All Tech News

This week saw a significant announcement in the field of satellite communications by the BRICS countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. It’s the launch of what is called The Joint Committee on Space Cooperation.

Two Brazilian MVNOs have reportedly been the winners of a tender process to provide mobile connectivity to up to 700,000 students via the public network across the country – the first time that MVNOs have won a bid from the federal government to provide mobile connectivity.

Thailand and the Philippines are set to benefit from a partnership involving a US-based pioneer in waterborne data centres and a leader in luxury property development in Thailand.

It’s been a few days since the Peruvian telecommunications regulator Programa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (Pronatel) sprung a surprise by calling a halt to a tender to take over the operation and maintenance of the national backbone network Red Dorsal Nacional de Fibra Óptica (RDNFO). But two questions still remain to be answered.

Following the demonstration of low earth orbit (LEO) satellite support for 5G backhaul in Latin America, reported yesterday, there’s now news of medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite applications for 3G and 4G in Kazakhstan.

Brazil can claim its first 5G backhaul demonstration over low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, according to satellite operator Telesat and international service provider Telefónica, which have together announced the successful completion of the demonstration in Brazil and Latin America.

NEC Corporation and Juniper Networks have partnered with Algeria Telecom to deploy the operator’s nationwide IP metro commercial network.

Wireless broadband technology Curvalux has announced a collaboration agreement Brazilian ITC Consultancy Tree Net to bring highspeed Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) solutions to Brazil.

Madagascan operator Blueline has selected Ribbon’s Apollo Optical Networking solution to upgrade the bandwidth capacity of its communications network.

Egypt and MEA-focused digital solutions and ICT infrastructure provider Benya Group has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with OneWeb, the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications company, relating to satellite coverage in MEA.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales has confirmed that TSTT (Telecommunication Services of Trinidad and Tobago) is set to shutter its legacy copper networks by September this year.

Brazilian data centre firm Odata has opened its first Mexican data centre to add to its operations in Brazil, Colombia and Chile.

With the Safaricom Ethiopia launch still some months off, the country’s state-owned incumbent Ethio Telecom has again taken advantage of its sole service provider position with the introduction of another mobile finance-related service in Africa’s second most populous country.

Apple has reportedly shifted even more to production outside of its main manufacturing hub of China, as the country continues its strict lockdown measures. 

Avanti Communications has signed a five-year partnership agreement with Free which will see the latter firm build and host a new satellite gateway in Senegal for Avanti’s HYLAS 4 state-of-the-art Ka-band satellite.

stc Bahrain has launched a 5G Standalone network which it claims marks a first for the Kingdom.

Malaysia’s controversial shared network access approach to 5G may have received another setback with rumoured demands for a bigger stake and reviews of the plan from the four largest Malaysian operators, Celcom Axiata Bhd, DiGi Telecommunications, Maxis Bhd and U Mobile.

Two recent announcements underline the continuing drive on the part of fintech groups to bring their technology to African institutions and consumers.

Rwandan firms HUI and Annos have signed agreements with off-grid energy equipment vendor Vanu.

Hard on the heels of an agreement with Telefonica aimed at rural and remote parts of both Latin America and Europe, low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications company OneWeb has announced another, this time involving Uzbekistan.

IHS Towers reported profit and revenue growth for the first quarter of 2022 (ending March 31), stating confidence to aim toward the higher end of its 2022 earnings guidance.

Singapore-headquartered omnichannel healthcare company Doctor Anywhere has selected Vonage’s Video API to help deliver timely and effective digital healthcare solutions across Southeast Asia.

African internet provider InterSAT has renewed its agreement with SES for capacity on the latter’s satellite.

In a move that seems to buck a recent trend for greater control by governments over online activity, Zambia has suggested it will review its controversial Cyber Security and Cyber Crime law.

The highly diversified Peruvian telecommunications company Optical Networks has announced plans to add two more data centres to its presence in the market. They will be in the city of Lima.

Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Casa Systems to explore 5G capabilities and pave the way for next-generation network services in Vietnam.

The wearable market in India recorded double-digit growth in Q1 2022 as a result of new launches, discounts and aggressive marketing by vendors.

Deutsche Telekom’s Romanian unit GTS Telecom has commissioned Ciena to upgrade its network from 10G to 100G nationwide.

Alibaba Cloud, described as the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Chinese e-commerce giant the Alibaba Group, has launched its first data centre in Thailand – and has been highlighting the security aspects of the new facility.

Rural and remote parts of both Latin America and Europe are set to benefit from a deal involving low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications company OneWeb and global telecommunications company Telefonica.