Smart Communications, a leading mobile services provider in the Philippines, and AST SpaceMobile, which is building a space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by mobile phones, have signed a memorandum of understanding.

The Telecommunications Agency of Guyana has confirmed plans to issue three 700MHz spectrum licences this month.

Cash-strapped Indian telco Vodafone Idea, rebranded as Vi, is planning to ease its financial woes by selling its fixed-line broadband subsidiary, optic fibre unit, and data centres business.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced that the new Mandatory Standards for Quality of Service (MSQoS) will be effective on Aug 1, 2021.

Russia’s largest wireless carrier Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) has bought GDTs Energy Group for RUB 5.2 billion (USD 71 million), including net debt.

Following hard on the heels of its launch of Hype – the in-browser chat service for Opera Mini users – in a number of African countries, global internet brand Opera has now added interest-based social clubs to the fast-growing chat service.

CETIN, a wholesale provider of fixed and mobile telecommunications infrastructure, and NEC Europe Ltd have announced the signing of a large network security project relevant to a number of countries in Eastern Europe.

According to a recent announcement from the country’s telecoms regulator, Subtel, Chile will be the first country in Latin America to be served by Starlink, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet constellation described (on its website) as ideally suited for areas of the globe where connectivity has typically been a challenge.

Thailand’s Supreme Administrative Court ruled that market leader AIS is not required to pay any additional compensation to state provider CAT Telecom.

Vanuatu’s Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR) has confirmed that Digicel Vanuatu, Vodafone Vanuatu and WanTok Network will participate in the second stage rollout of its Universal Access Policy (UAP).

Nepal’s regulator the National Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has confirmed plans to refarm the 900MHz spectrum band for 4G use.

India's Telecom Secretary Anshu Prakash said that the Digital Communications Commission (DCC), formerly the Telecom Commission, approved backhaul satellite connectivity via VSAT for telecom services.

Telecommunications company Telefonica, whose operations in Brazil are branded as ‘Vivo’, has announced that the neutral fibre network operator FiBrasil has officially started operating in the country.

As 5G customers are on the rise on the back of continuing efforts to make the technology more available and accessible in the Philippines, Globe Telecom said it expects a faster rollout of fifth-generation technology in the country.

Singapore’s Ascendas Property Fund Trustee Pte. Ltd, the trustee-manager of Ascendas India Trust (a-iTrust), will build data centres in India and invest around INR 1,200 crore (USD 161 million) to develop phase one of its first data centre campus in the country.

In a move that reverses plans announced a year ago, two Saudi operators have apparently decided to abandon a mooted tower merger.

An interesting, and apparently continent-wide, communications deal has been announced involving the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) and Spanish technology services company Lleida.net.

A reminder of the growing importance of smart mobile devices to African broadcasters has come with the announcement by streaming giant Netflix of a new mobile-only subscription plan for its mobile device-using audience in sub-Saharan Africa.

Sri Lankan operator Dialog Axiata has switched on its 4000th LTE network tower as it takes strides towards boosting rural connectivity nationwide.

Achieving mass production of 14nm chips will secure China’s place as a domestic chip producer at scale, says the deputy head of the country’s leading technology research centre.

Liquid Technologies has partnered with Facebook to build an extensive long haul and metro fibre network in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The UAE’s du has partnered with Wipro to launch a new multi-cloud platform offering management and migration capabilities.

The government of Nigeria has granted the nation’s mobile phone users additional time to register a valid National Identification Number (NIN) with their network provider.

The Romanian regulator National Authority for Management and Regulation in Communications (​ANCOM) has announced plans for a new auction for the frequencies remaining after selection procedures carried out in 2012 and 2015.

The largest Chilean telecommunications company Entel reached an agreement with Ericsson which will pave the way for the launch of 5G and IoT services.

Brazilian telecommunications company Embratel is using Wi-Fi 6 technology for projects in several segments, such as industry and retail, with plans to expand into healthcare and finance as well, said local media reports.

Malaysia state-owned operator Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) has selected Ericsson for the deployment of its 5G network and ecosystem.

Netherlands-headquartered VEON Group has exercised its put option to divest its entire 45.57% holding in its Algerian unit Omnium Telecom Algerie.

Norway’s Telenor Group is considering an attempt to sell its Myanmar unit, reports Reuters.

Another region has made roaming easier; this time it’s the Western Balkans. In fact, the Roam Like at Home regime in the Western Balkans has just entered into force.