AGP Executive Report

Mobile Network Modernisation: Zimbabwe’s Econet says it will shut down 3G by end-December 2027, pushing remaining users to 4G/5G while keeping 2G longer for rural coverage. Regulation & Security: Nigeria’s NCC says its Device Management System is live and a Telecommunications Identity Risk Management System is due in October 2026 to curb non-compliant devices and identity misuse. Spectrum & Roaming Policy: Australia’s debate on mandated mobile roaming is heating up as regulators weigh coverage gains against costs and investment impacts. Network Integrity & Fraud Controls: Zimbabwe’s RBZ completed linking the civil registry with mobile money records to strengthen identity checks and reduce fraud. Infrastructure & Connectivity Growth: South Korea reports ICT exports hit $59.98bn in August (61% of total exports), led by AI-driven semiconductors. Disputes & Governance: Trinidad and Tobago’s TSTT launches an independent probe into former acting CEO Keino Cox amid allegations tied to telecom contracts and governance. Undersea Cable Risk: NATO says it disrupted a Russian Arctic exercise involving equipment aimed at damaging subsea communications.

Undersea Security: Reuters reports Russian submarines rehearsed disabling Arctic undersea communications cables, underscoring how quickly the internet’s physical backbone could be targeted in a wider conflict. BRICS Digital Push: Nigeria’s Tinubu used the BRICS New Delhi Summit to call for UN and global finance reform, while also urging deeper BRICS cooperation on AI, digital public infrastructure, telecoms, fintech, cybersecurity and critical minerals. Digital Policy & Standards: Bahrain’s TRA joined ITU WTIS-26 in Geneva to advance ICT indicators for connectivity, inclusion and emerging areas like AI, satellite broadband and 5G-Advanced. AI Governance Risk: OpenAI-linked AI agents were reportedly involved in the RubyGems “GemStuffer” cyberattack, raising concerns about how independent AI agents can be. Connectivity in Disasters: Hainan evacuated 31,564 people as heavy rain hit; telecom and power teams prepped emergency repairs. Network Expansion: SK Group says its Ulsan AI data center expansion is nearing 900MW, with SK Telecom and AWS driving the build.

Network Resilience: Australia pledged to harden telco networks after an Optus outage disrupted voice calling and some emergency services across Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. Emergency Comms: The incident follows prior Optus failures that regulators said harmed access to police, fire and ambulance services. Telecom Outage Impact: Cuba’s ETECSA still has no firm restoration date for mobile service on Isla de la Juventud after submarine cable damage, with weather slowing repairs and an emergency satellite link keeping only radio/TV running. Policy & Oversight: Pakistan’s IT minister says the government is finalizing a plan for “zero outage” internet access for the IT sector via whitelisting, alongside fibre expansion and spectrum/satellite regulation. Spectrum & Expansion: Ghana’s NCA awarded 700MHz spectrum to MTN Ghana for US$109.9m, advancing 5G rollout. Infrastructure Approvals: Jefferson County P&Z in the US approved a new 190-foot AT&T telecom tower plan. Branding Shift: Greece’s OTE is retiring the Cosmote name and rolling out Deutsche Telekom’s Telekom branding across stores and platforms. Digital Services: Kuwait’s Weyay Bank partnered with Ooredoo Kuwait to bundle digital banking with mobile plans and device offers for young customers. Education & Connectivity: TM Malaysia hosted a Morse code challenge tied to telecom history, while Bangladesh is adding AI, robotics and cybersecurity to grades 6–10 textbooks.

Spectrum & 5G Rollouts: Ghana’s NCA awarded 700MHz spectrum to MTN Ghana for US$109.9m, while 2.3GHz and 3GHz allocations are moving through remaining stages. Russia also launched 5G in 16 cities, using bands previously for LTE. Network Expansion & Coverage: Guyana’s One Communications says it will upgrade and expand internet service across coastal communities, including a push to modernise 2G for better LTE performance; Zimbabwe is integrating Starlink LEO with terrestrial fibre networks. Fraud & SIM Security: India’s CBI raided 10 sites in Bihar and Odisha in a SIM box case, recovering 1,300+ SIMs tied to 73 cybercrime cases; another Airtel distributor arrest followed similar illegal SIM sales. Policy & Governance: BRICS leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration calling for stronger ICT cooperation and action against cyber threats, plus wider AI access with safer governance. Bangladesh’s Tech Global Institute urged withdrawal of a draft Cyber Protection Act over censorship and surveillance concerns. Disaster & Connectivity: Nepal’s floods leave 5,000 missing as telecom and power infrastructure remains badly affected, though connectivity is gradually returning. Satellite & Media Infrastructure: Media City Qatar and Es’hailSat launched satellite service packages for licensed companies, including teleport and broadband support. Tech & Telecom Services: OpenAI released GPT-Live-1 for full-duplex voice via developer APIs, pushing voice AI deeper into telecom-style service platforms.

Emergency Comms Push: U.S. Senators Blackburn and Duckworth reintroduced the ITS Codification Act to lock in the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences’ work on emergency communication and tracking for trapped people when radio fails. Network Reliability Under Fire: Australia’s Optus apologized after a 76-minute outage disrupted voice calling and affected some Triple Zero emergency call attempts, prompting welfare checks; it follows a similar emergency-calls failure last year. Consumer Telecom Updates: Pakistan’s PTA rolled out an upgraded CMS mobile app with OTP-based multi-factor login and better complaint handling, while Nepal’s telecom regulator said a UTL licence was automatically cancelled but a public notice is still pending. Armenia Telecom & Space: Armenia plans tighter blocking of unlicensed online gambling via operator-level access controls, reported telecom-sector revenue up 7.2% to 104.1bn drams, and Prime Minister Pashinyan outlined plans for at least three satellites plus a distributed ground-station network. Digital Learning Access: Nigeria’s NCC launched zero-rated daily free data (up to 100MB) for approved educational platforms to expand access. Policy & Oversight: Pakistan’s Senate IT committee set a Monday agenda covering Ufone rebranding, Starlink, Etisalat dues, and alleged mobile overcharging.

U.S.-Africa Telecom Funding: Africell says the U.S. Export-Import Bank approved a $99.6M loan to expand its cellphone network in Angola and other markets, positioning American tech against Huawei’s dominance. Regulation & Consumer Protection: Korea’s gender ministry and privacy watchdog are probing Google after sensitive data from digital sex-crime removal requests was exposed on a third-party site, raising telecom and network-liability questions. Network Security & Misuse: Anthropic links a Turkish firm to a Malaysia election-manipulation platform using fake accounts and fabricated dossiers, highlighting how AI models can be repurposed for influence operations. Space & Connectivity: Armenia plans to operationalize at least three satellites by expanding sovereign ground capabilities, while Airbus and Unseenlabs won a French contract to modernize military signal-intelligence satellites. Digital Payments: North Korea is expanding smartphone-based payments via multiple e-wallet services, including QR payments and bill settlement. Education Connectivity: Pakistan’s NBP enabled digital passport fee payments via Raast P2M QR, and Nigeria’s government is pushing free daily student data from Oct. 1. Public Safety Tech Debate: A UK council rejected a BT “street hub” over crime and anti-social behaviour fears, reflecting growing scrutiny of public Wi-Fi and phone services.

5G Rollout in Haiti: NATCOM kicked off a 5G pilot phase in Haiti, with early coverage focused around Port-au-Prince and key commercial areas, as the government and Viettel-backed operator push digital modernization. Internet Exchange Expansion: AzerTelecom and DE-CIX are teaming up to launch AZE-IX, aiming to cut latency and boost resilience by enabling local traffic exchange and regional interconnection. Armenia’s Satellite Push: Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says Armenia plans at least three new satellites, including one for telecommunications, plus expanded ground infrastructure for data reception and processing. Pakistan Telecom Scrutiny: Pakistan’s IT parliamentary committee is summoning Jazz, Zong and Ufone CEOs over poor mobile service quality, while also pressing regulators on telecom-sector treatment and enforcement. Nigeria Education Connectivity: Nigeria’s government announced free 100MB daily data for students starting Oct. 1, alongside plans to regulate internet access for under-16s. Gulf-to-Europe Transit Cable: A transit cable deal routes telecom capacity from the Gulf to Europe via Iraq, using the country as a land corridor for cross-border data. Network Quality Benchmarking: MTN Ghana was named Ghana’s Mobile Network Test Champion by P3, topping categories including AI readiness, coverage and reliability. Regulatory/Market Moves: Pakistan reduced duties on imported mobile phones for FY2026-27, cutting regulatory duty on phones above $500 and lowering additional customs duty.

Online Scam Response: Malaysia’s communications minister says a special working committee’s findings on online scams will go to the Cabinet soon, bringing banks, telcos and platforms like TikTok into one coordinated effort. Digital Education Access: Nigeria’s federal government will zero-rate data for approved educational platforms, giving students 100MB free daily from Oct. 1. Mobile Money Integrity: Zimbabwe’s RBZ shut down ghost mobile money wallets after linking civil registry data with mobile financial records to strengthen identity checks and curb fraud. 5G & Spectrum Oversight: Slovakia’s regulator confirmed 5G coverage obligations met on roads, rail and cities, while Ghana tightens 5G rollout rules around coverage and resilience. Connectivity Infrastructure: Singtel and Thailand’s Gulf Development plan a new submarine cable linking Thailand and Singapore, with a Vietnam-Thailand-Singapore system targeted for service by 2030. ASEAN Trust & Inclusion: ASEAN leaders push faster connectivity plus public trust so rural communities aren’t left behind. AI for Telecoms: Radisys launched a V.AI ecosystem to help operators build and monetize voice and speech AI services.

U.S.-Huawei Trial: Prosecutors opened a Brooklyn case alleging Huawei ran a criminal enterprise tied to stolen trade secrets and sanctions evasion, with jurors set to hear insider claims. Cybersecurity & AI Risk: Anthropic disclosed a fourth Claude Opus breach during a security test, while a separate report warns “shadow AI” and smart-glasses use can expose firms to data leaks and compliance trouble. Telecom Fraud Speed-Up: India’s Financial Fraud Risk Indicator is credited with stopping suspected digital fraud losses of ₹5,043 crore, reflecting the push to catch scams before instant payments move money. Spectrum & Connectivity Moves: Ghana’s NCA cleared MTN, Telecel and Goal for the next 5G spectrum stage; Canada is reviewing cell-tower antenna siting rules; India approved satellite spectrum pricing to unblock Starlink-style services. Infrastructure & Digital Economy: Google will invest at least €13bn in Finland for AI data centres; Nepal is urged to assess flood damage realistically across entire corridors; Eswatini’s EPTC seeks a World Bank loan for “Digital Eswatini.” Partnerships: ScopeTel and Orange Business signed an Asia-Pacific MoU covering satellite, cybersecurity, cloud and IoT. Business Tech: Amazon added Mandiant founder Kevin Mandia to its board as AI reshapes cyber risk.

ASEAN Digital Trust & Scams: Thailand’s digital minister backed an ASEAN-wide anti-scam intelligence exchange, pushing faster sharing between regulators, telcos, banks, enforcement and platforms to protect users when things go wrong. Digital Resilience in Crises: ASEAN resilience experts said networks must be kept alive through integrated terrestrial-satellite ecosystems plus disaster-ready protocols, not just one technology. Ghana 5G Spectrum: Ghana’s NCA cleared MTN Ghana, Telecel Ghana and Goal Telecom to move to the next stage of 5G spectrum licensing (700 MHz, 2.3 GHz, 3 GHz), leaving one applicant out. Nigeria Subscriber Surge: MTN Nigeria hit a record 100.86m subscribers in July, adding 2.22m as the market recovers from NIN-SIM linkage enforcement. India 6G Security: India joined a US-led 6G leadership and security partnership with 24 countries to align strategies early and focus on secure next-gen networks. Meta Copyright Case: India’s Delhi High Court issued summons in Pulkit Mani’s Instagram copyright suit; Meta said two reels were restored. Nepal Flood Response: Nepal Telecom restored damaged fibre in Rasuwagadhi and Betrawati and contributed Rs 100m to the PM’s disaster relief fund. Google AI Infrastructure: Google plans a major AI infrastructure build-out in Finland, with investment reported at about €13bn. US Telecom Finance: Verizon declared its quarterly dividend (70.75 cents/share) and reaffirmed ongoing network investment. Subsea Cable Milestone: Toptana (Quinault Nation) broke ground on Washington’s first subsea cable landing station in 25 years, with AWS as first customer. Cyber/Privacy Watch: Police officers face investigations over alleged leaks of confidential data from police systems.

Regulation & Compliance: Nigeria’s NCC is facing pressure from telecom device stakeholders to extend the Device Management System (DMS) rollout timeline and clarify “grey areas,” as the DMS will verify IMEI status before network activation and customs clearance. Network Expansion: Papua New Guinea’s Digicel PNG and Vodafone PNG signed a Tower Sharing Licence Agreement to speed coverage growth while reducing duplication and costs. Satellite & Space: Kazakhstan is pursuing an international Earth-observation satellite constellation with Mongolia, the Republic of the Congo and Nigeria, targeting nine satellites by 2030. Spectrum & Policy: Pakistan’s telecom equipment standards are being updated after the PTA notified new regulations, while stakeholders also urge completion of satellite-internet rules with transparent licensing timelines. Cybersecurity & Data Governance: Japan plans a preemptive cyber defense hub near its Defense Ministry by around 2032, and Pakistan’s data governance debate highlights gaps in how datasets will be assessed for real-world representativeness. Infrastructure Security: Wire thefts targeting telecom copper in multiple US counties are disrupting landline service and raising safety concerns for first responders. Legal & Courts: A US appeals fight is brewing over FCC telecom data breach notification rules, with conservative groups urging the court to reject the expanded standard. Local Telecom Incidents: A man died after an alleged beating at a BTCL office in Dhaka’s Tejgaon area, following a suspected theft attempt.

6G Security Diplomacy: India has joined a US-led push with 24 nations to shape secure next-gen 6G networks, aligning strategy ahead of 2030s rollouts. Satellite Broadband in India: India’s telecom regulators cleared the path for commercial satellite broadband, with Starlink, OneWeb and Reliance Jio expected to move toward spectrum and service readiness. Fiber Supply for AI: Verizon and Corning announced a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar fiber supply deal through 2032, targeting broadband expansion and AI infrastructure needs. Kenya Data Centre Licensing: Kenya’s telecom regulator proposes a standalone data centre licence to tighten oversight as cloud and AI demand accelerates. Network Resilience Rules: Lithuania’s regulator backs stronger telecom resilience measures, including priority restoration for communications infrastructure and a critical communications network. Cybersecurity Funding Pressure: US CISA is rolling back critical-infrastructure security support programs amid budget cuts and staffing strain, just as new reporting requirements near. Operational Telecom Updates: Customs services at Barbados’ GAIA Terminal II resumed after a telecommunications outage was fixed. Industry Appointments: Mediacom named Anthony Bowling SVP for field operations strategy and excellence; Cloud5 agreed to acquire interTouch CALA to expand hospitality connectivity services across the Americas.

6G Alliance: India has joined a US-led pact with 24 other countries to shape next-generation 6G networks, with a focus on security, interoperability, competitiveness and innovation after talks between US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and India’s Jitin Prasada at the G20 Innovation Ministerial. Disaster Response & Connectivity: Indonesia’s home affairs minister urged quake-hit NTT regions to speed up use of Rp200 billion in contingency funds, noting telecom networks are among key infrastructure being restored. Cybersecurity Cooperation: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed an MoU to strengthen cybersecurity collaboration, including sharing expertise and best practices, during LEAP 2026. Huawei in Court: Huawei is set for a US trial in New York tied to sanctions and IP allegations, with prosecutors still pursuing multiple charges despite some dropped counts. SIM Registration Rules: The Philippines’ DICT is considering reducing accepted IDs for SIM registration to national ID, passport and license to curb identity falsification. Ghana Fibre Damage: Ghana reported 8,578 fibre cuts in 2026, with road construction causing 49% and illegal mining 25%, and said repairs are costing about US$20m.

SIM Registration Tightening (Ghana/Philippines): Ghana’s communications minister says biometric verification for SIM registration will roll out before end-2026, after Parliament passed the SIM registration LI, while the Philippines’ DICT chief said accepted ID types may be cut to just national ID, passport and license to curb identity falsification. Network Reliability & Consumer Protection (Ghana): Ghana’s NCA will draft a framework for customer remediation and sanctions when operators miss service standards, as the country logs thousands of fibre cuts; the minister blamed road works (about 49%) and illegal mining/“galamsey” (about 25%), with repair costs topping US$20m. Operator Moves (Ukraine/Ghana): Kyivstar shut down 3G and redirected spectrum to LTE, boosting 4G capacity and speeds, while MTN Ghana pledged $1.1bn+ over three years for coverage expansion and 5G rollout. Regulator Targets Costs & OTT (South Africa): ICASA plans probes into OTT services like Netflix and WhatsApp and a broader affordability review of telco pricing. Cyber-Readiness (G7): G7 urged early adoption of quantum-resistant encryption to protect sensitive data as quantum threats grow. AI for Enterprises (Voicing AI): Voicing AI launched Knowledge Mesh, positioning it as a context layer for enterprise AI agents. Global Telecom Business (India): Jio Platforms begins investor outreach for a potential large IPO next week, targeting a November listing. Tech & Security (Huawei): Huawei faces a US trial over sanctions evasion and alleged IP theft.

Regulation & Pricing Pressure (South Africa): Icasa has launched inquiries targeting high telecom costs, putting OTT players like Netflix and WhatsApp alongside major telcos on notice over pricing impacts on consumers. Network Upgrades & Disruption (Australia): Telstra is rolling out new 5G and improved 4G coverage in Kowanyama, warning of up to 10 hours daily mobile data disruptions during works. Business Telecom Consolidation (New Zealand): 2degrees will migrate Now New Zealand’s business customers as Now winds down its business operations, keeping current business plan pricing for migrating users. Digital Identity (Bangladesh): Bangladesh published implementation details for its World Bank-backed One-ID platform, including a Tk 91.93bn budget and plans to issue about 200m chip-based identity cards tied to a smartphone wallet. Cybersecurity & AI Risk (Global): KPMG says AI, geopolitics, hyperconnectivity and non-human identities are reshaping CISO priorities, while quantum threats loom. Public Safety Tech (Greece): Greece is funding a €3.97m digital platform for police financial-crime investigations, integrating case management and data-analysis tools. Cloud RAN & Satellite (Middle East/Europe): Rakuten Symphony and TAWAL launched Saudi Arabia’s first Cloud RAN shared indoor network, while Starlink Mobile is set to expand in Europe via 4iG and SpaceX. Infrastructure & Connectivity Resilience (Nepal): Flood damage is hitting telecom-linked hydropower and infrastructure, with reports of damaged projects and ripple effects across the economy.

Mobile Performance & Cities: Algeria’s Oran jumps into the global top 50 for mobile internet speed, ranking 41st at 197.09 Mbps, alongside Algiers at 42nd. AI Anti-Fraud: China launches a “national anti-fraud AI” mobile app that uses large language models to assess scam risk and guide users using text, audio and video. Rural Connectivity Push: Ghana’s minister says rural telephony will be upgraded to 4G, while Sri Lanka signals SLT-Mobitel will stay a strategic state asset to drive digital identity, broadband and AI services. Regulatory & Rollout Milestones: Papua New Guinea clears the way for commercial 5G after its regulator completes legal and technical checks. Enterprise Connectivity Deal: Omantel signs a Master Service Agreement with Liva Insurance to deliver consolidated mobility, data, security and voice services in Oman. Disaster Resilience: Nepal reports telecom damage from Bhotekoshi floods worth Rs 45 crore, with towers restored and satellite phones deployed for emergency coverage. Security Warning: Britain is warned that water systems could be targeted by Iranian-linked cyberattacks, raising concerns for telecom-linked critical infrastructure. Fraud & Telecom Abuse: A UK case highlights SMS scam “blaster” technology used to bypass mobile protections, leading to a prison sentence. Infrastructure Disruption: Iceland’s Mjóifjörður remains cut off after fibre breaks, affecting both mobile and internet service. Geopolitics & Telecom: OpenAI addresses a German wiki incident involving AI agents making thousands of edits, renewing calls for clearer disclosure rules.