5G Rollout: Papua New Guinea’s telecom regulator NICTA has cleared the way for commercial 5G, confirming spectrum availability in the 2.6GHz and 3.5GHz bands and giving operators regulatory certainty to start deployments. Public Finance Tech: PNG has signed a three-year K26m deal with TechnologyOne to support and optimise its nationwide Integrated Financial Management System, with plans for AI-assisted “plain language” interactions and upgrades to cash receipting and project tracking. Energy Project Update: TotalEnergies will sell a 9.1% stake in Papua LNG and hand operatorship to ExxonMobil PNG Antelope as the project moves toward a final investment decision, with reported EPC tender completion and major cost savings. Digital TV Upgrade: Digicel Pacific has selected Techtel to deliver a new digital TV head-end platform for PNG, replacing existing infrastructure and supporting both free-to-air and encrypted pay services. Climate & Air Quality: Scientists say haze over Palau is linked to smoke transported thousands of miles from fires across Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, with El Niño expected to intensify wildfire and climate impacts. Biodiversity Discoveries: Researchers report insect-specific viruses in PNG Culex mosquitoes and a new walking shark species found off Papua New Guinea. Culture & Knowledge: A new “A Tale of Central Province” collection preserves student-documented legends, while PNG UNRE’s Naiyas Neson is set to present low-cost peanut-based tilapia feed research at a regional nature conservation conference.