Senior prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist of Sweden’s National Security Unit stated Monday that the vessel responsible for the 26 January incident, which severed an undersea cable between Latvia and Sweden, did not act with malicious intent.
Swedish officials, including the coast guard, police, and military, participated in the probe. While the vessel had been seized during the investigation, authorities have now lifted that restriction.
The Nigerian Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy signed a $10 million MoU with WIOCC to launch fibre-to-home internet connectivity targeting three million homes in the first phase of the project with plans to expand as the rollout progresses.
The government, led by Dr Bosun Tijani, emphasises the importance of digital technology in driving productivity and economic growth, with a goal of building a $1 trillion economy. However, balancing sustainable investment by telecom providers with affordable services for citizens remains a challenge, as highlighted by the recent approval of a tariff hike.
Currently, most Nigerians rely on mobile internet, which lacks the speed and reliability of true high-speed broadband. The fibre-to-home project seeks to address this gap, creating a more connected environment that supports individuals, businesses, and institutions. By improving internet infrastructure nationwide, the initiative aims to foster a more inclusive digital economy, ensuring that more Nigerians benefit from the opportunities offered by high-speed internet.
In the long term, the project is designed to scale up, with additional capital being raised and invested to connect more people across Nigeria. As the initiative evolves, it will re-evaluate its targets and expand its reach, ensuring that high-speed broadband becomes accessible to a larger portion of the population.
That effort aligns with the government’s vision of making connectivity a cornerstone of economic development, supporting small businesses and enabling Nigerians to stay connected both at home and on the go. Through this partnership, Nigeria is taking a critical step toward transforming its digital landscape and achieving its economic goals.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah have partnered with Mobile Telecommunication Company Saudi Arabia (Zain KSA) to enhance the pilgrim experience through the ‘Direct Hajj’ program, which serves visitors from over 120 countries via the Nusuk Hajj platform. The collaboration aims to improve communication services, provide reliable information, and offer exclusive features for pilgrims, ensuring a seamless and enriched journey.
Zain KSA will sponsor the Nusuk Hajj platform and has achieved 100% 5G network coverage at holy sites, backed by a SAR 1.6 billion investment in digital infrastructure. The partnership aligns with Saudi Arabia’s national goals to enhance the digital capacity of the ‘Guests of God Service Program’ and support the target of hosting 30 million Umrah and Hajj pilgrims by 2030, while providing an unprecedented digital experience that complements their spiritual and cultural journey.
That initiative reflects Zain KSA’s commitment to digital inclusivity and advanced infrastructure, as well as the Kingdom’s broader Vision 2030 objectives to improve the quality of services for pilgrims and strengthen its position as a global leader in Hajj and Umrah services.
Vodafone has achieved a world first by making a video call via satellite using a standard smartphone, marking a significant breakthrough in mobile technology. The call, made from the remote Welsh mountains where there was no network signal, was received by CEO Margherita Della Valle. Vodafone used AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird satellites, which provide speeds of up to 120 megabits per second, to enable the video call, which included voice, text, and data transmission.
This satellite technology is part of Vodafone’s broader plan to expand satellite connectivity across Europe by 2026. The company aims to offer users a full mobile experience, including video calls, even in areas where traditional network coverage is unavailable. Vodafone is also an investor in AST SpaceMobile, alongside major companies like AT&T, Verizon, and Google.
The race to deploy satellite services is heating up, with competitors like Apple, T-Mobile, and SpaceX already working on satellite-based connectivity. Apple’s iPhones, starting from the iPhone 14, offer satellite texting for emergency services and location sharing. Other companies are testing similar services, with plans for voice and data connectivity in the future.
British astronaut Tim Peake, who attended the launch of Vodafone’s space-to-land gateway, hailed the ability to connect via satellite as an ‘incredible breakthrough.’ Peake, who spent six months aboard the International Space Station, highlighted the importance of staying connected while in remote environments and expressed interest in future space missions.
Apple’s iPhone devices are now eligible to test SpaceX’s Starlink’s direct-to-cell service, which offers satellite-based coverage, according to T-Mobile. The trial, which started after receiving approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in November, currently provides “text via satellite” capabilities, with plans to add voice and data features in the future.
Initially, only select Android smartphones were eligible for the test, but T-Mobile has expanded compatibility to include iPhones running the latest iOS 18.3 software update. The partnership between Apple, SpaceX, and T-Mobile has been kept under wraps, with the companies working together to integrate Starlink support into Apple’s devices.
The FCC’s approval last year also allowed Starlink’s direct-to-cell service to assist in providing coverage in areas like North Carolina, which were severely impacted by Hurricane Helene. While Apple and SpaceX did not comment outside business hours, the initiative marks a significant step in expanding satellite coverage for mobile users.
Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani held talks with Airbus to strengthen European collaboration in the satellite industry. Discussions with Airbus and Thales aim to create alliances to better compete globally with major players like the US and China. Cingolani emphasised the need for robust European partnerships to address increasing global competition in this sector.
Leonardo already has strong ties with Thales, sharing two joint ventures: Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio, which specialise in satellite manufacturing and services. Airbus and Thales Alenia Space are recognised as Europe’s leading producers of satellites for various applications, including telecommunications, navigation, and surveillance.
Meanwhile, Italy is considering Elon Musk’s Starlink system to meet immediate satellite needs for secure government communications. Opposition parties have criticised this potential reliance on Musk’s technology, though Cingolani stressed that Leonardo could ensure the protection of transmitted data, aligning with government priorities for security.
AT&T has secured $850 million by selling and leasing back 74 underutilised central office facilities that house its legacy copper network. The deal was made with real estate firm Reign Capital and is part of AT&T’s strategy to phase out its copper network operations by 2029. The company is transitioning to fibre optic and wireless networks, which are more efficient and require less space.
The sale-leaseback arrangement enables AT&T to sell the properties while retaining the necessary space for its network operations. Michael Ford, AT&T’s global real estate head, described the agreement as a way to “unlock value in otherwise stranded commercial real estate space.” The transaction, completed in early January, impacts only a small portion of the company’s extensive real estate portfolio and will not affect jobs or services.
A fibre optic cable running under the Baltic Sea between Latvia and Sweden sustained significant damage, likely due to external factors, according to Latvian authorities. The incident prompted NATO to deploy patrol ships and launch a coordinated investigation with Sweden, where the Security Service seized control of a vessel as part of its probe. Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina confirmed that her government is collaborating with NATO and neighboring Baltic Sea countries to determine the cause.
Senior prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist stated that investigators are conducting several actions but refrained from disclosing details due to the ongoing preliminary inquiry.
NATO’s recently launched ‘Baltic Sentry’ mission, involving naval and aerial assets, aims to safeguard critical infrastructure in the region following a series of incidents affecting cables, pipelines, and telecom links since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The project also includes the deployment of new technologies, including a small fleet of naval drones. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also emphasized close cooperation with NATO and Latvia in response to the situation.
The damaged cable, located in Sweden’s exclusive economic zone, connects Latvia’s Ventspils to Sweden’s Gotland island. The Latvian State Radio and Television Centre (LVRTC), which operates the cable, reported switching communications to alternative routes and is contracting a repair vessel. Repairs are expected to proceed more quickly than those for gas pipelines or power cables, as fibre optic cables in the Baltic Sea are typically restored within weeks.
This incident follows last month’s damage to the Finnish-Estonian Estlink 2 power line and telecom cables, reportedly caused by a Russian tanker dragging its anchor. Finnish and Swedish leaders underscored the importance of bolstering the protection of critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. NATO also stated it reserves the right to act against ships deemed security risks while continuing to monitor the situation closely.
Stargate, a new joint venture formed by OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle, aims to build data centres across the US to support the growing demands of AI. According to a report by the Financial Times on Thursday, these data centres will be dedicated solely to OpenAI, the company behind the popular ChatGPT. The collaboration between these tech giants underscores the increasing importance of robust infrastructure to power the next wave of AI innovation.
The exclusive focus on OpenAI’s needs comes when AI technologies rapidly expand, with the demand for high-performance computing capabilities soaring. The partnership will allow OpenAI to scale its operations and provide the necessary computing power for its cutting-edge AI models. As companies worldwide race to develop more advanced AI tools, the infrastructure provided by Stargate is expected to play a crucial role in supporting the next generation of AI services.
Oracle and SoftBank’s involvement brings significant expertise in cloud infrastructure and global telecom, making the venture a powerful alliance in the competitive AI landscape. The project highlights the growing intersection of cloud computing, data storage, and AI as companies like OpenAI push the boundaries of what AI can achieve.
Samsung Electronics has introduced its latest Galaxy S25 smartphones, powered by Qualcomm’s chips and Google’s AI model. With a competitive pricing strategy, the Galaxy S25 series remains in the range of $799 to $1,299, aiming to boost sales amidst fierce competition from Apple and other Chinese manufacturers. The release, which includes a preview of a slimmer Galaxy S25 Edge model, comes as Samsung seeks to regain market share after losing ground in the premium smartphone sector last year.
While Samsung boasts advanced AI features, analysts note that distinguishing its in-house voice assistant, Bixby, could prove challenging. Industry expert Thomas Husson remarked that without a standout application that leverages AI capabilities effectively, convincing consumers to choose an AI-based smartphone might be difficult. Despite this, the new Galaxy S25 is designed to provide a more personalised user experience, including features like the ‘Now Brief’ service, which offers tailored recommendations based on stored data and enhances user convenience.
In a notable shift, Samsung opted for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform for the entire Galaxy S25 lineup, moving away from its own Exynos chips. However this change may impact Samsung’s chip business, as the mobile division has been a significant customer for its semiconductor products. Following the announcement, Samsung shares dipped by 1.1%, trailing the overall market performance. The company’s sell-through of the new series is crucial, particularly as sales of its foldable phones have stagnated amid stiff competition from Chinese rivals.
Preliminary fourth-quarter results from Samsung indicated profits fell short of expectations due to high chip development costs and increasing competition in the smartphone market. Moving forward, Samsung plans to use its Exynos chips in upcoming foldable devices, highlighting the ongoing strategic shifts to adapt to rapidly changing market conditions.
