Briefing Desk
Latest Briefings
Concise reporting on the developments shaping internet governance and infrastructure. Browse each area for recent news, context and watchpoints.
Coverage
Governance / RIR Watchdog / LACNIC / Story
In this section: 1 briefingLACNIC 43: Highlights regional challenges and IPv6 progress in Latin America
LACNIC 43 tackles IPv6 gaps, cybersecurity, and digital equity challenges across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Europe and Middle East Trends / Europe and Middle East Datacenter Trends
In this section: 1 briefingPortus adds AI-ready facility to Munich campus in $108M expansion
Portus expands its Munich campus with a 5.5MW AI-ready data centre, boosting AI infrastructure in southern Germany.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Asia-Pacific Trends / Asia-Pacific Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 7 briefingsEN Technologies Pte Ltd: Powering digital growth
EN Technologies Pte Ltd: EN’s strategic role in Singapore’s digital ecosystem EN Technologies Pte Ltd has established a solid presence in Singapore, reflecting its commitment to empowering businesses across the Asia-Pacific region with robust digital infrastructure. The company’s operations span ent…
AION Technologies: Advancing ICT solutions in Singapore
Driving ICT innovation in Singapore AION Technologies Pte Ltd has established itself as a dynamic force in Singapore’s information and communications technology (ICT) landscape, emphasizing its role in advancing digital solutions for businesses across Southeast Asia. Founded in 2010, AION Technologi…
SIX Financial Information Singapore: Data solutions for the region
SIX Financial Information Singapore provides data solutions, leveraging innovation to support financial institutions across Asia-Pacific.
PayNet fintech hub aims to build Malaysia’s next tech giant
What happened: Supporting local fintechs with strategic partnerships PayNet has launched the Fintech Hub, an initiative designed to support Malaysian fintech startups by providing access to funding, mentorship, strategic partners, and essential resources. The platform, backed by over 45 strategic pa…
Top tech news today: May 7, 2025
1. PayNet launches fintech hub in Malaysia PayNet’s new Fintech Hub aims to support Malaysian startups by providing funding, mentorship, and strategic partnerships to foster the next generation of tech giants. Source 2. CFPB halts BNPL enforcement under Trump The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau…
Top tech news today: May 5, 2025
1. Telefónica considers cutting 5,000 jobs in Spain Telefónica is evaluating a major workforce reduction of up to 5,000 jobs in Spain as part of cost-cutting measures in response to market pressures. (Economic Times) 2. Apple’s India pivot redefines global supply Apple is accelerating its manufactur…
China enforces strict ‘minors mode’ across digital platforms
What happened China has formally enacted a sweeping ‘minors mode’ regulation requiring all smart devices, platforms and online services to implement restrictions for users under 18. The mandate includes time limits, age-appropriate content filtering, and educational prompts rooted in socialist value…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Global Trends / Global Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 18 briefingsTPG buys Peppertree to expand digital infrastructure
What happened: TPG strikes $960M Peppertree deal TPG has agreed to acquire Ohio-based Peppertree Capital Management in a transaction valued at up to $960M, comprising $660M in cash and equity alongside potential earnouts of $300M tied to performance targets. The deal is aimed at strengthening TPG’s …
Telekom Deutschland partners with Compax on TaaS platform
What happened: Compax to support Telekom’s TaaS platform Telekom Deutschland has appointed Compax as its technology partner to develop and operate its new Telco-as-a-Service (TaaS) platform. The agreement follows an extensive vendor selection process. Compax will deliver its full suite of cloud-nati…
Ericsson completes multi-operator 5G field test at Taipei city mall
What happened: Ericsson demonstrates shared 5G network capabilities in Taipei Ericsson has completed a multi-operator 5G field test at Taipei City Mall, focusing on the implementation of Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) technology. This approach allows multiple mobile network operators to share th…
NTT seeks full ownership of NTT Data
What happened: NTT proposes buyout of NTT Data Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) has announced its intention to acquire the remaining shares of its subsidiary, NTT Data, that it does not already own. The proposed tender offer is valued at approximately $16.4 billion, with NTT offering…
ESNOG-33 set for May 2025 in Madrid
What happened: ESNOG-33 to be held in Madrid this May The España Network Operators Group (ESNOG) has officially announced the date and venue for its 33rd meeting, ESNOG-33. The event will take place on May 22–23, 2025, at the Universidad Carlos III in Madrid. The meeting aims to bring together netwo…
C3ntro partners with Connectbase to expand global telecom reach
What happened: C3ntro and Connectbase team up for global telecom expansion During International Telecoms Week (ITW) 2025, C3ntro Telecom revealed a strategic partnership with Connectbase, a platform specialising in connectivity commerce. The collaboration is set to enhance C3ntro’s global reach and …
Lumen and IBM target enterprise AI growth with edge partnership
Lumen and IBM partner to deliver AI at the edge, enabling real-time enterprise analytics through watsonx and Lumen’s edge infrastructure.
CFPB drops enforcement of BNPL rule
What happened: CFPB reverses BNPL enforcement The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has announced that it will not prioritise enforcement of a rule classifying buy now, pay later (BNPL) providers as credit card issuers. This decision marks the third time under President Donald Trump that t…
Samsung’s Q1 profit rises on Galaxy S25 sales, but chip division struggles
Samsung posts record Q1 2025 earnings boosted by Galaxy S25 sales, while chip profits drop due to weak memory demand.
NIX Members Meeting 2025: Key updates and networking
BTW Media is pleased to announce our coverage of the NIX Members Meeting 2025, happening on May 26 at the University of Oslo. This annual event gathers internet exchange providers, network operators, and infrastructure experts to exchange ideas and discuss the evolution of internet connectivity. Wit…
Windstream and Ciena complete industry-first 800G WL6e trial
What happened: Windstream and Ciena 800G WL6e trial success Windstream Wholesale, in partnership with Ciena, has successfully completed an industry-first trial of Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 Extreme (WL6e) technology. The trial was conducted over a 1,590-kilometre route from Virginia Beach to Jacksonville, …
e& and Digicel strike deal to bolster voice security in the Americas
What happened: e& and Digicel Partner to strengthen voice services and combat telecom fraud Telecommunications giants e& and Digicel Group have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at boosting Digicel’s international voice services across the Americas. Under the agreement, e& will become Digic…
TectumKeys brings quantum-level security to key generation
TectumKeys uses physical entropy and air-gapped hardware to generate ultra-secure cryptographic keys resistant to quantum threats.
Nokia and Bittium test hybrid network for Finnish military
What happened: Nokia and Bittium test secure tactical network for Finnish military Bittium and Nokia have successfully demonstrated a hybrid tactical communications network for the Finnish Defence Forces. The trial, carried out in early 2025, tested the integration of Bittium’s Tough SDR radios and …
LINX124 Conference 2025: 30th anniversary & global tech networking
30th anniversary celebrations & agenda highlights The LINX124 Member Meeting & AGM, held from 2nd–3rd June 2025 at London’s Convene venue, commemorates LINX’s 30th anniversary. Attendees will explore operational updates, collaborative problem-solving sessions, and keynote speeches reflecting on thre…
International Telecoms Week 2025: Key highlights to look forward to
BTW Media is excited to announce our participation in the International Telecoms Week 2025, taking place from 4 to 7 May at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD. This highly anticipated event brings together industry leaders, visionaries, and innovators from across …
Venmo gains ground as Cash App stumbles
What happened Venmo, PayPal’s mobile payments app, is seeing a resurgence in popularity, reporting stronger-than-expected growth in total payment volume in early 2025. According to earnings released by PayPal, Venmo saw double-digit growth, driven by increased user engagement, strategic integrations…
Top tech news today: May 2, 2025
1. Tech firms brace for recession Tech companies are advised to streamline operations, prioritise essential projects, and build financial resilience to weather potential economic downturns. Strategic planning and agility are key to survival. (InformationWeek) 2. Google adds ads to AI chats Google is…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Global Trends / Global National Telecom Trends
In this section: 2 briefingsBT appoints Deutsche Telekom CIO as new chief
BT appoints Peter Leukert, Deutsche Telekom CIO, as Chief Digital Officer to lead digital transformation and replace Harmeen Mehta.
Top tech news today: May 9, 2025
1. Telekom Deutschland partners with Compax Telekom Deutschland has selected Compax as a technology partner for its “Telco as a Service” platform, aiming to enhance service offerings for MVNOs and partner brands. Source 2. TPG to acquire Peppertree Capital TPG has announced plans to acquire Peppertr…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Asia-Pacific Trends / Asia-Pacific National Telecom Trends
In this section: 1 briefingSK apologises for data breach at SK Telecom
SK chairman apologises after malware breach at SK Telecom exposes data of 23M users, promises security overhaul.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Global Trends / Global Institutional Trends
In this section: 1 briefingEU launches consultation on telecom merger rules
What happened: EU opens public consultation on merger policy reform The European Commission launched a public consultation aimed at overhauling its merger control policies. This move comes in response to mounting pressure from telecom operators and other industries advocating for a regulatory enviro…
Coverage
Governance / NOGS / Asia-Pacific NOGs / MYNOG
In this section: 1 briefingMYNOG-12 Conference 2025: Innovating digital infrastructure
MYNOG-12 Conference: A hub for digital innovation The MYNOG-12 Conference 2025, scheduled for 11 June 2025 at the CCEC @ NEXUS in Bangsar South, Kuala Lumpur, is a significant gathering for professionals in the digital infrastructure and networking sectors. The event brings together over 300 partici…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Europe and Middle East Trends / Europe and Middle East National Telecom Trends
In this section: 3 briefingsOfcom reports 80% gigabit broadband coverage across UK
UK gigabit broadband reaches 80% coverage, but Ofcom warns rural areas still lag behind national infrastructure goals.
Vodafone CFO Luka Mucic to leave for Vonovia CEO role
What happened: Vodafone CFO Luka Mucic to depart for CEO position at Vonovia SE Vodafone announced that its Chief Financial Officer, Luka Mucic, will step down by early 2026 to take on the role of CEO at Vonovia SE, Germany’s largest residential property company. Mucic joined Vodafone in September 2…
BT office closure in Belfast sparks backlash from Northern Ireland leaders
BT faces criticism over plans to close its Belfast office, with Northern Ireland ministers warning the move undermines regional job growth.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Europe and Middle East Trends / Europe and Middle East Regional ISP Trends
In this section: 2 briefingsUK fibre uptake matches rapid rollout
What happened: Fibre adoption keeps pace with network expansion The United Kingdom is witnessing a significant surge in full-fibre broadband adoption, with recent data indicating that uptake is closely following the rapid expansion of network coverage. As of July 2024, 69% of UK homes have access to…
Cloudflare outage cuts power to thousands in Spain and Portugal
A Cloudflare BGP error disrupts power and emergency services across Spain and Portugal, revealing infrastructure risks in digital routing.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Europe and Middle East Trends / Europe and Middle East Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 4 briefingsEurope’s telecom giants warn: 6G at risk without full access to upper 6 GHz band
European telecom operators warn that without full access to the 6 GHz band, Europe risks falling behind in 6G.
Apple aces $700M patent licence bill in UK dispute
What happened: Apple’s patent licence fee skyrockets in UK court of appeal Apple has been handed a significantly higher patent licence fee by the UK Court of Appeal, which overturned a previous ruling and increased the fee from $56.43 million to $502 million. This decision, which includes interest, …
UK altnets eye mergers and new services amid mounting pressures
What happened: Altnets face consolidation push amid mounting challenges A staggering 96% of UK alternative network providers (altnets) are actively considering mergers, acquisitions or partnerships, according to new research published by Neos Networks. The survey, conducted by Censuswide and based o…
UK boards warned against unrealistic AI expectations
What happened: UK tech leaders caution boards against overestimating AI capabilities A recent study by IDC, commissioned by Expereo, reveals that nearly 40% of UK technology leaders believe their boards have unrealistic expectations regarding AI’s impact on business performance. The survey, which in…
Coverage
Governance / RIR Watchdog / RIPE NCC / Story
In this section: 1 briefingRIPE NCC launches transparency portal for member accountability
RIPE NCC launches Trust Portal to centralise audits, policies, and governance, enhancing transparency in internet infrastructure.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Global Trends / Global Datacenter Trends
In this section: 3 briefingsAMD surges on AI server chip demand despite embedded slowdown
AMD’s AI chip sales drive strong data centre growth in Q1 2025, helping offset a steep decline in embedded segment.
Yondr and CBRE launch apprenticeship scheme
Yondr and CBRE launch global apprenticeship to train future data centre professionals at Slough and beyond.
ValorC3 to build 10MW data centre in Boise
ValorC3 announces a new 10MW data centre in Boise, expanding AI-ready infrastructure and enterprise services.
Coverage
Market / Trends / North America Trends / North America Institutional Trends
In this section: 1 briefingNokia warns US tech edge at risk amid CHIPS and spectrum shifts
What happened: Nokia warns US policy shifts threaten tech edge Brian Hendricks, vice-president of policy and public affairs for Nokia Americas, has warned about abrupt US policy shifts. These shifts, involving the CHIPS Act, the BEAD programme and spectrum allocation, could jeopardise US tech and ec…
Coverage
Governance / RIR Watchdog / AFRINIC / Story
In this section: 1 briefingAFRINIC elections set, voters urged to ‘Reclaim Your Power’
The African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC) has confirmed it will hold its long-delayed board elections in June 2025, a landmark development for Africa’s Regional Internet Registry as it seeks to recover from a turbulent period marked by governance breakdowns, court battles, and systemic abuse.…
Coverage
Governance / ICANN
In this section: 1 briefingICANN 83 Policy Forum Czech Prague: A global stage for internet governance and IP policy
ICANN 83 heads to Prague in 9-12 June 2025, focusing on internet policy, IP resources, and global collaboration.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Africa Trends / Africa Datacenter Trends
In this section: 1 briefingSonatel advances digital infrastructure with Phase 3 data centre expansion
Sonatel expands its Phase 3 Dakar data centre, boosting power and capacity for West Africa’s digital growth.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Latin America and Caribbean Trends / Latin America and Caribbean Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 1 briefingSparkle and Orchest forge strategic alliance
What happened: Strategic partnership to enhance global connectivity Sparkle, the global operator owned by Telecom Italia (TIM), has entered a strategic partnership with Orchest Technologies. The goal is to strengthen network services across Latin America and other international regions. Sparkle prov…