Today’s telecom news includes announcements on Ooredoo Qatar, Telikom PNG, Digicel PNG, RailTel Corporation, SBI, among others.
Ooredoo Qatar Launches Country’s First 5G+ Network
Ooredoo Qatar has launched the country’s first 5G+ mobile network, building on its earlier deployment of 5G standalone technology. The new network, also associated with 5G-Advanced, is designed to deliver faster speeds, greater capacity and lower latency for consumers and businesses. It supports enhanced video streaming, responsive gaming and improved connectivity while enabling industrial applications such as real-time equipment monitoring, automated processes and Internet of Things deployments. Ooredoo has deployed the technology across multiple locations in Qatar, although specific coverage areas were not disclosed. The service is commercially available through mobile broadband wherever 5G+ coverage is provided.
Telikom PNG and Digicel Sign Tower-Sharing Agreement to Accelerate Network Expansion
State-owned Telikom PNG has signed a tower-sharing licence agreement with Digicel PNG to reduce infrastructure deployment costs, expand coverage and improve connectivity across Papua New Guinea. The partnership is the third tower-sharing arrangement announced in the country’s telecommunications sector in two months. Telikom previously signed a similar agreement with Vodafone PNG in August, while Digicel and Vodafone agreed to share tower infrastructure in September. The arrangements are expected to help both operators extend services more efficiently, particularly to rural and underserved communities, and support preparations for 5G deployment. Papua New Guinea’s telecommunications regulator finalised its framework for 5G spectrum licences in the 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands in September, but licences have yet to be awarded.
RailTel Wins ₹197 Crore SBI Telecom Connectivity Contract for Five Years
RailTel Corporation of India has secured a ₹1.97 billion order, equivalent to ₹197 crore excluding taxes, from State Bank of India for telecom connectivity services. The five-year contract covers multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) links connecting SBI’s data centres and disaster recovery sites, along with branch connectivity and point-to-point telecom links across India. The agreement runs from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2031, with revised rates applicable under the new contract. The order strengthens RailTel’s role in providing communications infrastructure to a major banking institution, supporting connectivity between branches and critical technology facilities. It also provides a long-term contract extending across SBI’s nationwide network requirements.
