Latest News & Articles
Regulation
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Safaricom gets major boost with award of 25-year operating licence
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How AI is exposing cybersecurity weaknesses in emerging markets
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What's next for fintechs in Africa?
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Togo, Benin and Senegal launch free roaming
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Is Algeria about to open up its satcoms market?
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A direct line from LEO: problem or opportunity?
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Nigeria's regulator wants operators to compensate subscribers for bad QOS
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Senegal’s regulator consults on fibre sharing
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Thailand's NBTC to reclassify data centre licences for tighter oversight
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Papua New Guinea plans SIM card registration
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Cambodia and Ghana join the race to ramp up cybersecurity efforts
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Nigeria leading the way on AI regulation in Africa
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Mexico's CRT to unregistered phone users: one month to comply
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Telefonica Chile sale stalls as America Movil changes tack
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Poland joins countries delaying 5G auction
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Indian regulator right to welcome MVNOs
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WRC-27 in Shanghai a "defining moment” for universal connectivity
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UNDP report warns that AI could worsen development inequalities
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India mandates use of cybersecurity app on phones
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Vodafone Idea unit trims bond sale as cheaper funding options emerge
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Pakistan establishes new telecoms tribunal to speed up dispute resolution
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Payment service provision in Africa: a promising but challenging market
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Vietnam prepares to bring mobile money service out of pilot mode
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Digital lending in the spotlight in Kenya and Nigeria
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ITU report highlights ongoing connectivity challenges
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Konektadong Pinoy law cracks Philippines’ data services market wide open
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India’s regulator rates digital connectivity in properties
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Pakistan’s regulators address issues related to QoS and satellite internet
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Thailand’s NBTC orders telcos to cut internet services to Cambodia
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Vietnam to streamline licencing for telecoms, DC and cloud players
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Starlink clear to launch commercial services in Kazakhstan in Q3
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Starlink bags approval to close in on Indian launch
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MTN signs updated contract for South Sudan services
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Bangladesh plans major telecoms policy overhaul to embrace digital
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Malaysia’s data centre boom could create water crisis, warns SPAN
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Kenya’s CA proposes new comms equipment and satcoms licensing regime
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Vietnam to regulate online content in radical extension of existing rules
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Regulatory issues for Apple in Indonesia and Brazil
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Mexico’s telecoms regulator is (almost) abolished
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Safaricom urges Kenyan regulator to make Starlink partner with telcos
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Liberian regulator addresses short code assignment issues
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Telecom players urge Philippines govt to do more on rollout permits
![Telecoms players in the Philippines say that the government’s recent moves to streamline the permit process for faster network equipment rollouts are helping, but that stakeholders need to do more to make the process smoother. Last year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr issued Executive Order No. 32, which – along with its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) – streamlined the permit process for the construction, installation, repair, operation and maintenance of telecoms and Internet infrastructure in the Philippines. The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) said during its fourth telco workshop last week that EO 32 and the IRR have had a positive impact on network rollouts, citing a 48% rise in approved telco-related permits between May 2022 and May 2024. Attorney Pamela B. Felizarta, head of joint strategic operations at PLDT’s wireless arm Smart Communications, acknowledged that the guidelines, rules and regulations now in place have paved the way for faster rollouts of telecom infrastructure. However, she said that telcos still face formidable permit-related challenges, including securing Mayor's and Business Permits, unreasonable fees, and difficulties in obtaining consent from homeowners' associations, among others. Ricky James Steyn, COO and interim president and CEO at tower company Miescor Infrastructure Development Corporation (MIDC), agreed that uncooperative homeowner associations often hinder site development and connectivity improvements. He also emphasized the importance of standardizing Lease and Right of Way Agreements with landowners to prevent excessive fees and construction delays. Felizarta urged industry stakeholders, including government agencies, local government units, tower companies and other telco operators, to intensify collaboration in order to address these challenges. "We continue to collaborate with local government units toward a full appreciation of EO 32, and we look forward to the enactment of local ordinances that adopt in full the IRR's provisions," she added. "Together with ARTA and our partners in the public and private sectors, we trust that we will continue to work closely together, since there is still so much work to be done." "ARTA in collaboration with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will draft a template ordinance for LGUs [local government units] to adopt in order to expedite the approval process," said ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez.](/images/stories/NewsPix/PLDT_Smart_Pamela_Felizarta_ARTA_workshop_600.jpeg)
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Bangladesh internet blackout not caused by data centre fires: report
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MCMC instructs Malaysian ISPs to redirect alternate DNS requests
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TRAI targets QoS with new 4G and 5G rules for India’s operators
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NBTC changes tack on satellite slot selloff after auction flops
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Starlink back online in Tonga via temporary operator permit
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Liberia changes the rules to promote fintech competition
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Indian regulator relaxes its recruitment criteria
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Tunisia kicks off tender process for 5G licences
