A Direct Line From LEO: Problem or Opportunity?
Regulators are lagging behind the rapid expansion of low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) satellite services, creating uncertainty for operators seeking global coverage. Industry leaders from the GSOA and GSMA warn that fragmented spectrum rules, legal‑intercept mandates, and cross‑border interference standards could add costly layers to already capital‑intensive constellations. While satellite‑mobile partnerships ease compliance, direct‑to‑user LEO offerings—such as home broadband and device‑to‑satellite (D2D) services—face the steepest regulatory gaps. The GSMA’s new policy paper calls for transparent, harmonised rules that protect consumers without stifling innovation.
Nokia on the Evolving Priorities of Emerging Market Operators
At Mobile World Congress Nokia’s SVP for the Middle East and Africa, Mikko Lavanti, highlighted the dual reality facing emerging‑market operators: conflict‑driven network disruptions and a surge of infrastructure investment. He emphasized AI’s immediate impact, citing a 30% performance boost...
Indosat Bets on Inclusive AI to Reach Every Corner of Indonesia
Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison is shifting from a traditional telco to an AI‑driven tech company, focusing on inclusive AI that reaches Indonesia’s 280 million people across 17,000 islands. The operator has opened an AI experience centre in Jayapura to support remote healthcare,...
Emerging Market Operators Push for Tighter LEO Satellite Rules as Competitive Tensions Rise
At Mobile World Congress 2026, operators from MTN, Axiata and Ooredoo called for tighter regulation of low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) satellite services, arguing that existing telecom rules are decades old and create an uneven playing field. They welcomed providers such as Starlink...
Achieving Operator Growth in the AI Development Era
At MWC Barcelona 2026, Huawei introduced an “Agentic Operations” framework for telecom operators, leveraging AI agents across user interaction, experience operations, and network O&M. The approach showcased rapid GTM acceleration in Kenya, a 30% reduction in handling time in Hong...
Orange Targets 75 Million Users for Max It Super App as Africa Growth Accelerates
Orange’s Middle East and Africa unit announced at MWC that its Max It super app will be scaled from roughly 25 million to 75 million users by the end of 2028. The push is part of the “Trust the Future” strategy, leveraging mobile...
XLSMART Unveils AI-Powered Vision to Lead Indonesia's Digital Future
XLSMART, the product of the 2025 XL Axiata‑Smartfren merger, announced an AI‑centric strategy to become Indonesia’s digital‑economy engine. The telecom now serves 73 million customers, holds a 27% market share and operates 225 000 base stations. AI “copilots” powered by Huawei’s AUTIN...
The Most "AI-Powered" MWC of All Time
Mobile World Congress 2026 showcased AI as the event’s prevailing theme, with vendors and operators touting AI‑powered antennas, networks and software. Nvidia emphasized its role as a computing‑platform provider rather than a direct telecom solution builder, enabling AI‑driven network optimisation...
Ericsson on Africa and the Impact of AI at MWC 26
At MWC 26, Ericsson’s VP for West and Southern Africa, Majda Lahlou Kassi, outlined the company’s strategy to pair AI with 5G‑Standalone and 5G‑Advanced to accelerate digital transformation across the continent. The firm unveiled more than ten AI‑enabled radio products and a...
Huawei Targets AI Data Centre Reliability with Xinghe AI Fabric 2.0
At Mobile World Congress, Huawei unveiled Xinghe AI Fabric 2.0, a three‑layer AI‑centric architecture designed to improve reliability and performance of AI‑heavy data centres. The suite introduces Rock‑Solid Architecture 2.0 with an AI Eagle‑Eye engine that can monitor up to 200,000 service...
Stc Pilots AI-Powered Arabic–English Translation for Voice Calls
Saudi Arabia’s stc Group has launched phase two of its “New Calling” initiative, piloting AI‑driven real‑time Arabic‑English translation for voice calls. The service is currently live for a limited set of Riyadh customers and relies on low‑latency network processing combined...
MTN Zambia Partners with Starlink to Offer D2C Services
MTN Zambia has partnered with SpaceX’s Starlink to pilot Direct‑to‑Cell (D2C) service, completing the first data session and fintech transaction over the satellite network. The test proves that 4G handsets can connect directly to Starlink’s LEO constellation, delivering voice, video...
DNB Heads to Private Status After CelcomDigi and Maxis Buy MOF Shares
Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), Malaysia's 5G wholesale operator, is set to become a fully private company after CelcomDigi and Maxis each exercised a put option to buy the 41.67% stake held by Minister of Finance Incorporated (MOF Inc). The transaction,...
SES and Africa Mobile Networks Extend DRC Coverage to 27% with 1,100 Rural Base Stations
SES and Africa Mobile Networks (AMN) have installed 1,100 solar‑powered base stations across the Democratic Republic of the Congo, pushing mobile coverage to 27% of the population and adding roughly 1.3 million new users. The rollout relies on VSAT backhaul and...