Trends

Jun 28, 2023

Chinese Checkers: Will the EU Block Huawei and ZTE From 5G Rollouts?

In the last few years, Huawei, ZTE, and other Chinese equipment suppliers have come under increasing scrutiny due to alleged links with the Beijing government, raising serious security concerns for Western powers.

Following the U.S. government's ban on Chinese 5G technology, China-based vendors now face problems elsewhere.

The European Union (EU) is considering an outright ban of Chinese equipment across Europe’s 5G networks.

Jun 20, 2023

5G Frequency Frenzy: A Guide to Latin America’s Upcoming Spectrum Auctions

In sharp contrast to other regions, only a handful of Latin American telecom markets have seen 5G launch activity to date, with notable examples including the likes of Brazil and Chile.

However, a number of eagerly awaited 5G spectrum auctions are expected to take place in the region in the coming months.

Today we take a closer look at the LatAm markets where we can expect to witness 5G auction activity before the end of the year. 

May 10, 2023

Shaw Thing: Canadian Merger Finally a Done Deal

A long-running telecom saga came to an end last month with the conclusion of the C$25 billion ($18.4 billion) merger between Canadian operators Rogers Communications and Shaw Communications.

Apr 13, 2023

The Rise and Fall of a Caribbean Communications Kingpin

Earlier this year, it was revealed that Denis O’Brien—the Irish businessman who founded international telecom group Digicel in 2001—could lose up to 90% of the company to U.S.-based investment firms.

These firms are poised to seize control of the business in exchange for writing off up to $1.8 billion of Digicel’s debt.

The revelation that O’Brien could lose his empire follows a tumultuous period for Digicel. Today we take a look at the rise and fall of a Caribbean communications kingpin.

Mar 27, 2023

Tracking 5G Deployments in the Middle East and Africa

According to the latest data from TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database Service, as of March 2023, 18 countries in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region are served by commercial 5G services.

This includes eight in the Middle East and 10 in Africa.

Feb 15, 2023

2G and 3G Shutdowns Continue

Mobile network operators around the world continue to close legacy 2G and 3G networks in order to migrate valuable spectrum resources to more widely used 4G and 5G technologies.

Following up on our August 2021 piece covering 3G sunsets in Europe, today we have a look at how the situation has developed since then and which markets will be next to wave goodbye to 2G and 3G.

Jan 23, 2023

The Panama Paper Trail: Tracking Five Years of Telecom Upheaval

Back in 2018, the Panamanian government rubber-stamped long-gestating plans to reduce the mobile market from four players to three, seeking to make better use of the country’s spectrum resources.

Despite multiple meetings, no breakthroughs were achieved, and all four operators were unwilling to concede ground.

Five years later, multiple international telecom groups have exited Panama and the authorities find themselves in the unusual position of trying to attract a new operator to fill the void.

Today, we track the key events that led to this point.

Jan 12, 2023

Shake-up in Hungary as Vodafone Exits

U.K.-based Vodafone Group has agreed to leave the Hungarian telecom market after more than 20 years of competing in the country’s mobile and fixed sectors.

Dec 5, 2022

Turkcell Unsuccessful With Iran Lawsuit

South Africa’s MTN Group has announced the end of a decade-long legal battle centered on its Iranian subsidiary, MTN Irancell.

Oct 19, 2022

A Passage to India: 5G Finally Arrives

The second most populous nation in the world, India, also boasts the world’s second-largest mobile market, with almost 1.15 billion subscriptions at the end of June 2022, according to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database.

The country’s mobile customers are getting access to 5G services for the first time this month following the widely anticipated launch.