AGP Executive Report

Network Reliability Crisis: Telstra blamed a “software defect” for a nationwide outage that disrupted mobile calls, data, some EFTPOS and transport ticketing, and triggered hundreds of welfare checks after Triple Zero (000) failures; the telco said services were mostly restored by 4pm and denied malicious activity, while investigations continue. Regulatory & Buildout Pressure: Conexon told the FCC it expects its US fiber buildout to slow at least until 2027 due to “severely constrained” domestic fiber supply and BEAD-related decisions affecting RDOF milestones. Digital Security: Oman’s TRA launched the “Turs” platform to centralize reporting and monitoring of electronic fraud, phishing, malicious links, and harmful social media activity, with faster coordination with authorities. 5G Licensing Shake-up (Ghana): MTN and Telecel are preparing bids for Ghana’s 5G licences after the government revoked NGIC’s exclusive concession, aiming to restart competition. Infrastructure & Capacity Outlook: New market forecasts project router/switch infrastructure growth to US$25.3B by 2033 and sensing cable demand to reach US$2.0B by 2033. Satellite Connectivity: Mauritania selected three firms to expand satellite internet services after a competitive tender. Enterprise AI & Data Centres: CityFibre CTO Neil McRae argued telcos and hyperscalers should collaborate rather than compete, while Singapore’s Temasek reported a record FY26 portfolio value and pushed AI exposure toward up to 15% by 2031.

Major Outage: Telstra’s nationwide mobile network crash hit calls, data, taxi payments and Victoria’s regional trains, with emergency “Triple Zero” access reportedly rerouted; the telco said it was investigating and later reported most services restored while still lacking a confirmed root cause. AI Governance: Pakistan’s IT minister urged AI safety rules built through inclusive UN-led processes with meaningful human oversight, warning against standards shaped by a small set of countries and firms. Digital Skills Training: Huawei and Pakistan’s NIBAF launched an ICT Academy to train finance-sector professionals in AI, cloud, cybersecurity and data communications. Cybercrime Supply Chain: An AP/Frontline probe says U.S. tech and companies are being used to industrialize cyberscams, raising questions about incentives to stop abuse. Critical Minerals Push: Canada will invest up to $400M in Teck’s Trail, B.C. smelter under a critical-minerals accelerator to expand germanium, antimony and gallium capacity. Regulatory Security: The FCC denied a California firm with Chinese links permission for international telecom services and added it to a national security risk list. Regional Defense Tech: India and Indonesia signed deals including BrahMos and ASTRA missile cooperation alongside broader telecom and digital pacts. Disaster Resilience Innovation: Europe’s DIREKTION consortium published a vision paper to speed disaster-risk tech from research into real responder use.

AI Governance: Cambodia joined a UN-led Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, outlining priorities on innovation, proactive regulation, and stronger international cooperation. AI in Telecom Ops: Flytxt partnered with Digicel Trinidad & Tobago to roll out an AI-led customer value management platform for segmentation, targeting, and retention. Network Reliability: MTN Uganda blamed an internal power protection trigger at its Mutundwe data centre for a Sunday outage that disrupted calls, internet, and mobile money. Emergency Comms: Australia’s AusAlert will run a nationwide trial on July 27 using cell broadcast, with phones expected to emit a loud 10-second siren. Regulation Coordination: Nigeria’s communications ministry ordered regulators to pause new rules while it builds a harmonized digital economy policy for platforms and online intermediaries. Satellite Competition: South Africa’s Starlink dispute deepened as the minister rejected claims reforms were influenced by SpaceX. Infrastructure & Data Centres: Cyprus’ Cyta agreed to acquire and expand the RedMax Data Centre, targeting commercial operations in early 2027. Public Safety Coverage: In Canada’s Yukon, residents reported “dead zones” and difficulty reaching 911 during cellular coverage gaps.

Disaster Response & Telecom Resilience: Venezuela’s twin earthquakes have pushed deaths to 3,535 as the UN scales up aid and says electricity and telecommunications are being progressively restored, with telecom losses estimated at about $5bn. Regulatory Speed for Connectivity: Colombia-linked internet recovery gets a boost as CONATEL speeds procedures for ISPs to interconnect with operators in Colombia after a submarine cable cut hit service. Cybersecurity for Citizens: Dominican telecom regulator Indotel starts the procurement process for a Cybersecurity Assistance Center to help people handle scams, fraud, identity theft, hijacked social accounts, and sextortion. Mission-Critical Networks: Portugal’s SIRESP outlines a €37.2m 2026-2027 investment push to strengthen LTE/5G mission-critical emergency communications and resilience. Spectrum & Cross-Border Bandwidth: Bangladesh approves Starlink to export unfiltered international bandwidth to neighboring countries via IPLC, using the Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company as the main supplier. Telecom Governance & Courts: Nepal’s Special Court convicts former NTA chairman Digambar Jha in the Teramocs procurement scam, while others are acquitted. Industry Consolidation: Pakistan’s merged Ufone-Telenor entity moves toward rebranding as “e&,” pending regulator and corporate filings.

New MNO Launch: Savanna Uganda officially enters Uganda’s mobile market, pairing unlimited voice/data with its fiber footprint in Kampala and Greater Kampala. AI Governance: The UN holds a Geneva Global Dialogue on AI oversight, while the ITU’s AI for Good Summit runs alongside it. Regulatory Scrutiny: South Korea’s KCSC weighs whether to block Polymarket, after concerns it may breach gambling rules; in India, TRAI seeks extra powers to act against call-management apps like Truecaller that may tag official numbers as spam. Network Resilience: Cirion says service is largely restored for Venezuela customers after a submarine cable rupture; Pakistan’s internet disruption after the SMW5 fault is also addressed by PTA updates. Investment in Telecom Security/AI: South Korea’s KT pledges 18 trillion won for AI and network security, including zero-trust plans. Brand/Market Moves: Pakistan’s PTA blocks Ufone–Telenor rebranding to e& until legal steps are completed. Digital Services for Consumers: Lebara Nigeria launches LebaraPlay, a mobile-first micro-drama and entertainment platform. Infrastructure & Connectivity: Indonesia pushes toward a 100 Mbps internet target, while Nepal’s telecom ministry backs security printing capacity.

Pakistan Telecom Bill: Pakistan’s IT and law ministers say the revised telecom amendment will not undermine private property rights, with owner consent mandatory before telecom right-of-way can be granted on private land, after a PM-formed committee revised the draft amid public criticism. Network Expansion: Malaysia’s MCMC plans to expand Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) to improve 4G/5G coverage in rural and underserved areas via shared infrastructure. Satellite Emergency Testing: Vodafone and an AST SpaceMobile-linked JV trial satellite-based emergency communications on smartphones in Ireland’s remote Clare Island area. Regional Bandwidth Exports: Bangladesh approved Starlink to export unfiltered bandwidth to neighboring countries using IPLC links, with BSCCL as the primary supplier. Outage Watch: MTN Uganda reported a service disruption affecting voice, data and Mobile Money after a power failure at a data centre. Enterprise Broadband Launch: Philippines’ Bitstar Telecom launched enterprise fiber internet in Metro Manila with a digital-first “concierge” onboarding model. Public Safety Radio Plan: Thailand’s NBTC is planning a national digital radio/audio platform plus automated emergency alerts to reduce fragmented online radio access. AI for Impact: Zimbabwe opened applications for an AI for Impact Challenge offering up to $80,000 per team to build deployable AI solutions for public and regulatory needs.

Network Expansion & Sharing: Malaysia’s Fahmi Fadzil says MCMC will expand Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) nationwide to boost coverage in rural and underserved areas, building on pilots at five sites. Pakistan Telecom Bill: Pakistan’s IT and Law ministers reject claims the Telecom Bill threatens property rights or favors firms, saying owner consent will be mandatory for fiber on private land and the bill aims to expand high-speed internet. WhatsApp Username Scrutiny: India’s MeitY extends WhatsApp’s response deadline to July 9 over privacy and security concerns tied to the new username feature. SIM Registration Reform: Indonesia’s biometric SIM registration gets industry backing to curb fraud, but operators want lower facial verification fees to protect affordability. Connectivity Targets: Indonesia’s communications ministry pushes to reach an average 100 Mbps national internet speed within two years via fiber, fixed broadband, and satellite support. Consumer Backlash: Malawi’s CAMA demands reversal of Airtel Malawi and TNM mobile data tariff hikes, alleging regulator approval violated notice rules and that service quality remains poor. Digital Transformation Push: Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz invites Turkish firms to invest in IT and telecom alongside energy, infrastructure, and logistics as bilateral ties deepen. Cyber/Privacy Governance: Bangladesh’s info minister says laws under his ministry will be updated to match fast-changing digital risks and the expanding digital ecosystem. Infrastructure Security: South Africa’s police arrest a man for copper theft from a telecom exchange, warning such attacks can disrupt phone and internet services.

Regulatory Transparency: Australia’s ACMA is forcing telcos to publish clearer mobile coverage maps and online registers of resolved outages, aiming to make “good, moderate, basic or no” service comparable before customers sign contracts. Consumer Protection: Malaysia’s Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil says telcos are not fixing rural coverage fast enough and will summon operators and MCMC to demand network optimisation, after inspections found weak signal despite existing towers. Landline Fight: The FCC backed AT&T’s plan to end copper landline service for 184,000 California households, a step that keeps the broader legal battle alive even as disconnections are not immediate. Digital Diplomacy: Pakistan and Türkiye leaders reaffirm a $5B trade target and discuss tech and digital cooperation, including a proposed digital corridor and investment talks involving Turkcell and OYAK. Connectivity & Infrastructure: Ghana and the U.S. deepen satellite and digital transformation cooperation, including a first satellite training session in Ghana. Disaster Response Tech: Venezuela’s telecom regulator CONATEL coordinates operator restoration efforts in La Guaira after the June earthquakes, supporting faster connectivity recovery. Market & Brand Signals: Vietnam’s Viettel remains the country’s top brand as telecom brand value rises, while Bangladesh reports internet use climbing in Q3.

Digital Access Push (Malaysia): Malaysia’s Ministry of Communications says broadband coverage in populated areas is at 99.71% and targets 100% next year via JENDELA, with MCMC focusing on expanding 4G and strengthening 5G through infrastructure sharing. Regulatory Clampdown (Sri Lanka): The TRC reactivated a special investigation unit to pursue unlicensed mobile phone sellers, giving them a one-month grace period and warning it won’t cover connectivity or security services for phones bought from illegal outlets. Bilateral Telecom Investment (Pakistan–Türkiye): Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz invited Turkcell to explore a Pakistan–Türkiye Digital Corridor, including 5G deployment, telecom equipment manufacturing, and technology transfer. Consumer Value Pressure (Spain): A Simon-Kucher study finds only 53% of Spaniards see telcos as good value, as standardized features push competition toward price and squeeze ARPU. Network Expansion Funding (Tanzania): YAS says it has invested over Sh1 trillion in Tanzania, including 4,800+ towers, to accelerate digital transformation. Internet Pricing Proposal (Kenya): A Kenya Information and Communications amendment bill would require metered, consumption-based billing instead of fixed-rate packages. AI Governance (Global): Sunil Bharti Mittal and Mukesh Ambani join the ITU-backed AI for Good Global Commission to shape responsible AI policy and expand access.

Subsea Connectivity: Pakistan’s internet is back to normal after the SEA-ME-WE 5 (SMW5) submarine cable fault was repaired, with PTA saying traffic was rerouted via alternate links during restoration. Regulatory Oversight: The FCC has opened a formal review for submarine cable landing license applications, inviting public comment and coordinating with U.S. State Department and other agencies. Network Expansion in Canada: Canada’s Infrastructure Bank and Telus will fund backbone and last-mile fibre-to-the-home to reach 17,000 underserved households in B.C., including 380 Indigenous homes. Public Service & Resilience: Pakistan’s monsoon emergency response committee has been activated to improve nationwide disaster readiness and coordination. Local Telecom Support: Malaysia’s MCMC has switched on a Network Monitoring Centre for the Johor election, letting the public report mobile, internet, and content-related issues. Industry Milestone: Shentel’s Glo Fiber hit 100,000 fibre connections, marking a major broadband growth step. AI Governance: Mukesh Ambani and Sunil Mittal joined the ITU-backed “AI for Good” global commission to shape responsible AI frameworks.

AI Copyright Clash: Apple faces a U.S. lawsuit from YouTube creators alleging it bypassed protections to scrape millions of videos for AI training, raising fresh questions about creator compensation and DMCA compliance. Internet Resilience: Pakistan’s PTA says nationwide internet service returned to normal after the SMW5 submarine cable fault was repaired, with traffic rerouted during restoration. Online Gambling Controls: Armenia approved amendments to tighten online gambling oversight, including faster blocking of unlicensed sites and requiring telecom operators to restrict access to illegal platforms. Cybersecurity Education: IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur launched India’s first practice-oriented four-year Bachelor of Cybersecurity, with a two-year field deployment component starting July 2026. Telecom Infrastructure & Policy: Lakeland, Florida, set a July 6 hearing on a potential one-year data center moratorium amid public backlash. Industry Moves: Philippines’ PLDT, Smart, and Dito agreed to pursue infrastructure resource sharing to expand coverage without money changing hands. Satellite Sky Warning: ESO warns proposed mega-constellations could exceed 1.7 million satellites, worsening light pollution and complicating astronomy.

Universal Service Funding: California regulators voted to lift the universal service surcharge on phone bills from $0.90 to $1.05 per access line, effective Sept. 1, to sustain broadband affordability and rural telecom support. Subsea Cable Disruption: Pakistan’s PTA said a fault on the SMW-5 international submarine cable is causing intermittent internet slowdowns; traffic is being rerouted while Transworld Associates and the consortium work on repairs. Network Outage: Altice Dominicana reported ongoing mobile service disruptions after an electrical problem in network equipment, with teams working around the clock. Telecom Policy & Fraud: Kenya’s broadcasting and telecom chief Stephen Isaboke urged responsible AI use in marketing, warning that consumer data misuse is “theft.” Regulator Clarification: Pakistan’s PTA denied a viral claim that mobile device taxes can be paid in installments, saying tax authority lies with the Federal Board of Revenue. Infrastructure Deal: Indosat completed a $650m fibre carve-out into an open-access wholesale platform backed by Arsari Group. Public Safety Comms: A Hamilton County 911 telecommunicator guided a caller during a balcony fire, highlighting the role of telecoms in emergency response. Call Center Rules: Echostar urged the FCC to keep foreign call centers operating, arguing offshore support works for U.S. customers. Crime Using Telecoms: A California man pleaded guilty to sending fake ransom messages to Nancy Guthrie’s family using VoIP/text/calls, with sentencing set for Sept. 10.

Cyber & Age-Verification Enforcement (Malaysia): Malaysia says police and the MCMC will tackle VPNs and third-party identities used to bypass social media age limits, with action under the Penal Code, Computer Crimes Act 1997 and Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 when misuse enables scams or harm to children. Fraud-Fighting Coordination (Malaysia): The government has set up a special working committee to target online scam crimes, bringing in ministries plus banks, telecoms and major platforms for faster enforcement and investigations. Undersea Connectivity (India–Southeast Asia): A Microsoft-led consortium plans a new 3,600-km I-2SEA subsea cable linking India with Malaysia and Singapore to boost AI, cloud and hyperscale data traffic. Satellite Disaster Support (Venezuela): Telesat is donating high-power satellite capacity to Venezuela’s Top Comunications to speed disaster recovery communications after recent earthquakes. Email Breach Fallout (Japan): KDDI says its email system vulnerability exposed customer email addresses and passwords, impacting multiple ISPs and tens of millions of users. Telecom Leadership (Pakistan): PTCL appointed Mohammad Nadeem Khan as interim CEO for 14 days after Hatem Bamatraf’s exit, amid ongoing telecom restructuring. Regulatory Cyber Law Update (Bangladesh): Bangladesh formed a cabinet committee to review and finalize the Cyber Protection (Amendment) Act, 2026. Digital Infrastructure & Fibre (Germany): Telefonica Germany is connecting mobile sites via Unsere Grune Glasfaser FTTS links, expanding fibre access at network locations. Data Center Focus (Australia): DXN sold its Tasmania colocation facility as it shifts toward prefabricated modular data centers.

FTTH Push in Nigeria: NCC and ATCON urged mass fibre-to-the-home adoption, calling for Right of Way reforms, faster approvals, and stronger infrastructure protection to close the broadband gap. Critical Comms Leadership: TCCA named Tero Pesonen as board chair and Nina Myren as vice-chair, aiming to advance global mission-critical broadband standards. Mission-Critical Seminar in Türkiye: Caltta and Novatel showcased DMR Tier III trunking, emergency comms, and eChat push-to-talk solutions for public safety, utilities, aviation, and enterprise users. Pakistan Telecom Disruptions: Senate IT&T panel linked outages to power failures, diesel theft, and security issues, with PTA pushing operators to file FIRs and face licence action. WhatsApp Username Crackdown: India’s government moved to halt WhatsApp username rollout over fraud and impersonation risks, seeking a response from Meta. Satellite Sky Threat: ESO warned that proposed mega-constellations could have “devastating consequences” for astronomy, urging limits on bright satellites. Regulatory/Legal Pressure in the US: GAO renewed scrutiny on NTIA over spectrum and broadband coordination, plus IT modernization and oversight gaps. Jamaica Post EU Mail Halt: Jamaica Post suspended outbound mail to EU countries after duty-free de minimis changes took effect. Pakistan Merger Update: Telenor Pakistan was formally amalgamated into PTML after IHC approval, with integration underway.

Regulation & Security: Montenegro remains without a requirement to remove Chinese telecom equipment despite US/EU pressure, as draft amendments could allow “different conditions” for non-EU suppliers on security grounds. Network Expansion: Nigeria’s NCC is pushing faster Fibre-to-the-Home rollout, citing broadband as key to a $1tn economy goal and flagging right-of-way issues, fibre vandalism, and standards gaps. Infrastructure & Power Resilience: Zimbabwe’s Econet begins a 100MW solar-plus-battery project to protect network and data-centre uptime, saying power disturbances drive most service-quality problems. Telecom Policy & Access: Gambia will migrate from seven-digit to nine-digit phone numbers from Sept 4, 2026, keeping existing numbers via new prefixes. AI Governance: The UN and ITU launch an “AI for Good” global commission in Geneva July 8, bringing leaders and builders together to shape shared AI rules. Industry Moves: New Zealand’s One New Zealand CEO Jason Paris resigns, with CFO Nick Judd set to take over. Cross-border Connectivity: Iraq is positioning itself as a regional data transit corridor, expanding fibre and signing a deal to market cross-border internet transit capacity via Qatar.

US Telecom Policy & Oversight: A House subcommittee hearing put NTIA under the microscope, with lawmakers pressing on spectrum leadership and broadband execution after BEAD reforms. Cybersecurity Cooperation: INSA’s deputy director-general urged regional, cross-border cyber response as attacks increasingly target telecom and critical infrastructure. Rural Broadband Funding: GAO says NTIA still has 10 priority recommendations open, while NTIA told lawmakers that delayed rural broadband “non-deployment” guidance is coming “this summer.” China Equipment Crackdown: The FCC expanded bans on Chinese-produced network gear tied to cyber risks, closing loopholes for older authorizations. Operator/Network Moves: EchoStar’s Dish DBS and wireless units filed for prepackaged Chapter 11 after spectrum-sale delays; Digital Realty agreed to buy Blackstone’s Northern Virginia data centers (288 MW) to deepen AI infrastructure exposure. Satellite & Connectivity: Turksat and Es’hailSat signed a strategic partnership for the Es’hail-3/Turksat-Biruni Ka-band project; Globe in the Philippines launched Starlink direct-to-mobile service after NTC approval. Open RAN Interop: Eridan reported fast integration of its 5G Open RAN radio with OCUDU CU/DU software via standard ORAN interfaces.