UK govt publishes consultation on future of TV distribution
UNITED KINGDOM 23 JUN

UK govt publishes consultation on future of TV distribution

The UK government has published a Media Green Paper on proposed reform to the UK's public service media system. This consults on options to force social media firms and video sharing platforms to make PSM news content more prominent and easy to find on their platforms. This includes news content from the BBC, Channel 4, 5, ITV, STV, S4C and other trustworthy providers. For instance, one option could be for a range of local/national news publishers being more likely placed at the top of social media feeds, h

EU funds Baltic, Mediterranean hubs for rapid subsea cable repairs
EUROPE 23 JUN

EU funds Baltic, Mediterranean hubs for rapid subsea cable repairs

The European Commission (EC) announced it will grant EUR 5.8 million to establish the first two Regional Cable Hubs in the EU, in the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, as part of efforts to accelerate submarine cable repairs and increase infrastructure resilience. It is also launching a call for EUR 40 million more funding to increase European capacity to repair submarine communication cables.

US government brings forward PQC migration date to 2030-31
UNITED STATES 23 JUN

US government brings forward PQC migration date to 2030-31

The US government has moved forward its recommended date for securing networks against quantum computer attacks. An executive order from the White House instructs federal agencies to adopt post-quantum encryption by 2030 or 2031 depending on the use case, earlier than the previous deadline of 2035. This comes as the US accelerates its efforts to develop quantum supercomputers. 

Ecuador merges telecoms and transport into new infrastructure ministry
ECUADOR 23 JUN

Ecuador merges telecoms and transport into new infrastructure ministry

Ecuador's government has created a new Ministry of Infrastructure and Technology, merging the portfolios of telecommunications and transport as part of President Daniel Noboa's plan to cut public spending and centralise state functions.The new ministry, to be led by current transport minister Roberto Luque, will absorb the responsibilities of the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Society (Mintel) and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.

Flemish proposal to put data centres last in line for new power connections
BELGIUM 23 JUN

Flemish proposal to put data centres last in line for new power connections

Data centres and battery parks may fall to the bottom of the list for access to the electricity grid in Flanders, according to a new proposal from the regional government parties. A report in De Tijd said the proposal would give households and businesses willing to adopt flexible energy use priority for new connections to the congested grid, while data centres would have the lowest priority when capacity is limited. 

Nigerian govt rejects IMF recommendations on telecom and fuel taxes
NIGERIA 23 JUN

Nigerian govt rejects IMF recommendations on telecom and fuel taxes

The Nigerian government has rejected International Monetary Fund (IMF) recommendations to introduce new taxes on telecom services and petroleum products. The ministry of finance emphasized that IMF suggestions are strictly advisory and do not automatically become national policy. The government confirmed that the VAT waiver on fuel remains active and has not been withdrawn, and the telecommunications excise duty introduced prior to 2023 has been completely repealed under newer tax laws and is no longer vali

Firebird AI factory in Armenia nears completion of first phase
ARMENIA 23 JUN

Firebird AI factory in Armenia nears completion of first phase

Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan said that the Firebird AI data centre, currently under construction in Armenia, is a strategically important initiative, reports Arka.am. The current activities and upcoming programs of the AI Factory were discussed at a meeting chaired by the prime minister, the government press service reported. 

Dutch govt eyes EUR 23 mln in savings from consolidating domain contracts
NETHERLANDS 23 JUN

Dutch govt eyes EUR 23 mln in savings from consolidating domain contracts

The Dutch government could save around EUR 23 million per year by unifying its contracts for domain names, according to a brief from the interior ministry sent to parliament. The analysis looked at websites running the .gov.nl and .overheid.nl web extensions used for public websites and emails. Consolidating contracts and websites could reduce the total cost of managing the extensions to around EUR 24 million, compared to the current budget of EUR 50 million.

NTT Docomo, NEC and 1Finity selected for Japan 6G research programme
JAPAN 23 JUN

NTT Docomo, NEC and 1Finity selected for Japan 6G research programme

NTT Docomo, NEC and 1Finity have been selected to participate in a Japanese government-funded research programme aimed at developing technologies for 6G mobile networks in the 2030s. The project, titled "Research and Development of Mobile Communication Networks Enabling Cross-Band Frequency Utilisation", was selected under the ministry of internal affairs and communications' new research and development for the expansion of radio resources initiative. NTT, Fujitsu, NTT Docomo, NEC and 1Finity will jointly c

Korea launches KRW 200 bln New Space Fund as AI satellite programme begins
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 23 JUN

Korea launches KRW 200 bln New Space Fund as AI satellite programme begins

The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) has outlined new measures to support the country's space industry and launched an initiative to deploy AI-enabled satellite information services in partnership with local governments and private companies. At the second meeting of its public-private aerospace industry council in Seoul, KASA met with 28 companies spanning aircraft manufacturing, satellites, launch vehicles and emerging space technologies to discuss industry development priorities. The agency said it

UK govt could force social media firms to prioritise PSB news content - report
UNITED KINGDOM 22 JUN

UK govt could force social media firms to prioritise PSB news content - report

The UK government is considering forcing video platforms and social networks to give priority to BBC and other public service broadcasting (PSB) content, reports The Telegraph newspaper. According to unnamed sources at the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, the proposals would give priority to news from PSBs, including ITV and Channel 4, to help tackle disinformation and maker it easier for internet users to access "trusted news sources". A consultation on the proposals is expected to be published in th

Commvault partners with UAE Cyber Security Council to boost cyber resilience
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 22 JUN

Commvault partners with UAE Cyber Security Council to boost cyber resilience

The UAE Cyber Security Council (CSC) and Commvault have launched a dedicated Innovation Centre of Excellence in Abu Dhabi, as part of efforts to strengthen the national digital resilience and safeguard critical infrastructure. The CoE will serve as a regional hub for cyber resilience research and innovation and digital infrastructure protection. It will also provide a central venue for executive, customer, and partner engagements, as well as dedicated workstations and demonstration areas showcasing Commvaul

UGANDA 22 JUN

UCC proposes tax cuts to boost digital economy

Lower taxes on smartphones, internet data and mobile money transactions could support digital inclusion, infrastructure investment, and innovation, according to a report from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC). The report says Uganda's communications sector has grown to 43 million mobile subscriptions and 27 million internet users, yet faces high access costs due to a heavy tax burden. The regulator identified multiple levies, including excise duties, VAT, and import duties on devices, as a hinderen

UGANDA 22 JUN

Uganda launches five-year strategy to raise e-govt take-up to 40%

The National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U) launched its Strategic Plan, mapping out a five-year roadmap to modernize public service delivery for the digital age. The plan sets a goal to grow the proportion of Ugandans actively using e-government services from a baseline of 9.2 percent to 40 percent by FY 2029/30. This will be delivered through six strategic objectives spanning ICT infrastructure expansion, smart e-government access, cybersecurity and data protection, BPO and IT-enabled se

JAPAN 22 JUN

Turkmenistan seeks cooperation with Japan on AI

Turkmenistan has expressed its willingness to cooperate with Japan in the field of artificial intelligence. This was reflected in a press release published by the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Japan following a meeting between Turkmen Ambassador to Japan Atadurdy Bayramov and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike. The meeting also discussed issues of AI and digital transformation, the embassy said, and the sides exchanged views on expanding cooperation in economic, industrial, and technological sectors.

SOUTH AFRICA 22 JUN

South African minister talks digital economy with US ambassador

South Africa's communications minister Solly Malatsi met with US Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the digital economy. The ministry said in a statement that the discussion centered on the high-growth potential of the ICT sector, focusing on digital infrastructure investments, innovation, connectivity, and technology-driven economic growth. The ministry said advancing South Africa's digital transformation requires strategic partnerships that attract investment, expand op

UZBEKISTAN 22 JUN

Uzbekistan explores tech partnership with Qatar's MBK Holding

Uzbekistan and Qatar's MBK Holding discussed opportunities to expand cooperation in digital investments, startup development, artificial intelligence, and other advanced technologies, reports Trend. This was reflected in the statement by the Uzbekistan Ministry of Digital Technologies, following the meeting between the minister Sherzod Shermatov and Sheikh Mansoor Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the founder and chairman of MBK Holding.

MEXICO 22 JUN

Mexico launches consultation on 2.3 GHz spectrum tender for industrial use

Mexico's Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (CRT) has opened a public consultation on a proposed tender for spectrum in the 2.3 GHz band, aimed at supporting industrial use and digital transformation. The watchdog intends to grant 10-year commercial concessions for the use and operation of frequencies intended to boost technological infrastructure and competitiveness across productive sectors.

GHANA 22 JUN

MTN Ghana cuts fibre broadband prices after govt pressure

MTN Ghana has slashed its FTTH subscription tariffs by up to 70 percent following negotiations with the government. The updated pricing structure was announced on social media by minister for communication Samuel Nartey George who confirmed that the drastic reductions are the direct result of recent ministerial discussions aimed at establishing affordable pricing models. The price drop directly supports government goals to guarantee affordable internet and superior service quality for all Ghanaians, the min

UNITED KINGDOM 22 JUN

UK Information Commissioner resigns after workplace investigation

The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has announced the resignation of Information Commissioner John Edwards. This follows an investigation into his behaviour, which found that it "fell short of the conducted expected from a public official". He had already voluntarily stepped away from his duties as Information Commissioner at end-February to allow for an independent workplace investigation. He has submitted his resignation to the UK Government's Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

BRAZIL 22 JUN

Brazilian govt earmarks BRL 39 million to connect Juazeiro

The Brazilian government has launched a digital inclusion package for the city of Juazeiro (Bahia) to bridge the digital divide in rural areas. The lion's share, or BRL 39.1 million, is dedicated to deploying 23 mobile towers across 24 rural communities, ensuring access to mobile internet and phone signals. Statewide, Bahia has seen BRL 74.8 million spent on rural telephony, with another BRL 62.9 million scheduled by year-end, the communications ministry announced.

SWEDEN 22 JUN

Telia, Ericsson, AstaZero open 5G, 6G test lab with public backing in Sweden

Sweden's leading telecom companies are opening a new lab to test 5G, 6G and AI innovations. The Digital Area Sweden initiative is led by Telia, Ericsson and AstaZero, with support from the public innovation fund Future by Lund and the national innovation agency Vinnova through Sweden's 'Advanced Digitalization' industrial programme. The lab will be open to businesses and public administration bodies to test advanced digital solutions in a range of conditions, helping accelerate adoption of new mobile and AI

PAKISTAN 22 JUN

Pakistan to expand FTTH coverage to 10 million households by 2028

Pakistan's Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja has announced the government's plans to expand FTTH coverage to 10 million households "within the next two years", Associated Press of Pakistan reports. FTTH coverage in Pakistan currently reaches 5 million household passed, the minister added.

PHILIPPINES 22 JUN

PLDT, government launch 4 new Unified 911 satellite command centers in Philippines

PLDT, through its corporate business arm PLDT Enterprise, and ICT subsidiary ePLDT, is expanding the government's Unified 911 platform across the country. Following the establishment of the National Command Center in Manila and the Regional Command Center in Cebu in 2025, four new satellite command centers (SCCs) were recently launched in Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Iloilo and Leyte. This expansion is designed to enable faster emergency response to more provinces in Northern Luzon and the Visayas.

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