Virgin Mobile’s Middle East and Africa (VMMEA) unit has hit 2.5 million subscribers, claiming to be the fastest growing mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in the region.

Pakistani mobile operator Zong, a division of China Mobile, has partnered mobile payments company Fortumo to roll out direct carrier billing.

Nokia is providing technology to help Idea Cellular to roll out 4G/LTE in three key Indian telecom circles.

Contrary to previous reports, the Israeli firm Cellebrite was not the third party that assisted the FBI in unlocking an iPhone belonging to one of the San Bernadino shooters, it has been confirmed.

Iranian operator TCI (Telecommunication Company of Iran) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with NFV & managed services specialist Italtel to develop and modernise its telecom network.

Telefónica Mexico has selected Ericsson to supply more than 1,000 Ericsson Radio Dot Systems in Mexico City's urban areas.

Warid Telecom is leveraging Syniverse’s IPX Network Solution and Diameter Signalling Services to enable its subscribers to access LTE services around the globe.

China Telecom has appointed its interim chairman and CEO Yang Jie to the chairman role on a permanent basis.

Omani operator Omantel is deploying Sigfox’s IoT network across the Sultanate.

Interactive Intelligence Group has launched a new customer engagement cloud service for businesses throughout South Africa.

Polish operator Netia has launched a cloud-based UC solution using BroadSoft UC-One software.

UAE operator du has formed a VAS business management partnership with mobility solutions  provider Mahindra Comviva.

Indian operator Reliance Communications is transferring 5 million CDMA customers onto its rival Reliance Jio Infocomm’s 4G network.

SES has chosen the Djibouti Teleport facility managed by BringCom to install additional antennas and equipment (TVRO/DVB) for video broadcast applications in the sub-Saharan Africa region.

Indian operators Aircel and BSNL have signed a nationwide inter-circle 2G roaming agreement.

Orange has acquired 100% of Cellcom, Liberia’s leading mobile operator, through its subsidiary Orange Côte d’Ivoire.

Global Wi-Fi network Fon and Hungary’s Magyar Telekom are partnering to provide Telekom subscribers with reliable, safe Wi-Fi access across the country.

Platinum Core Solutions has deployed Infinera’s Mobile Fronthaul Solution in Malaysia.

Epsilon has been selected to provide global network connectivity for Indonesian firms Graha Teknologi Nusantara (GTN) and LinkNet.

MTN South Africa has bundled World Panel’s SunStream as part of a promotional package.

Middle Eastern payment provider Payfort has launched the SADAD Payment System on its next generation payment gateway, FORT.

PLDT subsidiary Smart Communications has selected Matrixx Software’s real-time Digital Commerce platform for its mobile business.

Digi and Fortumo have launched direct carrier billing in Malaysia.

Vietnamese operator Viettel has secured negotiating rights to enter a local consortium set to receive Myanmar’s fourth mobile licence.

Indian operators Reliance Communications and Aircel have chosen to extend negotiations over a potential merger for another 60 days “based on good progress made so far”.