Nokia Bell Labs says it has signed a non-binding R&D collaboration agreement with energy company Aramco to develop 5G-powered Industry 4.0 use cases for Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, and North Africa (MENA) region.

Thai telco True Corp says its “Single Grid” initiative to consolidate the networks of True and Dtac is already producing better network coverage and signal quality in pilot projects.

Viettel High Tech, the R&D arm of Vietnamese telco Viettel, says it has developed its own 5G chipset, which it says gives it “complete control” over its domestic 5G equipment ecosystem.

Yet another SIM registration exercise has run into deadline difficulties. With only a few days left, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and operators are trying to get cardholders to act fast to avoid potential disconnection.

Fibre and satellite connectivity provider Paratus Group secured a US$31 million debt facility from Private Infrastructure Development Group, to expand its fibre and data centre business in Africa into 2026. 

Satellite internet service Starlink, from rocket manufacturer SpaceX, has won a tender from Mexico's state energy firm to provide services until the end of December 2026, according to Reuters.

As the MTN Group departure from Afghanistan gets closer, it seems Guinea-Bissau, Guinea-Conakry and Liberia are next in line for an MTN exit.

Chipset manufacturing giant Intel has reportedly shelved plans to double its operations in Vietnam, a blow to South East Asian nation’s ambitions in the chipset sector, reported Reuters. 

Liberty Latin America (LLA) has struck a deal with Dish Network to acquire Dish’s spectrum assets in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands (USVI) for US$256 million in cash, as well as international roaming credits.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has told businesses using digital marketing that they’ll have to obtain all-new consent records from customers in order to use a new mandatory unified platform that tracks consumer consent.

Digital Edge, one of Asia’s fastest-growing digital infrastructure providers, has deployed across its footprint a full stack of wired and wireless upgrades from Juniper Networks, a major name in secure, AI-driven networks.

Libya has now formally acknowledged that it will be connecting to the Medusa submarine cable project. The Medusa submarine cable system will connect Libya to Europe via the countries of the Mediterranean Basin.

Data centre provider ST Telemedia Global Data Centres Philippines (STT GDC) is expanding its presence in the Philippines with the construction of a second facility in its STT Cavite data centre campus.

Russian mobile operator MTS has reportedly reopen negotiations to sell its tower company, reported Kommersant. 

Globe Telecom announced it signed loan facilities with three banks to secure a total of PHP12 billion (US$214 million) to fund capex plans and refinance debt.

Regulators in several West African markets have signed agreements that will facilitate roaming.

The two-day 2023 Global Talent Development Forum (TDF), themed "Leading an Intelligent Journey to a Bright Future", concluded successfully at Huawei’s Global Training Center in Hangzhou.

China Unicom has teamed up with Huawei to help Chinese car manufacturer Exquisite Automotive Systems (EA) deploy 5G Advanced technology on one of its production lines.

Solomon Islands operator bmobile has launched a satellite direct-to-mobile phone service to customers via a partnership with satellite phone operator Lynk Global, though the service only supports SMS for now.

There’s more data centre news from Indonesia – though the new launch and a planned development making recent headlines are not, for once, taking place in Jakarta.

Next-generation digital services and consulting group Infosys has announced what it calls a new proximity centre in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, as part of its continued growth in Europe.

Underlining the growing importance of content-driven business models in African mobile communications, mobile technology company Digital Afrique Telecom (DAT) has announced a partnership with gaming and esports entertainment company Clipfeed to bring esports to mobile operators in Africa.

Space X satellite connectivity subsidiary Starlink announced it launched broadband services in Benin, marking the sixth country in Africa to see the service. 

Armenia’s Team Telecom has completed its initial public offering (IPO), listing around 40 million shares worth AMD8.24 billion (US$19.8 million) on the Armenian Securities Exchange.

Vodacom Congo revealed it has began testing 5G technology but its strategy remains rooted to deploying 4G base stations to expand coverage, reported IT Web Africa. 

Equinix subsidiary MainOne, which provides connectivity and data centre solutions, has launched a new data centre in Grand Bassam, Cote d’Ivoire.

Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) is reportedly making moves to convince operators in Angola, Gambia and Mauritius to buy telecoms equipment from Indian companies.

XL Axiata’s youth brand Axis has launched a set of package plans for social media users based on usage time, not data consumption.

Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) Office is working on a spectrum management roadmap that could see auctions for the 3500-MHz band in 2026.

Azerbaijan’s Azercell has partnered with e& international, a unit of Etisalat, to deliver new services in the market.

As part of a drive to upgrade 3G base transceiver stations (BTS), North Korea has begun importing second-hand equipment from China’s Huawei.