Today's Telecom Pulse
Australia's $5.25B spectrum fee sparks industry backlash
The Australian Communications and Media Authority announced a A$7.32 billion (≈US$5.25 billion) fee for renewing mobile spectrum licences held by the three major operators and NBN Co. Industry bodies AMTA and ATA denounced the charge as a "short‑sighted spectrum stealth tax" and warned it could force operators to curb investment.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Optimum raises $300M in preferred equity
Berg Insight Says Cellular Connections Reach 53% of Point-of-Sale Terminals Shipped Globally in 2025
More than half of point‑of‑sale terminals shipped in 2025 now include cellular connectivity, according to Berg Insight. The installed base of cellular POS devices reached 184 million units worldwide. Berg Insight projects the segment to expand at a 7.6% compound annual growth rate, reaching 247 million terminals by 2029. This trend reflects rising demand for mobile POS solutions where fixed telecom infrastructure is limited.
Stay Connected While Traveling to the UK with Nomad eSIM
Nomad eSIM has launched two UK‑specific travel plans for U.S. visitors: a 30‑day Full‑Speed Unlimited plan that delivers truly unlimited 5G data at $1.63 per day, and a Calls, Data & Text bundle that adds a local UK number, voice...
The Download: A New Christian Phone Network, and Debugging LLMs
A niche U.S. cellular network aimed at Christian users is launching next week, enforcing network‑level blocks on porn and gender‑related content that cannot be disabled. San Francisco startup Goodfire introduced Silico, a mechanistic‑interpretability platform that lets developers view and adjust individual...
The Buildout: Michigan WOWed by More Fiber Connections
WideOpenWest (WOW) is extending fiber service to more than 17,000 homes and businesses in East Central Michigan, bringing its regional footprint to 27,000 locations by early fall. The expansion follows WOW’s 2025 $1.5 billion takeover by DigitalBridge and Crestview Partners, underscoring...
Live Coverage: SpaceX Marks May Day with Starlink Mission on a Falcon 9 Rocket From Cape Canaveral
SpaceX launched the Starlink 10-38 mission on a Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral, deploying 29 V2 Mini broadband satellites and pushing the constellation past 10,000 spacecraft. The flight used booster B1069 on its 31st mission, targeting a landing on the...
Vivo Introduces Roaming Package for World Cup
Brazilian carrier Vivo launched Vivo Travel Seleção, a roaming package aimed at prepaid and control customers heading to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The plan offers three data bundles—5 GB, 10 GB and 20 GB—each valid for...
Eurobites: Turbulence Continues for VMO2 as Revenue Slips 6.5%
Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) reported a 6.5% decline in Q1 revenue to £2.4 billion (≈US$3.26 billion), driven by the loss of 6,900 fixed‑line customers and 311,800 mobile connections. Adjusted EBITDA fell 3.4% year‑over‑year after accounting for the recent merger with Daisy Group....
Asia Daily: May 1, 2026
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission voted to expand its China tech crackdown, barring Chinese labs from testing electronics for the U.S. market and moving to restrict China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom from operating U.S. data centers. In Beijing,...
First-Quarter Revenues Fall but VMO2 Sees Brighter Prospects for Fiscal Year
Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) posted a 3% year‑on‑year decline in Q1 2026 service revenue to £2.08 bn (≈$2.64 bn), while wholesale revenue rose 5.1% on stronger MVNO and lease activity. The company invested £500 m (≈$635 m) in fibre, 5G Standalone and launched O2...
Breaking: Jio Renames JioBharat Phone Plans as 4G Feature Phone Plans; Removes JioPhone Plans
Reliance Jio has stripped the JioPhone and JioPhone Prima offerings and renamed its former JioBharat plans as “4G Feature Phone Plans,” with data add‑ons now called “4G Feature Phone Add‑ons.” The change follows a Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)...
T‑Mobile Presses Congress for NTIA Control of FirstNet, Aims to Undercut AT&T
T‑Mobile has sent a memo to congressional aides urging the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to receive express authority over the FirstNet public‑safety network. The carrier frames the move as a competition fix and a direct challenge to AT&T, which...
Vistance Offloads Ruckus Networks in $1.9B Deal
Vistance Networks has agreed to sell its Ruckus Networks unit to Belden for $1.85 billion, with an expected net cash receipt of about $1.7 billion after taxes and expenses. The transaction, slated to close in the second half of 2026, will free...
Telcos Delay Service Restoration Despite Court Order Freezing Action Against Nairtime
Telecom operators MTN Nigeria and Airtel have not restored Nairtime Nigeria’s access to essential services despite a Federal High Court injunction on April 24 ordering a halt to any disruption. The court barred the operators from blocking USSD, SMS, short codes...
Big Tech Is Moving Data Out of the Gulf Through Iraqi Oil Pipelines
U.S. hyperscalers with data centers in the Gulf are routing traffic through a fiber‑optic network that runs alongside Iraqi oil pipelines. The overland Silk Route Transit, built by IQ Networks, offers a faster, more secure alternative to submarine cables that...
Iran’s Undersea Cable Attack Could Cripple Global Internet and $10 Trillion Daily Flows After Hormuz Blockade
Iran is threatening to weaponize its position in the Strait of Hormuz by targeting the undersea fiber‑optic cables that carry the bulk of global internet traffic. The cables support over 99 % of international digital communications and transmit roughly $10 trillion in...
FCC Updates Satellite Rules to Boost Broadband Capacity
The FCC voted unanimously to replace the outdated Equivalent Power Flux Density (EPFD) limits with a performance‑based protection framework for geostationary and non‑geostationary satellites. The new rules could boost usable broadband capacity by up to seven times, delivering an estimated...
A New US Phone Network for Christians Aims to Block Porn and Gender-Related Content
Radiant Mobile, a new MVNO using T‑Mobile’s network, will launch on May 5 with a Christian‑focused plan that blocks pornography and gender‑related content at the carrier level, a first for U.S. providers. The filters are enabled by default and cannot be...
£3 Million Added to West and Parts of North Yorkshire Gigabit Contract
The UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has allocated an extra £3,195,012 (about $4.1 million) to the West and North Yorkshire Project Gigabit contract, raising its total value to £65,470,012 (≈$83.8 million). The amendment adds 2,642 premises, bringing the rollout scope...
Q1 Results for Virgin Media O2 Show Broadband Losses Decreasing
Virgin Media O2 reported Q1 2026 results showing a sharp slowdown in broadband churn, with net losses dropping to 5,300 customers versus 42,800 a year earlier. Average revenue per user fell 1.6% to £46.50 (about $59.50) per month, and total...
KAI, SURGE, and HUAWEI Sign Strategic Tripartite MOU to Accelerate 5G+AI Innovation in Indonesia’s Railway System
Indonesia’s national railway operator KAI, digital‑infrastructure firm SURGE, and Huawei have signed a tripartite MOU to fast‑track 5G‑enabled Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) and AI solutions across the country’s rail network. The agreement covers ICT backbone upgrades, 5G‑based signaling...
Virgin Media O2 Sees Stabilising Customer Trends in Q1
Virgin Media O2 reported that its consumer fixed‑line base held steady at 5.5 million, with a modest net loss of 7,000 customers in Q1, marking a turnaround from the 38,000 decline a year earlier. Mobile contract connections slipped 38,000 to 12.5 million,...
DE-CIX Expands New York Metro Connectivity with Architecture Upgrades
DE‑CIX has completed a major upgrade of its New York metro platform, moving to a quad‑node architecture with two core nodes in New York City and two in New Jersey. The modernization adds support for 400 Gigabit Ethernet ports and introduces ROADM‑based smart switching...
BT Mobile Could Be Coming Back
BT is set to announce the revival of its BT Mobile brand at a Wembley event next week, targeting the mass‑market segment. The relaunch aligns with CEO Allison Kirkby’s push to reposition BT as a national telco and to boost...
Vodafone Idea Launches 5G Services in Goa
Vodafone Idea (Vi) has begun rolling out 5G services across Goa, targeting the state’s high‑traffic tourist zones and commercial hubs. The launch is part of Vi’s broader strategy to expand its 5G footprint in high‑data‑consumption areas and emerging urban clusters....
Weekly Wrap: SpaceX Opposes Satellite Spectrum Auctions
SpaceX’s satellite‑policy vice‑president David Goldman told an Australian parliamentary committee that the regulator’s plan to auction 2 GHz (S‑band) spectrum could jeopardize the company’s second‑generation direct‑to‑device (D2D) service. SpaceX already operates a 4G‑based D2D service in Australia and intends to launch...
MTN Nigeria’s Profit Surge Hits ₦546 Billion in Q1 2026
MTN Nigeria reported a pre‑tax profit of about $1.2 billion in Q1 2026, a 170% year‑on‑year jump, driven by 56% higher data revenue and a 78% surge in fintech earnings. The telecom’s stock rose over 6%, making it the most valuable firm...
5G RedCap to Bridge Connectivity Gaps in Mid-Tier IoT Devices in 2026
5G RedCap, a new 3GPP standard, aims to fill the performance gap between high‑end 5G and low‑power LPWAN solutions for mid‑tier IoT devices. The technology offers up to 220 Mbps downlink and 120 Mbps uplink while cutting costs 50‑70 % versus full‑scale 5G...
Satellite VHF Links Transform Oceanic Aviation Communication
Researchers funded by the EU’s ECHOES program have proved that low‑Earth‑orbit satellites can relay standard aviation VHF voice and data signals, closing the communication gap over oceans. The new satellite‑based VHF system replaces noisy, delayed high‑frequency radio, delivering continuous, clearer...
Broadcom Launches Wi-Fi 8 and 10G PON Chips to Boost Fiber Broadband Business for Operators
Broadcom unveiled its fourth‑generation Wi‑Fi 8 chipsets together with the BCM68565 10‑Gbps PON gateway SoC, targeting service providers in competitive, ARPU‑tight broadband markets. The integrated platform supports XGS‑PON, GPON and Active Ethernet while consolidating dual‑band Wi‑Fi 8 radios into a single silicon...
Autonomous Networks: Start with the Destination, Not the Route
George Glass argues that autonomous networks should be designed around the customer’s desired outcome, not the underlying routing logic. By treating the network like a sat‑nav that constantly recalculates the best path, providers can shift traffic between broadband, 5G, fiber...
Telecom News: Ooma, Kyivstar, Ericsson India
Ooma upgraded its AirDial Remote Device Management platform with advanced analytics, disconnect detection and 30‑day trend tracking to improve reliability of legacy analog systems. Ukraine’s Kyivstar announced it has exceeded its $1 billion investment goal, spending $1.3 billion since 2023 to build...
Telecom News: OpenInfra Foundation, StarlingX 12.0, Brightspeed, Huawei Network
The OpenInfra Foundation released StarlingX 12.0, an open‑source platform that merges OpenStack, Kubernetes, Ceph and virtualization tools to power edge and centralized cloud workloads for telecom operators. Brightspeed announced the completion of fiber construction in 13 Wisconsin communities, now reaching...
When the Network Becomes Infrastructure, Mobility Thrives
Infrastructure used to mean cables in the ground.I’ve seen environments like this where that simply isn’t an option, yet expectations don’t change. Everything still has to run, in sync, in real time.When the network becomes the infrastructure, mobility and performance...
Real‑time Delivery Is the New Competitive Edge
I’ve seen how quickly content loses value if it doesn’t move in real time. In live sports, the moment isn’t just captured—it has to be delivered instantly. If the network can’t keep up, the story’s already gone. That’s where performance becomes a competitive...
When 170,000 People Show Up: Network Refresh Readies Churchill Downs for Kentucky Derby
Churchill Downs Inc. has selected Cisco to overhaul its network across 26 venues, installing over 7,000 switches and consolidating management in Cisco Catalyst Center. The upgrade, timed after the 2026 Kentucky Derby, addresses the surge from 50,000 daily visitors to...
Cisco IQ Keeps Your Network Flowing Smoothly
Your Network Is Your Plumbing. Cisco IQ Wants to Make Sure It Never Bursts. https://t.co/xm7nzRxbj2
Belden to Acquire RUCKUS Networks for $1.85 B, Expanding Full‑Stack Networking Portfolio
Belden Inc. announced a definitive agreement to buy RUCKUS Networks from Vistance Networks for about $1.85 billion. The deal, valued at roughly 13 times projected 2026 Adjusted EBITDA, is expected to make the combined company a leading end‑to‑end IT/OT networking solutions provider.
OXIO Appoints Former Verizon Exec Jeremy Bolton as CCO to Spearhead Global Expansion
OXIO announced today that Jeremy Bolton, a former senior executive at Verizon, will join the company as Chief Commercial Officer. Bolton will lead OXIO’s commercial strategy as it pushes into new international markets, marking the firm’s most senior CRO‑adjacent hire...
T‑Mobile and Starlink Launch SuperBroadband, a 5G‑Satellite Hybrid for U.S. Enterprises
T‑Mobile announced a partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink to launch SuperBroadband, an enterprise internet service that fuses the carrier’s 5G network with the satellite constellation’s low‑earth‑orbit coverage. The dual‑path architecture promises continuous connectivity for U.S. businesses, even during local outages.
Holanda Hopeful About Cable One
Cable One reported a tough first quarter, losing 12,600 residential broadband customers, with revenue down 7.3% year‑over‑year and total PSUs falling 7.6%. New CEO Jim Holanda, who arrived from Astound Broadband, highlighted a year‑over‑year rise in first‑quarter connects as an...
Vocus Partner Program to Tap Into Legacy Networks
Australian telecom provider Vocus has launched the Pure partner program, giving technology solution providers access to its legacy fibre network and the TPG assets it acquired. The initiative focuses on deep partner engagement, a growth‑linked commission framework, and a unified...
Mechanical Variable Attenuator, MA-6G11G-20DB-SFF
Planar Monolithics (PMI) has launched the MA‑6G11G‑20DB‑SFF, a mechanical variable attenuator covering 6‑11 GHz with a 0‑20 dB range. The device is adjusted via a screwdriver‑operated shaft lock, offering precise, repeatable attenuation without electronic control. Housed in a compact 1.75″ × 1.0″ × 0.5″ enclosure, it...
Iridium to Launch Low-Cost, Lightweight Certus 100 Satcom
Iridium will soon introduce a lightweight Certus 100 'safety' satcom solution. "We have tasked our partners to come up with a very low price point that can be done in the aftermarket on an overnight." https://t.co/i3S2kTwVLW #avgeek https://t.co/ZoZcLCAx2A
FCC to Vote on Revising EPFD Limits, Aiming to Boost NGSO Satellite Services
The Federal Communications Commission is set to vote this week on loosening equivalent power flux density (EPFD) limits for non‑geostationary satellite (NGSO) constellations. Proponents argue the change will unlock spectrum for faster broadband rollout, while geostationary (GSO) operators warn of...
SmallSat Europe Speaker Focus: Koen Willems, ST Engineering iDirect Europe
Koen Willems, VP of EU/NATO Programs at ST Engineering iDirect Europe, heads the European Protected Waveform (EPW) project, a €65 million (~$71 million) European Defence Fund initiative. The consortium of 22 organisations from 12 EU states completed over‑air testing in November 2025,...
FCC Boosts Satellite Broadband Capacity Sevenfold
✅ PASSED ✅ The FCC voted today to increase the capacity of high-speed satellite broadband by 7X. America leads the way again. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/8zHRUVhnLx
France and Spain Want Space Reserved for EU Firms in Satellite Frequencies
France and Spain have urged the European Union to set aside mobile‑satellite spectrum for European operators ahead of a 2027 auction that could replace existing U.S. licences held by Viasat and EchoStar. The proposal aligns with a wider EU push...
The FCC Approves Plans to Speed Up Internet From Space
The FCC voted to replace its decades‑old spectrum‑sharing rules with a performance‑based framework that eases power‑flux limits for non‑geostationary (NGSO) satellites. The new regime lets NGSO constellations use adaptive coding, potentially boosting space‑based broadband capacity up to seven times and...
Digi XBee Wi-SUN Modules and Routers, Now at Mouser, Deliver Scalable and Interoperable Mesh Networking
Digital XBee Wi‑SUN modules and Hive border routers are now stocked by Mouser Electronics, expanding access to Digi’s end‑to‑end Wi‑SUN IoT solution. The modules, built on Silicon Labs EFR32FG2x SoCs with Secure Vault, offer sub‑GHz long‑range, low‑latency mesh networking for smart‑city,...
Google Updates Nest Wifi Despite FCC's Non‑US Router Ban
Google is giving the Nest Wifi router another round of updates even though the FCC has banned non-US routers. https://t.co/Qrfn861zxW