WORD TELECOMMUNICATIONS Updates (WTU)

Kaspersky announces the first step in protecting fair play in e-sports with the introduction of a beta version of its new platform, Kaspersky Anti-Cheat, to help tournament organisers combat in-game cheating. This new cloud-based offering integrates through the API of e-sports platforms and provides real-time cheat detection in addition to automated reports for players who have the ability to make disciplinary decisions on the rule-breaker.

Portugal's Deputy Secretary of State for Communications, Alberto Souto de Miranda has admitted that Anacom has not yet presented its strategy for 5G mobile telephony. He told Jornal de Negocios that the government has tried to get the regulator to bring forward the EU deadlines, but it was not possible.

China Telecom reported service revenues up 2.8 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2019 to CNY 182.6 billion. Mobile service revenue grew 5.6 percent to CNY 83.6 billion, and wireline revenue was up 0.3 percent to 94.0 billion. The operator also improved EBITDA 13.3 percent, to CNY 63.3 billion, lifting the margin 3.2 percent points to 34.7 percent.

China Unicom and China Telecom have confirmed plans to cooperate on building a national 5G network. They plan to co-build one 5G access network nationwide, with each operator taking responsibility for construction in certain regions. The cooperation is expected to accelerate the roll-out of 5G services and reduce costs.

T-Mobile Netherlands has changed its unlimited mobile data plan, so it's only available with unlimited calls. Previously customers could opt for just 120 minutes per month, and unlimited calls cost an extra EUR 2.50 month. Going forward the standard price of the Unlimited plan with unlimited data and calls will be EUR 30 per month, down from EUR 32.50.

The World Bank (WB) has disbursed over USD 16 million to the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT) for construction of a regional flagship ICT centre. Some of the centre's main tasks include practical trainings in cyber security, an item on the East African Community (EAC) agenda, DIT Principal Prekisedis Ndomba told the Daily News.

Safaricom has dismissed claims that it is delaying the merger of Airtel and Telkom, saying it has raised valid concerns which it hopes the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) will address. Acting CEO Michael Joseph said Safaricom wants Telkom Kenya and Airtel to pay a KES 1.2 billion debt before the two companies are allowed to merge.