January 4, 2019 Pokemon Go creator Niantic raises $190M Pokemon Go maker Niantic scored $190 million in its latest funding round, as it gears up to launch a new game based on the Harry Potter franchise. By Saleha Riaz
T-Mobile US January 4, 2019 Federal closure delays T-Mobile, Sprint merger review A key review of T-Mobile US and Sprint’s proposed mega merger was once again paused this week, as the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) halted non-essential operations as part of a broader government shutdown. By Diana Goovaerts
Apple Devices Qualcomm January 3, 2019 iPhone sales ban takes effect in Germany Qualcomm triggered a crack down on Apple in Germany, announcing it handed over €1. 34 billion ($1. 52 billion) in security bonds required to enforce a court order banning sales of older iPhone models in the country. By Diana Goovaerts
North America Regulation January 3, 2019 Senate vote puts FCC at full strength The US’ telecommunications authority headed into 2019 with a full bench, after the Senate confirmed Geoffrey Starks to fill the remaining open seat of the five-member Federal Communications Commission (FCC). By Diana Goovaerts
Big Tech Europe Meta January 3, 2019 Germany slams Facebook data collection Germany’s Federal Cartel Office told Facebook it must rectify how it collects user data or potentially face a fine, director Andreas Mundt said in an interview to Rheinische Post. By Saleha Riaz
Apple Devices January 3, 2019 Apple suffers smartwatch decline Apple’s grip on the smartwatch market declined in the second half of 2018 to below 45 per cent, despite steady growth across the sector, ABI Research figures showed. By Kavit Majithia
January 3, 2019 Deutsche Telekom, Tele2 complete Dutch deal Deutsche Telekom (DT) completed its acquisition of a majority stake in Tele2’s Netherlands operation for €190 million, a move it described as an important first step to being first to market with nationwide 5G. By Chris Donkin