AGP Executive Report

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.

Satellite Connectivity Expansion: The UAE’s TDRA has granted Starlink a 10-year General Space Services Licence for public satellite broadband, covering homes, businesses, government, plus maritime and aviation links—aimed at boosting resilience and continuity when terrestrial networks struggle. Regulation & Consumer Rights: Indonesia’s telecom regulator moves to stop operators from forfeiting unused mobile data after a court ruling, requiring options like rollover, extensions, transfers, refunds or compensation. Network Resilience for Critical Services: St. Petersburg approved a $2.72m, 20-year fiber deal to connect water facilities and protect SCADA communications from cyber and physical disruption. Data Security: Canada’s Eastlink warned customers of a potential breach involving possible exposure of names, contact details, account numbers and PINs. Telecom Access Gap: In Ghana, residents in Nwawasua say reliable internet means climbing trees or leaving the community, highlighting persistent connectivity inequality. Disaster Impact on Connectivity: Nepal’s floods are still disrupting communications and services, with UNICEF warning that 17,000 children need urgent support as schools and health facilities were damaged. Boardroom Update: MTN Nigeria said independent director Eyitope Kola-Oyeneyin will exit the board effective 31 August. Major Capital Markets: India’s Jio Platforms cleared the next step for its IPO after SEBI approval, with investors watching spectrum and other listed risks. Space Tech Market Watch: A report projects tethered drones—powered via cable for persistent coverage—could reach about $293m by 2035.

Regulation U-turn (Pakistan): Pakistan withdrew its controversial telecom re-organisation amendment bill after Senate pushback over sweeping rights for operators to use private land for towers and fibre, with a new draft promised. Disaster Response (Nepal): Heavy rain forced a temporary halt to helicopter rescue operations in Trishuli, while Nepal Telecom restored mobile services in parts of Rasuwa and Nuwakot and PM Balen Shah said 15,431 security personnel were mobilised across the Bhote Koshi–Trishuli corridor. Operator & consumer friction (Africa): A Nigerian lawyer demanded an audit after 708GB of MTN data allegedly vanished; MTN South Africa said voice revenue is nearing an inflection point as customers shift to data and digital services. Big capital markets (India): Sebi cleared Jio Platforms to proceed with an IPO that could raise about $3.8bn, targeting debt repayment and positioning it for India’s largest listing. Platform policy (Nepal): Nepal asked Meta and TikTok to remove graphic, AI-generated flood content and fraudulent QR donation posts. Network strategy (Kyrgyzstan): Kyrgyz authorities proposed making ElCat the sole route for international internet traffic to curb cyber risks and price spikes.

Satellite Licensing: The UAE’s TDRA has granted Starlink a 10-year General Space Services License, formally adding a satellite broadband layer alongside fibre and 5G for consumers, businesses and government, with coverage aimed at resilience for sectors like maritime, aviation, energy and emergency response. Capital Markets: India’s Sebi has cleared Jio Platforms to proceed with an IPO that could raise about $3.8bn and value the company around $137bn, positioning it as India’s biggest listing. Regulation Reset: Pakistan has withdrawn the Pakistan Telecommunication Reorganisation Amendment Bill 2026 from the Senate and says a fresh, “comprehensive” version will be introduced soon to avoid procedural delays. Network Security & Fraud: Malaysia’s NSRC logged 5,944 online scam reports in the first four months, including 1,369 telecom scams, while Nepal has asked Meta and TikTok to act faster on AI-made flood misinformation and fraudulent donation QR codes. Infrastructure & Crime: Calgary police arrested four over copper wire thefts targeting telecom cables, describing an organised pattern. Network Modernisation: Ukraine’s lifecell will shut 3G in 17 regions from Sept 3 and move areas to 4G/LTE. Scam Tech Risk: A German investigation found calls could leak handset hardware IDs (IMEI) before acceptance, prompting emergency alerts and remediation steps by carriers. Operator/Market Moves: Axiata reported weaker 2Q profit and revenue, citing currency effects, while MTN Nigeria highlighted local workforce and procurement progress.

Himalayan Disaster Response: Nepal-Tibet flash floods triggered by a glacier collapse have killed at least 469 people, with 1,400+ missing and hundreds of foreign tourists unaccounted for; Nepal Telecom says it’s restoring service across Rasuwa, Dhading, Nuwakot and Chitwan using generators, batteries and rapid repairs, while authorities warn infrastructure damage and access issues are slowing recovery. Regulatory Reversal (Pakistan): Pakistan’s government is withdrawing a controversial telecom right-of-way bill after Senate deadlock, while the PTA simultaneously orders prepaid recharges to keep balances valid for at least 180 days and automatically restore expired balances on next top-up. Public Transport Tech (Singapore): SMRT opened a $6m “command centre” to monitor bus operations in real time, aiming to improve safety and incident response. Connectivity Disruption (Trinidad & Tobago): TSTT/bmobile restored services after fibre breaks along the East-West Corridor, with vandalism suspected. Local Industry Pressure (Nigeria): MAN calls for a task force to stop illegal levies on manufacturers in Lagos’ Apapa corridor.

Disaster Response: Nepal’s Rasuwa floods and landslides have knocked out telecom links, with Ncell restoring 14 mobile towers after about 70–80 km of fibre damage, while Nepal Telecom extends free data/voice for more days and Dish Home offers 15 days of free internet to affected areas. Cross-Border Connectivity: China is using satellites and drones, including mobile base stations, to support emergency communications after mudslides near the China–Nepal border. Undersea Infrastructure & Regulation: Finland’s appeals court revived the case against Eagle S officers over Baltic Sea cable breaks, ruling the damage and telecom impact occurred in Finland—raising stakes for accountability in undersea damage. Cybersecurity: The US DOJ and FBI seized domains tied to China-linked hacking platforms targeting NASA, the Federal Reserve, the Senate and other critical networks. Network Build-Out: Malaysia’s Maxis is funding a RM30m “digital highway” of fibre to connect 151 towers in Melaka, shifting from microwave to fibre for future digital growth. Mobile Policy: Pakistan’s PTA orders 180-day validity for prepaid recharges and automatic restoration after top-ups, tightening consumer rules.

Network Sharing Deal: Vodafone Idea and BSNL are reportedly in talks to extend network sharing across circles, potentially covering roaming plus fibre and tower sharing, which could reshape coverage and competition. Disaster Response Connectivity: Nepal’s flash floods have killed at least 160 with hundreds missing, while Nepal Telecom and Ncell are offering free voice, SMS and data in affected districts as towers are repaired. Cybersecurity Crackdown: The US says it disrupted a China-linked hacking operation targeting the DOJ, NASA, the Federal Reserve and the Senate, seizing domains tied to tools used against critical infrastructure. Child Safety Regulation: Meta will pay up to $18bn in US state settlements and limit teen use of Facebook and Instagram to two hours daily and block late-night access without parental consent. Accessibility & Inclusion: Nigeria’s NCC is running a hackathon to reduce communication barriers for persons with disabilities. Mobile Network Resilience: Flow says vandalism damaged fibre lines in St. Andrew, disrupting broadband, landline and cable services while repairs continue. Broadband Planning: NTIA has approved all 56 BEAD final proposals to expand broadband availability across states and territories. AI Security Push: SK Telecom and Upstage are teaming with cybersecurity firms to build a security-focused AI foundation model.

Vendor Security & Regulation: The UK’s proposed Cyber Security and Resilience Bill would let ministers secretly order hospitals, utilities, energy firms, and data centers to stop using or remove named suppliers—without notifying them—marking a major shift from past telecom vendor processes. Local Network Upgrades: Vodafone Qatar upgraded Push-to-Talk Plus with mission-critical voice, video, messaging, location, dispatch, encryption, and rugged devices over its nationwide mobile network. Fiber Rollouts: Race Communications plans to expand 100% FTTH to Dinuba, targeting 4,000 homes and businesses, while Seef Properties and Bahrain Network (BNET) signed to deploy an integrated fiber network across Seef Mall–Seef District. Mobile & Enterprise Comms: Verizon Business partnered with EZ-Rider in Midland/Odessa to replace legacy radio dispatch with push-to-talk-over-cellular, closing coverage gaps for drivers. Data Center Backlash: Warren County approved a 12-month moratorium on data center development approvals, with residents citing unknown environmental and health impacts. Cybersecurity: The US DOJ said it took down alleged Chinese hacking tools (“QScan” and “QTRouter”) used against major US targets, including telecom providers. Digital Identity: LexisNexis Risk Solutions and Arizona agencies launched a mobile digital birth credential for verified use in state transactions. AI & Society: Meta agreed to up to $18bn in settlements over claims it harmed children on Facebook and Instagram, including limits on teen use.