Today’s telecom news includes announcements on Orange, Vodafone Idea, ZTE, Kazakhtelecom, among others.
Orange Reports Major Mobile Network Disruption Across France
French telecommunications operator Orange reported a network incident on October 21 that caused major disruptions to mobile services across France. The company said its technical teams were working to identify the cause of the incident and restore services. Downdetector, which aggregates user reports about service problems, recorded tens of thousands of complaints concerning Orange’s mobile network on Wednesday morning. The disruption affected customers across the country, although the company’s initial statement did not specify the technical cause or provide a detailed breakdown of affected services.
Vodafone Idea to Introduce Voice-Only Mobile Plans by October-End
Vodafone Idea (Vi) plans to introduce voice-only mobile recharge plans by the end of October 2026, responding to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s push for more affordable options for customers who do not need mobile data. The initiative is particularly relevant to feature-phone users and subscribers seeking lower-cost connectivity. Reports indicate that the implementation deadline has been extended to October 30. Bharti Airtel has already introduced three voice-only plans priced between ₹185 and ₹206, while Reliance Jio has yet to announce its corresponding offerings. The new plans could affect average revenue per user and revenue growth, particularly for operators with larger 2G subscriber bases, including Vodafone Idea and BSNL.
ZTE and Kazakhtelecom Establish Joint Laboratory for Telecom Innovation
ZTE and Kazakhtelecom signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a joint laboratory aimed at developing advanced telecommunications technologies and accelerating Kazakhstan’s digital transformation. The announcement came during the AI & Digital Bridge 2026 event in Astana, where the companies showcased solutions under ZTE’s “Connectivity + Computing” strategy. Demonstrations covered AI-based wireless network optimisation, high-speed transport systems, energy-efficient telecommunications infrastructure, smart-home technologies and intelligent personal devices. Their existing collaboration has supported network modernisation and the delivery of gigabit internet services to hundreds of thousands of households.
