Customers in 16 African countries will be able to make financial transactions across Airtel Africa’s network, following the deployment of Pyro’s Transaction Hub platform – the world’s first mobile virtual card...

A new payment service has been introduced in Serbia by the network operator Telenor. Named PlatiMo, the service allows customers to pay their bills and perform other financial services via their mobile phones directly from their bank accounts...

An upcoming Moroccan operator is rolling out a new platform with the aim of rewarding customer loyalty. Inwi has commissioned sicap to provide its Customer Retention Platform, a flexible, plug and play solution which rewards inwi subscribers for their mobile, fixed or Internet service loyalty...

Togo’s leading mobile operator is planning a major expansion and upgrade of its 2G/3G wireless network. Togo Cellulaire has commissioned Alcatel-Lucent to extend its network...

A unique new device from Vodafone named the Webbox has the potential to revolutionise internet access in emerging markets. The first device of its kind, the Webbox is a keyboard which, once plugged into any television set, provides affordable internet access...

One of Madagascar’s leading operators is targeting the country’s Village Phone Operators (VPOs) with a new cloud-based mobile service...

The South African operator Cell C has deployed a new solution to allow it focus its resources on rolling out and delivering compelling services and experiences for its customers...

América Móvil subscribers will soon be able to get advertisements tailored to their interests through their mobile devices. The leading mobile operator in Latin America is introducing an end-to-end mobile advertising solution provided by Ericsson. Ericsson will also manage the solution and interfaces with all players in the advertising eco-systems...

Aito Technologies, a provider of customer experience analytics (CEA), has announced an agreement with UCell, the second largest operator in Uzbekistan, to deploy its analytics product suite. Aito CEA will enable UCell to enhance user experience, identify specific customer segments, optimise service creation, sales and marketing...

The handset manufacturer Mi-Fone  has launched the Mi-Q200 family of devices, which are bundled with Synchronica's Mobile Gateway next-generation mobile messaging technology...

Axell Wireless, the worldwide provider of wireless coverage solutions, has launched the world’s first family of digital mini repeaters providing 2G, 3G and 4G coverage in all cellular frequency bands based on Axell Wireless’ patented DSP technology...

NFC retail payment and other POS services are set to gain traction in emerging markets following the announcement of a partnership between contactless network provider accells and Fundamo, the specialist mobile financial services provider...

One of Latin America’s leading electronic top-up service platforms, Movilway, is now expanding into Mexico to offer electronic top-up for prepaid users...

Talia is expanding its iDirect Evolution (DVB-S2) services to South America, served through Telesat Telstar 12, KU band. The same network provides services for the Middle East, Europe, Russia, North America, West, Central and East Africa...

Remote communities across Indonesia will soon enjoy the benefits of environmentall friendly mobile connectivity...

One of Ghana’s leading VAS providers is set to offer mobile voice content services to mobile operators in the West African country. Mobile Content.Com Ltd has partnered with VAS developer Kirusa for this new joint initiative...

Customers in Argentina and Brazil will soon be able to make domestic and international online payments, following the announcement that global eMoney network Ukash is expanding its footprint into these countries...

Following on from the arrest of former telecoms minister Andimuthu Raja, the investigation into India’s 2G licensing scandal by the country’s Central Bureau of Investigation has resulted in several other arrests...

One of India’s largest operators is preparing its new Online Application Store for launch. Idea Cellular, the third-largest mobile operator in terms of revenue, is set to provide its 84 million-plus subscribers with an application store based on Ericsson’s eStore solution...

A new agreement for high powered Ku-band transponder capacity on the NSS-6 satellite has been signed by Pakistan’s leading satellite service provider Supernet and SES World Skies, a division of SES S.A...

The biggest story of this year’s Mobile World Congress may have broken before the show has even started, with the announcement that Nokia and Microsoft have entered into a “broad strategic partnership” which will see Nokia adopt Windows Phone 7 as its primary smartphone operating system...

Will 2011 be the year where SMBs in Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan) take a serious approach towards the adoption of cloud-based solutions and remote managed IT services (RMITS)? A new series of studies of the region say yes, showing the top 10 SMB ICT spending to be either cloud-based or RMITs-related. Leading the way is video conferencing, SaaS productivity, and remote managed PC services...

Millions of Africans can access Facebook updates, news and chat using the first two-way SMS Facebook Chat service via any basic mobile phone. The new service, launched by ForgetMeNot Africa, is revolutionising communications on the continent by unifying two-way email, online chat and social networking without the need for an Internet connection...

A potential contract for the rollout of an Indian startup’s proposed TD-LTE network could end up being the largest network equipment deal that the country has seen thus far...

Malaysia’s largest 3G operator has deployed a new SMS service aimed at providing a secure messaging solution to its wireless subscribers and enterprise customers...

Major developments in the Indian 2G licensing scandal are underway, with the country’s Central Bureau of Investigation naming two of the operators that benefitted from underpriced spectrum permits...

The Indian joint venture Vodafone Essar has delayed its planned sale of 7000 towers spanning seven of India’s telecoms circles until the dispute between the two partners is resolved...

Two of the largest mobile operators in the Egypt have criticised the drastic security measures enforced by the country’s ailing government in the face of ongoing unrest...

Adding to the objections of European telecoms vendors, a European Commission document has criticised the state financial support received by Chinese vendors ZTE and Huawei...

The biggest mobile operator in Russia may be pursuing a merger as a means of furthering its ambition to become a major global telecoms group...

India’s telecommunications authorities could still enforce a ban on RIM’s BlackBerry device, as RIM has missed the most recent deadline for granting the government monitoring access to its enterprise services...

Kuwait is one of the wealthier members of the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), ranking third in GDP per capita behind Qatar and the UAE, but a closer look at its telecoms sector reveals a major lack of competition in its fixed-line market...

Several private-owned operators in Thailand have received a large bill from none other than TOT, the country’s state-owned operator...

India’s telecommunications minister Kapil Sibal has outlined plans to disassociate spectrum from specific licences, instead letting mobile operators purchase spectrum via a “market-driven mechanism” – with auctions being a possibility...