Today’s telecom news includes announcements on mobile licence tender in Syria, MTN, du, CK Hutchison, Orange, Sunrise, Telefonica, Vodafone, MWC, AST SpaceMobile, among others.
Syria Opens Door to New Telecom Era with Fresh Mobile Licence Tender
Syria’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has opened an international tender for a new 20-year mobile network operator licence to replace MTN Syria’s permit, formally paving the way for South Africa’s MTN Group to exit the country. MTN halted operations in 2021 amid ongoing conflict and regulatory challenges. The competitive bidding process, announced at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, will run until June 15 and requires the winning bidder to hold a 75 percent stake in the new venture, while Syria’s sovereign wealth fund will retain 25 percent. The move signals Damascus’ efforts to restructure its telecom sector and attract fresh foreign investment into the market.
du Hits 9.7mn Mobile Users as Growth Momentum Continues in the UAE
Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (du) has continued its growth trajectory, reaching 9.7 million mobile subscribers and around 735,000 fixed-line customers, highlighting strong demand in the UAE’s expanding digital landscape. In its March 4, 2026 update, the operator confirmed that mobile, fixed, and enterprise services are operating normally under established business continuity frameworks. The company also reported solid financial strength, with liquidity of approximately AED 4.2 billion and a conservative balance sheet. Additionally, its Board has recommended a dividend distribution of 64 fils per share for 2025, reflecting confidence in sustained operational performance and financial stability.
Satellite Internet for Smartphones: Five Major MNOs Join Europe Trials
Satellite Connect Europe has signed trial agreements with five major mobile network operators CK Hutchison, Orange, Sunrise, Telefónica and Vodafone to test direct-to-device satellite mobile broadband services across Europe. The trials are scheduled to begin in summer 2026 across markets including Austria, Italy and Romania, following announcements at Mobile World Congress. The Luxembourg-based joint venture between Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile aims to integrate satellite connectivity with existing mobile networks, enabling standard 4G and 5G smartphones to connect directly via satellite without requiring hardware upgrades.
SHAFANA FAZAL
