Indian operator Bharti Airtel has significantly expanded its 5G network to encompass 140,000 villages across India. This initiative highlights Airtel’s commitment to enhancing digital connectivity in rural areas. Already covering 800,000 villages with its 4G network, Airtel’s expansion accelerates their mission of providing high-speed internet across India, supported by both 4G and 5G technologies.
Barcelona-based satellite IoT provider Sateliot has secured €10 million in a Series B funding round led by Global Portfolio Investments. This investment will enhance Sateliot’s NB-IoT constellation, aiming for 100 satellites by 2028. The company plans to offer real-time global coverage, targeting sectors like agriculture, industry, and logistics.
LINX Nairobi’s expansion into PAIX Data Centres elevates its status as East and Central Africa’s premier Internet Exchange Point. This strategic move supports seamless connections for ISPs and global content networks at PAIX’s Nairobi NBO-1 facility. The integration ensures resilient, high-capacity links, fostering Kenya’s digital growth and enhancing VOIP service reliability.
AST SpaceMobile’s five BlueBird satellites are set to launch on September 12, heralding the start of their commercial non-terrestrial network services in collaboration with carriers like Verizon and AT&T. This pivotal event not only enhances global cellular connectivity but also signifies a major milestone in low Earth orbit telecommunications.
FiberLocator, the renowned US fibre data platform, has expanded its network planning services to include UK fibre data, integrating UK fibre providers into its extensive database. This expansion aids carriers, mobile operators, and data centre operators by offering comprehensive, timely, and accurate fibre data, facilitating seamless global connectivity and streamlined wholesale transactions.
Maxis and Huawei collaborate to advance 5G in Malaysia, launching a Joint Innovation Centre. Telecom Italia exits Inwit, selling its final stake for €250 million. Oracle partners with AT&T to integrate IoT connectivity into its platform. TalkTalk secures a £400m lifeline amid financial struggles and leadership changes.
Cellnex is nearing the sale of its Austrian operations, with multiple offers on the table and advanced negotiations underway. This news, alongside strong first-half financial results, boosted investor confidence despite a net loss of €418 million. The sale is part of Cellnex’s strategy to divest non-core assets and focus on debt reduction and organic growth, resulting in improved revenues and reduced net debt.
AST SpaceMobile is gearing up for a significant milestone with the upcoming launch of its first commercial satellites. Set for early August, the five new Bluebird satellites will enhance the company’s ability to offer non-continuous commercial VoIP services. Once deployed in low Earth orbit, these satellites will revolutionize remote mobile coverage via direct-to-device communications.
Qatar-based telecommunications company Ooredoo has announced its membership in the Nvidia Cloud Partner club, with plans to upgrade its AI data centers across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region using Nvidia’s Tensor Core GPUs. This move aligns with Ooredoo’s strategy to establish itself as the leading digital infrastructure provider in MENA.
Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (Indosat or IOH) and Google Cloud have announced an expansion of their strategic alliance, focusing on transforming Indosat into an AI-driven technology company. This partnership aims to leverage Indosat’s extensive network and data with Google Cloud’s advanced AI tools to enhance services for over 100 million customers and offer AI solutions for businesses across Indonesia.
