Today's Telecom Pulse
EE fast‑tracks UK 5G+ rollout, leveraging $51 bn BT network upgrade
EE, owned by BT, is accelerating its 5G+ deployment across the UK, using Advanced RAN Coordination to boost download speeds by up to 20% without adding new masts. The rollout will activate 5G+ at more than 25 major events and 30 tourist destinations, extending coverage to 75% of the population, and is part of BT’s roughly $51 bn network‑upgrade programme.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Optimum raises $300M in preferred equity
Planters Broadband Selects Ribbon to Launch New 400G/800G- Ready Optical Route
Ribbon Communications announced that Planters Broadband will deploy its Apollo 9608 optical platform together with the Muse automation suite to launch a new 400G/800G‑ready route across Georgia. The solution provides high‑density, coherent optics and centralized orchestration, enabling rapid capacity expansion without disruptive hardware swaps. Ribbon’s technology promises faster fault isolation, performance intelligence, and streamlined provisioning. The partnership marks the first phase of a broader network modernization effort for Planters.
GSA Unveils New State of the Market Report
The Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) released its 2026 State of the Market report, showing that 5G is moving from rapid rollout to a phase focused on network quality and service differentiation. The report notes 392 operators have launched 5G,...
Vodafone Idea Gains Subscribers for Second Month, TRAI Data Signals Early Turnaround
Vodafone Idea (Vi) posted net subscriber additions for the second month in a row, adding 102,899 users in March 2026 after a 21,927 increase in February. The growth was driven primarily by rural markets, which contributed 192,211 new connections. Gains...
Cisco Unveils Quantum Network Advancements
Cisco unveiled a prototype universal quantum switch that can route quantum data across existing fiber‑optic networks while preserving photon entanglement. The device operates at room temperature, supports four encoding modalities, and can reconfigure connections in nanoseconds using less than a...
SITA Launches Campus Network to Keep Airport Operations Connected
SITA announced the Campus Network, a fully managed LAN/WLAN service for airports and transport hubs, powered by HPE Aruba Networking. The solution covers over 150 countries, handling design, installation, and support to reduce complexity and cost for airline IT teams....
Xfinity Mobile Takes on Rivals with Lifetime Device Protection
Comcast has expanded its Xfinity Mobile MVNO with two new plans, Mobile Plus at $45 per month and Mobile Select at $30. Mobile Plus bundles lifetime protection for phones, tablets and smartwatches, uncapped upgrades and international roaming, while Mobile Select...
Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio Lead Wireless Subscribers Additions in March: TRAI
India’s top two telecom operators, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio, drove wireless subscriber growth in March 2026, pushing the total base to 1.265 billion users. Airtel added 5.09 million subscribers to reach 477.74 million, while Jio gained 3.22 million, bringing its count to 496.33 million....
Nigerian Banks Gain Access to Telecom Data to Stop Fraud
On April 20, 2026, Nigeria’s Central Bank and the Nigerian Communications Commission signed an agreement to share telecom data via the Telecom Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS). The platform gives banks and fintechs real‑time visibility into SIM‑history, allowing them to...
Orange Q1 2026 Results: €10.095 Bn Revenue, Africa Growth at 12.7% and Fiber Footprint Near 60 Mn Homes
Orange posted Q1 2026 revenue of €10.095 billion (≈$11 billion), a 3.5% year‑over‑year rise, backed by disciplined capex of €1.542 billion (≈$1.68 billion). The "Trust the Future" strategy was launched as the company expanded its fiber footprint to 59.9 million connectable homes across Europe. Regional performance...
Afghanistan’s Telecom Market Between Stability and Control
Afghanistan’s telecom sector, built during two decades of conflict, retained broad coverage after the 2021 government collapse, reaching roughly 90% of the population. By the end of 2025 the market held 22.4 million mobile connections—about 50.7% of the population—but growth slowed...
GSA: 5G Spectrum Auctions Gain Momentum as 392 Operators Launch Networks Globally
The Global mobile Suppliers Association reports 392 operators have launched 5G networks, a 14% jump since March 2025 and now covering 44% of worldwide LTE and 5G sites. Investment remains steady, with 643 operators adding 5G capacity, reflecting a modest...
Univity Funds VLEO 5G Demonstrators with $32 Million Series A
French startup Univity announced a $32 million Series A round to launch two very low Earth orbit (VLEO) 5G demonstrators next year. The prototypes, each weighing 350 kg, will showcase hybrid broadband and direct‑to‑device services and test optical inter‑satellite links. Univity aims to...
Nokia Q1 2026 Revenue Growth Driven by AI and Cloud Investments in Optical and IP Networks
Nokia reported Q1 2026 revenue of €4.497 billion (about $4.9 billion), a 2% increase year‑over‑year, driven primarily by AI and cloud‑focused customers. The Network Infrastructure segment led growth, with Optical Networks revenue soaring 56% to €821 million and IP Networks showing modest constant‑currency gains....
Strait of Hormuz: Global Internet at Chokepoint Risk
“Red Sea cable incidents” is about to trend. Trump-Netanyahu’s War on Iran can quickly escalate from oil chokepoint to digital-data center chokepoint soon. Better to be safe than sorry: Know what you own.
Scindia Launches Revised TDIP Scheme with ₹203 Crore Outlay to Boost Innovation
Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia unveiled a revised Technology Development and Invest Promotion (TDIP) scheme, allocating ₹203 crore (approximately $24.5 million) for 2026‑31. The program aims to boost India’s presence in global telecom standard‑setting bodies such as the ITU, 3GPP and oneM2M,...
Vero Fiber Completes Acquisition of TEC
Vero Fiber announced the closing of its acquisition of Telephone Electronics Corporation (TEC), extending its fiber‑to‑the‑home network into Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee. The deal brings roughly 444,000 households—both active and prospective—under Vero’s service umbrella while allowing TEC to keep its...
FCC Proposes New Numbering Rules to Thwart Illegal Robocalls
The Federal Communications Commission unveiled a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would extend robocall certification, disclosure and wholesale reporting to every voice service provider that receives numbers from the North American Numbering Plan Administrator and its resellers. The move aims...
Tele2 AB Q1 Profit Surges 6.3bn SEK, Reinforces FY26 B2B Outlook
Swedish telecom operator Tele2 AB reported a first‑quarter net profit of 6.39 billion Swedish kronor (≈$575 million), up from 875 million kronor a year earlier. Revenue grew 2.5% organically to 7.25 billion kronor, and the company reiterated its fiscal‑2026 outlook, citing stronger enterprise contracts...
Charter, Comcast, Liberty Global Talk Cable’s Competition
Cable executives from Charter, Comcast and Liberty Global convened at the Syndeo Institute’s leadership forum to address mounting competition from fixed‑wireless access (FWA) and the need for faster innovation. They agreed broadband remains superior but must improve marketing and customer...
Comcast’s Broadband Sub Losses Improve
Comcast reported a 65,000 decline in residential broadband subscribers in Q1 2026, a 35% reduction from the 183,000 loss a year earlier and better than the 167,000 analysts expected. The improvement marks the first year‑over‑year gain since Q4 2020, reflecting the company’s...
IEC Telecom Unveils Voucher-Based Connectivity Solution at Singapore Maritime Week 2026
IEC Telecom introduced the IEC Voucher System at Singapore Maritime Week 2026, offering a voucher‑based platform to manage crew welfare connectivity across Low Earth Orbit, GEO and LTE networks. The solution integrates with the OptiView ecosystem, giving operators real‑time visibility...
GomSpace and STETMAN Establish UASAT Joint Venture for Ukrainian Sovereign Communications
Danish small‑satellite maker GomSpace and Ukrainian tech firm STETMAN announced a joint venture, UASAT, at the EU‑Ukraine Business Summit on April 22, 2026. The partnership will develop sovereign, dual‑use satellite communications for Ukraine, leveraging GomSpace’s National & Defense Solutions unit and STETMAN’s wartime communications...
T-Mobile Begins DoorDashing 5G Internet to Customers for Same-Day Deliveries
Starting in April, T‑Mobile now delivers its 5G home‑internet gateway through DoorDash, allowing customers to receive the equipment within hours and track the shipment like a food order. The service is free of charge, but users must install the gateway...
Jetstar Selects Viasat AMARA for 787 Fleet Connectivity Upgrade
Jetstar Airways has chosen Viasat’s next‑generation AMARA inflight connectivity to outfit 11 of its Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliners. The rollout, part of a broader cabin modernization effort, began this month and is slated for completion by mid‑2027. Powered by Viasat’s Ka‑band...
Digital Hopes, Real Power: The Rise Of Network Shutdowns
Internet shutdowns have accelerated into a global norm, with 304 incidents recorded in 2024 across 54 nations—the highest tally ever. Legal mechanisms in countries such as India, Kazakhstan and Ethiopia now codify the authority to sever connectivity during “public safety”...
Bridgeport, Conn., Schools to Put Wi-Fi in Public Housing
Bridgeport Public Schools will extend its Wi‑Fi network to three public‑housing complexes, leveraging a $714,456 grant from Connecticut’s Community Wi‑Fi Grant Program. The initiative will provide free internet access to more than 800 students residing in Trumbull Gardens, Charles F....
Ezee Fiber Hooks up First Customers on Their New Mexico Network
Ezee Fiber has connected its first residential customers in Santa Fe, New Mexico, launching its symmetrical multi‑gigabit fiber‑to‑the‑home service. The rollout is part of a broader expansion that began in early 2024 and includes ongoing construction in Albuquerque and surrounding...
GTT Rolls Out 2026 Strategy Emphasizing Cloud Services and AI‑Enabled Security
GTT announced a 2026 roadmap that puts cloud services and AI‑enabled security at the core of its enterprise networking offering. The plan builds on the GTT Envision platform and introduces a new AI‑driven cybersecurity framework, aiming to serve thousands of...
How AI Is Reshaping Copper, Fiber Networking
AI-driven data centers demand massive bandwidth, forcing a reevaluation of cabling strategies. Copper remains the low‑power, cost‑effective choice for short‑range connections, while fiber optics deliver the long‑distance, high‑capacity links essential for scaling AI workloads. At Nvidia’s GTC, executives highlighted that...
Eutelsat Signs New Broadcast Deals in Mexico and Caribbean
Eutelsat announced three new broadcast agreements covering the Caribbean and Mexico. In the Caribbean, it will work with Co‑op Cable to deliver direct‑to‑home TV and satellite broadband via the E65WA satellite. In Mexico, the operator renewed its partnership with PCTV...
Truvista Snaps up City of Commerce, Ga.’s Telecom Network
Truvista Fiber has agreed to purchase the City of Commerce, Georgia’s municipal fiber network, which currently serves only business customers. The company will assume ownership, upgrade the infrastructure and keep service uninterrupted while evaluating a residential rollout. The acquisition follows...
Indiana Tax Court: Cell Phones Qualify for Telecom Equipment Exemption
The Indiana Tax Court held that cell phones are covered by the state’s telecommunications equipment exemption from sales and use tax. New Cingular Wireless PCS, which bought phones to give free to customers or replace under insurance, was entitled to...
The Last Mile Is a Paper Trail: Why Broadband Gets Stuck
Broadband providers face steep transaction costs, especially permitting, that delay upgrades needed for AI, AR and VR applications. The American Broadband Deployment Act (H.R. 2289) would impose shot‑clock deadlines, cost‑based fees, and streamline federal environmental and historic‑preservation reviews. The House...
Banglalink to Launch Starlink's Direct-to-Device Satellite Connectivity Service in Bangladesh
Banglalink, Veon's subsidiary in Bangladesh, has signed a partnership with Starlink Mobile to bring direct‑to‑device satellite connectivity to remote parts of the country. The service will initially launch messaging this year, with broader data offerings slated for a later phase...
Spectrum Deal Valuation Ranges $4‑8B, Amendment Unlikely
This is a normal part of the negotiating process on spectrum, and there will potentially be more of it. We recognize the biggest risk is lower power levels, but that would hurt the GPS replacement service, PNT. A backup could...
Artemis II Validates Laser Links as Orbital Compute Backbone
Artemis II wasn’t just a deep space mission, it proved that laser communications will be the backbone of compute in orbit, with transceivers from @ObservableSpace Observable will move terabits between Earth and space, enabling datacenters, and more, in space. Observable...
Adtran's SDG Router Gets Conditional FCC Approval Amid New Ban on Foreign-Made Routers
Adtran announced that its Service Delivery Gateway (SDG) router portfolio has secured conditional approval from the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, exempting the equipment from the agency’s newly imposed ban on foreign‑made routers until October 1 2027. The clearance lets...
Grain Aims to Select D2D Satellite Operator in 90 Days
"Grain believes that this competitive process can be completed within 90 days ... and will facilitate the swift identification of a qualified D2D satellite operator capable of deploying the spectrum nationwide on the timelines suggested by Grain" https://t.co/gOlCA8ZxqR
Starlink Pushes D2D, yet Towers Already Connect Us
Starlink is making D2D popular through T-Satellite, but people are already connected via towers and cells. https://t.co/3i8aRnjDJU
Deutsche Telekom, T‑Mobile Discuss Merger to Form World's Largest Telecom‑Media Holding
Deutsche Telekom and its U.S. arm T‑Mobile US are in preliminary talks to create a new holding company that would combine their assets. Valued at roughly $384 billion together, the merger would become the largest public telecom‑media deal ever and could...
FCC Greenlights
.@FCC OK's @AST_SpaceMobile 248-sat D2D constellation operating at 425-690 km, each w/ 223m2 antenna. Detailed semi-annual reports required, as @SpaceX provides, plus comms with operators in nearby orbits to avoid collisions. @ATT @Verizon @FirstNetGov. https://t.co/b0NgbZpess https://t.co/R9EgFxmkwP
BT Seeks Fire-by-Fire AI Security Approach
BT Group executive Gabriela Styf Sjoman warned that AI now powers roughly 80% of phishing attacks, turning the technology into both a powerful tool and a growing cyber‑threat. She called for more open dialogue on AI security, noting that most...
FCC Greenlights AST SpaceMobile's Satellite Broadband Service
The FCC has approved AST SpaceMobile to launch and operate a 248‑satellite low‑Earth‑orbit constellation that will deliver broadband directly to standard smartphones using cellular frequencies across the United States. The clearance moves AST closer to commercial service and allows its...
Capitec Blows up MVNO Pricing with Free On-Net Calls
Capitec Bank’s mobile‑virtual network operator, Capitec Connect, announced that calls between any two of its own SIM cards are now free, removing on‑net charges entirely. The move coincides with an expanded device‑financing program that now covers premium Apple and Samsung...
Market Dynamics and Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Chipsets
The global LEO satellite 5G Non‑Terrestrial Network (NTN) chipset market is projected to expand from $6.69 billion in 2026 to $23.07 billion by 2030, a compound annual growth rate above 36 %. This acceleration follows the finalization of 3GPP Release 17 and 18 standards...
Mobile Networks Could Reduce Speed or Introduce Surge Pricing to Help with Energy Costs
UK mobile operators Vodafone Three, Virgin Media O2 and EE warned the government that rising energy costs could force them to curb network performance or introduce surge pricing. They propose measures such as throttling data speeds, reducing signal strength, and rationing access...
WFN Strategies Marks Earth Day with Sustainability Commitment
WFN Strategies used Earth Day 2026 to reaffirm its commitment to sustainable subsea cable development, highlighting its long‑standing role as an advisor in the industry. The firm continues to back the SubOptic Association’s Sustainable Subsea Networks working group and recently...
3 Communication Stocks Likely to Benefit Despite Geopolitical Unrest
The Zacks Communication‑Components sector is poised for long‑term growth despite short‑term volatility from inventory buildup, high capex, and geopolitical tensions. Demand for 5G, fiber densification and IoT drives robust orders for optical and glass‑based networking hardware. Analysts highlight three standout...
Industry Pressed over Level 4 Progress
At FutureNet World in London, Infovista CEO Rick Hamilton warned that entrenched information silos and unclear operator goals are stalling progress toward Level 4 network automation, the TM Forum’s most advanced self‑optimising stage. He argued the telecom sector must sharpen focus...
You Block NVIDIA. You Build Huawei
Jensen Huang has repeatedly warned that cutting China off from Western AI technology will backfire, pointing to Huawei’s resilience. Despite two decades of U.S. sanctions, Huawei remains the world’s largest telecom equipment vendor, with no American competitor matching its scale....