Telecoms

SmartLabs’ SmartTUBE 7 brings additional functionality to IPTV/OTT operators

SmartLabs announces the latest version of its Service Delivery Platform, SmartTUBE 7, which will enable IPTV/OTT operators able to make simpler updates to the software on client devices, gain a powerful tool for additional advertising income and get server software updates automatically. Key features of SmartTUBE 7 include SmartLabs’ ADS (Advertising Decision System), a system […]

O2 UK slapped with £10.5m for overcharging customers

British telecoms regulator Ofcom has fined O2 UK £10.5m late last week for overcharging its customers over an eight-year span, as the regulatory authority identified issues within its billing processes dating back to 2011. According to the watchdog, its rules require telecoms companies to provide customers with accurate bills and charges. In 2019, Ofcom opened […]

Huawei founder calls on Biden to ease anti-China policy

Founder and CEO of Chinese tech-titan Huawei, Ren Zhengfei, has called on the newly elected Biden administration to lessen the severity of the restrictions made on Chinese firms by his predecessor Donald Trump. While addressing a local media roundtable, Ren admitted that it is rather unlikely that U.S. President Joe Biden would overturn or drastically […]

ZTE, China Telecom complete first NodeEngine pilot

Chinese tech company ZTE and China Telecom completed on Tuesday the industry’s first NodeEngine pilot, taking place on one of Yanghzhou’s commercial networks. According to a joint statement, “Based on its existing network 5G & NodeEngine traffic offloading service,” ZTE – which is partially state-owned – has assisted China Telecom in rapidly deploying smart industrial […]

MTN to sell its stake in BICS as part of divestment plan

South African telecom-giant MTN Group announced on Tuesday that it will sell its 20 percent shareholding stake in Belgacom International Carrier Services (BICS) to Belgian state-controlled telecoms firm Proximus for $121.41 million. However, the timing of closing is dependent on customary regulatory approvals. Once all the saleconditions,legal precedent, has been fulfilled, MTN will receive proceeds […]

India restores 4G mobile internet in Kashmir after 550 days

India ended an 18-month-long ban on high speed internet services on mobile devices in disputed Kashmir, where opposition to New Delhi has deepened after it revoked the region’s semi-autonomy. The order late Friday lifted the ban on 4G mobile data services However, the order issued by the region’s home secretary, Shaleen Kabra, asked police officials […]

Africell becomes Angola’s fourth operator

Africell announced on Wednesday that it will expand its operations in Angola by the end of the year to become the country’s fourth operator after receiving its telecommunications license. With that, Africell will stand alongside three other operators Movicel, Unitel, and state-owned Angola Telecom, as it expands into its 5th territorial market. The telco will […]

AT&T acquires $14.7 billion loan from BofA to fund spectrum

U.S. telecoms operator AT&T has entered a $14.7 billion loan credit agreement with Bank of America (BofA) in an attempt to massively invest in the ongoing C-band spectrum auction. According to the company’s U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing, the funds will be available for AT&T to withdraw at any point before May 29, […]

Ethiopia extends telco license bidding deadline till April 2021

The Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA) announced on Tuesday that is has delayed the issuing of two new nationwide operating licenses. ECA made the announcement via Twitter confirming that the decision was taken to delay the process following requests received from would-be bidders during the question-and-answer period of the request for proposals (RFP) process for the […]