Over 25 million mobile phone users in South Africa now have access to mobile internet basics at no cost – and signs are that the new offering – from Vodacom – is already very popular.

Nepal Telecom is extending its 4G network services offering to around 25 cities beyond the Kathmandu Valley.

Satellite operator SES has announced the launch of Ethiosat – the first-ever dedicated Ethiopian TV platform to host Ethiopia’s most popular local channels.

Thailand’s state-owned TOT has been given 60 days to pay dtac THB317 million ($10.3 million) in overdue interconnect fees.

MainOne, which recently announced plans for a new data centre facility in Ghana, has made news again, this time in Cote d’Ivoire.

Unitel, Movicel and Angola Telecom may soon be joined by a fourth Angolan Unified Global operator.

Cable operator Seacom has told South African press that it has lit up a one terabyte fibre line connecting Johannesburg and Cape Town.

According to the Russian news agency Tass, a draft forecast plan for privatisation of blocks of shares in the biggest companies in the country includes the government cutting its stake in operator Rostelecom.

Afghanistan’s state-run operator Afghan Telecom (Aftel) is aiming to launch commercial 4G services before the end of the year.

5G trials will get underway this month in Malaysia, with the country’s government confirming that eight companies have pledged a combined initial investment of MYR116 million ($27.7 million).

The Oi saga rumbles on, with good news – potentially – for the cash-starved Brazilian telecommunications company coming from Spain.

Hard on the heels of last week’s news that MainOne is to expand its data centre brand into Accra in Ghana, US-based First Brick Holdings has announced that it is entering the Ethiopian market.

Facebook is inviting applications for the third edition of its London accelerator programme, which, for the first time, is open to start-ups from Africa.

Hughes Network Systems recently announced a high-speed satellite internet service for Mexico. Now it’s the turn of Viasat.

Moroccan operator inwi has recently launched a new mobile money service called ‘inwi money’. The service works on mobiquity Money, a platform offered by mobile solutions provider Comviva.

MainOne, a provider of telecom services and network solutions for businesses in West Africa, has announced the expansion of its data centre brand, MDXi, into Accra in Ghana, in line with its ongoing West African expansion plans. 

The continuing rollout of innovative financial services for those with limited, or no, access to banks is also inspiring all sorts of innovation, including a concept that its originator Juvo calls Financial Identity as a Service (FiDaaS).

It’s a rare day when Huawei isn’t in the news, as recent events – or possibly non-events – in Poland and Brazil make clear.

Spanish satellite telecommunications operator Hispasat and Colombian satellite services provider Bansat have teamed up to offer satellite connectivity for a humanitarian mission in Colombia.

Two major names in the satellite business have announced a joint service agreement for maritime satellite broadband connectivity.