ICT solutions and smart devices giant Huawei, and Ektech, a solutions distributor, have announced a partnership to develop the internet service provider (ISP) market in Brazil.

The announcement was made at a special certification ceremony held at Huawei’s headquarters in São Paulo.

The collaboration aims to strengthen the infrastructure of regional ISPs by offering access to innovative technologies and high-performance connectivity solutions. With a portfolio that includes connectivity solutions for next-generation fibre optic networks, the partners say the alliance will enable Brazilian ISPs to expand their coverage, optimise their services and offer higher-performance connections to end users.

The initiative will, they add, provide technical training, specialised support and joint initiatives to build capacity in the sector, ensuring that providers have access to the best practices and technologies available in the market. In addition, Huawei and Ektech will develop flexible and accessible business models, enabling ISPs of all sizes to modernise their operations and expand their services efficiently.

Patrick Canton, President of Ektech, highlighting the importance of the synergy between the two companies, says: « Huawei’s expertise in cutting-edge technologies, combined with our capillarity and knowledge of the local market, will allow Brazilian ISPs to have access to robust and efficient solutions, ensuring sustainable growth and greater competitiveness. »

Huawei has four business units in Brazil: a group dedicated to operators, which offers telecommunications equipment and infrastructure; one that meets the needs of the corporate market, providing ICT solutions and infrastructure; Huawei Cloud; and Huawei Digital Power, whose smart solutions are focused on the generation, distribution and storage of photovoltaic energy.

The company also develops projects in the area of smart automotive solutions and devices for the end consumer, such as smartwatches, routers and smartphones.

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NBCC (India) Limited, a central public sector enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with RailTel Corporation, a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) or government-owned establishment under the Ministry of Railways, to collaborate on developing data centre projects.

The collaboration extends from concept to commissioning across India and overseas for a period of five years.

NBCC has Navratna status, a designation granting CPSEs enhanced financial and operational autonomy, allowing them to make larger investments and enter into international collaborations without needing government approval.

Formerly known as National Buildings Construction Corporation, NBCC’s operations include project management consultancy, engineering, procurement and construction, and real estate development.

RailTel meanwhile, is a PSU and one of the largest neutral telecom infrastructure and ICT solutions and services providers in the country, owning a pan-India optic fibre network covering several towns and cities and rural areas of the country.

Under the terms of the MoU, NBCC will offer project management consultancy services for the construction of data centre buildings and associated civil and passive infrastructure. RailTel will provide expertise in planning, designing, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, and operations and maintenance of IT-related infrastructure for the data centres.

This collaboration is designed to leverage the core competencies of both organisations, enabling them to supplement each other’s capabilities and enhance client acquisition and service delivery efficiency on a long-term, sustainable basis.

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Poland-based telecoms infrastructure company Emitel has signed an agreement with Orange to build several hundred new mobile towers across the country.

In a statement, Emitel said the new towers will be used for the installation of base stations and other telecommunications equipment. The infrastructure will be rolled out nationwide under a Build-to-Suit model over the coming years.

“We are pleased that Orange Polska has once again placed its trust in us by commissioning a significant infrastructure project,” said Emitel CEO Maciej Pilipczuk. “As an experienced technology partner, we guarantee the highest standards of execution and efficiency in delivering even the most demanding investments.”

As of the end of 2024, Emitel operated 762 towers and counts all of Poland’s major mobile network operators as tenants.

“Our many years of experience in building and managing telecommunications infrastructure enable us to support the expansion of mobile networks in Poland, meeting the growing needs of both operators and end users,” Pilipczuk added.

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Finnish development financier and impact investor Finnfund says it has closed a US$5million equity investment with Netwey, a Mexican internet service provider (ISP), to expand its fibre optic network and improve internet accessibility.

This investment, says Finnfund, aims to bring unlimited high-speed internet to more low-income households, bridging the digital divide. The digital infrastructure and solutions sector is one of Finnfund’s key strategic priorities and its most rapidly growing sector, although this is the group’s first digital sector investment in Latin America.

The investment is part of a US$10 million equity round in collaboration with IDB Invest, a multilateral development bank committed to promoting the economic development of its member countries in Latin America and the Caribbean through the private sector.

As Finnfund explains, more than 21 million Mexican households in underserved areas lack adequate internet access, with many in lower socioeconomic tiers. It agrees that significant investments have been made in fibre optic infrastructure but says that these investments have been largely concentrated in high-income urban centres, leaving a significant part of the country underserved.

The aim, therefore, is to broaden Netwey’s fibre optic network, enabling more low-income households to access high-speed internet. Increasing digital connectivity, Finnfund says, supports economic growth, facilitates inclusive access to critical services, and provides possibilities for small businesses to connect with global value chains.

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Southeast European media and telecoms operator United Group has completed the sale of Serbian cable TV and broadband provider SBB to e& PPF Telecom for €825 million.

In a statement, United Group described the divestment as “a significant milestone” in its strategy to streamline operations and sharpen its focus on EU markets.

The company also confirmed the sale of sports broadcasting rights for the Western Balkans—covering Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia—to Telekom Serbia.

Both deals, signed on 11 February following regulatory approval, have a combined enterprise value of €1.5 billion.

United Group will retain ownership of its key media outlets in Serbia and is currently negotiating deals for Telemach Sarajevo and Telemach Podgorica. The company stated that it has no plans for further asset sales in the near future.

United Group CEO Victoriya Boklag said previously the divestments enhances efficiency and ensures long-term success for the group.