1. du partners with Network International to launch integrated telecom-payment platform (UAE)

UAE operator du signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Network International, a leading fintech company in the Middle East and Africa, during the Expand North Star 2025 event.
The partnership aims to create an integrated platform combining connectivity, payment processing, and POS services to simplify operations for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Industry significance: This marks a growing trend of telecom operators diversifying into financial and digital-service ecosystems to generate new revenue streams.
🔗 BizToday News

2. Prose Technologies forecasts 15–20 % growth in India for 2026

German telecom-infrastructure manufacturer Prose Technologies expects its Indian operations to expand by 15–20 % in FY 2026, driven by strong demand for antenna systems and 5G deployment projects.

Industry significance: Global component suppliers continue to see India as a growth hub for 5G and emerging 6G manufacturing, supported by government production-linked incentives.
🔗 Business Standard

3. COAI warns of widening gap between network investment and revenue (India)

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) stated that telecom operators’ network-deployment spending now exceeds their revenue recovery by more than ₹1 trillion (≈ USD 12 billion).
The group urged regulators to allow tariff adjustments and suggested that large data-consuming OTT platforms should help bear network-cost burdens.

Industry significance: Highlights a global debate on fair-share regulation and the financial sustainability of network operators.
🔗 Economic Times

4. Bharti Telecom to issue USD 1.7 billion in bonds

Bharti Telecom, a key shareholder in Bharti Airtel, plans to launch a ₹150 billion (≈ USD 1.7 billion) bond issue—the largest this fiscal year—to refinance existing debt and support capital expenditure.
The notes will have two- and three-year maturities with coupon rates of 7.35 % and 7.45 %, respectively.

Industry significance: Reflects strong investor confidence as Bharti’s credit rating was recently upgraded to AAA by CRISIL, helping reduce financing costs.
🔗 Reuters

5. Bharat 6G Alliance signs the “Delhi Declaration” with nine global bodies

At India Mobile Congress 2025, the Bharat 6G Alliance and nine international organizations endorsed the Delhi Declaration—a joint framework promoting secure, open, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable 6G development.

Industry significance: This agreement reflects intensifying global collaboration toward 6G standardization and ecosystem readiness ahead of 2030 deployments.
🔗 Times of India

💡 Key Takeaways

• Telecom-fintech convergence accelerates, opening new SME-service opportunities.

• Supply-chain optimism continues in India and MEA markets.

• Operators push for tariff reform amid cost-revenue imbalance.

• Capital-market activity stays strong with major bond issuances.

• Early 6G alliances highlight the next phase of global telecom collaboration.