The United States government has launched an investigation into Chinese telecommunications companies China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom amid fears that these firms might transfer US data to the Chinese government through their US cloud and wholesale routing services. According to Reuters, which cited three anonymous sources, the US Commerce Department has issued subpoenas to the three companies.
Three UK revealed its quarterly financial performance this week, showcasing an increase in revenue and margin while reiterating its intent for a potential merger with competitor Vodafone.
The telecommunications company disclosed a notable 9% surge in both revenue, climbing to £664 million, and margin, reaching £424 million. This growth was attributed in part to a rise in its customer base, with active customers increasing by 3% overall and active contract customers by 6%.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued fines totaling $196 million to major US telecommunications operators for unlawfully sharing customers’ location data. This action comes more than five years after the violation was initially exposed.
The UK Government’s newly established Critical Imports Council aims to lessen the disturbance of essential goods flow from unpredictable global supply chain disruptions. Business and Trade Minister, Alan Mak, highlights strengthening critical goods supply against real-world crises through collaborative efforts with industry experts. With representation from diverse sectors including telecommunications, the council will focus on assessing risks and creating robust mitigation strategies.
In an unexpected strategy shift, VEON is offloading its stake in Beeline Kyrgyzstan to CG Corp Global’s associate. The monumental telecom deal, setting the business’s value over three times its forecasted EBITDA for 2023, awaits regulatory approval. Amidst this change, Beeline Kyrgyzstan forges ahead in growth, promising patrons sustained exceptional digital solutions.
SmartCIC, a global managed service provider has appointed Johnatan Santana as its Head of Carrier Wholesale and Reina Borjas as Senior Sales Manager. SmartCIC is making strategic investments in talent by building out its international wholesale connectivity team to support growing demand for end-to-end ‘through the line’ solutions and its approach to connectivity.
In a notable development, Vodafone has agreed to sell its operations in Italy to Swisscom, the Swiss telecommunications giant, for €8 billion, marking a significant shift in its business strategy. This sale is part of a broader effort by Vodafone to restructure its operations across Europe, aiming for a stronger, more focused presence in growing markets.
In a significant move to ensure the smooth transition of landline services to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), the UK government has announced an expansion in the roster of telecommunications companies committed to safeguarding vulnerable customers. The initiative, led by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), now includes Openreach, CityFibre, and several others, alongside initial participants like BT and Virgin Media O2.
Singtel has made another divestment, selling a fractional 0.8% stake in India’s Bharti Airtel for approximately $711 million. It’s a part of Singtel’s ongoing strategy to transition from traditional telco operations to fully digital-based operations.
Intelsat has recently made headlines with several announcements at the Mobile World Congress (MWC), highlighting the evolving role of satellite connectivity in today’s digital world. Among these announcements was the notable expansion of its partnership with Openserve, a South African telecommunications infrastructure provider, to include cutting-edge hardware and enhanced satellite services. This move underscores a broader shift in the satellite connectivity landscape, from a focus on remote areas to a versatile tool for modern telecommunications challenges.
