Russian mobile operator Beeline has partnered with the Istanbul-headquartered P.I. Works on a network planning project, aimed at streamlining the operator’s investment planning processes and revolutionising customer experience, said a joint press release.

Azerbaijan operator Azercell Telecom said it has expanded the network coverage significantly to 85.3% of the population by end of March 2021, soared from 35.9% of January 1, 2019. Meanwhile, its geographical coverage surged to 72.8% during this period.

Croatian operator Hrvatski Telecom has started the implementation of the modern optical infrastructure in the area of ​​the City of Krapina and five municipalities.

Only a few weeks after the country’s 3.6GHz spectrum auction finally took place, operator Telenor Bulgaria has announced that it has scheduled the commercial nationwide launch of its 5G service for 10 June.

Operator stc Bahrain has announced plans to launch what it calls a first-of-a-kind camouflaged small cell solution across Bahrain.

Serbia’s telecom industry has been liberalised in line with the principles of the EU’s regulatory framework for communications, focussed on encouraging competition in telecom products and services, and ensuring universal access.

The SatCom industry body SIA-India said the existing licensing framework should include low bitrate satellite services, and terminal-by-terminal fees should be relaxed, especially in the case of Internet of Things (IoT) to ensure success in India.

China's telecommunications industry registered faster growth of revenue in the first quarter (Q1) of the year, the country's news agency Xinhua reported quoting official data.

Bahrain Telecommunication Company (Batelco) has launched a second Global Zone site at its Hamala Data Centre following the launch of its first Global Zone site in 2019.

Philippines operator Globe Telecom said it would begin implementing mobile number portability (MNP) for its subscribers starting April 21.

Japanese group OCC (Ocean Cable & Communications Corporation) is reportedly acquiring Nepalese operator Smart Telecom for NPR12 billion (US$99 million).

Malawi’s Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has approached the country’s operators to address consumer complaints over high data prices.

The latest in what appears to be a fast-growing number of data centre development plans in Indonesia has just been announced.

African Countries and telecommunications stakeholders have launched the first set of African Telecommunication Union (ATU) spectrum recommendations that focus on transforming Africa into a knowledge economy through the development of technologies that boost connectivity and innovation.

As the government of India implementing curfew and lockdown situations in many states due to surging COVID-19 cases, it becomes of utmost importance to ensure the continuity of telecom tower operations 24 x7.

O2 Slovakia, the provider of mobile service in Slovakia, has tapped Ericsson as its technology partner for commercial 5G rollout and modernisation of existing 2G, 3G, and 4G radio access network (RAN) infrastructures.

Albania’s small telecom market has experienced some significant changes in recent years. Following its acquisition of the ISP ABCom, Vodafone Albania in early 2021 committed to invest €100 million to upgrade its fixed-line infrastructure.

Nearly half a million students at Indonesian universities are to get access to what is described as a personal cloud solution over the next three years.

Azerbaijan has joined an initiative to create a single roaming space between the countries of the Eastern Partnership (EaP).

Somalia’s largest telecommunications provider, Hormuud Telecom, has announced the rollout of the country’s first indigenous mobile money application.

Etisalat’s du has partnered with Nokia to deploy a 5G network providing enhanced mobile broadband services and expanding 5G coverage and revenue opportunities.

Neterra, the Bulgarian operator for telecommunications services and projects in Southeast Europe, said that it expanded Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) service in over 180 countries.

Tesla, the electric vehicle maker founded by Elon Musk, is building a Chinese-only data centre in Shanghai. This centre allows Tesla to comply with Chinese cybersecurity law in regard to data collection and storage.

A1 Telekom Austria Group, the provider of digital services and communications solutions, said it is accelerating its 5G rollout plans across Central and Eastern Europe.

Brazilian operator Oi has announced the launch throughout Brazil of Oi Conta Zap, a digital bank account managed through the WhatsApp messaging application.

Filipino operator Globe Telecom has surpassed its network upgrade targets for Q1 2021, deploying 318 new sites for a year-on-year increase of 152%.

The Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) and broadband infrastructure provider CSquared have made an agreement that will involve leasing of GRIDCo’s excess fibre capacity to mobile network operators and internet service providers in Ghana.

Kazakhstan’s Republican Center for Space Communications (RCSC) and the global content connectivity solutions provider SES have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore satellite service agreements.

China has built the world's largest 5G high-speed mobile network with 260 million 5G mobile connections now, reported Chinese official media quoting Liu Liehong, vice-minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

Finland-based smartphone manufacturer Nokia has announced that it has been selected by Taiwanese carrier Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) to expand the operator’s 5G network in Taiwan.