Briefing Desk
Latest Briefings
Concise reporting on the developments shaping internet governance and infrastructure. Browse each area for recent news, context and watchpoints.
UMG Renews Music IPR Deal with NetEase
UMG signs a licensing deal with NetEase Cloud Music, expanding access in China as AI and revenue questions remain.
OpenAI begins testing ads in ChatGPT free and Go tiers
OpenAI plans to trial ads in ChatGPT’s free and Go tiers in the US while pledging they will not affect chatbot responses.
India to collaborate on AI capacity with ASEAN
India offers to collaborate with ASEAN on AI capacity building, standards development, and responsible innovation.
Publishers test Google Gemini litigation with a class-action intervention bid
Cengage Learning and Hachette Book Group are trying to move the Google Gemini copyright case from an author-and-artist class action into a publisher-representation fight. Their January 2026 intervention motion asks the Northern District of California to let two publishing companies appear as class or subclass representatives for publishers whose book rights may be affected by the claims against Google. The operational signal is not simply that another AI copyright suit exists. It is that publishers want direct control over evidence, class representation and licensing leverage in a case where Google says the late intervention attempt should be rejected.
IBM launches Sovereign Core software to help organisations enforce digital sovereignty for AI workloads
IBM announces Sovereign Core software to help organisations deploy and manage AI-ready sovereign environments with operational control.
Ericsson job cuts spotlight tech sector turbulence
Ericsson plans to cut 1,600 jobs in Sweden as the wider technology sector continues to downsize amid weaker demand and cost pressures.
Red Sea subsea risks expose urgent need for connectivity diversification in Middle East
Red Sea subsea cable risks are prompting calls for diversified connectivity to support Middle East digital growth.
WindTre launches 5G SA with network slicing for businesses
Italian operator WindTre enables businesses of all sizes to use 5G slicing on its standalone network, supporting AR, secure comms and media.
AI-driven borrowing set to lift US corporate bond supply in 2026
AI hyperscaler borrowing is set to drive U.S. corporate bond issuance higher in 2026, reshaping fixed-income markets as capex grows.
AWS launches European Sovereign Cloud to address data concerns
AWS launches its European Sovereign Cloud, an EU-based cloud platform offering data residency and compliance for regulated industries.
IP Capital: How to lease unused IP address blocks for revenue
A practical guide to leasing unused IPv4 address blocks and generating recurring income from surplus resources.
Startup Temporal in talks to double valuation to $5 billion on heels of AI boom
Temporal Technologies is in talks to raise funding at a $5 billion valuation, capitalising on growing demand for AI-driven software.
Boldyn Networks expands Transport for London 4G and 5G connectivity rollout across the capital
Boldyn Networks and TfL are expanding 4G and 5G mobile coverage across London Underground and Elizabeth line stations.
Gulf States join U.S.-Led Pax Silica Tech supply chain initiative amid geopolitical shifts
Qatar and UAE join U.S.-led Pax Silica effort to fortify AI and semiconductor supply chains amid global tech competition.
Trump imposes 25% tariff on some advanced computing chips
What happened: U.S. imposes targeted 25 per cent tariff on imported high‑end chips On 14 January 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a 25 per cent tariff on certain imported advanced computing chips, notably Nvidia’s H200 and AMD’s MI325X processors. The decision follows…
Global smartphone market grows 4 % in 4Q 2025 as Apple holds leading position for third year
Global smartphone shipments grew 4 % in 4Q 25 with Apple leading the market for the third year, supported by strong iPhone 17 demand.
Colt Technology Services reshapes sales leadership to navigate AI-driven market demands
Colt Technology Services appoints new sales leaders as digital infrastructure demand and AI workloads reshape the connectivity market.
Google warns US grid is bottleneck for data centres
Google says outdated US power transmission is delaying new data centres by years, raising pressure for urgent grid reform.
SKT’s in-car AI agent redefines voice control in vehicles
SK Telecom launches A.Dot Auto, an AI voice agent in Renault’s Filante that understands natural speech to control navigation and car systems.
Meta Scales back metaverse efforts in favour of AI devices
Meta cuts over 1,000 Reality Labs jobs and closes VR studios as it pivots from metaverse to AI wearables like Ray-Ban smart glasses.
London full-fibre provider G.Network enters administration as debt mounts
London full-fibre broadband provider G.Network enters administration with Alvarez & Marsal appointed to find a buyer.
Malaysia’s iFIBER strives for digital autonomy amid regional connectivity challenges
iFIBER expands Malaysia’s open-access fibre network and digital solutions amid debates on regional autonomy and foreign tech influence.
Investing in IP addresses: Risks, rewards, and unresolved questions
IP address investing offers returns driven by scarcity, but policy shifts and IPv6 adoption raise long-term risks.
Asia’s new $1 billion subsea cable project sidesteps strategic chokepoints
The new Intra-Asia submarine cable project aims to boost connectivity and resilience while reducing reliance on South China Sea routes.
SK Hynix commits nearly $13B to advanced AI memory packaging plant in South Korea
SK Hynix will invest $12.9 billion in a new advanced packaging plant in Cheongju to boost AI memory output by late 2027.
Samsung completes first commercial vRAN call, pushing toward AI-native, 6G-ready networks
Samsung completes the first commercial vRAN call on a live operator network, advancing AI-native and 6G-ready network capabilities.
Altice explores sale of OXG Glasfaser stake despite Vodafone’s confidence in fibre network
Altice is seeking buyers for its 50 % stake in German joint venture OXG Glasfaser with Vodafone amid market and funding pressures.
Apple and Google forge AI partnership with Gemini models to power next-generation Siri
Apple and Google struck a multi-year AI partnership where Google’s Gemini models will power the next generation of Siri and more.
Batelco partnership launches Bahrain’s first edge data centre
New edge data centre in Bahrain aims to support real-time applications and attract enterprise cloud customers across the Gulf.
Global data centre investment set to soar to $3T
Global data-centre spending expected to soar as AI demand grows, with tech giants and institutional investors reshaping the landscape.
G.Network sold to FitzWalter Capital amid UK fibre pressure
UK altnet G.Network has been acquired by FitzWalter Capital and placed into administration, highlighting strain in the UK fibre market.
Empyrion Digital breaks ground on Taiwan’s first edge data centre
The new Taiwan facility by Empyrion Digital will offer 7 MW scalable load and sustainable design, expected online in late 2027.
Sonic Networks PHL connects Filipino homes and businesses
Sonic Networks offers high-speed fibre broadband and business connectivity in the Philippines, focusing on reliability and customer service.
Three ranked UK’s fastest 5G network in latest speedtest results
Latest Ookla Speedtest data places Three at the top of UK 5G performance, though coverage and real-world speeds vary by area.
Apple launches Creator Studio to deepen services push
Apple has launched Creator Studio, a bundled subscription of pro creative apps with AI features to boost services revenue.
IDT Telecom’s global reach puts pressure on regional control in the connectivity market
As IDT Telecom expands worldwide, critics warn regional markets risk losing influence over pricing, access and digital policy priorities.
UK regulator investigates Elon Musk’s Grok AI over deepfake and sexualised images
UK regulator Ofcom investigates Elon Musk’s Grok AI over alleged creation and sharing of sexualised and illegal deepfake images.
How to value an IPv4 address block for a business audit
How businesses can calculate fair value for IPv4 blocks during audits, covering ownership proof, market pricing, risk and sustainability.
Why RIRs don’t have power to enforce internet address policies
RIRs play a key role in IP address allocation but lack enforcement power, raising governance questions amid disputes like the AFRINIC case.
LARUS to exhibit at PTC’26 as global connectivity event returns to Hawaii
Larus will participate in PTC’26, the global connectivity event in Hawai‘i, showcasing their IPv4 solutions and network infrastructure.
SoftBank and OpenAI commit $1B to AI infrastructure expansion
SoftBank and OpenAI commit $1bn to SB Energy to accelerate AI data-centre and power infrastructure under the Stargate initiative.
Iraq’s DE-CIX-powered internet exchange boosts regional connectivity
IRAQ-IXP growth to nearly 30 networks and rising traffic highlights Iraq’s emergence as a regional digital hub with lower latency access.
SK Hynix ramps up chip packaging capacity in South Korea
SK Hynix plans a nearly $13 billion chip packaging plant in South Korea to support rising AI memory demand.
Solutia Consulting delivers IT and business transformation
Solutia Consulting provides advisory, delivery and leadership services for enterprise software, cloud and transformation initiatives.
Openreach reports 40 % surge in full-fibre usage as traditional broadband declines
Openreach says full-fibre broadband usage rose 40 % in 2025 as FTTP traffic overtook copper-based services across the UK.
Telefónica Tech unveils self-sovereign identity tool to anticipate EU Digital ID rules
Telefónica Tech launches a self-sovereign identity tool to help businesses manage verifiable credentials and prepare for Europe.
FCC revises Verizon phone unlocking rules after fraud issues
The FCC has revised Verizon’s phone unlocking policy to prevent fraud, closing loopholes that allowed criminal misuse and device trafficking.
Apple tops global smartphone market in 2025 with 20 % share, Counterpoint says
Apple led the global smartphone market in 2025 with a 20 % share as shipments grew 2 %, but industry headwinds may slow growth in 2026.
Vodafone idea secures AGR relief, agrees to pay ₹124 crore annually over six years
Vodafone Idea’s AGR liabilities are frozen with reduced annual payouts, helping stability now while structural.
Airbus lands Eutelsat contract to build 340 additional OneWeb LEO satellites
Airbus Defence and Space will build 340 more OneWeb LEO satellites for Eutelsat to expand and modernise global broadband coverage.