure a stable emergency radio communications system in the event of forest disasters such as wildfires. The exercise tested if fixed VHF radio stations for forest protection were lost or destroyed whether communications can be maintained by other fixed radio stations. The exercise was conducted in the area around Gyeryongsan National Park an

Senegalese ICT ministry discusses telecom sector issues with Yas
SENEGAL 14 JAN

Senegalese ICT ministry discusses telecom sector issues with Yas

Senegal's ICT ministry officials has held talks with Yas Senegal as part of ongoing engagements with key players in the country's telecoms sector, TechAfrica News reported. The visit centred on discussing the strategic role of the sector in strengthening national sovereignty, enhancing economic competitiveness, promoting territorial cohesion and ensuring equitable access to essential services for citizens.

Mozambique starts tender to bring internet to 301 rural areas
MOZAMBIQUE 14 JAN

Mozambique starts tender to bring internet to 301 rural areas

Mozambique, through its Ministry of Communications and Digital Transformation, has launched a tender to accelerate broadband internet access in 301 rural locations, reported Luas. Funded by the World Bank as part of Mozambique's Digital Acceleration Project, this initiative aims to bridge the country's digital divide by providing high-speed internet and voice services to under-served communities. Phase 1 will see infrastructure built in 95 locations across the southern and central regions. In Phase 2, broad

Brazil's Goias to roll out free Wi-Fi in 40 tourist destinations
BRAZIL 14 JAN

Brazil's Goias to roll out free Wi-Fi in 40 tourist destinations

The government of the Brazilian state of Goias is rolling out free public Wi-Fi in 40 tourist destinations across 28 municipalities. This initiative, spearheaded by the General Secretariat of Government (SGG), aims to boost tourism and local economies, particularly in areas with poor internet access. The project covers famous Goian landmarks like Terra Ronca State Park, Kalunga Community, Emas National Park, and Sao Jorge District. It will also bring digital connectivity to remote villages such as Pinga-Fog

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.

IRAN (ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF) 14 JAN

Iran reopens international calls but maintains domestic internet blackout

Iran has partially eased a nationwide communications blackout by restoring international telephone services, while continuing to block domestic and international internet access, NDTV reported. The move comes after days of anti-government protests triggered by a severe economic crisis and the plummeting value of the Iranian rial.

AUSTRALIA 14 JAN

Australian Defence Extends UHF Satellite Communications via SES IS-22

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has signed an extended agreement with satellite operator SES to secure uninterrupted ultra-high frequency satellite communications via the IS-22 satellite. The deal provides continuity of service through 2033, with options that could extend access to 2041, ensuring ongoing UHF connectivity for Australian military operations.

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 14 JAN

Korea, Netherlands to deepen chip, quantum R&D ties

South Korea and the Netherlands have agreed to strengthen cooperation in semiconductor and quantum technology development following the fourth Korea-Netherlands Innovation Joint Committee, held in The Hague on 14 January. The meeting was convened by South Korea's ministry of trade, industry and energy and the Dutch ministry of economic affairs. The two governments signed a letter of intent to expand collaboration in semiconductors and quantum technologies, citing both countries' technical capabilities and t

UNITED KINGDOM 13 JAN

MPs call for more govt investment in digital connectivity infrastructure

The Digital Communities All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has called on the UK government to launch an urgent review of the country's digital infrastructure to help boost connectivity and drive growth. The group warns that economic growth, social inclusion and technological leadership are all at risk from a continued lack of broadband and mobile coverage in parts of the UK, including urban, rural and coastal areas.

UGANDA 13 JAN

Uganda shuts down internet ahead of elections

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has ordered telecommunications service providers to cut internet access across the country, citing a need to maintain security during the election period. The directive, which follows a recommendation from the inter-agency Security committee, went into effect at 18:00 hrs on 13 January. In addition to the internet blackout, the commission suspended the sale and registration of new Sim cards and outbound data roaming to One Network Area countries. The directive come

RWANDA 13 JAN

Rwandan delegation visits Oman to discuss investment opportunities

Rwanda and Oman have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to accelerate the growth of Rwanda's ICT sector including data centres, cloud computing, infrastructure and artificial intelligence. The Rwandan delegation, which included business leaders and ICT stakeholders, met with Omani Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology ​Said bin Hamoud Al-Maawali to explore investment opportunities in Rwanda's technology ecosystem. The agreements aim at strengthening partnership between the

NIGERIA 13 JAN

Nigerian govt to own maximum 49% in fibre network project company financed by World Bank loan

The Nigerian government has announced plans to channel a USD 460 million World Bank loan into the proposed fibre infrastructure company set up to deploy 90,000 kilometres of climate-resilient broadband fibre across the country, CommunicationsWeek reported. The plan is contained in the Financing Agreement for the Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth project between the government and the International Development Association, the concessional lending arm of the World Bank. The government will

JAPAN 13 JAN

IIJ adds ID and gateway services to govt's ISMAP cloud list

Internet Initiative Japan Inc. (IIJ) announced that IIJ ID Service, a cloud-based authentication management service, and IIJ Secure Web Gateway Service, its cloud-based web security service, have been registered on the Cloud Service List under the government's Information System Security Management and Assessment Program (ISMAP) as services that meet ISMAP security standards. ISMAP is a framework established by the Japanese government to ensure security standards in the procurement of cloud services for gov

SRI LANKA 13 JAN

Dialog to invest LKR 420 mln in healthcare, education sectors recovery after Cyclone Ditwah

Sri Lanka operator Dialog Axiata has committed LKR 420 million toward the government's 'Rebuilding Sri Lanka' national initiative, following the impact of Cyclone Ditwah. The commitment will support critical recovery efforts across healthcare and education benefiting communities in affected regions. These include the restoration and upgrading of essential hospital infrastructure and the refurbishment of ICT facilities in affected schools, in collaboration with relevant authorities.

CHAD 12 JAN

Chad's ADETIC officially joins ITU

Chad's Agency for the Development of Information and Communication Technologies (ADETIC) has officially joined the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to help strengthen digital governance in Chad. This membership grants ADETIC the status of Sector Member of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (ITU-D) and marks a significant strategic step forward in the implementation of the national digital transformation policy and the positioning of Chad within international telecommunications regulatory an

POLAND 12 JAN

Polish president vetoes law implementing DSA

Polish president Karol Nawrocki has vetoed a law implementing the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) in the country. The president claims that this law, de facto, means implementation of censorship. The Ministry of Digitisation responded with a statement saying the law is focused on expanding citizen rights against digital corporations and the fight against illegal online content.

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Background

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