In a world defined by rapid technological advancements, the convergence of 5G, cloud infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we live and work.

Smartphone shipments in mainland China saw consecutive quarterly decline with a 5% loss to a total of 66.7 million units, according to analyst company Canalys. 

Telecom Argentina is set to receive agreed loans totalling US$120 million for upgrades to its fibre optic network, and expand mobile coverage and capacity. 

Malaysian mobile operators still haven’t officially finalized agreements to acquire stakes in wholesale 5G operator Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB), but the government still hopes to seal everything before the end of the year.

Vietnam's Ministry of Information and Communications has reportedly approved a plan to auction radio frequencies in the 2500-2600 MHz band for 5G mobile services.

Two stories – from Zimbabwe and Nigeria – again illustrate the often complicated relationship between Africa’s mobile operators and its tax collectors.

The growing importance of fibre connectivity in India is underlined by a new deal this week between India’s Tata Play Fiber and infrastructure tech giant Nokia.

Philippines-based operator Smart Communications announced a partnership with Google Cloud in a move to gain subscriber data insights to improve accessibility to digital services. 

Reliance Jio Infocomm has partnered with SaaS provider Plume to provide smart home and small business services to subscribers across India using its adaptive Wi-Fi technology.

Google Cloud has revealed plans to build two new transpacific subsea cables for the South Pacific connecting Fiji and French Polynesia to the United States and Australia.

Telkomsel has beefed up its 4G and 5G networks in stadiums and high-traffic areas across four cities in preparation for the 20th FIFA U-17 World Cup tournament in Indonesia next month.

Another African country has begun a SIM card registration scheme. More accurately, Mauritius is bringing in registration for new cards and re-registration for existing cards.

Raxio Data Centres, a provider of carrier-neutral, Tier III data centres in Africa, has announced that it has secured an additional US$46 million in equity funding.

Three telecommunications companies have been awarded 20-year licences to develop 5G in Argentina, after bids for spectrum that netted over US$875 million for the government.

The Chilean government has signed an agreement with development bank CAF to begin feasibility studies for an undersea fibre cable linking it to the Antarctic.

Malaysia’s Bank Rakyat has tied up with CelcomDigi to boost its digital banking services, starting with providing 5G connectivity to its fleet of portable banking vehicles.

Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison announced that its project with Ericsson to consolidate its two nationwide circuit switch (CS) core networks has been completed ahead of schedule.

Thai telcoms player Jasmine Group and Korean telco KT Corp have revealed plan to co-develop an AI language model that supports the Thai language.

Kenya has enacted new health laws, among them a Digital Health Act, 2023, which provides for the establishment of an integrated telemedicine and m-health system.

Brazil’s minister of communications, Juscelino Filho, has signed into  law the ConectaBR programme, whose aim is to improve the quality and coverage of mobile broadband.

As the benefits of the digital economy become apparent in countries around the world, the issue of digital inclusion has never been more paramount – particularly in Africa, which is brimming with digital potential that can be fully realized with the right amount of innovation and cooperation.

The All Bands to 5G Summit held during the Global Mobile Broadband Forum (MBBF) 2023 in Dubai this month resounded with a clear message: 5G has the power to shape the future of connectivity and revolutionise societies. Industry experts and leaders from diverse stakeholders came together, sharing their profound insights.

Airtel Africa unveiled what it labelled as the “most affordable 4G smartphone” to be launched in Rwanda, as part of wider plans to boost connections to its network. 

The Middle East and North Africa continued to be a bright spot in Orange Group’s financials posting a 12% increase in revenue as 10 markets recorded double-digit growth for the operator. 

Thai operator AIS is still awaiting a final regulatory decision on its buyout of broadband operator 3BB, but a new study on the impact of the merger could finally spur a ruling one way or the other.

Telekom Malaysia’s Unifi TV has started producing its own original content, including TV series and movies, to diversity its content portfolio and compete against other streaming services.

Several high-growth sectors in South Sudan are to receive satellite-enabled connectivity solutions designed to serve specific requirements – with help from UAE-headquartered satellite solutions provider, Yahsat.

Egypt’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) is in discussions to issue 5G licenses in Egypt, according to local press reports.

Al Nowais Group, which supplies high-technology solutions to the UAE and Saudi Arabian governments in a number of different sectors, and Aurum Equity Partners, a prominent US private equity firm, have announced a data-centre-focused memorandum of understanding (MoU).

The government of Burkina Faso has announced a new bill that will limit SIM card ownership in the country.

Canadian RAN provider NuRAN Wireless secured an operating licence in Cameroon as part of wider ambitions to deploy 10,000 sites across the African continent. 

Chinese equipment vendor ZTE announced it it will supply equipment to Claro Ecuador to extend its fibre network. 

Airtel announced the milestones of connecting 900,000 customers to its 5G network in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, and 1.7 million in Kerala.