Today’s telecom news includes announcements on Ultranet Telecom, IQSTEL, Telecom Namibia, Demshi Investment, BSNL, among others.
IQSTEL Takes Controlling Stake in Ultranet Telecom to Power Global Expansion Push
Ultranet Telecom Group has entered a strategic partnership with IQSTEL through a binding agreement for IQSTEL to acquire a 51 percent controlling stake, aimed at accelerating Ultranet’s global expansion across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The deal is expected to significantly strengthen Ultranet’s telecom infrastructure, international SMS gateway operations, and connectivity services while leveraging IQSTEL’s global telecom platform, AI capabilities, and digital services ecosystem. Ultranet, headquartered in Ghana with operations across multiple African countries, will continue to be led by its existing management team. The partnership is projected to expand operations into nearly 30 countries and enhance high-margin digital services, including AI and fintech. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals, due diligence, and final agreement completion.
From Copper Theft to Fiber Future: Telecom Namibia and Demshi Supercharge Nationwide Broadband Rollout
Telecom Namibia has entered a strategic partnership with Demshi Investment Holdings to accelerate its nationwide fibre rollout and strengthen digital infrastructure across Namibia. The collaboration focuses on replacing vulnerable copper networks with fibre, particularly in areas affected by frequent copper theft and vandalism. Through Demshi’s open-access fibre infrastructure, Telecom Namibia will deliver high-speed internet services to residential and business users while leasing network capacity under a structured rental model. Demshi will handle deployment, maintenance, and installation of passive fibre infrastructure. The initiative supports Telecom Namibia’s broader digital transformation strategy and aims to improve service reliability, expand broadband access, and speed up fibre adoption across high-risk and underserved regions nationwide.
SIM Swap Fraud Shock: Karnataka HC Holds Telecom Operators Accountable for Cyber Fraud Losses
The Karnataka High Court has significantly strengthened accountability rules for telecom operators in cases involving SIM-swap fraud. The court held that telecom companies can be legally liable if negligent verification allows duplicate SIM cards to be issued, leading to financial cyber fraud. The case involved a cooperative bank that lost nearly ₹87 lakh after criminals obtained a replacement SIM linked to its registered mobile number and intercepted OTPs to execute unauthorized transactions. The court ruled that telecom operators act as “custodians” of digital identity and must ensure strict verification before issuing SIM replacements. BSNL was ordered to pay compensation for its employee’s negligence. The judgment also urged banks to strengthen cybersecurity safeguards, emphasizing shared responsibility in preventing OTP-based financial fraud in India’s digital banking ecosystem.
SHAFANA FAZAL
