Today's Telecom Pulse
Broadband markets in Australia, NZ, and Canada set for 2026 fiber and gigabit expansion
Australia’s broadband sector is projected to undergo major upgrades by 2026, with ISPs expanding fiber networks, gigabit speeds, and NBN enhancements. Parallel analyses highlight similar fiber and 5G‑driven competition in New Zealand and Canada, reshaping consumer internet experiences across the region.
Boeing Develops Medium-Sized Satellite Amid Growing Demand
Boeing and its subsidiary Millennium Space Systems have unveiled the Resolute, a medium‑sized “micro‑GEO” satellite platform designed to bridge the gap between small‑sat and large, custom GEO satellites. The platform combines Millennium’s rapid production methods with Boeing’s advanced payload technology, promising lower cost and shorter delivery times for military and commercial communications and surveillance. Boeing cites rising demand from the U.S. Defense Department and commercial operators for capable yet affordable satellites. The initiative also aims to give nations greater technological sovereignty by allowing them to launch their own satellites instead of leasing capacity.
Poland Completes Installation of GSM-R on the Central Railway Line
Poland’s railway manager PKP PLK has finished installing the GSM‑R digital radio system on the Central Railway Line (CMK), erecting the last tower in Secemin and completing 35 communication sites. The network, built by a Nokia‑led consortium, will be commissioned and...
Towards Understanding City-Level Routing Using BGP Location Communities
Researchers have demonstrated a scalable method to infer the city‑level meaning of undocumented BGP location communities using only passive routing observations. By correlating prefix origins with the routers that attach location tags, they correctly identified 1,482 of 1,595 communities, achieving...
5 Things You Must Check Before Buying a Data Plan for Your Next Trip
Travelers need more than cheap roaming; the article outlines five critical factors when selecting a data plan for overseas trips. It emphasizes checking coverage and network strength, comparing data limits and pricing, and ensuring plan flexibility. Additional services such as...
Specialists Leave Mobile Operators Behind on Home Internet
Vox captured every fixed‑broadband award in Opensignal’s Q1 2026 South African benchmark, outpacing the country’s largest mobile operators on home internet performance. The specialist ISP posted a 24.9 Mbps download speed, 17.5 Mbps upload speed and a reliability score of 363, beating Vodacom,...
Es’hailSat and Media City Qatar Partner to Advance Satellite Capabilities
Es’hailSat has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with Media City Qatar to broaden satellite broadcasting and digital media services for more than 500 licensed companies in the Qatari media hub. The partnership leverages Es’hailSat’s satellite capacity, playout solutions, and...
Nigeria’s Airtime Lifeline Just Got Disrupted
On April 12, MTN Nigeria abruptly discontinued its Xtratime and XtraByte airtime‑credit services, and Airtel followed suit days later. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) clarified that the stoppage stems from operators’ failure to meet lending‑regulation deadlines introduced...
SR-MPLS Workshop Materials
The Segment Routing MPLS (SR‑MPLS) workshop kicked off on April 20, 2026 at ITNOG 10 in Bologna. Organizers provided a comprehensive slide deck, lab topologies, and detailed usage guidelines for attendees. All materials are hosted online via IPspace and a public GitHub repository,...
Airtel Select Prepaid Plans Now Come With Free Data Pack Coupon With OTT Benefit
Bharti Airtel has begun bundling free data‑pack coupons with three of its prepaid plans – the Rs 349 unlimited 5G plan, the Rs 979 84‑day plan and the Rs 3599 plan – in select circles. The coupons, valued at Rs 100 or Rs 195 (approximately...
Ericsson India Revenue Grows 29% to ₹4,228 Crore in March Quarter
Ericsson reported a 29% jump in India revenue to ₹4,228 crore (about $507 million) in the March‑quarter, raising its contribution to the group’s top line to 8%. The growth follows a surge in 5G equipment deliveries and network‑modernisation projects across the country....
AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 Launch Falters, Highlighting New Glenn’s Commercial Push
AST SpaceMobile launched its BlueBird 7 communications satellite aboard United Launch Alliance’s New Glenn rocket, but the upper stage placed the payload in a lower-than-planned orbit, forcing an inevitable de‑orbit. The company says insurance will cover the satellite’s cost while it continues...
Strengthening Your Network Security with APNIC’s Products and Tools
APNIC held a webinar in late March 2026 on strengthening network security, drawing 211 participants. The session highlighted the evolution from traditional IRR to cryptographic solutions like RPKI ROAs and the upcoming ASPA for path validation. It also showcased APNIC’s...
Iran's Cheap Broadband Masks Severe Internet Blackout
"Iran has something the US can only dream of: cheap broadband" [This story failed to mention that terrorist state Iran has been enforcing an Internet blackout for nearly two months and arresting @Starlink users. Otherwise, great reporting. | https://t.co/fhcyUHQCvH
New Study Exposes the Hidden Cost of “Big Wireless” As Most Older Americans Don’t Use the Data They’re Paying For
A Harris Poll study commissioned by Consumer Cellular reveals that nearly eight in ten Americans aged 50 and older are on unlimited wireless plans yet use just over 5 GB of data per month. More than half of this group cannot...
Monash Researchers Unveil ‘Swiss‑Army‑Knife’ Optical Chip with 11 Functions
Scientists at Monash University have demonstrated a compact metasurface optical chip that combines 11 broadband functions on a single surface. The device operates across 1200‑1400 nm and could replace bulky components in data‑center and telecom optics, marking a shift toward multifunctional...
Eero Seamlessly Switches to LTE When Wi‑Fi Fails
We tried Eero Signal: when your main internet connection drops, your Eero system automatically switches to the LTE connection that Signal provides. https://t.co/YHgc0FeO3S
The New Space Race for Connectivity: Satellite Internet and Critical Infrastructure
Satellite internet is moving from a niche backup solution to a core component of the global connectivity architecture. Low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) and medium‑Earth‑orbit constellations, together with 5G‑compatible non‑terrestrial networks (NTN), are delivering fiber‑like latency and throughput. Direct‑to‑device services now let ordinary...
ESIM Was Supposed to Replace SIM Cards, but Carriers Turned It Into a Trap
eSIM technology promised a frictionless, digital alternative to physical SIM cards, enabling easy carrier switching and eliminating the need for physical swaps. In practice, carriers have retained control, imposing activation hurdles and locking eSIMs to specific devices. Users face added...
T-Mobile’s Internet Deal Sweetens the Switch — Up to $750 to Leave, a Free Month to Try + Bonus Cash
T‑Mobile is rolling out a limited‑time Home Internet promotion that gives new customers a free first month, a rebate of up to $300 on a prepaid Mastercard, and coverage of up to $750 in cancellation fees from their current ISP....
T‑Mobile Gives Away iPhone 17e With New Experience More Plan, Covering $599 Cost
T‑Mobile announced that new customers who enroll in its Experience More plan will receive a free iPhone 17e, with the carrier covering the $599 retail price through 24 monthly bill credits. The promotion requires no trade‑in but locks users into a...
Mirai Botnet Exploits End‑of‑Life TP‑Link Routers via CVE‑2023‑33538
Unit 42 of Palo Alto Networks reported that the Mirai‑derived Condi botnet is actively exploiting CVE‑2023‑33538 in end‑of‑life TP‑Link consumer routers. The flaw lets attackers inject malicious code through an unvalidated HTTP parameter, and TP‑Link says the affected models will...
New Glenn’s Third Launch Expands Mobile Satellite Access
The third New Glenn launch has been a success, and it's going to mean wider access to mobile satellite communications. https://t.co/ktqDiJAn6B
Hollyland Unveils Pyro Ultra 4K60 Wireless System with 20 Ms Latency and 1.5 Km Range
Hollyland launched the Pyro Ultra, a flagship 4K60 wireless video transmitter priced at $1,199. The system delivers 20 ms ultra‑low latency, a 1.5 km (4,900 ft) range and unlimited one‑to‑many receivers, targeting live‑event, broadcast and digital‑cinema productions.
SES Shares Rebound to €6.44 as Valuation Model Shows 20% Upside
SES, the Paris‑listed satellite operator, surged 6.8% over the past month to €6.44 per share, while a discounted cash‑flow model points to roughly 20% upside. The rebound follows a three‑month dip and puts the stock back in focus for telecom...
Airtel 84-Day Prepaid Recharge Plans: Here’s What You Get in April 2026
Bharti Airtel’s April 2026 prepaid portfolio introduces ten recharge options with 84‑day (and one 90‑day) validity, priced from Rs 469 (~$5.6) to Rs 1798 (~$21.6) per recharge. All plans include unlimited voice, SMS allowances and a suite of digital perks such as...
Unlocking New Space Broadband Capacity, and the Consequences of ‘On Hold’
The episode examines three major developments reshaping space broadband: the FCC’s draft order to replace the outdated EPFD framework with performance‑based spectrum sharing rules, a move that could unlock over $2 billion and boost capacity up to sevenfold; Amazon’s pending acquisition...
Verizon CEO: The Network Is Not Enough
Verizon CEO Dan Schulman warned that a superior network alone won’t guarantee market dominance. In the United States, top carriers achieve roughly 300 Mbps on 5G, while most competitors linger around 200‑220 Mbps, according to the latest Ookla report. Although the speed...
MaxLinear Shares Tumble as Analysts Doubt AI‑driven Data‑center Strategy
MaxLinear Inc. saw its shares swing more than 12% lower as Wall Street analysts questioned the company’s AI‑centric data‑center connectivity plan. Despite a 30% revenue jump in 2025 and new 1.6 Tbps products, analysts cite execution risk and a $102 million operating...
Bharti Airtel CFO Soumen Ray Details $1.4 B Capex and Cost‑control Drive in Q3 Earnings Call
Bharti Airtel’s chief financial officer Soumen Ray told investors that third‑quarter capex was about 11,800 crore rupees ($1.4 bn) while operating free cash flow reached 15,900 crore rupees ($1.9 bn). He emphasized a "war on waste" cost‑control program and disciplined investment in network and...
6G Embeds AI at Core for Self‑Optimizing Networks
What is 6G Technology? “AI-Native Architecture: AI isn't just an ‘add-on’; it is built into the core of the network for self-optimization and self-healing” https://t.co/lZSajx7Bs6 #telecom https://t.co/RBAqnUfvN4
Amazon‑Globalstar Deal Shows Policy Misses Market Shifts
JUST IN: Amazon's partnership with Globalstar demonstrates that government industrial policies often fail to predict evolving markets and technologies.
FCC Approves 10 MHz 900 MHz Spectrum Expansion and Proposes Major Telecom Reforms
The Federal Communications Commission acted on four items at its Open Commission Monthly Meeting, including a Report and Order that opens the full 10 MHz of the 900 MHz band for broadband, a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to tighten Lifeline program integrity,...
Clear-Com Unveils FreeSpeak Cell
Clear-Com introduced FreeSpeak Cell, a cellular‑based wireless intercom system that runs on LTE and 5G networks. Debuting at the 2026 NAB Show, the solution targets large‑scale productions by leveraging public and private cellular infrastructure instead of traditional RF spectrum. It supports...
6G Podcast - Amazon's $11B Acquisition, Verizon & FIFA, AST SpaceMobile Launch, Ericsson's Struggles
In this episode the hosts discuss Amazon’s $11 billion acquisition of Globalstar, exploring how the deal will expand Amazon’s Leo satellite service and its implications for Apple’s emergency‑text offering and future D2D mobile connectivity. They then examine Ericsson’s weak Q1 earnings,...
Ericsson Q1 Profit Plunges 79% as 5G Demand Wanes, Revenue Down 10%
Ericsson posted a first‑quarter profit of SEK888 million ($89 million), down 79% from a year earlier, while revenue fell 10.3% to SEK49.332 billion ($4.9 billion). The decline reflects weaker demand for 5G equipment and broader uncertainty in telecom infrastructure spending.
Safaricom Penalizes Diaspora Users After My
This is what @safaricom does to their diasporan customers after forcing them to move to their new Myoneapp. Wueh. https://t.co/syTE56DLno
7 Devices in Your Home that Really Shouldn’t Be on Wi-Fi
The article argues that seven common home devices—TVs and streaming boxes, PCs and game consoles, printers, storage servers, and mesh router nodes—should be connected via Ethernet instead of Wi‑Fi whenever possible. While Wi‑Fi 7 promises up to 46 Gbps, real‑world constraints keep...
North America Ranks Among World’s Most Expensive Regions for Broadband
A new global study finds North America is the second‑most expensive region for fixed‑line broadband, with an average monthly price of $98.40. The United States ranks 167th worldwide, paying about $80 per month, trailing several European economies. By contrast, Eastern...
Apple and Amazon Partner on Satellite Deal
Amazon announced it will acquire Globalstar, bolstering its Leo low‑Earth‑orbit satellite initiative. The deal also formalizes a partnership with Apple, allowing iPhone and Apple Watch models to tap Globalstar’s existing and planned LEO constellations for connectivity. Apple will continue to...
Bouygues, Free‑Iliad and Orange in Exclusive Talks to Buy SFR for €20.35bn
Bouygues Telecom, the Free‑Iliad group and Orange have submitted a €20.35 billion ($23.97 billion) offer for Altice France’s SFR and are now in an exclusive negotiation window until May 15. The consortium would split SFR’s assets 42‑31‑27 percent, excluding several fibre and overseas...
Support Spectrum Sharing; Reject Rule Changes Favoring Exclusivity
Evolution of spectrum-sharing models like US #CBRS is a good thing. But using rule-revisions to try to bias mechanisms back towards quasi-exclusive models is not. https://t.co/S2RI3pijYQ
Oracle and AWS Launch Direct Managed Connection to Streamline Multicloud Data Pipelines
Oracle and Amazon Web Services have unveiled a jointly managed interconnect that links Oracle Cloud Infrastructure with AWS Interconnect, promising faster, more private data transfers for enterprises. The service, slated for release in the US East (N. Virginia) region later...
Iran Internet Blackout Now in Its 50th Day: NetBlocks
Iran's authorities have kept the nation offline for 50 days, the longest nationwide internet shutdown on record. The blackout began after the Feb 28 US‑Israel attacks and has already logged 1,176 hours of isolation, according to NetBlocks. While a state‑run intranet...
Ericsson Q1 2026: Where To Go From Here?
Ericsson reported a 6% organic growth rate in Q1 2026, a notable feat in a stagnant global RAN market. However, reported sales slipped 10% due to harsh foreign‑exchange headwinds. The company’s supply chain is strained as AI‑driven data centers compete...
Airtel Starts Warning Users During Calls for OTP Fraud
Bharti Airtel has rolled out a real‑time on‑screen alert that triggers during live calls whenever a bank one‑time password (OTP) is detected. The feature nudges users to pause and reconsider sharing sensitive information, rather than blocking the call. By intervening...
Advantech and NETINT Team Up to Power 384‑Stream 1U Video Servers
Advantech announced a strategic partnership with ASIC video‑accelerator maker NETINT to deliver VPU‑enabled 1U servers that scale to 384 simultaneous 1080p streams. The joint solution promises dramatic cost and power savings for telecom carriers, broadcasters and edge‑computing customers.
Kongsberg Satellite Services Licensed to Operate 42 Chinese Military Satellites
Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT), owned by NATO contractor Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, secured Norwegian licences to communicate with 42 Chang Guang Satellite Technology (CGSTL) satellites, a company linked to China’s military. The move raises questions about dual‑use space services amid...
PSA Singapore Taps Motorola Solutions to Drive Safety and Efficiency
PSA Singapore has selected Motorola Solutions’ TETRA digital radio system to boost safety and operational efficiency as it expands the Tuas Mega Port. The network currently supports more than 4,000 users and handles roughly 540,000 voice calls daily, coordinating 24/7...
Uganda’s Taxation of Smartphones, Mobile Money Dents Financial Inclusion Quest
Uganda’s drive toward a digital economy is being hampered by taxes on mobile‑money withdrawals and entry‑level smartphones. A 0.5% excise duty on the full value of withdrawals and combined 10% import duty plus 18% VAT on low‑cost phones raise device...
Qualcomm Urges Shareholders to Reject $150 per Share Mini‑tender Offer
Qualcomm on Friday asked shareholders to turn down an unsolicited mini‑tender from Delaware‑based Tutanota that proposes to buy up to 500,000 shares at $150 each, above the market price but still below fair value. The chipmaker warned the offer could...