Saudi Telecom Company (STC) is looking to assume full control of Kuwaiti number two Viva with an acquisition of the 74% stake that it doesn’t yet own.

Facebook’s Internet.org is now offering its Free Basics app across India via Reliance Communications’ (RCom) mobile network.

Alcatel-Lucent is upgrading Orange Romania’s existing long-haul microwave transport network, allowing Orange to enhance its 4G network capacity and performance.

Indian operators will soon be able to hold more spectrum within a telecom service area following an amendment to the measurement system.

The Indian Supreme Court is charging Vodafone INR20 billion ($300 million) for a merger licence that will allow it to consolidate 6 of its units in the country.

Bulgarian number three Vivacom has been bought at auction for €730 million by the businessman and fellow Bulgarian Spas Roussev.

Yandex Data Factory, the big data analytics arm of Russian search engine provider Yandex, has announced a new partnership with VimpelCom subsidiary brand Beeline.

South African incumbent Telkom has abandoned discussions relating to a potential acquisition of local mobile operator Cell C.

Global satellite operator Eutelsat and infrastructure provider Camusat have partnered to deliver turnkey connectivity solutions for mobile operators in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Intersat is expanding its internet service offerings to East Africa via  a new agreement with SES S.A.

UAE-based satellite operator Yahsat has announced partnerships with Hughes Networks Systems and iWayAfrica to support its African expansion.

VimpelCom has confirmed that it will sell its Zimbabwean unit to state-owned ISP ZARnet.

Spacecom is cooperating with Cameroon ISP Ringo S.A. to deliver the region’s first large-scale cellular-satellite hybrid broadband Internet project.

Online money transfer service WorldRemit has launched instant transfers to Tigo Mobile Money accounts in Rwanda.

The ACE consortium has announced the start of the next phase of the ACE submarine cable system to expand broadband connectivity and digital services in Africa. 

Cable operator Seacom is augmenting the international connections of its new metro wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) networks in South Africa and East Africa with solutions from Infinera.

Alcatel-Lucent has signed a three-year frame agreement with Tanzanian operator TTCL to modernise the operator’s IP/MPLS and optical transport networks.

NTT’s data and IP services unit NTT Communications Corporation is partnering with Workonline Communications to provide enhanced IP network connectivity services in Africa.

Reliance Jio Infocomm has reportedly delayed its 4G launch again, pushing its plans into the next fiscal year.

The Senegalese government, together with the country’s regulator ARTP, has begun a tender for 4G spectrum.

Serbia’s government has announced that 6 companies have lodged binding bids for the available 58% stake in the state-owned operator Telekom Srbija.

Facebook has announced partnerships with the Praekelt Foundation and Bharti Airtel Africa to expand the reach of its Free Basics programme.

Nigeria’s regulator has pushed back MTN’s deadline for paying its $5.2 billion fine until the ongoing discussions between the 2 parties have been resolved.

Ooredoo Group and Ericsson have signed a frame agreement for the supply of radio, core and transmission solutions, as well as related implementation and integration services.

AIS and True Move have become the first Thai operators to win 4G licences in the country’s long-delayed auctions.

Alcatel-Lucent is to provide the government of Burkina Faso with cloud networking technology that will enable it to develop new digital public services.

Norwegian operator Telenor has suspended 4 top executives in relation to the continuing investigation into allegations regarding bribes paid by its affiliate VimpleCom in Uzbekistan.

Apple has established a new unit in Vietnam to facilitate imports and distribution in the market, which is seeing a huge increase in demand for smartphones.