Digicel Group Holdings Limited has announced the sale of Digicel Pacific Limited (DPL) to a subsidiary of the Australian telecommunications firm Telstra Corporation Limited. Digicel Pacific is valued at up to $ 1.85 billion, subject to usual post-closing adjustments and a three-year, $250 million earn-out. Digicel Pacific has operations in six South Pacific countries: Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Tonga and Nauru. The Digicel brand will remain unchanged in these six markets, and the current Digicel Pacific management team will remain with the company and continue to lead it in providing superior telecommunications services to Digicel Pacific’s loyal clients across the South Pacific. For the past 15 years, Digicel Pacific has been a strong and expanding telecommunications company in the Pacific. Telstra’s takeover communicates a significant message about the company’s prospects as well as the larger commercial confidence in the Pacific region’s growth. Denis O’Brien, Digicel…
Telstra, an Australian telecommunications and technology company that offers a full range of communications services, has officially announced the launch of its My Telstra app. The new and improved application provides an easier way to manage Telstra accounts and services, find information, shop and redeem Telstra Plus points. With My Telstra, customers will gain convenient access to billing and technical support, as well as manage their services and payments, get help, check for outages and track orders from their home. In a statement, Telstra said that its app “has been designed with accessibility at the forefront” and is built to be compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1. The company plans to update the existing Telstra 24×7 app so users can expect to see it on their phone soon. Customers who have auto-update enabled do not need to take any action – their current Telstra 24×7 app will update to…
Telstra, the largest Australian telecommunication company, has announced the launch of a new rapid restoration service for one of its busiest subsea cable routes in Asia. The company has joined forces with Ericsson and Ciena to ensure that their customers stay continuously connected. The solution offers carriers and cloud service providers increased network visibility, flexibility and reliable data access. Nadya Melic, Telstra’s head of Connectivity and Platforms, said the new service is now available on three of its intra-Asia routes, following the successful tests carried out in December 2018. “The Asian region presents one of the most challenging environments for subsea cable systems. Busy and shallow shipping ports in Hong Kong and Singapore, high-levels of fishing activity and an ecosystem prone to natural disasters, all threaten to disrupt or damage underwater infrastructure,” said Melic. The new rapid restoration service on the subsea network will be provided using…
SoftBank and Eutelsat’s OneWeb have partnered to enhance communication services in Japan by integrating OneWeb’s LEO satellite connectivity. The multi-year deal will improve secure, reliable communications, particularly in remote areas. SoftBank’s SmartVPN service will benefit, and there’s potential for expansion abroad.
The wireless telecoms industry experienced growth due to 5G technology. Telstra and Optus will stop pre-installing Google Search as the default on their Android phones. A MedUX report ranked UK fixed broadband providers. The WBBA urges IP network upgrades for 5.5G and 6G services.
Verizon launches AI-driven apps to improve customer service by streamlining interactions. The European Commission designates Booking.com as a ‘gatekeeper’ and plans antitrust charges against Microsoft for bundling Teams with Office. Telstra establishes a regional network hub in Guam at GNC iX data center. GlobalData underscores US telcos’ struggle to stand out in the B2B channel.
In a significant move, Australia has auctioned off 3.4 GHz and 3.7 GHz spectrum bands, amassing a considerable A$722 million. Telstra emerged victorious, with plans to enhance its 5G offerings, notably in rural Australia. However, Telstra’s rivals also secured frequencies, with speculation around their strategic plans. ACMA chair affirmed the benefits of this allocation for digital connectivity and competition, reflecting the shared optimism of telecom regulators and companies.
One New Zealand’s strategic acquisition of local operations from UK-small cell provider Dense Air aims to strengthen mid-band spectrum. Promising enhancements to fixed-wireless access services, this merge incorporates a significant 70 MHz of spectrum into One NZ’s 4G and 5G networks. This move aligns with the company’s efforts towards modernizing its network, hinting towards a customer-centric future with expanded 5G network and possible SpaceX collaboration.
EXA Infrastructure, the largest dedicated digital infrastructure platform connecting Europe and North America, has appointed David Gonzalez as Vice President of Sales to lead customer growth for Southern Europe. Based in Paris, David brings more than 20 years of telecom experience to EXA having worked at Orange, Colt Technology Services, Tata Communications and Telstra. His expertise across enterprise markets will support EXA’s focus as it extends across new customer segments. On David’s appointment, EXA’s Chief Commercial Officer Nicholas Collins said: “David’s deep understanding of the telecommunications industry, his strategic acumen and customer-driven leadership will make a valuable addition to our leadership team. We are excited to welcome him to the team and are confident that his leadership will accelerate our growth trajectory in Southern Europe”. In this newly created leadership role, David will spearhead EXA’s sales strategy and be accountable for leading a team serving customers across France, Italy, Spain,…
Huawei plans a comeback in the smartphone market with new 5G devices using domestic chip supplies. Concerns persist about the quality of these chips and Huawei’s absence from the Android Play Store. CityFibre challenges Openreach with a faster wholesale FTTH service, while Optus collaborates with SpaceX’s Starlink to expand mobile coverage in Australia’s remote areas. Ofcom investigates O2 Virgin Media over customer complaints, and the European Court of Justice rejects a ruling on the Three-O2 merger, adding to the uncertainty in the telecommunications regulatory landscape.