Polish tech industry group calls for greater flexibility in 5G private network rules
POLAND 14:30

Polish tech industry group calls for greater flexibility in 5G private network rules

Polish ICT industry group Cyfrowa Polska has warned the draft plan for awarding the 3,800-4,200 MHz band issued by the regulator UKE may hinder the development of private 5G networks in Poland. The industry group supports the general direction of the proposed changes and the alignment of regulations with the EU legal framework. Nevertheless, there are specific areas where the adopted approach is more restrictive than technical analyses conducted by international institutions would suggest is needed.

Syria launches first VoLTE services
SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC 12:10

Syria launches first VoLTE services

Syria announced the successful test of its first Voice over LTE (VoLTE) call, marking a significant step in the country's telecommunications modernization, transitioning from legacy circuit-switched calls to a fully IP-based system, Alsourya reported.  The pilot was conducted on MTN Syria's new IMS platform, enabling faster call connection, clearer audio, and simultaneous high-speed data browsing. 

Swedish PTS representatives take seats on IRIS2 steering group
SWEDEN 10:51

Swedish PTS representatives take seats on IRIS2 steering group

Swedish telecoms regulator PTS said representatives of its Spectrum Processing Unit Jonas Medbo and Farshad Moradi sit on the steering group that manages frequency rights needed for IRIS2, the EU's scheme to cut dependence on satellite organisations outside Europe.

Anterix, Benton PUD ink utilities spectrum deal in Washington
UNITED STATES 06:58

Anterix, Benton PUD ink utilities spectrum deal in Washington

Anterix has reached an agreement to sell a 10 MHz 900 MHz spectrum licence to Public Utility District No. 1 of Benton County in Washington, marking what it described as the first private wireless broadband deployment among publicly owned utilities in the Pacific Northwest. The utility-owned network will cover Benton PUD's 927-square-mile service area, supporting more than 58,000 customers across several communities including Kennewick, Richland, Prosser, Benton City and Finley.

South Africa opens consultation on new permit, access rules to speed up telecom network construction
SOUTH AFRICA 21 APR

South Africa opens consultation on new permit, access rules to speed up telecom network construction

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has published draft regulations aimed at supporting the faster deployment of telecom networks and facilities. These are open for public comment until 25 May. Issued under Section 4 of the Electronic Communications Act, these rules aim to accelerate broadband roll-out by streamlining land access and reducing infrastructure duplication.

Slovenia completes tender for private networks spectrum
SLOVENIA 21 APR

Slovenia completes tender for private networks spectrum

Slovenia's Agency for Communication Networks and Services (Akos) has completed its three-phase public auction for allocating radio frequencies in the 2,300 MHz and 3,600 MHz bands for local use. The first phase of the tender was exclusively for "verticals", organizations using frequencies for their own private networks. The second and third phases allowed other providers to acquire frequencies. In the third and final phase, only one company, T-2, submitted a bid by the deadline.

US moves ahead with freeing up 2.7GHz band for mobile
UNITED STATES 20 APR

US moves ahead with freeing up 2.7GHz band for mobile

The US has taken a step forward on opening up the 2.7 GHz band to mobile networks. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) said it had completed a technical review confirmed the band can is suitable for mobile and the existing federal agencies using the frequencies can obtain public funding for moving their services.

Mozambique allocates 700 MHz, 2.6 GHz, 3.5 GHz bands for 5G
MOZAMBIQUE 20 APR

Mozambique allocates 700 MHz, 2.6 GHz, 3.5 GHz bands for 5G

Mozambique's Communications Regulatory Authority (INCM) publicly opened proposals for the administrative consignment of radio spectrum for 5G implementation. The three national operators—Tmcel, Vodacom Mozambique, and Movitel—submitted bids for frequencies in the 700 MHz, 2.6 GHz, and 3.5 GHz bands. These bands are crucial for balancing territorial coverage, network capacity, and service quality, which are foundational for 5G development, the regulatory agency said. The spectrum allocation comes with obliga

Colombia opens call to allocate 900 MHz spectrum to rural providers
COLOMBIA 17 APR

Colombia opens call to allocate 900 MHz spectrum to rural providers

Colombia's Ministry of Information Technology and Communications (Mintic) has launched a call to grant spectrum usage permits in the 900 MHz band to local operators with a view to enhancing fixed residential connections and IoT uses in rural and remote areas where coverage by commercial operators is currently insufficient or non-existent.

Paraguay to award more spectrum in 2.3 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands
PARAGUAY 17 APR

Paraguay to award more spectrum in 2.3 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands

Paraguayan telecommunications regulator Conatel has published the draft terms and conditions for a new tender of 5G-compatible spectrum in the country. The watchdog said it plans to grant licences for the provision of mobile, cellular and internet access and data transmission services in the 2.3 GHz and 3.5 GHz frequency bands.

Poland's UKE hosts international conference on FWA spectrum
POLAND 16 APR

Poland's UKE hosts international conference on FWA spectrum

Polish national telecommunications regulator UKE acts as a host of the international conference for experts of the working group SWG FS (Sub Working Group Fixed Service). The conference takes place in Warsaw 15-16 April as part of the Harmonised Calculation Method agreement in the ITU. The meeting focused on coordination of the 29.7 GHz to 43.5 GHz bands for fixed wireless services. A special focus goes to potential interference of 5G networks with current systems working in the 4 GHz, 6 GHz, 26 GHz and 40

Nkom warns KSAT of potential NOK 1.5 mln fine for illegal satellite communications from Antarctica and Svalbard
NORWAY 16 APR

Nkom warns KSAT of potential NOK 1.5 mln fine for illegal satellite communications from Antarctica and Svalbard

Norwegian telecoms regulator Nkom has warned Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) that it faces a potential fine of NOK 1.5 million for illegally communicating with several satellites from Antarctica and Svalbard. KSAT now has three weeks to respond before the watchdog makes a final decision on the matter.

BRAZIL 16 APR

Brazil receives bids from 8 companies for 700 MHz auction

Brazil's National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) has received proposals from eight providers for the upcoming auction of 700 MHz band spectrum, intended for mobile telephony services. The companies that submitted bids are Amazonia Servicos Digitais, Brisanet, Claro, Iez! Telecom, MHNet, Telefonica, TIM and Unifique. The auction is scheduled for 30 April.

NIGERIA 15 APR

ITU and Digital Bridge Institute hold fibre-optic training for policymakers in Nigeria

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Academy, in collaboration with the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), organised a five-day capacity-building workshop in Abuja. Supported by the European Union under the Global Gateway Initiative, the programme titled 'Strategic Fibre Optics Infrastructure Deployment and Regulatory Management' is designed to equip policymakers with the expertise needed to expand broadband access across Nigeria. 

KYRGYZSTAN 15 APR

Kyrgyzstan prepares Starlink pilot project

Kyrgyzstan has completed the process of issuing all necessary permits for the launch of a pilot project of the Starlink satellite internet service, Trend reports via the cabinet press service. This was stated during a meeting between Adylbek Kasymaliev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Head of the Presidential Administration of Kyrgyzstan, and Ryan Goodnight, Senior Director of Starlink at SpaceX. The meeting took place in Washington on the sidelines of the Spring Meetings of the International Monet

UNITED KINGDOM 15 APR

Ofcom approves VodafoneThree request to offer satellite D2D services

UK regulator Ofcom has approved a request from VodafoneThree to use satellite technology to provide calls, texts and data to UK smartphones. This involves approving a request to alter one of the group's 900 MHz spectrum licences to enable it to provide direct-to-device (D2D) services. VodafoneThree becomes the second UK mobile network operator to get approval for D2D satellite services after Virgin Media O2. 

FINLAND 15 APR

Traficom seeks comments on use of 3800-4200 MHz band for local networks

Finnish transport and communications regulator Traficom is asking stakeholders for their opinions by 20 April on use of the 3800 MHz to 4200 MHz frequency band in future. Traficom is preparing to deploy the band for local wireless broadband services, following the European Commission's decision last December to harmonise the technical conditions for its use and to enable its efficient shared use in terrestrial wireless broadband systems with low and medium power (WBB LMP). The aim is to increase the availab

MAURITANIA 15 APR

Mauritania collects MRU 1 bln in award of four 5G licences

Mauritania's four telecom operators - Mauritel, Mattel, Rimatel, Chinguitel - bid a combined MRU 1.08 billion (USD 27 million) to secure 5G licences, Ecofin reported. The Mauritanian Regulatory Authority (ARE) has thus designated Mauritel, Rimatel, Chinguitel and Mattel as the provisional winners of 5G licences following a tender process concluded on 30 March. Mauritel offered MRU 305 million, Rimatel proposed MRU 265 million, Chinguitel offered MRU 260.5 million, and Mattel submitted a bid of MRU 252.6 mil

NETHERLANDS 14 APR

RDI checks Dutch mobile coverage in border areas

KPN, VodafoneZiggo and Odido have met their obligations for mobile coverage and minimum speeds in the latest checks by the digital infrastructure agency RDI. They must cover at least 98 percent of the territory of the Netherlands and deliver a minimum speed of 8 Mbps outdoors.  

UNITED STATES 14 APR

US telco alliances urge progress on faster permits promised in ABDA bill

A dozen US telecom, internet and cable associations have called on the House of Representatives to expedite legislative proposals that would put a time limit on local permitting processes for broadband infrastructure, including small mobile masts and fixed internet concessions. The 2025 American Broadband Deployment Act (ABDA) is due to be voted on in the House having cleared examination by its Energy and Commerce Committee, which approved the bill in December 2025 by a narrow margin.

BRAZIL 14 APR

Claro gets extension for spectrum licences in 1.8-2.1 GHz bands

Anatel's board of directors unanimously approved an extension of Claro's radio frequency authorisations in the 1.8 GHz, 1.9 GHz and 2.1 GHz bands, originally set to expire on 01 June 2026. Most of these licenses are now extended until 30 May 2041. 

BELGIUM 14 APR

Belgium updates rules for private networks in 4 GHz band

Belgian regulator Bipt has updated rules for private networks in the 3.8-4.2 GHz band, taking account of the latest EU regulations from 2025 setting harmonised conditions for the band. This also follows greater availability of equipment for the higher frequencies, where most future networks are expected to be located.

SLOVENIA 14 APR

Slovenia opens call for 3.8-4.2 GHz spectrum for private networks

Slovenia's Agency for Communication Networks and Services (Akos) has published the final call for expressions of interest to allocate radio frequencies for private local networks of low and medium power in the 3,800 - 4,200 MHz RF band. This follows an initial call, public consultation, an amended call, and received comments. Frequency allocation is planned to occur via a dedicated online portal. The anticipated start of this allocation process is by the end of June.

KENYA 14 APR

Kenya's CA hikes satellite licensing fees

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has increased the licensing fee for satellite providers like Starlink by over 840 percent, from KES 1.6 million to at least KES 15 million, Business Daily reported. Under the new CA rules, operators are required to pay an annual levy of 0.4 percent of gross turnover, with a minimum payment threshold of KES 4 million as part of the Revised Telecommunications Market Structure for 2026. Under the new framework, satellite service providers must obtain a new Internation

Just In

14:46

TTK adds corporate messenger to PBX service

14:42

Oi's IT arm valued at over BRL 1.2 billion

14:31

Russian router sales up 10% in Q1

14:30

Polish tech industry group calls for greater flexibility in 5G private network rules

Commentary

20 APR 10:36

Netflix back to organic growth and doing just fine

11 FEB 12:29

Odido shareholders face tricky exit after abandoned IPO

2 FEB 13:49

KPN results show little bother from the competition

2 JAN 13:21

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

Background

19 APR 23:04

The week in telecoms: SFR takover moves ahead, Amazon bags Globalstar and Netgear in favour in US

12 APR 23:28

The week in telecoms: Samsung profits soar, Netflix targets kids and telcos build defence vertical

9 APR 15:58

Ziggo Group creation at 2026 low point sets stage for growth ahead

7 APR 11:48

Netherlands TV-video market revenues up just 0.5% in Q4