Vodafone and Virgin Media O2 extend network sharing

Vodafone UK and Virgin Media O2 have announced a landmark agreement to extend and enhance their mobile network sharing arrangement for over a decade.

The agreement, which builds upon the existing partnership between the two telecom giants, is largely independent of the proposed merger between Vodafone UK and Three UK. However, should the merger receive regulatory approval, the deal includes provisions for Virgin Media O2 to acquire spectrum from the newly formed entity, dubbed...

3 July 2024 | 5G

Nigeria to gain 25 operators in just a few months

Nigeria's Communications Commission has recently awarded 25 Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) licences.

This development marks a crucial turning point, transitioning Nigeria from having only four major mobile operators – MTN, Globacom, Airtel, and 9Mobile – to welcoming nearly 30 new players.

This milestone is not merely an expansion but a strategic endeavour to foster competition, bridge the digital divide, and enhance connectivity—especially in rural and...

18 October 2023 | 5G

T-Mobile reportedly wants to acquire Mint Mobile

T-Mobile is reportedly considering an acquisition of Mint Mobile.

Mint is a budget MVNO that’s backed by Deadpool actor Ryan Reynolds. In 2021, the New York Post reported that Reynolds has around 20 to 25 percent stake in Mint.

At the time, Mint was looking to be acquired for $600 to $800 million. Altice USA was said to be the most interested buyer but no deal was formally closed.

T-Mobile and Mint are yet to announce any potential acquisition deal. Analysts...

13 January 2023 | Operators

Truphone part-owner Roman Abramovich among sanctioned oligarchs

Truphone part-owner Roman Abramovich is among the latest Russian oligarchs to be sanctioned by the UK today.

Abramovich made the bulk of his wealth from selling assets following the collapse of the Soviet Union. The assets were acquired far below market value in Russia's controversial loans-for-shares privatisation initiative.

Between 2000-2008, Abramovich was the governor of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. He is allegedly a confidant of former Russian president Boris Yeltsin...

10 March 2022 | Legislation & Government

Truphone will use EE’s network after signing deal with BT

UK-based MVNO Truphone will use EE’s network after signing a five-year deal with BT Wholesale.

Truphone’s customers will benefit from EE’s network which, according to independent tests, is the best overall in the UK for coverage and speeds. At present, Truphone is operating on O2’s network.

Ralph Steffens, CEO of Truphone, said:

“We’re incredibly excited to partner with BT Wholesale, the clear market leader in the UK, on this important relationship...

1 February 2022 | Networks

DISH switches to AT&T after accusing T-Mobile of anti-competitive behaviour

DISH will pay AT&T at least $5 billion over the next decade to access its network following a spat with T-Mobile.

Since August 2020, T-Mobile has stopped activating and selling phones that don't support VoLTE to encourage any holdouts still relying on 3G to upgrade. DISH isn’t happy with T-Mobile bringing forward its plans to shutter its 3G CDMA network earlier than originally intended and accused the operator of anti-competitive behaviour.

“T-Mobile’s plans to...

20 July 2021 | AT&T