Filipino fibre broadband provider Converge ICT Solutions has filed for an IPO of up to 35.92 billion pesos ($725 million) on the country’s stock exchange.

Telia Estonia is planning to build a solar plant to cut costs at one of its data centres.

Saudi Arabia’s stc has completed its due diligence for a possible acquisition of Vodafone Group’s majority holding in Vodafone Egypt.

Local press reports indicate that the installation of a new submarine fibre optic cable system from Montserrat to a branching unit between Guadeloupe and Antigua has been successfully completed.

Myanmar has completed a nationwide SIM re-registration programme, with millions of SIMs being disconnected by the country’s operators.

According to TeleGeography's CommsUpdate and local news reports, two of Saudi Arabia’s leading mobile operators are hoping to establish a joint tower company.

Indian press reports suggest that the country’s government is planning to provide nearly 500,000 fibre-to-home connections by September this year.

According to reports in the regional press and Reuters, a Vietnam-made 5G smartphone is on the way.

Data centre activity continues to ramp up across Asia, as underlined by a recent report from Malaysia, where a major new facility is planned in Selangor.

Bharti Airtel has selected Nokia’s CloudBand-based software products for its VoLTE (Voice over LTE) network in India.

PT. Telekomunikasi Indonesia has chosen Vonage to enhance its customer communications and experience.

Mexico’s Telcel is reportedly acquiring a 50MHz block of 3.5GHz spectrum from local fixed provider Axtel.

Filipino newcomer DITO has been granted an additional six months to complete an obligatory technical audit.

Intel has acquired a stake in Jio Platforms, becoming the latest in a long line of overseas investors in Reliance Industries’ digital unit.

Claro Brasil has launched its 5G network using a combination of 700MHz, 1800MHz and 2.5GHz spectrum.

Despite recent news that at least three South African operators have recently launched 5G services, much of the spectrum used is temporary and much remains to be awarded. However, that may be about to change.

The regulators of Senegal and Mauritania have both issued warnings to their respective nation’s operators over subpar Quality of Service (QoS).

There’s been an interesting addition to the recent flurry of investment in Indian telecommunications, with news involving Bharti Airtel, India’s largest integrated telecommunications operator, and Comfort Investments II.

Another long-running takeover saga, this time in Costa Rica, has seen a new development.

Liquid Telecom is providing its managed VSAT connectivity services to mbora, a pioneering social enterprise in Malawi.

Vodafone Hungary has set out its 5G coverage goals up to the end of 2020.

While there may be question marks over India’s ability to cope without some Chinese goods and technologies if India decides to block them, the recent banning of 59 Chinese apps may offer real opportunities for Indian companies.

After the publication on 15 June of the Judicial Reorganisation Plan that made clear Oi’s plans to sell its mobile assets via what it describes as a competitive process, the cash-strapped Brazilian fixed and mobile operator may be much closer to finding a buyer.

The UAE is planning to switch off the country’s 2G networks at the end of 2022.

Iran’s market leader, state-run MCI (Mobile Communication Company of Iran), has been given a deadline of early September to begin providing 5G coverage in Tehran.

MTN Ghana will request a judicial review of its recent classification as a Significant Market Power by the National Communication Authority (NCA).

Madagascan operator Telma and infrastructure and software vendor Ericsson have announced the launch of commercial 5G services in Madagascar.

Zain Bahrain has launched commercial 5G using equipment from Ericsson.

Nokia and Algerian mobile operator Djezzy have completed a trial using microwave carrier aggregation technology to support increased demand for capacity.