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Briefing Desk

Latest Briefings

Concise reporting on the developments shaping internet governance and infrastructure. Browse each area for recent news, context and watchpoints.

  1. Google to sign EU AI code despite innovation concerns

    Google will sign the EU AI code but worries strict rules might slow AI innovation and hurt Europe’s competitiveness.

  2. BT refunds £18m in exit fees after Ofcom ruling

    BT refunds £18m in exit fees after Ofcom ruling, highlighting telecoms contract rules and consumer protection.

  3. Zen InterneT: Boosts broadband access in Sierra Leone

    Zen Internet drives broadband expansion in Sierra Leone using wireless and fibre, tackling infrastructure and accessibility gaps.

  4. Be Broadband expands South Africa’s connectivity

    Be Broadband expands South Africa’s fibre network with technology services to infrastructure challenges and digital inclusion efforts.

  5. Zonke WiFi expands affordable internet access in South Africa

    Zonke WiFi provides affordable wireless broadband to South African townships using innovative solar-powered solutions.

  6. ICT Authority: Leading Kenya’s digital drive

    Kenya’s ICT Authority leads national digital initiatives, tackling infrastructure gaps, innovation needs, and regulatory challenges.

  7. Connected Space bridges South Africa’s digital divide

    Connected Space delivers affordable internet to underserved South African communities using innovative solar-powered wireless solutions.

  8. Jhpiego: Transforming global health through innovation

    Jhpiego delivers transformative health solutions in over 38 countries, focusing on maternal and child health amid systemic challenges.

  9. Express Data: Connecting Kenya’s businesses

    Express Data delivers reliable fibre and wireless broadband for Kenyan businesses, adapting solutions to local needs.

  10. Airpark Beaufort West: Rural internet access

    Airpark Beaufort West CC expands wireless and cloud access in rural Karoo.

  11. Newtelnet Cameroun SAS: Business connectivity and network solutions

    Newtelnet Cameroun SAS delivers SD-WAN, edge security, and broadband solutions to enterprise clients across Cameroon.

  12. QCell: Boosts mobile and broadband services in Sierra Leone

    QCell boosts affordable 4G and broadband services in Sierra Leone, focusing on quality, innovation, and youth empowerment.

  13. Woolworths South Africa: Retail Innovation in a shifting market

    Woolworths SA invests in online retail and sustainable sourcing.

  14. Cajutel boosts broadband in West Africa

    Cajutel uses solar broadband and blockchain technology to expand affordable internet across Guinea and Sierra Leone.

  15. New ICANN CEO Kurtis Lindqvist and his global power grab

    Since the appointment of Kurtis Lindqvist as ICANN CEO, the neutral internet governance body has turned to increasingly aggressive tactics.

  16. AFRINIC breaks its own rules to launch board election

    The AFRINIC NomCom controversy raises doubts about the 2025 election process, as key bylaw procedures were skipped.

  17. Registration now open for APNIC 60 conference and workshops

    APNIC 60 conference registration is open for in-person and online participation, with early bird discounts available.

  18. AFRINIC’s FAQ and communication resources for voters

    AFRINIC updates its FAQ and communication materials to improve transparency ahead of its 2025 board election, addressing voter concerns.

  19. Legal and operational fallout: What happens if an RIR is de-recognized?

    AFRINIC’s collapse fuels urgent calls for a new steward to safeguard IP resource stability, legality, and digital growth.

  20. AFRINIC launches voter onboarding ahead of board election

    AFRINIC opens voter onboarding for its August 2025 board election with verified identity and single-voter rules.

  21. AFRINIC election extension exceeds Receiver’s Mauritius mandate

    A recent court ruling extends the deadline for AFRINIC’s receivership, pushing beyond the original mandate granted by Mauritius authorities.

  22. RIPE 91 article contest opens call for community voices

    RIPE NCC opens article competition ahead of RIPE 91 in Bucharest to promote open participation in internet policy dialogue.

  23. Airtel’s Nxtra Expands Renewable Energy Deal to 200 MW

    Airtel’s Nxtra boosts renewable energy sourcing deal with Ampin to 200 MW, highlighting corporate sustainability efforts amid scepticism.

  24. IETF 123: Advances security and scalability standards

    IETF 123 advances internet standards focusing on IPv6, security, QUIC, and automation for future internet growth and resilience.

  25. Ericsson forms Aduna joint venture with global telecom firms

    Ericsson joins MTN and others to form Aduna, a shared African telecom platform to streamline infrastructure and lower costs.

  26. Cash App adds group payments with Apple and Google Pay

    Cash App has rolled out “Pools,” allowing group payments via Apple Pay and Google Pay, enhancing its competitiveness with Venmo and PayPal.

  27. Pyth Network brings Hong Kong stocks onchain with live data

    Pyth Network puts Hong Kong stocks onchain, offering live data feeds and global access to real‑time equity markets.

  28. Scala Data Centers secures Chile data centre funding

    Scala Data Centers secures US $328 million green financing for Chile data centres and power substation expansion.

  29. AI Networks boosts Sierra Leone’s digital growth

    AI Networks expands fibre and cloud services to drive Sierra Leone’s digital infrastructure despite tough industry conditions.

  30. Lucky Connect Technologies: Bridging south Africa’s digital divide

    Lucky Connect delivers affordable internet via fibre, LTE, and satellite to underserved South African communities, bridging the digital divide.

  31. Converged Telecoms: South Africa’s managed ICT provider

    Converged Telecoms offers fibre and cloud voice services across South Africa’s business sectors.

  32. INQ DIGITAL edge services in cameroon

    INQ DIGITAL offers edge ai, cloud, sd-wan and managed connectivity services to support Cameroon’s enterprise transformation.

  33. Dumatel Africa Limited: Powering Africa’s digital infrastructure

    Dumatel Africa Limited delivers innovative network solutions, bridging Africa’s digital divide with reliable fibre optic infrastructure.

  34. Djibouti Data Center becomes key interconnection hub for Africa

    Djibouti Data Center boosts Africa’s digital reach as Sparkle makes it new IP hub for intercontinental traffic.

  35. GTBank Sierra Leone boosts digital access

    GTBank Sierra Leone expands digital banking services despite West Africa’s infrastructure and financial inclusion challenges.

  36. AFRINIC Faces Backlash After Election Collapse

    AFRINIC’s 2025 vote controversy deepens as in-person voting is denied, raising doubts over fairness and compliance with its own rules.

  37. AFRINIC governance crisis sparks calls for complete overhaul

    AFRINIC’s governance failures prompt calls for dissolution as Africa’s IP management system nears collapse.

  38. Impact of such disputes on AFRINIC’s member community

    AFRINIC’s internal breakdown and external interference leave African IP resource members without representation or policy clarity.

  39. The future of AFRINIC: Rebuilding trust after controversy

    Cloud Innovation calls for AFRINIC’s dissolution due to governance failures, urging a reset in Africa’s IP management.

  40. Tesla inks $16.5B chip deal with Samsung

    Tesla has signed a $16.5bn deal with Samsung to produce advanced AI chips, enhancing autonomous tech and US manufacturing.

  41. Intel separates network unit after $2.9B loss

    Intel separates its loss-making NEX unit to streamline operations and seek external investment in edge infrastructure.

  42. Morocco to invest $8.9B in 5G expansion by 2030

    Morocco plans to invest $8.9 billion to deliver 5G to 85 percent of the country by 2030, with fibre expansion and rural connectivity.

  43. Nokia drives Medusa cable linking Europe and Africa

    Nokia powers the 8,760 km Medusa cable, linking Europe and North Africa to deliver high‑speed fibre for 5G, cloud, and AI growth.

  44. Starlink suffers global outage due to software failure

    A 12-hour global Starlink outage caused by software failure highlights risks of depending on mega-constellation internet services.

  45. Salam Inks MoU with Syria to Boost Digital Infrastructure

    Salam and Syria sign MoU to establish IP PoPs in Damascus and Aleppo, backed by over SAR 4 billion in Saudi tech investments.

  46. KKR in US$5B talks to buy STT GDC

    KKR is in advanced talks to acquire ST Telemedia Global Data Centres for over US$5 billion, signalling a major digital infrastructure push.

  47. Sudan restricts WhatsApp voice and video calls nationwide

    Sudan has blocked WhatsApp voice and video calls from 25 July 2025, sparking criticism over digital rights and communication access amid war.

  48. Rocking Connect: Powering Africa’s digital future

    Rocking Connect delivers innovative hybrid network solutions across Africa’s challenging connectivity landscape.

  49. Directel Communications: Business fibre and voice

    Directel delivers fibre and voice services through RocketNet in South Africa.

  50. Iristel Kenya boosts cloud connectivity in competitive market

    Iristel Kenya enhances cloud communications with VoIP and SIP solutions, driving digital transformation for Kenyan businesses.