Swisscom has moved a step closer to finalising its €8 billion acquisition of Vodafone Italia after receiving approval from Italy’s communications regulator, AGCOM. The deal, announced in March, aims to merge Vodafone Italia with Swisscom’s Fastweb subsidiary, potentially granting Swisscom a 30% share of Italy’s fixed broadband market. However, the transaction still faces scrutiny from Italy‘s antitrust authority, AGCM, which is conducting a detailed review to assess its impact on competition.
AGCM has expressed concerns that the merger could reduce competition in Italy’s already concentrated broadband market, potentially disadvantaging residential customers. In response, Swisscom has proposed several concessions, including access to Fastweb’s fiber network for competitors and protections for existing wholesale contracts.
Competitors were invited to provide feedback on these concessions by early November, and the AGCM is expected to conclude its review by mid-December. If approved, Swisscom aims to complete the acquisition by early 2025.
Kuwait KEMS-Zajil Telecom and Emirates MBCOM Technologies have partnered to strengthen digital infrastructure and cybersecurity across the Middle East, aiming to help businesses remain secure and agile in a connected, fast-evolving world. This partnership formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 16 October 2024, focuses on providing enterprise solutions in critical areas like network optimisation, cloud services, and cybersecurity.
By merging their expertise, the companies intend to deliver advanced solutions that optimise network performance and bolster defences against cyber threats, essential capabilities for supporting business growth and resilience. Moreover, both companies see this partnership as a strategic move to drive digital transformation in the region, effectively meeting the rising demand for secure, efficient, and scalable digital services.
Furthermore, KEMS-Zajil Telecom emphasised that collaborating with MBCOM Technologies allows them to expand their digital services portfolio with cutting-edge solutions that enhance growth and security. Similarly, MBCOM Technologies highlighted how this partnership positions both companies to bring innovative technology to regional businesses. Ultimately, with its dual focus on advanced infrastructure and robust security, this collaboration reflects a shared vision to empower Middle Eastern enterprises through comprehensive digital solutions that drive long-term growth and resilience.
Khazna, BEEAH, and the Sharjah Communication Technology Authority (SCTA) are partnering to enhance Sharjah’s digital infrastructure by developing advanced data centres. Building on a joint venture formed in 2022 between BEEAH and Khazna, SCTA is joining the effort to create Sharjah’s largest data centre, featuring a 9MW capacity, with the first phase focusing on Kalba.
That project aims to provide the necessary infrastructure to support digital transformation in Sharjah, driving innovation and enabling emerging technologies like AI and blockchain. As a result, the collaboration will advance telecommunications solutions and significantly contribute to the emirate’s broader digital growth.
In addition to fostering technological advancements, the partnership also emphasises sustainability. The project will explore eco-friendly energy solutions, such as waste-to-energy power generation, and incorporate greywater recycling systems to minimise water usage.
Moreover, energy-efficient technologies will be integrated to reduce the environmental footprint. Consequently, it will foster economic growth and technological leadership in the UAE.
The Indian Ministry of Mines and the International Energy Agency (IEA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance India’s critical mineral sector. Through this collaboration, India will gain access to reliable data, analysis, and policy recommendations, improving decision-making and resource management.
Furthermore, the MoU aims to align India’s policies, regulations, and investment strategies with global best practices, accelerating the country’s transition to sustainable and resilient energy systems. In addition, the partnership will focus on capacity development and knowledge exchange through joint research projects, workshops, and training programs, which will enhance India’s technical and institutional capabilities in critical mineral management.
By learning from the experiences of other IEA member states, India seeks to foster innovation in technology development, extraction techniques, and recycling methods, ultimately boosting its competitiveness in the global market. Approved by the Union Cabinet in October 2024, this collaboration marks a significant milestone in securing India’s critical mineral resources.
As a result, the MoU underscores India’s commitment to adopting advanced global practices while addressing its domestic energy needs. Consequently, it sets the stage for long-term strategic growth in the critical minerals sector, promoting sustainability, innovation, and energy security across the nation.
FutureMain, Sensoteq, Al Bahlaq Trading, and Colonel have formed a strategic partnership at ADIPEC 2024 to accelerate the global expansion of FutureMain’s ExRBM industrial predictive maintenance solution, particularly in the Middle Eastern market. That collaboration integrates Sensoteq’s advanced wireless sensor technology with FutureMain’s AI-powered ExRBM solution, enabling real-time monitoring of equipment conditions and proactive maintenance through precise diagnostics.
As a result, the sensors help detect potential failures early, minimising downtime and reducing maintenance costs. Moreover, Colonel and Al Bahlaq Trading, UAE-based companies with expertise in data development, IoT, and security systems, will support the local implementation and market entry of ExRBM in the region.
By leveraging their extensive networks, they will provide customised solutions that address specific industrial needs. Together, these partnerships aim to improve operational efficiency, enhance equipment reliability, and offer tailored solutions that reduce equipment failures, optimise productivity, and create long-term customer value in the Middle East.
Additionally, the collaboration highlights the tangible benefits that clients will experience, including cost savings and productivity gains. Furthermore, the partnership reaffirms the commitment to advancing technology and expanding global partnerships, ultimately delivering differentiated value to the industrial sector. That will create a stable environment for regional customers to adopt ExRBM effectively and achieve long-term operational improvements.
Coinbase Wallet is preparing to launch a tap-to-pay cryptocurrency payment feature, aiming to rival fast payment services like Cash App, Venmo, and PayPal. Jesse Pollak, the lead for Coinbase Wallet and creator of Ethereum Layer 2 Base, announced the rollout is in its final testing phase, with a full launch expected soon. The feature promises a faster and more global payment experience, targeting merchants worldwide.
Pollak envisions Coinbase Wallet integrated across 50 countries by 2025, enabling users to link their bank accounts for seamless on-chain transactions. The addition of stablecoin off-ramps, such as USD Coin and Tether, will simplify converting digital assets into local currencies, potentially driving merchant adoption through cheaper, faster payment methods.
Meanwhile, Base is addressing Ethereum Layer 2 interoperability issues. By implementing new standards like ERC-7683 and RIP-7755, Base aims to enable seamless token transfers across Layer 2 networks, including Arbitrum and OP mainnet. Pollak expects these solutions to be in place within six months, unlocking significant new use cases in a blockchain ecosystem currently securing $42 billion in value.
California’s sole remaining nuclear power plant, Diablo Canyon, is adopting artificial intelligence to navigate the complex challenges of staying operational. Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) has partnered with Atomic Canyon, a local startup, to deploy an AI system called Neutron Enterprise. The tool will help manage the plant’s decades-old infrastructure by analysing and organising millions of historical documents, a task critical for meeting federal licensing requirements to keep the facility running for another 20 years.
Located on the coast between San Francisco and Los Angeles in the US, the Diablo Canyon facility was commissioned in 1985 and once slated for closure. However, in 2022, California reversed course to meet its ambitious carbon-reduction targets. The plant’s vice president, Maureen Zawalick, revealed that the facility stores over 9 million records, many originating from outdated formats like microfiche, making data retrieval and management a daunting task.
Using NVIDIA-powered systems, Atomic Canyon’s software can process these archives in natural language, significantly improving document accessibility and usability. According to the startup’s founder, Trey Lauderdale, the AI will streamline data searches, saving time and resources. Over time, the technology may also optimise maintenance schedules, an effort-intensive process that requires careful coordination of the plant’s aging systems.
Apple is preparing to enter the smart home market with a new AI-enabled wall tablet, expected to be launched by March 2025. The device, reportedly code-named J490, will integrate features like AI capabilities, Siri voice controls, and video conferencing through FaceTime, positioning itself as a central hub for home management.
The tablet is designed to compete with Amazon’s Echo Show and Google’s Nest Hub, offering similar functionality with a sleek 6-inch screen, available in silver and black. Its interface will blend elements from the Apple Watch and iPhone’s StandBy mode, optimised for voice interaction. The device will enable control over home appliances, provide access to Apple’s apps, and allow photo slideshows, notes, and calendar displays.
Apple is also developing a high-end version with robotic screen movement, which could be priced up to $1,000. The standard model is expected to align more closely with competitor prices, such as the Echo Show 8 and Google’s Nest Hub Max. The tablet will feature a new operating system, ‘Pebble’, which adjusts its interface based on user proximity, while security options will include camera alerts and intercom functions.
Meanwhile, Apple recently established Apple Operations India to boost research and development efforts in the region. The new subsidiary will focus on expanding the company’s hardware engineering capabilities by acquiring equipment, hiring local talent, and providing hardware analysis support.
YouTube is testing an AI-driven feature allowing select creators to remix songs by describing desired stylistic changes. This builds on its Dream Track toolset, which debuted last year and lets users generate AI-based tracks using artist vocals. The new feature, ‘Restyle a track,’ enables creators to transform a song’s genre or mood, producing 30-second snippets for Shorts while preserving the original’s essence.
The tool uses Google DeepMind’s Lyria model and ensures proper crediting of the original music. YouTube has partnered with Universal Music Group to compensate artists and rights holders, addressing potential concerns from the music industry. Creators participating in the trial can experiment with a limited selection of tracks under this system.
This development follows a growing trend of platforms enabling AI-generated music customisation. YouTube’s approach highlights its commitment to both creative innovation and maintaining industry standards. Competitors like Hook, an app for remixing music, are also exploring similar functionalities for short-form video content.
Visa has announced a partnership with fintech Affirm to introduce a new feature allowing United States customers to use a single card for both debit transactions and buy now, pay later (BNPL) purchases. The feature aims to meet growing consumer demand for payment flexibility. Visa will also launch the service in the United Arab Emirates in collaboration with Liv Bank and plans to expand to Europe in the coming months.
Mark Nelsen, Visa‘s global head of consumer products, highlighted that customers increasingly prioritise convenience in payments, especially as e-commerce continues to thrive. A Visa study revealed that 51% of card users desire access to multiple accounts and funding options through a single credential, streamlining their payment experiences. The ‘Flexible Credential’ feature is already available in markets such as Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore, with further expansion planned over the next year.
Visa and Affirm’s collaboration signals a growing trend of traditional financial institutions working with fintech firms to drive innovation. While fintech companies have often been seen as challengers to established banks, such partnerships can benefit both sides by unlocking new revenue opportunities. Affirm CEO Max Levchin emphasised the company’s commitment to providing a seamless product that integrates debit and credit without hidden fees.
