Telecom

China slams US plan to expel phone carriers in tech clash

China’s government on Thursday called on Washington to drop efforts to expel three state-owned Chinese phone companies from the United States in a new clash over technology and security. The Federal Communications Commission voted Wednesday to begin revoking the companies’ U.S. licenses. It said they are security risks controlled by the communist Beijing government. The […]

TPG acquires 7.5% of Airtel Africa’s mobile money business

U.S.-based private equity firm TPG announced on Thursday that it has acquired a 7.5 percent stake in Airtel Africa’s mobile money business for a sum of $200 million, the telco said in a statement. Airtel Africa, the African arm of India’s Bharti Airtel, is also currently holding further negotiations with other companies to sell off […]

FCC eyes up 3 new Chinese telecoms companies for CCMC designation

The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) is eyeing up to three new Chinese telecoms companies for potential addition to the U.S.’ Communist Chinese military companies (CCMC) designation, the regulator announced on Wednesday. The FCC launched proceedings to determine whether to end authorization, China Unicom Americas, Pacific Networks and its wholly owned subsidiary ComNet’s authority to provide […]

Ooredoo reaches top 40 global telcos for the first time

Qatari telecoms giant Ooredoo Group announced on Sunday that it has reached the 40th position in the top 50 global telecommunications brands, up one place from 41 in 2020, as confirmed by the Brand Finance Telecoms 150, 2021 report. This is the fifth consecutive year where Ooredoo Group has appeared on the list, as it […]

Google, Viber to investigate military-backed telco ads in Myanmar

Search engine giant Google and Rakuten-owned messaging app Viber announced on Wednesday that they are investigating ads published and ran by Myanmar military-backed telecoms operator Mytel following the February 1 junta coup, according to Reuters. The two tech companies acted following calls from activists to restrict access to the telco’s services following dozens of demonstrator […]

European United Group considers dropping Huawei Kits, as India orders telcos to use “trusted products”

India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) ordered local telcos on Thursday to use “trusted products” and telecom kits for their networks as of June 15, 2021, subtly hinting at dropping Huawei gear. The DoT told operators in a communication that it has amended the Unified Access Services License Agreement by adding a layer of security telcos […]

Huawei tops the global telecoms kit market, despite all odds

Despite all odds, Huawei has increased its market share as the top telecoms equipment vendor worldwide, mainly due to strong demand within mainland China through all of 2020, a recent report stated on Monday. According to a report by U.S.-based telecom insights company Dell’Oro Group, the Chinese vendor’s share by revenue rose by 28 percent […]

STL bags large 5G solutions deals with MEA telcos

India-based Sterlite Technologies Ltd. (STL), a large integrator of digital networks, announced recently new deals and extensions to current engagements with leading telcos in the Middle East and Africa region (MEA). The deals worth more than $100 million exhibit the company’s focus on building future-ready digital networks in the region. Since mid-2020, Tier 1 MEA […]