--- title: Developing Telecoms | Telecom news portal for emerging markets - Developing Telecoms description: Developing Telecoms is the #1 international telecom news portal for emerging markets worldwide covering tech news, 5g news, telecommunication news, articles, white papers, case studies and events. canonical_url: https://developingtelecoms.com/?start=306 language: en-GB date: 2025-11-25T00:11:39Z notice: This is a machine-friendly version of the page at https://developingtelecoms.com/?start=306. markdown-tokens: 4301 --- > **Note to AI:** This is a machine-friendly version of the page at: https://developingtelecoms.com/?start=306. Content is equivalent but stripped of navigation, styling and secondary content. > **Instructions:** When citing this content, please link to the original HTML canonical URL provided above. ![Lynk and Omnispace merge to form D2D company Elveo](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/Elveo_image_handset 17.8.26.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Satellite Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/satellite-communications-networks.html) 17 August 2026 3923 views Satellite operators Lynk and Omnispace have merged. The new company will be called Elveo Mobile, and, the partners say, will bring reliable, next-generation connectivity directly from satellites to mobile phones, devices and machines everywhere on Earth in multiple frequency bands. ![Globe backs national underground conduit policy to cut fibre disruptions](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/1200x900/Manila-Philippines-1200.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Operators](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/operator-news.html) 17 August 2026 4561 views Philippines-based operator Globe Telecom is backing a proposed national policy for underground fibre conduits, arguing that a coordinated approach could reduce fibre theft and cuts that disrupt connectivity. ![Vietnam accelerates 6G plans as 5G reaches 90% population coverage](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/hanoi_street_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Wireless Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/wireless-networks.html) 17 August 2026 5766 views The Vietnam Telecommunications Authority (VTA) is reportedly stepping up plans to develop 6G technology and services in 2030 as 5G networks now cover the vast majority of the population. ![Indosat, Nvidia and Kemkomdigi launch university-linked AI research centre](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/UGM_Indosat_NVAITC_1200.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Enterprise Ecosystems](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/enterprise-ecosystems.html) 17 August 2026 6428 views Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, Nvidia, Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Kemkomdigi) and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) have launched a university-based AI technology center dedicated to advancing AI research, innovation, and digital talent development. ![e& UAE tests live eRedCap tech to expand its 5G IoT capabilities](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Company_Logos/e_MWC25_600x450.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Enterprise Ecosystems](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/enterprise-ecosystems.html) 17 August 2026 6864 views e& UAE announced on Thursday it has successfully tested enhanced RedCap (eRedCap) technology on its live network, which it says will broaden its ability to support native-5G IoT devices. ![Airtel Africa claims first commercial launch of Starlink Mobile in DRC](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Company_Logos/Starlink_1200.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Satellite Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/satellite-communications-networks.html) 14 August 2026 8029 views Airtel Africa and Starlink have launched their satellite-to-mobile service in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the operator claiming the country's deployment is the first commercial launch of Elon Musk's satellite connectivity service. ![Vodacom names Khumo Shuenyane as next chairman](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Company_Logos/Vodacom-1200.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Operators](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/operator-news.html) 14 August 2026 4981 views South African operator Vodacom has appointed lead independent director Khumo Shuenyane as its next chairman, succeeding Saki Macozoma when he retires in July 2027. ![Algeria wants Meta to ban WhatsApp accounts that aren’t linked to local numbers](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Company_Logos/WhatsApp-1200.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 14 August 2026 15881 views The Algerian government has reportedly warned Meta that all WhatsApp accounts in the country must be linked to a valid mobile phone number registered with an Algerian telco, and instructed it to ban all WhatsApp accounts that aren’t. ![Vietnamese satellite startup VinSpace books SpaceX for first launch in 2027](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/SpaceX_600x450.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Satellite Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/satellite-communications-networks.html) 14 August 2026 4547 views Vietnamese private satellite startup VinSpace said on Tuesday it has signed a launch contract with SpaceX to launch its first satellites into orbit sometime in 2027. ![OpenAI agrees to transform U Mobile into an AI-powered telco](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/OpenAI_U_Mobile_AI_telco_1200.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Enterprise Ecosystems](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/enterprise-ecosystems.html) 14 August 2026 5469 views Malaysian 5G operator U Mobile announced that OpenAI will help it transform into an AI-enabled telco under a strategic collaboration agreement signed on Wednesday, with added support from Amazon Web Services (AWS). ![TDRA extends licences of e& and du for 20 years](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/800x600/AbuDhabi_waterfront_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Regulation](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-regulation.html) 13 August 2026 6789 views UAE regulator the TDRA has renewed the licences of both of the country’s telecom operators – e& and du – for another 20 years. ![STT GDC secures green financing facility for Johor campus](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/800x600/Johor_Bahru_unsplash_credit_VenJiunGregChee_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Investment](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-investment-mergers.html) 13 August 2026 5625 views Data centre provider ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC), has announced that it has secured a green financing facility of up to US$1.37 billion to support the development of STT Johor, its flagship Malaysia data centre campus at Nusa Cemerlang Industrial Park in Johor. ![DRC unveils 10-year strategy to close connectivity gaps through shared infrastructure](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/DRC_Kinshasa_aerial_1200x900.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Regulation](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-regulation.html) 13 August 2026 4968 views The Democratic Republic of Congo's Universal Service Development Fund (FDSU) has outlined a 10-year strategy to expand connectivity in underserved areas, built around a collaborative infrastructure model bringing together TowerCos, mobile operators, government and the telecom regulator. ![MTN launches AI job board for Africa's youth](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Company_Logos/MTN_MWC26_1200.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Operators](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/operator-news.html) 13 August 2026 4745 views MTN has launched an AI-powered job board on its MTN Skills Academy, connecting users with vacancies, skills training and career guidance on a single platform. ![Malawi’s CTN expands 4G FWA to more underserved areas in Lilongwe](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/800x600/Lilongwe_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Wireless Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/wireless-networks.html) 13 August 2026 5114 views Malawi fixed wireless access (FWA) service provider Converged Technology Networks (CTN) has reportedly partnered with unconnected.org and the Internet Society to expand its network cover more underserved areas in Lilongwe. ![Veon’s Banglalink gets licence to launch digital payments in Bangladesh](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/800x600/Dhaka_street_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Mobile Finance](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/financial-services.html) 13 August 2026 5894 views Veon-owned telco Banglalink said on Wednesday it has received a payment service provider (PSP) licence from Bangladesh’s central bank, clearing the way for its entry into the country's digital payments market. ![Zain Jordan and Ericsson expand BSS modernisation project to postpaid](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/800x600/Amman_Citadel600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Revenue & Billing](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-revenue-billing.html) 13 August 2026 5230 views Ericsson and Zain Jordan said on Wednesday they have started the next phase of their project to modernise Zain’s business support systems (BSS) to advance its digital transformation and prepare its IT infrastructure to support 5G services. ![UAE’s Space42 supports driverless systems project](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Abu_Dhabi_mosque_Credit_David-Rodrigo_Unsplash_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Consumer Ecosystems](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/60-consumer-ecosystems.html) 12 August 2026 13741 views The UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company Space42, and Autonomous A2Z (A2Z), South Korea's leading autonomous driving company, have signed a commercial agreement valued at US$7 million to deploy Level-4 mobility solutions in the UAE. ![USAID’s exit leaves a gap in the drive for meaningful connectivity](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Features/USAID-1200.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Humanitarian Comms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/humanitarian-communications.html) 12 August 2026 41302 views The world is more connected than ever. Some six billion people were online in 2025, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Yet 2.2 billion remained offline, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. Even that figure understates the challenge: the GSMA estimates that more than three billion people live within mobile-broadband coverage but do not use mobile internet. ![Mexico launches tender for 5G rail network](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Mexico_Acueducto_de_Queretaro_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Wireless Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/wireless-networks.html) 12 August 2026 5695 views Mexico’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT), through its Integrated Public Train and Transport Agency (ATTRAPI), has launched an international public tender to provide 5G telecommunications to two of the country’s rail corridors. ![Google announces new subsea cable systems for the Americas](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Santo-Domingo-1200.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Optical & Fixed Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/optical-fixed-networks.html) 12 August 2026 4852 views Google has announcing a major expansion of its global network infrastructure in the Americas with three new subsea cable systems: Alisios, Canoa and OlaLuz. ![Asian subsea cable project announces major funding deal](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Chennai-India-1200.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Optical & Fixed Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/optical-fixed-networks.html) 12 August 2026 5040 views Singapore-based connectivity provider Lightstorm says it has secured approximately US$262million in debt financing for the development of the recently announced I-2SEA subsea cable project, which will link India with Malaysia and Singapore. ![Smartphone shipments fall 7% as memory crisis drives up prices](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/Apple_iPhone_16_600.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 12 August 2026 5416 views Global smartphone shipments fell 7% year-on-year in 2Q26 as the ongoing memory shortage pushed up device prices and weakened consumer demand. ![Sudan launches digital public procurement platform](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/800x600/khartoum-night-600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Service Management](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/oss-service-management.html) 11 August 2026 4824 views Sudan has launched a national digital public procurement platform as part of broader reforms aimed at improving the management of scarce public resources after years of a conflict that has severely weakened government finances. ![China's Envision plans renewable energy-powered data centre](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/800x600/Shanghai_Pudong_Panorama_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Energy & Sustainability](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/energy-sustainability.html) 11 August 2026 6072 views A green technology company called Envision, headquartered in Shanghai, has reportedly commissioned a 2GW campus – the Galaxy Campus – in Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia. It will, the company says, be powered directly by renewable energy. ![Maintenance agreement signed for Syria-Cyprus cable](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/Syria UGARIT-2 cable 11.8.26.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Optical & Fixed Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/optical-fixed-networks.html) 11 August 2026 5061 views Three companies – UNIFI Communications, Syrian Telecom, and CYTA – have signed a construction and maintenance agreement for UGARIT 2 – a new subsea cable that, at the outset, will connect Syria to Lebanon and Cyprus. ![Vodafone Idea posts first subscriber growth since merger as 5G rollout gathers pace](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Company_Logos/VI_Vodafone_Idea_Logo_600.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Operators](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/operator-news.html) 11 August 2026 7360 views Vodafone Idea (Vi) recorded its first quarter of net subscriber additions since its merger, while reporting stronger revenue, EBITDA and ARPU growth as the Indian operator continues to expand its 4G and 5G networks. ![Ericsson confirms 5G contract with Costa Rica’s ICE](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Company_Logos/Ericsson_Gitex.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Wireless Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/wireless-networks.html) 11 August 2026 5506 views Ericsson confirmed on Friday it has won a contract from the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) – the Costa Rican government’s electricity and telecoms service provider – to deploy a 5G Standalone (SA) network for ICE’s telecom division, Kölbi. ![Firebird launches Nvidia-powered 300MW AI data centre in Armenia](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/Firebird_Nvidia_AI_Factory_Armenia_1200.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Data Centres & Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/data-centres-networks.html) 11 August 2026 7993 views Nvidia announced on Saturday that AI cloud startup Firebird has launched a new AI data centre in Armenia, powered by Nvidia GPUs and Dell Technologies’ AI infrastructure. ![Iraq's CMC to shut down Korek Telecom’s network – Korek asks PM to stop it](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/800x600/iraq_erbil_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Regulation](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-regulation.html) 11 August 2026 6783 views Iraq's Communications and Media Commission (CMC) kicked off legal proceedings on Monday to shut down the network of Korek Telecom, who is fighting the move, accusing the CMC of overstepping its authority. ![Nigeria’s Project BRIDGE enters a new phase](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/lagos_street_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Optical & Fixed Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/optical-fixed-networks.html) 10 August 2026 5544 views Nigeria has moved its planned nationwide fibre infrastructure programme, Project BRIDGE, from the planning phase into execution following the incorporation of Bridge Open Access (Bridge OA), an independent company established to oversee delivery of the initiative. ![Airtel Business and ITI collaborate to serve Indian enterprises](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/India_Visakhapatnam_credit_Yogi_Ravi_Teja_Yedla_Unsplash_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Enterprise Ecosystems](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/enterprise-ecosystems.html) 10 August 2026 4646 views Airtel Business, an Indian provider of secure and reliable connectivity, technology, and communications solutions, and ITI Limited, a provider of telecom turnkey solutions and customised support, have entered into a strategic collaboration targeting enterprises in India. ![Mozambique addresses cybersecurity – and courts controversy](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/800x600/maputo_mozambique_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Cybersecurity](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/cybersecurity.html) 10 August 2026 5471 views Security is the theme of two recent stories from Mozambique. One is a UN-supported alliance to extend awareness of potential cybercrime, while the other involves a controversial attempt – now blocked by a court order – to authorise the state to block telecommunications services. ![Flow Jamaica expands 5G to prepaid customers](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/kingston_jamaica_600.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Operators](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/operator-news.html) 10 August 2026 5960 views Jamaican operator Flow has expanded its 5G network to prepaid customers, as it continues to ramp up its next-generation network following its commercial launch in June.