Today’s telecom news includes announcements on TIM SA, IHS Towers, Telecom Italia, Telecom Cloud Market, and others.
TIM SA Moves to Reclaim Control of Brazilian Fibre Network
Brazil’s telecom operator TIM SA is negotiating to repurchase a 51 percent stake in its former fibre‑network business, I‑Systems, in a deal estimated at $170 million (900 million reais). The stake was sold in 2021 to infrastructure firm IHS Towers after being spun off as FiberCo, but the buyer has struggled to scale the business independently. Regaining the stake would give TIM Brasil full operational control of the fibre network. Telecom Italia, which owns a majority of TIM SA, has appointed Rothschild to advise on the deal, and the company’s board could approve the purchase as early as February 10, 2026.
Telecom Cloud Market Set to Skyrocket to $258.99 bn by 2032
The global telecom cloud market is forecast to grow sharply, reaching USD 258.99 billion by 2032 from about USD 50.51 billion in 2024, at a 22.67 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR), according to a new Verified Market Research report. Key drivers include rapid 5G rollout, rising demand for virtualized network functions, and increased adoption of cloud‑based services by telecom operators, which enhance scalability, automation, and cost efficiency. The shift toward hybrid and multi‑cloud architectures, along with trends like edge computing and AI‑driven network automation, is reshaping telecom infrastructure. North America currently leads the market’s expansion.
Burundi Launches Digital Platform to Fast-Track Telecom Equipment Approval
Burundi’s telecommunications regulator, Agence de Régulation et de Contrôle des Télécommunications (ARCT), has launched a new digital platform to streamline market clearance and type approval for telecom equipment under updated regulatory requirements. The platform centralizes online submissions for import/export authorizations, compliance documents, and customs clearance permits, integrating directly with ARCT’s type approval system to speed up review with target turnaround times of 15–30 days. This digital shift cuts paperwork, offers real-time tracking, and supports Burundi’s 2024–2028 Digital Economy Strategy, aiming to boost secure 5G and IoT deployment while reducing counterfeit and non‑compliant products. Importers and distributors must register and obtain digital certificates.
SHAFANA FAZAL
