AGP Executive Report

Mobile Performance & Urban Upgrades: Algeria’s Oran has entered the global top 50 for mobile internet speed for the first time, jumping to 41st (197.09 Mbps) alongside Algiers at 42nd (194.57 Mbps), highlighting ongoing network modernization. Anti-Fraud Tech: China launched a “national anti-fraud AI” mobile app built with large language models and AI agents, letting users describe suspicious situations via text, audio and video for scam-risk guidance. State Telco Strategy: Sri Lanka reaffirmed SLT-Mobitel as a strategic state asset after its turnaround, tying connectivity to digital identity, government services, payments and AI-enabled broadband expansion. Rural Connectivity Push: Ghana’s communications ministry is upgrading all rural telephony sites to at least 4G, while Ghana’s Sam George-led efforts elsewhere in the region aim to make rural data cheaper by 2027. Disaster Response for Networks: Nepal’s telecom regulator says Bhotekoshi flood damage hit telecom infrastructure worth Rs 45 crore, with towers restored and satellite connectivity planned; Ncell is preparing satellite services for remaining dead zones. 5G Rollout: Papua New Guinea cleared the way for commercial 5G after completing regulatory checks for 2.6GHz and 3.5GHz spectrum. Enterprise Connectivity Deal: Omantel signed a Master Service Agreement with Liva Insurance to bundle mobility, data, security, voice and dedicated connectivity services across Oman. Cybersecurity Warning: Britain was warned its water systems could be targeted after Iranian-linked attacks on US critical infrastructure, raising concerns about internet-connected operational tech.

Green Port Tech: APM Terminals Bahrain says Khalifa Bin Salman Port’s “Sustainable Institution” award was driven by a 11.4MW solar rollout that cuts carbon footprint by 71% (2025), as it pushes electrification and net-zero by 2040. AI for Networks: A Bengaluru-led study reports machine learning can classify 5G radio conditions and guide resource allocation with 98.7% accuracy, beating rule-based approaches for dynamic traffic. Disaster & Connectivity: Nepal’s Bhotekoshi/Rasuwa flood updates put affected people at 32,933 and highlight ongoing work to restore roads, power and telecommunications. Rural Telecom Upgrade: Ghana’s Samuel Nartey George says rural telephony sites will be made cheaper and upgraded to at least 4G by 2027, after a nationwide assessment. Regulation & Content: Canada’s Unifor backs CRTC moves to improve discoverability of Canadian programming on streaming platforms under the Online Streaming Act. Cyber Governance: Pakistan’s cabinet orders clearer timelines and independent third-party audits for its PISF 2026 security framework. Cross-Border Transport: Bahrain and Saudi Arabia allow licensed taxis to carry passengers across the King Fahd Causeway from Sept 6, boosting regional connectivity.

Rural Connectivity Push (Ghana): Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George says all Ghana Rural Telephony Project sites must be upgraded to at least 4G, arguing 2G/3G is no longer enough as the country moves toward 5G/6G, with a broader RTP review headed to Cabinet. Affordability Measures (Ghana): The government also plans to make rural calls and data cheaper by Q1 2027, working with the NCA, GIFEC and operators to adjust charging for existing bundles. Digital Skills Scale-Up (Ghana): Ghana’s One Million Coders Programme has reached about 140,000 enrolments, with officials inspecting innovation centres and rural telephony and ICT sites. Rural Fiber Milestone (US): EMPOWER Broadband says it has completed a major rural fiber expansion in Southside Virginia and connected its 10,000th subscriber, extending FTTP across multiple counties. AI Governance & Connectivity (Pacific): Pacific Islands Forum leaders backed regional AI principles that keep AI human-centred and call for a governance framework for consideration in 2027, alongside stronger digital connectivity and cybersecurity. Omnichannel AI Deal (US): SoundHound completed its acquisition of LivePerson in a roughly $304m deal, aiming to merge voice and messaging into a single enterprise AI platform. Network Resilience (Bangladesh): Border Guard Bangladesh expanded border surveillance with drones, anti-drone systems and thermal cameras, while telecom monitoring capacity was also highlighted.

Broadband Rollout: Nepal Telecom has expanded FTTH to 38 locations in Tilottama Municipality, connecting ward offices and health posts with 200 Mbps service to boost online administration and digital services. Rural Competition & Regulation: South Africa’s biggest telcos are asking the competition watchdog for a rare waiver to share limited planning information for passive infrastructure rollouts in hard-to-serve rural areas. Disaster Response & Connectivity: Australia has sent drone operators and victim identification specialists to support Nepal’s flood search-and-rescue as deaths near 1,300 and thousands remain missing; separate reports highlight how poor connectivity is complicating emergency operations. Security & Telecom Integrity: Nigeria’s NSCDC says it has dismantled a telecom-infrastructure vandalism and theft syndicate while rescuing trafficked children, underscoring how physical network attacks disrupt services. Policy Forum: The Bahamas used WTPF 2026 to push digital-policy priorities around data protection, resilience and enforceable connectivity rules, with telecom leaders stressing redundancy that actually works in emergencies. Regional Digital Growth: Turkey’s economy shows strong momentum in “information and communication” activities, with implications for digital integration across the Middle Corridor.

Spectrum Security: Spectrum says a Montgomery fibre line was intentionally cut in a criminal attack, restoring service but prompting a reward of up to $25,000 and renewed warnings about threats to communications infrastructure. Regulation & Data Centres: Louisville’s planning commission moves data-centre rules forward, proposing new categories for hyperscale, accessory and telecoms data centres after heavy public input. UK Spectrum Outlook: Ofcom’s WRC-27 consultation suggests the UK may back only an extra 125MHz in the 7GHz band for future mobile broadband, shaping the 6G spectrum debate. Broadband Buildout: Louisiana targets 15,000 BEAD serviceable locations by early 2027, with multiple winners set to deliver parish-by-parish coverage. Telco Investment: Philippine telcos plan to spend more than $2.2bn on 2026 capex, signalling confidence in fibre and digital rollout. Enterprise Networks: Ciena warns supply constraints could push its backlog past $10bn, as AI-driven network investment keeps demand outpacing availability. Connectivity for Travel & Emergencies: GlocalMe highlights at IFA 2026 its 5G-plus-satellite hotspot aimed at keeping users online when base networks fail. Digital Governance: Japan’s personal data law amendments add a surcharge regime for certain violations, tightening enforcement while enabling data use for AI and statistics.

Hospitality Connectivity Deal: FlexiRoam (ASX:FRX) has signed a two-year partnership with Dragonpass to embed its global eSIM data rewards into hotel and travel loyalty offers, starting with a three-month campaign for a major hotel group and targeting about US$100,000 in revenue. Digital Infrastructure Funding: Alaska can redirect BEAD savings to newly identified unserved locations, potentially adding 5,000+ properties to high-speed internet eligibility. Cyber & Fraud Crackdown: Pakistan’s PTA says 18.2m fake SIMs have been blocked over two years, as lawmakers hear how stolen biometrics feed fraudulent SIMs and then fake bank accounts. Banking Tech Architecture: Sri Lanka’s Commercial Bank of Ceylon showcased an Open Digital Architecture deployment with Axonect at TM Forum’s DTW Ignite 2026, aiming to modernise legacy systems for fintech. Connectivity for Education: Cameroon’s CAMTEL will connect private higher education campuses via broadband, campus interconnection and secure data hosting under an ANIPES framework. Satellite Internet Expansion: Korean Air plans free Starlink in-flight Wi-Fi on long-haul routes, rolling out in stages through 2027. Data Centre Governance: Canada launched national principles for responsible data centre development, backed by major cloud and telecom firms including AWS, Google, Microsoft, Bell and TELUS. Africa Digital Backbone: WIOCC secured $300m to expand open-access fibre, data centres and subsea cable assets across Africa.

Satellite & Mobile Connectivity Deals: 4iG Group and SpaceX signed agreements to roll out Starlink Mobile direct-to-cell services across Hungary and the Western Balkans, plus a “Sovereign Solutions” framework for encrypted defense communications. UAE Satellite Internet Launch: Starlink says its high-speed service is now live in the United Arab Emirates after the regulator granted a 10-year public-network licence. Private 5G Assurance (UK): Innovate UK selected Digital Catapult to deliver the Assured 5G Technical Authority, including a vendor-neutral assurance capability for secure private 5G and an auditing framework for AI-native telecoms networks. Data Centres Under Scrutiny: Equinix argues the public debate is over-focused on data-centre power and water use, saying the real value is the services and connectivity they enable. Cybersecurity & Identity Risk: The FBI is reportedly investigating a suspected IDScan.net data breach after a forum post claimed massive sales of North American identity documents; separately, Iranian hackers warned of potential attacks on US energy, water and telecom infrastructure. Regulation & Fraud Controls: India’s telecom regulator push on TRAI’s 1600-series for regulated financial call identification faces clarification requests on what counts as recovery calls. Local Telecom Growth: Econet introduced Zimbabwe’s new 079 mobile number range as 077/078 capacity is exhausted; Kosovo telecom revenue rose in Q2, driven by mobile and internet. Universal Service & Inclusion: Fiji’s National Universal Service Scheme is improving connectivity for remote island communities, boosting access to education and online information. Timekeeping Tech Risk: Plans to abolish the leap second could leave some clocks wrong, raising concerns about outages in critical infrastructure including telecom networks. Starlink Enterprise Expansion (Africa): Starlink targets Uganda businesses via a Roke Telkom and Paratus partnership. Government Broadband Push: Bangladesh reports connecting 12,000 institutions to broadband in its first 180 days, alongside new cyber and data laws.

Network Security & Identity: Nokia and BeeHealthy are teaming up to use Nokia’s Network as Code for network-based verification in digital healthcare, replacing SMS one-time passcodes with a more secure patient login flow. Data Protection Regulation: The FT-CICRA Data Protection Summit in Sri Lanka pushed a blunt message: DPIA is the only real defence “before the breach,” not a box-tick after damage is done. Critical Digital Infrastructure: India has notified Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2026, aiming to make IST the common legal time reference for telecoms, digital payments, data centres and other critical services. Universal Connectivity: Fiji’s National Universal Service is now live in multiple islands via satellite internet, with firewalls to block harmful content and the next phase set to add more unserved sites. Disaster Response Telecoms: Australia is sharing telecommunication data with Nepal to help locate missing people after the Himalayan floods, supporting searches around last known locations. Operator/Platform Moves: MyRepublic launched Hyperpeer gaming acceleration in Singapore and Malaysia, promising up to 30% ping reduction and ISP-agnostic routing for supported games. Cybersecurity Cooperation: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a cybersecurity MoU to exchange expertise and strengthen protection of vital interests. Bandwidth Assurance: Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC says there’s no international bandwidth shortage, pointing to SEA-ME-WE-6 alongside existing systems. AI in Government: UAE Cabinet approved a Cabinet AI Advisor system with 32 agentic AI advisors to analyse proposals and monitor implementation.

Cyber & Fraud: A Better Business Bureau study says scam texts, calls and emails keep rising in the US, with telecom tools driving losses topping $68bn. Regulation & Permits: Delaware moves to speed submerged-lands and dock permitting with fixed decision timelines, aiming to cut delays for utility and waterfront projects. Network Reliability & Security: Shadowserver flags thousands of unpatched Microsoft Exchange servers exposed to a public, credential-free exploit, underlining how quickly telecom-adjacent systems can become attack targets. Infrastructure Deals: Grain Management completes its combination of Ritter and Great Plains into Rightfiber, backed by a $1.6bn credit facility to expand regional fibre. Africa Digital Backbone: WIOCC secures $300m from AFC and Vision Invest to build open-access digital infrastructure across Africa. Digital Inclusion: Nigeria pushes connectivity via NUCAP, with a tower under construction in Bende, while Jamaica’s USF Connect-a-Child programme hands tablets to 630 PEP students. Leadership & Strategy: Deutsche Telekom appoints AWS telecom leader Jan Hofmeyr as CTO and board member for product and technology. Space Comms: NASA awards Blue Origin a contract to build a Mars telecommunications network, extending connectivity beyond Earth.

BEAD Broadband Rollout: NTIA’s administrator visited Bedford County, Virginia, to mark BEAD progress as about 1,600 addresses move toward fiber from ZiTel and LEO backup from SpaceX/Amazon, with all 56 state and territory BEAD plans now approved. Outage Accountability: Telstra’s July mobile outage probe says network timing wasn’t treated as a critical “sovereign function,” citing weak ownership, staffing and change control; a separate report adds that key NTP engineers were on mandatory standdown when the failure took hold. Remote Connectivity Demand: Fiji launched its National Universal Service initiative, with new links already showing strong usage (about 57TB consumed in July) and 96% availability, supporting plans to extend service to more communities. Security & Fraud Crackdown: Philippines authorities arrested a man accused of using an IMSI catcher to send phishing texts and route users to fake bank sites, as regulators push tougher online enforcement. Space Comms Contract: Blue Origin won NASA’s up-to-$700m Mars Telecommunications Network deal, aiming for an orbiter delivery by Dec 2028 and operations by 2030. Policy Push (US): A US House subcommittee advanced six bipartisan bills to strengthen communications networks and modernize satellite rules, including measures targeting foreign robocalls and network security. Counterfeit Goods Enforcement: A Philippine consumer group urged IPOPHL to intensify action against fake goods online despite high takedown rates reported by major platforms.

Fintech Integration: FIS and Ericsson say they’ve removed integration barriers for wallet-led financial services by combining FIS payments and issuing with Ericsson’s fintech platform, aiming for availability from Q3 2026. Smart City Connectivity: Flashnet has joined Netmore’s Pulse Partner Program to pair LoRaWAN connectivity with intelligent street lighting, targeting faster smart-city rollouts. FWA Spectrum Push: Tarana Wireless and Itellum demonstrated a live 1Gbps fixed wireless access link in Costa Rica, using SUTEL’s 6GHz standard power framework to expand gigabit-class coverage. Cloud + Fibre Drive (Nigeria): Nigeria’s federal government targets $750m in private cloud investment and plans a 90,000km fibre rollout to connect states, LGAs and wards. Regulation + Identity: Namibia’s minister urged “shared digital capabilities” so citizens don’t keep carrying certified documents, as the country rolls out national PKI for trusted digital identity. Cybersecurity & Fraud: The Philippines’ police reported 766 cyber arrests in early 2026, with online selling scams leading, and urged SIM registration reforms using a single ID. Satellite Security: Arqit, Es’hailSat and AIEE demonstrated quantum-safe encryption in live satellite operations without disrupting existing services. Market Watch (Portugal): Portugal’s telecom prices fell further in July, with regulator Anacom reporting sharper year-on-year declines than the EU average.

Regulation & Security: India’s DoT warned citizens against IMEI tampering and misuse, saying offences can bring up to 3 years in jail and ₹50 lakh fines, as mobile identity rules tighten. Consumer Protection & Courts: Pakistan’s Islamabad High Court asked ministries and regulators to respond to a petition seeking age-verification and protections for children under 16 on social media. Operator Compliance: Pakistan’s PTA fined Jazz Rs38.9m over alleged violations tied to corporate postpaid SIM issuance and verification, after an operator response was deemed incomplete. Network Build & Resilience: Verizon said it has prepped generators, backup power and satellite messaging for potential Tropical Storm Edouard along the Gulf Coast. Connectivity Projects: Digicel expanded St Vincent fibre to reach 84% of homes, adding access for 11,000 more households. Undersea Cable: A six-nation partnership delivered the East Micronesia Cable, bringing higher-capacity internet to over 100,000 people across Micronesia. AI Infrastructure & Policy: Nigeria’s government unveiled a plan to attract $750m private investment into cloud and data infrastructure alongside a 90,000km fibre rollout. Data Centres & Jobs: Australia’s Treasury analysis says AI could lift productivity but may have “profound” labour-market effects as data-centre build accelerates.

SIM & Identity Enforcement: Pakistan’s telecom regulator orders telcos to adopt a uniform SIM restoration policy, aiming to cut inconsistent procedures that delay access to digital identity. Device Security Crackdown: India’s DoT warns that tampering with mobile IMEI can bring up to three years in jail and a Rs 50 lakh fine. Fraud & Scams: Ghana’s TrustGH says it has flagged 6,000+ scam-linked numbers, with about half tied to TikTok and many schemes driven by social engineering via SMS/WhatsApp and fake listings. Satellite Connectivity Expansion: Starlink gets a 10-year UAE licence for satellite internet, and Airtel Africa trialled Starlink Mobile in the DRC so compatible phones can connect without a dish. Critical Comms in Public Transport: France’s RATP Sûreté is trialling next-gen radio tech with smartphone and command-post apps as it prepares the Réseau Radio du Futur. Regulatory Modernisation: Bangladesh pushes an online business registration system to speed company sign-ups, with identity checks built in. AI Funding Push (Spain): Spain allocates €180m across 372 AI projects for firms and healthcare, with most support going to SMEs. Local Network Build: Kinetic marks Canton as “Gig-Ready,” citing 30,000+ new fiber locations and 75%+ home coverage.

Regulation & Consumer Access: Pakistan’s telecom regulator (PTA) has ordered operators to adopt a uniform SIM restoration policy, aiming to cut bureaucratic friction that blocks digital identity access. Network Investment: Philippines carrier Globe Telecom lifted capex 39% in H1 to ₱26.3bn, with most spending going into data infrastructure and a push to expand 5G coverage. Planning & Universal Service: BT has appealed Wiltshire Council’s refusal of a 5G street hub on Devizes Road, arguing the hub supports telephony obligations and is funded by advertising. Governance & Procurement: Trinidad and Tobago’s CWU is calling for the removal of TSTT chairman Kern Dass over concerns around a halted $49m call-centre contract and alleged “fall guy” dynamics. AI in Policing: South Korea’s National Police Agency is rolling out an AI system to speed up analysis of investigative data, including telecom records. Data Privacy: Australia is set to unveil privacy-law changes tied to AI and smart glasses, including a right to erasure and tighter limits on collecting unnecessary data. Cyber & Fraud Risks: Baguio City Council flagged increasingly sophisticated online scams, including AI impersonation and SIM-linked fraud tactics. Satellite Connectivity Deals: Turks & Caicos signed a landmark Starlink deal, adding to a busy week of satellite broadband licensing and partnerships. Market Watch: Nigeria’s telecom subscriptions rose to 192.23m in June, while broadband and internet usage continued to climb.

Cybersecurity: VulnCheck says it found surveillance backdoors in Zbtlink routers sold via Amazon, including one that can redirect traffic and another that can take control without a password. Disaster Comms: Nepal’s telecom regulator provided 20 satellite phones to NDRRMA for flood response, while Nepal Telecom restored mobile service at more sites along the Nepal–China border. Digital Policy & Rights: Bangladesh experts warn digital laws won’t protect rights unless misuse is stopped and platforms are held accountable. Regulation—Timekeeping: India notified Legal Metrology (IST) Rules, 2026, making Indian Standard Time the single official reference for legal, admin and telecom-linked systems, with 180 days to comply. Telecom Regulation—Portability: Oman TRA issued a number portability framework to speed transfers and boost competition. Market & Infrastructure: Vodafone Qatar set up Infinity Signal Services to manage tower and passive infrastructure; Tay Ninh in Vietnam is set to host a proposed 200MW AI data centre complex. Fraud & Identity: Police in Namibia warn SIM scams use vulnerable people’s identities to register SIMs for fraud.

Satellite Connectivity & Licensing: The UAE’s TDRA has granted Starlink a 10-year licence for satellite broadband, aiming to add a space layer to national connectivity for homes, businesses, government and maritime/aviation users. Messaging Monetisation: WhatsApp will start charging businesses for customer messages from October 1, targeting companies using the Business Platform at scale while keeping ordinary users unaffected. Regulation & Timekeeping: India’s “One Nation, One Time” will make IST mandatory from March 2027 across legal, commercial, digital and administrative systems, reducing reliance on foreign time sources like GPS. AI in Public Safety: South Korea’s police are rolling out an AI system to standardise and visualise links across bank and telecom records to speed investigations into fraud and phishing. Disaster & Connectivity Stress Test: Nepal’s Bhote Koshi–Trishuli flash-flood catastrophe has killed 626 and left 2,400+ missing, with reports of communications being severed during the rush for evacuation. Regional Telecom Scrutiny: Australia’s telecom ombudsman is calling out poor service reliability in regional areas and recommending compensation/paused charges while repairs are pending. Cross-border Trade: Argentina says it will ease barriers for India’s pharma sector under a joint trade committee push, with telecom and digital services flagged as further cooperation areas.