Briefing Desk
Latest Briefings
Concise reporting on the developments shaping internet governance and infrastructure. Browse each area for recent news, context and watchpoints.
Can the AFRINIC election process ever be trusted again?
One proxy vote annulled AFRINIC’s board election. ICANN intervened. Can reforms fix trust before the September deadline?
How outdated bylaws sabotaged the AFRINIC election process
AFRINIC’s 2025 election collapsed due to rigid bylaws despite valid proxy votes, deepening distrust in its governance.
Geopolitical underpinnings of the AFRINIC election drama
Disputed proxy vote sparks wider conflict over AFRINIC election integrity and regional governance authority In 2025, AFRINIC, the Regional Internet Registry (RIR) for Africa, became the centre of a growing governance crisis. What started as a technical disagreement over one disputed proxy vote quick…
Why AFRINIC governance needs transparency
Proxy votes are valid — why cancel an entire election? The African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC) oversees the allocation of internet number resources across Africa and surrounding regions. Its governance, particularly board elections, is essential for ensuring fair management of these critica…
Datum’s MCR2 delivers Next-Gen data capacity in Manchester
What happened: New Datum facility boosts Manchester’s role in UK data infrastructure Datum Datacentres has inaugurated its second Manchester facility, MCR2, in the Manchester of the United Kingdom. Designed and constructed from the ground up, the site is equipped to host 1,200 racks, each supporting…
Lelantos: Tackles home WiFi gaps with enterprise solutions
Lelantos delivers high-performance WiFi setups for complex homes using enterprise gear and expert installation.
HPE completes Juniper deal under DOJ terms
HPE finalises $14 billion Juniper deal after DOJ conditions, gaining Mist AI but losing WLAN unit to ease competition concerns.
AFRINIC 2025 election in crisis: Why transparency is missing
What happened: AFRINIC’s 2025 election transparency failures The origin of the AFRINIC election crisis in Mauritius last week, stems from a serious breach of confidentiality by a member of the AFRINIC Election Committee. The individual is alleged to have removed Power of Attorney (POA) documents fro…
Netflix and Spotify in talks to amp up live TV content
What happened: Netflix is exploring a strategic collaboration with Spotify Netflix and Spotify have reportedly held discussions to co-create live music award shows and concert series, according to the Wall Street Journal, as part of a broader push to build live TV offerings. The talks also include f…
Expert: Cyber retaliation is real and threatens US systems
Cyber expert warns US infrastructure faces real, low-cost cyber retaliation, urging urgent defense upgrades.
RigNet Pte Ltd: Delivers cyber‑secure offshore operations
RigNet Pte Ltd offers secure global connectivity, IIoT enablement, and AI-powered analytics to optimize remote industrial operations.
Samsung and Orange France blaze trail with 5G vRAN
What happened: Samsung and Orange France have completed a pioneering 4G and 5G vRAN trial In the vibrant city of Bordeaux, southwestern France, Samsung and Orange France have successfully executed the first 4G and 5G calls using a virtualised Radio Access Network (vRAN) and Open RAN infrastructure. …
Republic Telecom: Shaping Singapore’s mobile future
Republic Telecom offers affordable 4G services and prepares for 5G, driving innovation in Singapore’s telecom market.
CityFibre brings first gigabit to Buckinghamshire
CityFibre activates first Project Gigabit line in Buckinghamshire, delivering full fibre speeds to homes backed by government funding.
Fujitsu Asia: People‑AI vision drives APAC digital growth
Fujitsu Asia delivers enterprise-ready digital transformation in APAC, combining hybrid IT, local innovation, and its People-AI vision.
Capacity Eurasia 2025 looks at fibre, IP, and regional growth
Capacity Eurasia 2025 explored the role of edge infrastructure, fibre upgrades, and IPv4 solutions in strengthening digital routes.
OpenAI uses Apple’s data centres to serve ChatGPT on iPhones
OpenAI uses Apple’s data centres to deliver ChatGPT queries for iPhones, bypassing Microsoft’s Azure infrastructure.
JPMorgan drives DeFi‑TradFi convergence via blockchain pilots
JPMorgan pilots DeFi–TradFi convergence with Base-based JPMD deposit token to merge institutional banking and blockchain.
Reliance adds $50B in value as AI and energy bets pay off
Reliance Industries sees $50bn market boost from its AI infrastructure and clean energy strategy, says Jefferies.
npNOG 11 exposes urgent flaws in Nepal’s digital backbone
npNOG 11 gathered Nepal’s network community for workshops and talks, but long-term impact remains uncertain.
Vitalik Buterin proposes EIP-7983 to cap Ethereum transaction gas
What happened: Ethereum introduces $16.77M gas cap via EIP‑7983 On 6 July 2025, Vitalik Buterin—co-founder of Ethereum—and Toni Wahrstätter of the Ethereum Foundation finalised and published Ethereum Improvement Proposal 7983 (EIP-7983). The draft enforces a strict per-transaction gas cap of $16.77 …
ICANN84 Annual General Meeting relocated
What happened: ICANN84 Annual General Meeting shifts from Oman to Ireland The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has announced the relocation of its ICANN84 Annual General Meeting from Muscat, Oman to Dublin, Ireland. The move comes in response to recent disruptions in regio…
T-Mobile expands Florida 5G with $2B upgrade
What happened: T-Mobile’s Florida network upgrade T-Mobile has finished a $2 billion upgrade to its Florida network, one of its largest state-specific investments. The project modernized over 3,000 cell sites with new 5G equipment, including advanced antennas and fiber connections. Urban areas like …
Mercado Bitcoin to Tokenize $200M in Assets on XRP Ledger
Mercado Bitcoin to tokenize $200 million in real-world assets on XRP Ledger. The move aims to bridge traditional finance with blockchain technology. What happened: Mercado Bitcoin’s $200M tokenization initiative Mercado Bitcoin, a leading Brazilian cryptocurrency exchange, announced plans to tokeniz…
Hong Kong issues third tokenized green bond
• Hong Kong launches its third tokenized green bond using distributed ledger technology, aiming to boost transparency and liquidity.• The move aligns with LEAP policy and stablecoin licensing set for August, positioning the city as a digital finance leader. What happened: Hong Kong issues third toke…
Foxconn sees revenue rise in second quarter
What happened: Foxconn posts Q2 revenue growth Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics manufacturer, reports a second‑quarter revenue of 1.56 trillion New Taiwan dollars (about $48 billion), a 1 per cent rise from the same period last year, according to its unaudited financial results. The…
Telecel Centrafrique: Backs AI and sustainability
Telecel Centrafrique CEO highlights AI and sustainability during World Economic Forum session on digital innovation in Africa.
Angani Limited: Cloud infrastructure built for Africa
Angani is East Africa’s leading cloud services firm, offering tailored, enterprise‑grade solutions backed by a decade of regional expertise.
LINX Kenya: Driving Africa’s Internet Growth
LINX Kenya Limited aims to improve peering infrastructure and interconnection in East Africa. The company brings its UK expertise to support local ISPs, CDNs and enterprises. LINX Kenya to provide new interconnection opportunities in East Africa The London Internet Exchange (LINX), one of the world’…
Chakaza Holdings: Expands broadband access across Eswatini
• Improving broadband availability through rural and urban coverage projects• Backed by a mission-driven team focused on customer needs and green deployment Company origin: Addressing a local connectivity gap Chakaza Holdings (PTY) Ltd was founded by a group of technology professionals who were frus…
Egypt’s MCIT orchestrates national institutional transformation
MCIT Egypt: Rewiring the machinery of government for a digital era In the shifting landscape of global governance, Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) has emerged as a system architect of state modernisation. More than just a facilitator of ICT infrastructure, the mi…
CERIST powers Algeria’s digital revolution
CERIST leads Algeria’s digital transformation with AI, IoT, and cybersecurity research despite infrastructure challenges.
SK hynix targets 3D DRAM mass production by 2026
What happened: SK hynix launches full-scale work on next-gen DRAM SK hynix has started development on its 3D DRAM technology. The company confirmed the goal is to begin mass production by 2026. It has now started circuit simulation and wafer-level verification. The firm also revealed work on a new t…
Supreme Court extends AFRINIC election — Who had the right to interfere?
Mauritian court suspended election after rule breaches while ICANN stepped in without legal mandate In late June 2025, Mauritius’ highest court intervened in AFRINIC’s board election in response to serious concerns over voting integrity. Mauritius’ highest court intervened in AFRINIC’s board electio…
AFRINIC election disputes are silencing small ISPs and end users
AFRINIC’s election disputes are silencing small ISPs and end users, raising concerns about fairness and inclusive governance.
ARIN distributes 83 IPv4 blocks to waiting list
ARIN fulfilled 83 IPv4 Waiting List requests on 2 July 2025. With IPv4 depletion already in effect, this quarterly distribution remains vital.
Should AFRINIC elections be managed by an external body?
AFRINIC’s 2025 board election annulled over one disputed proxy vote, raising concerns about fairness and need for independent oversight.
AFRINIC instability impacts African internet operations
AFRINIC’s board dysfunction has led to disruptions in IP allocation and service response delays. Network operators are calling for external oversight to restore functional governance. What happened: Board paralysis drags on as operators wait for resources AFRINIC, the Regional Internet Registry (RIR…
ARIN extends nomination deadline for NRO NC seat
ARIN has extended its nomination deadline to 14 July 2025 for one seat on the NRO Number Council, with the successful candidate to begin.
Interview with Sarath Babu Rayaprolu from Voxtera on dynamic and secure VoIP
Voxtera offers dynamic, AI-powered VoIP with strong security to support flexible cloud communications for businesses.
AT&T–DirecTV saga ends as parent sells streaming platforms
AT&T completes spin‑off of DirecTV and Warner Bros. Discovery streaming assets, ending a complex digital content strategy. The move refocuses AT&T on telecom infrastructure but raises questions about its long-term growth strategy. What happened: AT&T concludes its DirecTV and streaming divestiture A…
A system built to silence: AFRINIC refuses to hear from the edges of Africa
Proxy votes were their only way to participate. AFRINIC threw them out—without reason, without process, without shame.
T‑Mobile commits $2 billion to enhance Florida’s mobile network
T‑Mobile is investing $2 billion in Florida to bolster its 5G network and prepare for future connectivity demands. The investment seeks to enhance coverage in underserved areas and support high-demand zones like airports and stadiums. What happened : T‑Mobile enhances Florida’s 5G landscape T‑Mobile…
T‑Mobile delivers full-state 5G in Florida with $2B investment
T-Mobile completes a $2B 5G upgrade across Florida, boosting coverage, speed, and emergency readiness for over 22 million residents.
VodafoneThree inks exclusive Currys deal
VodafoneThree becomes the exclusive mobile network operator (MNO) for Currys, offering mobile broadband and FWA services. The deal follows VodafoneThree’s £11 billion 5G and fibre investment plan, aiming for 99.95% UK population coverage by 2034 What happened Exclusive network deal with Currys Vodaf…
Why ICANN’s involvement in AFRINIC election raises red flags
ICANN’s involvement in AFRINIC’s election raises concerns over the organisation’s autonomy and governance stability.
DT taps IBM’s AI to speed up security patching
What happened: Deutsche Telekom drafts in IBM for AI upgrade to security processes Deutsche Telekom has deployed IBM Concert, an AI-driven automation platform, to overhaul its security patching procedures. The system brings together vulnerability data, patch deployment tools, and reporting functions…
GlobalConnect to build subsea cable between Sweden and Finland
What happened: GlobalConnect to lay subsea cable link between Sweden and Finland GlobalConnect, a major Nordic digital infrastructure provider, has unveiled a €14 million project to install a new 150 km subsea cable connecting Sweden and Finland, scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. The plan…
AFRINIC’s election collapse: Courts overruled, ICANN intrudes
African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC)’s 2025 board election was supposed to be a turning point. After three years without formal leadership, the vote was meant to restore governance and credibility to Africa’s sole Regional Internet Registry. Instead, it exposed a deepening conflict between j…
Germany accuses Russia of using Red for disinformation
Germany accuses Russia of using Red media platform for disinformation to influence public opinion and divide society.