Regulation

Somalia is reportedly moving ahead with its structural transition to the new generation of internet addresses (IPv6), a change necessary to build the capacity of the country's digital infrastructure and anticipate the future growth of online applications. 

The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) has said it has surpassed 241,000 active .ng domain names, less than a quarter of the one million active-domain target that NiRA set in 2019 for achievement by 2024.

There may be even better news for two Indian operators – and notably Vodafone Idea – on outstanding spectrum charges following an Indian High Court ruling on Monday.

Movistar has been fined COP1.36 billion (US$330,000) by Colombia’s telecommunications regulator after an investigation found weaknesses in its SIM card replacement procedures that allegedly enabled fraud against customers.

Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) fined Orange Liberia LRD4 million (US$20,000) after finding the operator liable for the unauthorised issuance of a customer’s SIM card to a third party, resulting in a privacy and communications breach.

Last week’s launch of Bharti Airtel’s Priority Postpaid service has reignited debate in India’s telecoms sector over whether network slicing – a key feature of standalone (SA) 5G – is consistent with the country’s net neutrality policy.

Another plan to tax mobile money transactions is under attack – this time in Kenya, the market that, arguably, pioneered mobile payments.

Veon criticised the high rate of taxation on the telecoms sector in Bangladesh and Pakistan, warning it risks slowing digital and economic growth in both countries.

The East African Community (EAC), a regional intergovernmental organisation comprising eight partner states, says it has commenced a series of regional engagements aimed at advancing the development of a harmonised Regional Mobile Roaming Framework.

Among headlines relating to ongoing device registration efforts across Africa is recent news that Cameroon’s customs administration has ordered mobile network operators to block digital devices that have not been registered and cleared through the country’s new electronic customs system.

Safaricom’s US$2.1 billion deal to sell a 15% stake to South Africa-based Vodacom Group has reportedly been put on hold after the Kenyan High Court allowed petitions challenging the sale’s constitutionality to go ahead.

Kenyan operator Safaricom has secured what is described as a landmark 25-year operating licence from Kenya’s Communications Authority (CA). It’s certainly unusual; the CA has historically issued licences only lasting ten years.

The Kenyan government has given social media platform X, formerly Twitter, three months to establish a physical presence in the country.

India’s Department of Telecommunication (DoT) has cut operator Vodafone Idea's adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues by nearly 27%.

Kenyan opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka has petitioned the High Court seeking to block the government’s proposed sale of its 15% stake in Safaricom to Vodacom, arguing that proper legal and constitutional procedures have not been followed.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council has reportedly approved a temporary scheme for businesses to access the global internet with fewer restrictions. The authorities had imposed a blackout since the start of the war against the US and Israel.

The Starlink satellite communications service is expected to be permitted to operate in Papua New Guinea (PNG), more than two years after a ban was imposed on it by the country’s Ombudsman Commission.

Togo, Benin and Senegal have launched free roaming services. The launch, announced late last week, marks the implementation of two bilateral agreements — one between Togo and Senegal, the other between Senegal and Benin — signed on the sidelines of the ARTAO 23rd annual general assembly.

Mozambique’s Communications Regulatory Authority (INCM) has kicked off a national roaming service pilot in a bid to equalise mobile coverage for users.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and regulator the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at tackling SIM-related fraud and strengthening consumer protection across Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

India's government has decided not to go ahead with a proposal to require smartphone makers to pre-install the country's biometric identification app Aadhaar on phones.

Mozambique’s Communications Regulatory Authority (INCM) has kicked off plans to allocate 5G spectrum after receiving proposals from the country’s three main telcos – Tmcel, Vodacom Mozambique and Movitel.

LEO satellite broadband operator Starlink is reportedly facing more regulatory hurdles in India related to foreign direct investment (FDI) and national security that could further delay its commercial launch in the country.

Russia has recently hardened its restrictions on the use of virtual private networks (VPNs), which are a popular way of getting round state censorship and accessing banned news sites, Western services, social media platforms and messengers.

Mauritanian telcos Moov Mauritel, Mattel, Chinguitel and Rimatel have reportedly bid MRU1.08 billion (around US$27.1 million) in total for 5G licences being auctioned by the Autorité de Régulation (ARE).

Gabon has introduced a sweeping new social media ordinance which eliminates online anonymity and imposes strict identity requirements, among other measures. It comes in the context of a recent wave of social media restrictions in Gabon.

Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) will reportedly start regulating over-the-top (OTT) platforms and content as part of a coming revamp of broadcasting regulations.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released an industry consultation paper to explore whether direct-to-device (D2D) satellite services should use existing terrestrial spectrum or mobile satellite services (MSS) spectrum.

A preliminary study has been launched to assess the readiness for deploying sixth generation (6G) telecommunications networks in Oman, albeit many elements of 6G itself are still being defined.

African payments technology company Flutterwave has announced that it has secured a Nigerian banking license.

African ministers and partners have adopted a declaration agreeing to develop telecoms infrastructure as a strategic pan-African foundation for sovereignty, resilience, inclusion and economic transformation.

Cambodia’s National Assembly has unanimously approved a draft law targeting telecom and online fraud, marking a major step in the country’s efforts to curb cross-border scam operations and strengthen enforcement frameworks.

Regulator the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a directive that aims to force mobile network operators (MNOs) to compensate subscribers for poor network service.