Telecommunications infrastructure

PCCW Global and partners to launch AAE-2 subsea cable linking Asia, Africa, and Europe

A consortium of four leading subsea cable operators, PCCW Global, Sparkle, Telecom Egypt, and Zain Omantel International (ZOI), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on constructing the Asia-Africa-Europe-2 (AAE-2) subsea cable system. The ambitious project will link Hong Kong and Singapore to Italy, traversing secure, high-capacity terrestrial corridors across Thailand, the Arabian Peninsula, and Egypt.

The cable system will also include strategic extensions to additional key destinations, further enhancing intercontinental connectivity across Asia, Africa, and Europe. AAE-2 aims to deliver a next-generation, geographically diverse, and resilient digital infrastructure designed to support the increasing demands of cloud services, content delivery, and digital transformation.

By combining both subsea and terrestrial networks, it will establish a future-proof, high-performance data highway facilitating faster and more reliable international traffic across three continents. Building on the success of the earlier AAE-1 cable, AAE-2 will incorporate cutting-edge technology to offer unprecedented bandwidth capacity, empowering communities and businesses throughout the connected regions.

PCCW Global is committed to providing scalable, secure connectivity, while Sparkle focuses on enhancing route diversity and resilience through submarine systems and hubs. Telecom Egypt highlights its global connectivity via the WeConnect ecosystem, and ZOI leverages its strategic position as a gateway linking Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Together, the consortium is dedicated to successfully delivering this transformative infrastructure that will reshape the future of global digital connections and foster economic growth in emerging markets.

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Ghana to bridge the digital divide with fairer data pricing

Ghana will boost mobile data bundle values starting July 2025 to improve affordability and bridge digital divides. The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations announced that all major mobile network operators in Ghana: AirtelTigo, Telecel, and MTN, will implement a minimum 10% increase in data bundle volumes.

MTN will go further, increasing bundles by 15% and reinstating its popular GHC399 Social Media bundle. These changes aim to address consumer concerns about data pricing and improving value for money.

To support this initiative, telecom providers have pledged significant investments. AirtelTigo, Telecel, and MTN will collectively invest around $150 million in network upgrades by the end of 2025. The National Communications Authority (NCA) will step up its oversight, conducting a nationwide quality of service assessment in the final quarter of 2025.

Additionally, quarterly billing integrity tests will be introduced to ensure that users are charged fairly and accurately. Operators failing to meet service standards will face sanctions. Furthermore, the Minister noted that tax rationalisation could lead to future reductions in data prices. A new telecom tariff framework is under development, which may result in additional cost savings for consumers.

The reforms target steep, uneven data prices that still block many Ghanaians from online services, especially in rural areas. By raising bundle values and tightening oversight, authorities aim to make internet access fairer and more affordable nationwide.

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India urges preference for state telecom providers

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in India has introduced a policy urging all state governments and Union Territories to prioritise state-run telecom operators Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) for their communication needs. Although not legally binding, that policy directive emphasises data security as a key reason for favouring these public sector providers.

DoT Secretary underscored the increasing competitiveness of BSNL and MTNL, noting that BSNL now manages MTNL’s operations and will set up a dedicated nodal point to cater to state governments efficiently. The move marks a significant strategic shift toward promoting state-owned telecom companies in government communications.

The policy has raised concerns among private telecom companies, who fear losing valuable government contracts to BSNL and MTNL. Private providers currently hold over 92% of the market’s revenue, and government contracts are especially important for smaller ISPs with tight margins. Diverting these contracts could significantly hurt their financial stability.

BSNL and MTNL were initially created to operate independently and compete fairly with private firms. This new policy, favouring them, risks undermining that independence and disrupting the telecom sector’s competitive balance in India.

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Brazilian telcos to push back on network fee ban

Brazilian telecom operators strongly oppose a bill that would ban charging network fees to big tech companies, arguing that these companies consume most of the network traffic, about 80% of mobile and 55% of fixed usage. The telcos propose a compromise where big techs either pay for usage above a set threshold or contribute a portion of their revenues to help fund network infrastructure expansion.

While internet companies claim they already invest heavily in infrastructure such as submarine cables and content delivery networks, telcos view the bill as unconstitutional economic intervention but prefer to reach a negotiated agreement rather than pursue legal battles. In addition, telcos are advocating for the renewal of existing tax exemptions on Internet of Things (IoT) devices and connectivity fees, which are set to expire in 2025.

These exemptions have supported significant growth in IoT applications across sectors like banking and agribusiness, with non-human connections such as sensors and payment machines now driving mobile network growth more than traditional phone lines. Although the federal government aims to reduce broad tax breaks, Congress’s outlook favours maintaining these IoT incentives to sustain connectivity expansion.

Discussions are also underway about expanding the regulatory scope of Brazil’s telecom watchdog, Anatel, to cover additional digital infrastructure elements such as DNS services, internet exchange points, content delivery networks, and cloud platforms. That potential expansion would require amendments to Brazil’s internet civil rights and telecommunications frameworks, reflecting evolving priorities in managing the country’s digital infrastructure and services.

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RIPE NCC and Czech regulator partner to strengthen internet coordination

The RIPE NCC and the Czech Telecommunication Office (CTU) have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in internet coordination and share technical expertise within the Czech Republic. The partnership focuses on training internet operators, collaborating on network measurements, and managing internet number resources.

It is part of a broader initiative by RIPE NCC to establish similar agreements with national regulators in countries like Georgia and Saudi Arabia, reflecting their commitment to closer regional cooperation. The Czech Republic is strategically positioned in European internet infrastructure, hosting several major data centres and internet exchange points (IXPs).

By facilitating collaboration between public and private sectors, the MoU aims to ensure that internet policies are developed with broad input and expertise. The CTU benefits from access to valuable data and technical knowledge that support national digital policy objectives.

Additionally, in a region where geopolitical tensions may affect internet infrastructure, this agreement promotes transparency and cooperation that help stabilise internet operations and build stakeholder trust. Overall, the RIPE NCC continues to evolve as a key technical partner in digital policy discussions across Europe and beyond.

The agreement highlights the need for close cooperation between technical bodies and regulators as digital infrastructure grows more complex, emphasising multistakeholder governance to improve stability and efficiency in Central and Eastern Europe.

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Apple brings AI tools to apps and Siri

Apple is rolling out Apple Intelligence, its generative AI platform, across popular apps including Messages, Mail, and Notes. Introduced in late 2024 and expanded in 2025, the platform blends text and image generation, redesigned Siri features, and integrations with ChatGPT.

The AI-enhanced Siri can now edit photos, summarise content, and interact across apps with contextual awareness. Writing tools offer grammar suggestions, tone adjustments, and content generation, while image tools allow for Genmoji creation and prompt-based visuals via the Image Playground app.

Unlike competitors, Apple uses on-device processing for many tasks, prioritising privacy. More complex queries are sent to its Private Cloud Compute system running on Apple Silicon, with a visible fallback if offline. Additional features like Visual Intelligence and Live Translation are expected later in 2025.

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India unveils AI incident reporting guidelines for critical infrastructure

India is developing AI incident reporting guidelines for companies, developers, and public institutions to report AI-related issues affecting critical infrastructure sectors such as telecommunications, power, and energy. The government aims to create a centralised database to record and classify incidents like system failures, unexpected results, or harmful impacts caused by AI.

That initiative will help policymakers and stakeholders better understand and manage the risks AI poses to vital services, ensuring transparency and accountability. The proposed guidelines will require detailed reporting of incidents, including the AI application involved, cause, location, affected sector, and severity of harm.

The Telecommunications Engineering Centre (TEC) is spearheading the effort, focusing initially on telecom and digital infrastructure, with plans to extend the standard across other sectors and pitch it globally through the International Telecommunication Union. The framework aligns with international initiatives such as the OECD’s AI Incident Monitor and builds on government recommendations to improve oversight while fostering innovation.

Why does it matter?

The draft emphasises learning from incidents rather than penalising reporters, encouraging self-regulation to avoid excessive compliance burdens. The following approach complements broader AI safety goals of India, including the recent launch of the IndiaAI Safety Institute, which works on risk management, ethical frameworks, and detection tools.

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Bangladesh to reform telecom sector amid industry support and local concerns

The government of Bangladesh is introducing major reforms in the telecommunications sector through a new three-tier licensing framework, dividing licenses into international connectivity, national infrastructure, and access network services. That policy overhaul aims to modernise the sector, improve regulatory clarity, and align with global best practices.

The Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB), representing key players like Grameenphone, Robi, and Banglalink, supports the reforms and considers them a bold and necessary first step, even though the new rules will limit some of their operational freedoms, such as deploying their own fiber infrastructure and building independent towers.

Despite AMTOB’s support, mid-level domestic operators in areas such as International Gateway (IGW), International Internet Gateway (IIG), Interconnection Exchange (ICX), and Nationwide Telecommunication Transmission Network (NTTN) have expressed concerns that the policy favours foreign companies at the expense of local firms. They warn that the draft could cause significant job losses, threaten smaller businesses, and reduce government revenues.

AMTOB, however, rejects allegations of foreign favouritism and criticises intermediary infrastructure providers for poor connectivity and increased costs, attributing these issues to the fragmented regulatory environment created by the 2007 International Long Distance Telecommunication Services Policy (ILDTSP).

In response to past political favouritism in licensing, the interim government has launched investigations into corruption within the sector, with a white paper expected to increase transparency and accountability soon. AMTOB also highlighted that many countries allow mobile operators to own and manage their entire infrastructure, which leads to lower costs and better service quality, suggesting this model could guide future reforms in the telecom industry of Bangladesh.

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Quantum cybersecurity goes live in Paris

Orange Business and Toshiba Europe have launched France’s first commercial quantum-safe network service in Paris.

The Orange Quantum Defender, now living in the greater Paris region, aims to shield organisations from cyber threats posed by future quantum computing capabilities.

The service combines Toshiba’s Quantum Key Distribution and Post-Quantum Cryptography technologies to protect sensitive data with a multi-layered approach. A major French financial institution already uses the network to safeguard its critical infrastructure.

After years of testing, the partners confirmed the system works over existing fibre networks, cutting costs and easing enterprise adoption.

Leaders at both companies say the launch marks a turning point in cybersecurity preparedness for the quantum age.

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Europe’s new digital diplomacy: From principles to power

In a decisive geopolitical shift, the European Union has unveiled its 2025 International Digital Strategy, signalling a turn from a values-first diplomacy to a focus on security and competitiveness. As Jovan Kurbalija explains in his blog post titled ‘EU Digital Diplomacy: Geopolitical shift from focus on values to economic security‘, the EU is no longer simply exporting its regulatory ideals — often referred to as the ‘Brussels effect’ — but is now positioning digital technology as central to its economic and geopolitical resilience.

The strategy places special emphasis on building secure digital infrastructure, such as submarine cables and AI factories, and deepening digital partnerships across continents. Unlike the 2023 Council Conclusions, which promoted a human-centric, rights-based approach to digital transformation, the 2025 Strategy prioritises tech sovereignty, resilient supply chains, and strategic defence-linked innovations.

Human rights, privacy, and inclusivity still appear, but mainly in supporting roles to broader goals of power and resilience. The EU’s new path reflects a realpolitik understanding that its survival in the global tech race depends on alliances, capability-building, and a nimble response to the rapid evolution of AI and cyber threats.

In practice, this means more digital engagement with key partners like India, Japan, and South Korea and coordinated global investments through the ‘Tech Team Europe’ initiative. The strategy introduces new structures like a Digital Partnership Network while downplaying once-central instruments like the AI Act.

With China largely sidelined and relations with the US in ‘wait and see’ mode, the EU seems intent on building an independent but interconnected digital path, reaching out to the Global South with a pragmatic offer of secure digital infrastructure and public-private investments.

Why does it matter?

Yet, major questions linger: how will these ambitious plans be implemented, who will lead them, and can the EU maintain coherence between its internal democratic values and this outward-facing strategic assertiveness? As Kurbalija notes, the success of this new digital doctrine will hinge on whether the EU can fuse its soft power legacy with the hard power realities of a turbulent tech-driven world.

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