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Absa and Thunes Deepen Alliance to Launch World-Class Cross-Border Payments Across Africa

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Strategic collaboration expands across African markets to unlock seamless FX, scalable liquidity, and multi-rail cross-border clearing for Absa clients.

JOHANNESBURG and SINGAPORE, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Absa Group, one of Africa’s largest diversified financial services providers, has selected Thunes, the Smart Superhighway to move money around the world, as a strategic Multicurrency Clearing (MCC) partner for the Group.

The new collaboration builds on the two companies’ recent launch of Absa Global Pay in South Africa which demonstrated the value of combining Absa’s strong banking franchise and Pan-African reach with Thunes’ global payment connectivity and local-market capabilities. The expanded relationship will now support Absa’s broader cross-border payments strategy across Africa and global markets.

Multicurrency Clearing forms a fundamental pillar of Absa’s strategy to deliver greater speed, transparency, and choice in cross-border payments. By linking Absa’s Pan-African banking footprint directly to Thunes’ Direct Global Network, which spans over 140 countries, 90 currencies, and 220 payment methods, the collaboration enables seamless payouts beyond bank accounts to mobile wallets and card rails with 24/7 liquidity and enterprise-grade compliance.

Richard Southey, Managing Executive: Payments as a Service, Absa CIB, said: “Deepening our strategic collaboration with Thunes is a natural evolution of our commitment to delivering intuitive, world-class financial services. Following the success of our Global Pay solution launched with Thunes in South Africa, expanding this collaboration allows Absa to leverage Thunes’ expansive and trusted Network across the continent to extend our cross-border solution, giving our clients unprecedented currency choice, speed, and cost efficiency.”

Daniel Parreira, Senior Vice President, Africa at Thunes, said: “Our initial work with Absa demonstrated the tremendous impact of combining deep local banking relationships with interoperable global payment reach. By extending our collaboration and taking on a strategic Multicurrency Clearing role supporting Absa Group, we are providing the digital infrastructure and liquidity needed to connect African businesses and consumers to global payment ecosystems seamlessly.”

To celebrate this milestone, executive leaders from both organisations gathered for an official signing ceremony at SIBOS 2026 in Miami.

About Thunes

For more information, visit: https://www.thunes.com/

About Absa Group Limited

Absa Group Limited (‘Absa Group’) is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and is one of Africa’s largest diversified financial services groups. 

Absa Group offers an integrated set of products and services across personal and business banking, corporate and investment banking, wealth and investment management and insurance. 

Absa Group owns majority stakes in banks in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania (Absa Bank Tanzania and National Bank of Commerce), Uganda and Zambia and has insurance operations in Kenya and South Africa. Absa also has offices in the People’s Republic of China, Namibia, Nigeria and the United States, as well as securities entities in the United Kingdom and the United States, along with technology support colleagues in the Czech Republic.

For further information about Absa Group Limited, visit www.absa.africa.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/absa-and-thunes-deepen-alliance-to-launch-world-class-cross-border-payments-across-africa-302894790.html

SOURCE Thunes

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Briant Broadband Launches Mobile Service Powered by data2go.mobi

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Partnership uses eSIM technology to remove traditional cost and operational barriers to mobile market entry, giving Briant national reach beyond its fibre footprint.

WORTHING, England, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Independent Alternative Network (Altnet) and Internet Service Provider (ISP) Briant Broadband today announced the launch of Briant Mobile, powered by mobile platform provider data2go.mobi. Mobile is a natural complement to Briant’s broadband and VoIP services, but high set-up costs and physical SIM logistics have historically made market entry difficult for smaller providers. Using data2go’s eSIM platform, Briant has been able to launch a nationwide mobile service without those traditional operational barriers.

Extending the ISP / Altnet Business Model

data2go’s platform uses a success-sharing commercial model with a low start-up cost, designed to make mobile more accessible to ISPs and Altnets operating in a challenging market.

Mobile also gives Altnets an opportunity to sell beyond the geographic limits of their fibre footprint. Providers can offer multiple mobile subscriptions per household alongside broadband and fixed IP phone services, creating additional revenue opportunities and a broader customer relationship.

“We have always seen mobile as a natural addition to our broadband and VoIP services, but the traditional onboarding costs and supply chain requirements made it difficult to justify,” said Adrian Bain, Managing Director of Briant Broadband. “data2go gave us a practical route into mobile. Its eSIM platform removed much of the operational complexity and allowed us to bring Briant Mobile to market quickly.”

“ISPs and Altnets need cost-effective ways to diversify revenue and strengthen customer retention,” said Chandru Mullaparthi, CEO of data2go. “Our success-sharing model and eSIM technology are designed to make that possible. Briant Broadband is a strong example of how an independent Altnet / ISP can add mobile without building the traditional operational infrastructure around it.”

A Scalable Route into Mobile

While data2go’s immediate focus is on UK Altnets and ISPs, its platform can also support other subscription businesses looking to add mobile services. Briant Mobile is available immediately, with a range of data plans and eSIM activation.

For more information about Briant Mobile, visit mobile.briantbroadband.com 

To learn more about data2go, visit data2go.mobi.

About Briant Broadband:

Based in Worthing, West Sussex, Briant Broadband is an independent Altnet and internet service provider delivering wireless and Full Fibre broadband, VoIP and mobile services to homes and businesses. Briant focuses on reliable connectivity, transparent pricing and responsive customer service.

About data2go.mobi:

data2go provides mobile connectivity solutions that enable brands, ISPs, Altnets and enterprises to launch mobile services. Its eSIM technology and success-sharing commercial model are designed to reduce the cost and operational complexity of entering the mobile market. data2go.mobi is built and operated by Bluehouse Technology, a UK telecoms software company.

Media Contacts:

Briant Broadband: Adrian Bain, CEO | info@briantbroadband.com
data2go.mobi: Chandru Mullaparthi, CEO | info@data2go.mobi

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/briant-broadband-launches-mobile-service-powered-by-data2gomobi-302894909.html

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Briant Broadband Launches Mobile Service Powered by data2go.mobi

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Partnership uses eSIM technology to remove traditional cost and operational barriers to mobile market entry, giving Briant national reach beyond its fibre footprint.

WORTHING, England, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Independent Alternative Network (Altnet) and Internet Service Provider (ISP) Briant Broadband today announced the launch of Briant Mobile, powered by mobile platform provider data2go.mobi. Mobile is a natural complement to Briant’s broadband and VoIP services, but high set-up costs and physical SIM logistics have historically made market entry difficult for smaller providers. Using data2go’s eSIM platform, Briant has been able to launch a nationwide mobile service without those traditional operational barriers.

Extending the ISP / Altnet Business Model

data2go’s platform uses a success-sharing commercial model with a low start-up cost, designed to make mobile more accessible to ISPs and Altnets operating in a challenging market.

Mobile also gives Altnets an opportunity to sell beyond the geographic limits of their fibre footprint. Providers can offer multiple mobile subscriptions per household alongside broadband and fixed IP phone services, creating additional revenue opportunities and a broader customer relationship.

“We have always seen mobile as a natural addition to our broadband and VoIP services, but the traditional onboarding costs and supply chain requirements made it difficult to justify,” said Adrian Bain, Managing Director of Briant Broadband. “data2go gave us a practical route into mobile. Its eSIM platform removed much of the operational complexity and allowed us to bring Briant Mobile to market quickly.”

“ISPs and Altnets need cost-effective ways to diversify revenue and strengthen customer retention,” said Chandru Mullaparthi, CEO of data2go. “Our success-sharing model and eSIM technology are designed to make that possible. Briant Broadband is a strong example of how an independent Altnet / ISP can add mobile without building the traditional operational infrastructure around it.”

A Scalable Route into Mobile

While data2go’s immediate focus is on UK Altnets and ISPs, its platform can also support other subscription businesses looking to add mobile services. Briant Mobile is available immediately, with a range of data plans and eSIM activation.

For more information about Briant Mobile, visit mobile.briantbroadband.com 

To learn more about data2go, visit data2go.mobi.

About Briant Broadband:

Based in Worthing, West Sussex, Briant Broadband is an independent Altnet and internet service provider delivering wireless and Full Fibre broadband, VoIP and mobile services to homes and businesses. Briant focuses on reliable connectivity, transparent pricing and responsive customer service.

About data2go.mobi:

data2go provides mobile connectivity solutions that enable brands, ISPs, Altnets and enterprises to launch mobile services. Its eSIM technology and success-sharing commercial model are designed to reduce the cost and operational complexity of entering the mobile market. data2go.mobi is built and operated by Bluehouse Technology, a UK telecoms software company.

Media Contacts:

Briant Broadband: Adrian Bain, CEO | info@briantbroadband.com
data2go.mobi: Chandru Mullaparthi, CEO | info@data2go.mobi

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/briant-broadband-launches-mobile-service-powered-by-data2gomobi-302894909.html

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PCI-STRIDES Intelligent Mobility Pte. Ltd. Established to Advance Smart Rail Solutions Globally

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SINGAPORE, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — PCI Asia Technology Pte. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of PCI Technology Group Co., Ltd., and STRIDES Far East Pte. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SMRT Corporation Ltd., today launched a joint venture and officially unveiled PCI–STRIDES Intelligent Mobility Pte. Ltd. (PSIM) in Singapore. Headquartered in Singapore, PSIM will pursue smart mobility and rail technology opportunities, with a focus on Southeast Asia. It will combine the parent companies’ advanced rail technology and systems integration capabilities, with extensive expertise in rail operations, maintenance know-how and asset management.

Based in Singapore and serving Southeast Asia, PSIM will deliver solutions including Automated Fare Collection (AFC), Integrated Supervisory Control Systems (ISCS), Signalling Systems (SIG), Communications Systems (COMMS), Power Supply Systems, rail systems integration, digital rail and mobility platforms, and life cycle support services for railway and public transport operators.

PCI has long specialised in smart rail transit solutions and offers a full-stack portfolio of technologies, products and solutions. These solutions are used in 49 cities worldwide, across 130 rail lines and over 2,500 metro stations and 4,600 kilometres of rail lines. PCI has delivered major urban rail demonstration projects at the RMB 10-billion and RMB 1-billion scale for Guangzhou Metro, Changsha Metro, Chengdu Metro and Chongqing Metro. It has also established an end-to-end presence across the smart metro value chain.

As Singapore’s leading public transport operator, SMRT brings nearly four decades of experience operating and maintaining rail networks in Singapore’s dense, high-demand urban rail market. Through this joint venture, both parties will bring to market rail solutions and innovations that help railway operators improve operational reliability, operating efficiency, passenger experience and asset performance, and support the efficient management of rail assets throughout their lifecycle.

In its initial phase, PSIM will focus primarily on opportunities in Southeast Asia, particularly in markets such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, as these countries continue to increase investment in rail infrastructure and urban mobility, creating further market opportunities.

In Singapore, PSIM will actively pursue opportunities in new-build and existing-system renewal projects, using AI technology to drive the upgrade and transformation of legacy systems and improve operational efficiency. It can provide localised adaptation, proof of concept (POC) testing, and performance verification for rail transit products and solutions.

Over the longer term, there is potential to expand into selected markets in the Middle East, Central Asia and North Africa. Depending on the projects available, this could include the provision of technology services, participation in rail infrastructure investment or construction, and the assumption of operational roles.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/pcistrides-intelligent-mobility-pte-ltd-established-to-advance-smart-rail-solutions-globally-302895695.html

SOURCE PCI Asia Technology Pte. Ltd.

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