PlayStation Plus subscribers will receive an automatic five-day extension after a global outage disrupted the PlayStation Network for around 18 hours on Friday and Saturday. Sony confirmed on Sunday that network services had been fully restored and apologised for the inconvenience but did not specify the cause of the disruption.
The outage, which started late on Friday, left users unable to sign in, play online games or access the PlayStation Store. By Saturday evening, Sony announced that services were back online. At its peak, Downdetector.com recorded nearly 8,000 affected users in the US and over 7,300 in the UK.
PlayStation Network plays a vital role in Sony’s gaming division, supporting millions of users worldwide. Previous disruptions have been more severe, including a cyberattack in 2014 that shut down services for several days and a major 2011 data breach affecting 77 million users, leading to a month-long shutdown and regulatory scrutiny.
T-Mobile will introduce its satellite-to-cell service in July for $15 per month, using SpaceX’s Starlink technology. The service aims to eliminate mobile dead zones and improve connectivity in remote areas. Shares of the wireless carrier rose 4% in premarket trading following the announcement.
Around 500,000 square miles of the US, previously unreachable by cell towers, will now have coverage. A beta trial began on Sunday, offering free access until launch. The service will be included in the Go5G Next plan at no extra cost, while other plans will get a 33% discount for trial participants.
T-Mobile is making the service available to all wireless users, including AT&T and Verizon customers, without requiring them to switch networks. The initial rollout will support text messaging via satellite, with voice and data features to be added later. The company made the announcement during the Super Bowl.
Apple and Google are working with T-Mobile to integrate satellite connectivity directly into their operating systems. Most smartphones from the past four years will support the new network, making it widely accessible.
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Nokia has announced that Pekka Lundmark will step down as CEO, with Justin Hotard, currently EVP and GM of Intel’s Data Center & AI Group, set to take over the role on April 1. This leadership change is seen as part of Nokia’s strategic shift towards expanding into areas like AI and data centres, where the company is positioning itself for future growth. Hotard’s strong background in AI and technology is expected to drive Nokia’s focus on these emerging sectors.
The news has led to a 1.6% rise in Nokia’s shares, reflecting positive investor sentiment despite the surprise announcement. Analysts note that the appointment of Hotard suggests Nokia’s commitment to strengthening its network infrastructure unit, particularly as it looks to benefit from the surge in AI investments. This follows Nokia’s $2.3 billion acquisition of US optical networking firm Infinera, aimed at tapping into the growing data centre market.
Lundmark, who has been CEO since 2020, will remain with Nokia as an advisor to Hotard until the end of the year. Despite some initial denials about leadership changes, the company confirmed that the transition plan had been in place for some time, with Lundmark signalling his intention to step down once the business repositioning was more advanced.
Nokia’s infrastructure business, which includes AI-integrated systems for communication, and its mobile networks division, focusing on 5G technology, are both seen as key to the company’s future. While shares are up 27.85% over the past year, they remain significantly lower than their peak in 2000.
SingTel has secured a S$643 million ($476 million) green loan to fund the development of a new 58 MW data centre in Singapore.
The financing comes from a group of major lenders, including DBS Group, OCBC, Standard Chartered, HSBC, and United Overseas Bank. Green loans, designed to support environmentally sustainable projects, are becoming increasingly relevant as demand for AI and cloud computing rises.
The upcoming DC Tuas data centre is expected to be operational by 2026, providing a high-density environment tailored for AI workloads. SingTel’s group chief financial officer, Arthur Lang, emphasised that the loan aligns with the company’s net zero ambitions while supporting Singapore’s growing digital economy.
As Southeast Asia’s largest telecoms provider, SingTel has been actively investing in sustainable infrastructure. A previous green loan of S$535 million, secured in December 2023, was used to refinance debt and fund two other data centres in Singapore.
The latest financing reinforces the company’s commitment to balancing technological advancements with environmental responsibility.
SKY Perfect JSAT plans to invest approximately $230 million in a new satellite constellation. The project will utilise Pelican satellites from US-based Planet Labs and will be managed through the company’s American subsidiary.
The investment marks JSAT’s entry into the Earth observation satellite business, expanding its operations beyond broadcasting and communications. The new satellite network aims to enhance data collection and imaging capabilities from low-Earth orbit.
Following the announcement, JSAT shares surged by as much as 9%. The company remains the largest operator of broadcast and communication satellites in Japan and Asia.
US telecom giant AT&T and Finnish network equipment maker Nokia have signed a multi-year agreement to upgrade AT&T’s voice services and 5G network automation. This deal comes after Nokia lost a significant contract to Swedish rival Ericsson in 2023, which led to Ericsson securing a $14 billion deal to build a network for AT&T covering 70% of its US wireless traffic by 2026. Nokia, however, remains involved with AT&T through a smaller agreement for fibre network development and a new contract focused on cloud-based voice applications and network automation.
The deal will enhance AT&T’s core network, enabling new voice services, including the integration of AI and machine learning. Although the financial details of the agreement were not disclosed, Nokia’s involvement is seen as crucial in bolstering its long-standing relationship with AT&T. Nokia’s president of Cloud and Network Services, Raghav Sahgal, emphasised that this agreement will allow for the deployment of new 5G functionalities.
Nokia recently reported stronger-than-expected earnings, driven by higher demand for telecoms equipment, particularly in North America and India. The company remains optimistic about its prospects in 2025, especially with plans to capitalise on the AI boom. Last year, Nokia also agreed to acquire Infinera for $2.3 billion to strengthen its position in the growing data centre and AI markets.
Swedish authorities have ruled out sabotage in the recent Baltic Sea fibre optic cable break, attributing the damage to adverse weather, faulty equipment, and poor seamanship.
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.
Why does it matter?
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.
