Czech broadcaster Prima gets licence for new sports channel
CZECH REPUBLIC 23 JUN

Czech broadcaster Prima gets licence for new sports channel

Czech broadcaster FTV Prima has received a licence for the launch of a new sports TV channel from the National Broadcasting Council. The licence for the Prima Sport channel is valid for 12 years, and the company has been cleared to broadcast on DVB-T2 and the Internet. 

Namibia's Cran rejects Starlink, public appeals over licence denial
NAMIBIA 23 JUN

Namibia's Cran rejects Starlink, public appeals over licence denial

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has dismissed all 624 public petitions and Starlink's own appeal to reconsider its March decision rejecting the company's telecommunications licence application. Cran received 624 public reconsideration requests. However, 622 of these applications failed to meet basic procedural and jurisdictional requirements, it said in a statement. The requests lacked essential details, such as clearly identifying the challenged decision, stating specific grounds

Seven operators submit bids on Brazil's fourth reverse auction
BRAZIL 23 JUN

Seven operators submit bids on Brazil's fourth reverse auction

A fourth reverse auction, jointly organized by Brazil's Ministry of Communications, Anatel and Seja Digital, aims to bring internet coverage to approximately 100,000 people across 112 locations in 17 different states. Seven operators submitted bids for this initiative, which plans to allocate BRL 20 million to accelerate the installation of base radio stations, the government announced. These installations will bring 5G coverage to areas that were originally slated to receive it much later, between 2028 and

Telia Lithuania acquires 5G frequencies for almost EUR 10 mln
LITHUANIA 22 JUN

Telia Lithuania acquires 5G frequencies for almost EUR 10 mln

Telia Lithuania acquired two blocks in the 1,500 MHz band for almost EUR 10 million in an auction organized by the regulator RRT. The company received the largest share of these frequencies sold, at 40 MHz, sand said it will use the spectrum for further development of the 5G network. A total of three 20 MHz frequency blocks were sold at the auction. 

Bluetooth SIG and Wi-Fi Alliance partner up to tackle signal conflicts, explore 6 GHz co-existence
GLOBAL 22 JUN

Bluetooth SIG and Wi-Fi Alliance partner up to tackle signal conflicts, explore 6 GHz co-existence

Bluetooth's Special Interest Group (SIG) and the Wi-Fi Alliance have agreed to look at ways of enhancing RF co-existence between their respective technologies. This co-operation will initially focus on 6 GHz connections. The partners will jointly progress measures which address larger device fleets and wireless footprints, while meeting the technical demands of more advanced use cases. These efforts will focus on practical methodology and technical frameworks to evaluate co-existence in unlicensed bands, re

Oman amends regulations for radio frequency and device registration
OMAN 22 JUN

Oman amends regulations for radio frequency and device registration

Oman's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) plans to amend the regulation organizing the registration, use and pricing of radio frequencies and devices, Muscat Daily reported. The draft amendment to the regulation aims to ensure the optimal utilisation of the frequency spectrum, encourage investment, and promote the deployment of telecommunications services. It also seeks to establish the necessary regulatory framework to enable the provision of new services and simplify the procedures for obtainin

Chad's Arcep rolls out real-time network quality tracker
CHAD 22 JUN

Chad's Arcep rolls out real-time network quality tracker

Chad's telecom regulator Arcep has deployed a real-time monitoring tool to measure operator service quality. This rollout follows a wave of persistent consumer complaints, marking a significantly tougher stance by authorities against poor network performance, Ecofin reported. The new platforms feature advanced systems that allow Arcep to monitor data traffic, network performance, infrastructure failures, and spectrum usage in real time.

Federated Wireless taps physical AI to maximise CBRS spectrum efficiencies
UNITED STATES 19 JUN

Federated Wireless taps physical AI to maximise CBRS spectrum efficiencies

CBRS spectrum sharing vendor Federated Wireless is deploying physical AI modelling based on its wireless RF co-ordination footprint to allocate capacity in commercial CBRS deployments. Scheduled for release in the coming weeks, the Spectrum AI platform applies intelligence to real-world physics data in an RF context, producing greater detail on propagation conditions, interference and spectrum assignments to inform configurations. The technology validates broader expectations that RF telecoms will increasin

Mexico asks AT&T to pay MXN 1.5 bln to renew key spectrum rights - report
MEXICO 19 JUN

Mexico asks AT&T to pay MXN 1.5 bln to renew key spectrum rights - report

Mexico's telecommunications regulator has asked AT&T Mexico to pay MXN 1.47 billion (around USD 86.6 million) to renew spectrum concessions in key 800 MHz and 850 MHz bands for another 20 years, reports business daily El Economista. The frequencies, considered essential for 4G LTE and 5G services, include coverage in densely populated Cellular Region 9, encompassing Mexico City, the State of Mexico, Morelos and Hidalgo.

Govt imposes strict conditions on Telecom Argentina's Movistar buy
ARGENTINA 19 JUN

Govt imposes strict conditions on Telecom Argentina's Movistar buy

Argentina's National Competition Authority (ANC) said it is prepared to authorise Telecom Argentina's USD 1.25 billion acquisition of Telefonica's local subsidiary (Movistar Argentina) if it agrees to a series of strict "structural and behavioural" conditions designed to prevent excessive concentration in the telecommunications market and safeguard effective competition for the benefit of users. These include the requirement that Telecom Argentina divest 6 million mobile customers and associated infrastruct

Iraq approves Starlink operating license
IRAQ 18 JUN

Iraq approves Starlink operating license

Iraq has approved Starlink's operating license to launch satellite internet service in the country, Iraqi News reported. This agreement, cleared in coordination between Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and US Special Presidential Envoy Tom Barrack, permits SpaceX's low-Earth orbit satellite network to formally enter the country. 

Telecall fined over missed 5G obligations in Colombia
COLOMBIA 18 JUN

Telecall fined over missed 5G obligations in Colombia

Colombia's Ministry of Information Technology and Communications (Mintic) has fined Brazilian company Telecall a total of COP 7.4 billion for failing to meet commitments tied to the country's 2023 5G spectrum auction. The sanction relates to Telecall's failure to make an initial payment exceeding COP 41.4 billion for spectrum rights and delays in submitting required financial guarantees.

EUROPE 17 JUN

EU radio spectrum advisor questions proposed licensing reforms

The EU's Radio Spectrum Policy Group is opposing several aspects of the European Commission's proposed Digital Networks Act. In a response to the draft legislation, the RSPG said it may complicate several aspects of spectrum licensing and coordination, rather than deliver the simplification desired by the Commission and market. The advisory body is not in favour of the plan to merge much of its activities with the telecom regulator Berec in a new agency, nor does it support transferring many national spectr

EGYPT 17 JUN

Egypt signs USD 400 mln data centre deal with Hassan Allam

The National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has signed a licensing agreement with Hassan Allam Digital Infrastructure to develop and operate a data centre in Egypt. The company will invest approximately USD 400 million in the initial phase to construct a data centre built to global standards. To meet the rising demand for data hosting and cloud computing services, the company plans to scale capacity in the coming years. 

UNITED KINGDOM 16 JUN

Ofcom consults on plans to support satellite networks, services

UK regulator Ofcom is consulting on plans to update spectrum rules to support satellite networks and services. Firstly, it is consulting on plans for the 2 GHz Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) band - 1980-2010 MHz and 2170-2200 MHz. It is proposing to allow existing licence holders Viasat and EchoStar to continue using the spectrum for a 3-5 year transitional term, once the current licences expire in May 2027. This will allow them to continue providing their services, including the European Aviation Network.

BELGIUM 16 JUN

Agoria calls for more supportive regulatory environment for telecom investment

Investment in the telecom sector in Belgium is under pressure from a complex, fragmented regulatory environment, according to a report from the tech industry association Agoria. Complex permitting processes, a high tax burden and a steady stream of new regulations are holding back investment in telecom infrastructure, the group warned. Obtaining a permit in Belgium takes at least three months, compared to less than three weeks in the Netherlands and 4-6 weeks in France.

BANGLADESH 16 JUN

Grameenphone starts deployment of 700 MHz spectrum across Bangladesh

Grameenphone reports it has started the nationwide deployment of its recently acquired 700 MHz spectrum to upgrade network performance across Bangladesh. The integration of this low-band spectrum is designed to enhance indoor signal penetration and expand mobile coverage footprint, particularly in rural areas.

COTE D'IVOIRE 15 JUN

Starlink wins licence to operate in Cote d'Ivoire from July

Starlink will launch commercial fixed satellite internet services in Cote d'Ivoire in July, Space in Africa reported. Regulator ARTCI has granted operational authorisation to Starlink Network CIV for twelve months. Djibril Ouattara, the minister of digital transition and technological innovation, said the licence lets Starlink offer services that can connect schools, health centres and remote rural areas that previously lacked internet access.

ITALY 12 JUN

TIM receives EUR 1 bln licence fee refund

Telecom Italia (TIM) said it has received a refund amounting to "just over EUR 1 billion" for licence fee payments dating back 28 years. The refund corresponds to the restitution of the licence fee TIM paid in 1998, the year after the country's telecommunications sector was deregulated. In a short statement, TIM confirmed the amount covers the original licence fee of just over EUR 500 million plus revaluation and accrued interest.

MOZAMBIQUE 11 JUN

Mozambique begins licensing digital operators

The Mozambican government has begun issuing licenses to digital operators, delivering the first nineteen to intermediary electronic service providers and digital platform operators, reported Integrity Magazine. This initiative stems from the Electronic Transactions Law and aims to enhance trust, security and transparency in the national digital economy.While 170 companies are registered in the system, only nineteen have so far met the rigorous compliance and technical requirements for licensing.

UNITED KINGDOM 10 JUN

G.Network Holdco seeks code powers for London FTTP network

UK regulator Ofcom is consulting on proposals to apply electronic communications code powers to G.Network Holdco. The consultation closes on 13 July 2026. G.Network Holdco is seeking powers to support operation and expansion of an FTTP network acquired in central London. It plans to continue providing retail (residential and business) and wholesale connectivity services on the network. 

KENYA 10 JUN

Amazon seeks Kenyan approval for satellite earth station

Amazon has formally applied for regulatory approval to build and operate its first African satellite ground station in Kenya. The application was submitted by local subsidiary Amazon Kuiper Kenya to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) and seeks a fifteen-year International Gateway Operator licence. According to a Kenya Gazette notice published by the CA,  it has applied for a Network Facilities Provider (NFP) Tier 2 licence, the same category currently used by Starlink in Kenya. 

AUSTRALIA 10 JUN

ACMA consults on 2.5 GHz changes to support 5G and advanced antenna systems

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has launched a consultation on proposed changes to the technical framework governing spectrum licences in the 2.5 GHz band, with the aim of better supporting 5G deployments and advanced antenna systems (AAS). The regulator said the 2.5 GHz band is a key spectrum band for wireless broadband services, but the current framework, which was originally developed in 2013, is not optimised for newer technologies like 5G and AAS.

NAMIBIA 9 JUN

Namibian regulator receives over 600 appeals to reverse Starlink ban

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) says it has received 624 applications from the public requesting a reconsideration of its decision to deny an operating licence to Starlink Internet Services Namibia. CRAN said the appeals were submitted entirely by aggrieved citizens and stakeholders but added that it received a formal reconsideration application from Starlink Internet Services Namibia on 08 June. The regulator will process all submissions in accordance with the Communications Act.

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Commentary

23 JUN 09:56

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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?

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Background

21 JUN 22:52

The week in telecom: sovereignty debate comes to VivaTech, Ericsson succession and Fox buys Roku

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