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
Rethinking the Connected Worker
The energy and natural resources sectors are turning to 5G‑enabled private cellular networks to create a connected workforce capable of operating safely in harsh, remote environments. Aging crews and a looming talent gap are driving firms to adopt digital twins, IoT, AR helmets and real‑time analytics to retain expertise and attract younger talent. Ericsson’s private‑network solutions, showcased in a partnership with Tampnet, demonstrate how low‑latency connectivity fuels predictive maintenance, remote expert assistance and autonomous operations. The shift promises higher productivity, reduced downtime and a more resilient, future‑ready industry.
Beltelecom Offers Business Wi-Fi Packages
Beltelecom, Belarus’s state‑owned telecom operator, has launched a new business‑focused Wi‑Fi tariff line. The offering lets companies create branded Wi‑Fi networks with a custom SSID while Beltelecom handles equipment deployment and technical support. Three plans provide varying authentication and usage...
Merger Odds Between Charter and Comcast Rise Significantly
"We think the odds of a Charter-Comcast merger are higher today than just a month ago," says New Street's Vikash Harlalka $CMCSA $CHTR https://t.co/MMBitMjhZw
5G Spending Soars, Yet Customer Churn Accelerates
The telecom industry just spent $150 billion on 5G networks. Churn is going UP. That's not a coincidence. It's a crisis of irrelevance. 🚨 Here's what the data reveals about why carriers are hemorrhaging customers despite record network investments. 🧵 #Telecom...
Spanish Mobile Users Port 523K Lines in February, Led by Digi and Movistar
In February 2026, Spain saw 523,520 mobile numbers switched between carriers, a 2.8% year‑on‑year rise. The surge was driven primarily by Digi and Movistar, which together accounted for the bulk of the activity. Active mobile lines climbed to 62.5 million, adding...
APTelecom, FiberSense Expand Subsea Monitoring Partnership
APTelecom and FiberSense announced a strategic partnership to expand the deployment of distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) technology for real‑time subsea cable monitoring. The collaboration leverages APTelecom’s global advisory network to accelerate market access in Europe, the Pacific and other key...
UK Small ISPs Face £40‑£45 Broadband Price Hike as £25 Plans Prove Unsustainable
UK alternative network providers (Altnets) are warning that £25‑per‑month broadband plans cannot be sustained. Analyst Veronica Speiser says average revenue per user must rise to £40‑£45 to break even, a shift that could push consumer bills toward $56 per month.
South Korea to Give 7 Million Mobile Users Free Unlimited Data After Hitting Monthly Caps
South Korea will automatically provide unlimited data to 7 million mobile users once their monthly caps are reached, but the service will be throttled to 400 Kbps. The Ministry of Science and ICT secured agreement from the three major carriers—SK Telecom, KT...
Ofcom Launches Consultation on 6GHz Spectrum Sharing
Ofcom has opened a consultation to expand mobile use of the upper 6 GHz band in 88 high‑density areas while preserving Wi‑Fi priority in the lower 160 MHz. The proposal splits the spectrum, giving Wi‑Fi priority from 6425‑6585 MHz and mobile priority from...
Ooredoo Qatar Launches New Family Mobile Plans
Ooredoo Qatar has rolled out a new family‑oriented mobile offering that consolidates multiple lines under a single account and bill. The plans provide unlimited local calls among family members and allow customers to designate a home region or country for...
10 Cases for 5G Uplink Monetization
The author revisits the long‑standing promise of 5G uplink revenue and argues that, despite a flood of whitepapers, real‑world monetization remains scarce. He outlines ten concrete use‑cases—ranging from edge AI data ingestion to private‑network slicing—that can finally turn uplink capacity...
STC Bahrain Provides Frontline Workers with 100 GB Data
STC Bahrain launched a national initiative that grants frontline personnel a 100 GB data allowance. The program targets the Bahrain Defence Force, Ministry of Interior, National Guard and Ministry of Health, acknowledging their critical work. By expanding data access, STC aims...
ThinKom Unveils Space-Optimized ThinAir Nexus Aircraft Antenna
ThinKom introduced the ThinAir Nexus, a space‑optimized aircraft antenna that delivers multi‑orbit, multi‑constellation inflight connectivity in a footprint comparable to single‑orbit electronically steered antennas. The Nexus supports gigabit‑class throughput for GEO, MEO and LEO satellites and can be upgraded via a...
5G Spending Fuels Churn; Relationships, Not Networks, Matter
The telecom industry spent $150 billion on 5G and got rewarded with rising churn. The network is no longer the product. The relationship is. And carriers are failing at it. 🧵📡
Milicom Expands Subsea Network in Central America
Millicom announced a partnership with TAFS to tap the 7,000‑km TAM‑1 subsea fibre‑optic system, which links the United States, the Caribbean, Central America and Colombia. Each fibre pair on the cable provides a minimum of 18 Tbps, delivering high‑capacity, carrier‑neutral connectivity...
LG Uplus Gets Physical on USIM Security Update
LG Uplus has launched a free USIM replacement programme to fix a weakness in IMSI number security. The rollout began on 8 April and has already attracted at least 157,811 customers who booked store visits for the swap, with extra staff...
TRAI May Bring Back Voice Only Plans What This Means for Your Recharge
TRAI is reconsidering the reintroduction of voice‑only prepaid plans in India, a shift that would let users pay solely for calls and SMS without bundled data. For years, telecom operators have bundled daily data into even the cheapest recharges, raising...
Q&A: Building a Broadband Constellation for a Contested Space Era
Logos Space Services, founded by former NASA and Google executive Milo Medin, received FCC approval to launch up to 4,178 low‑Earth‑orbit broadband satellites operating in K‑, Q‑ and V‑band frequencies. The company’s private‑network architecture uses super‑narrow beams to boost capacity,...
Milesight Networks Officially Launches, Powering Reliable Industrial Networks
Milesight, a long‑standing IoT hardware maker, has officially launched its industrial networking arm, Milesight Networks, to deliver rugged connectivity solutions. The new division bundles dual‑SIM redundancy, 5G and Wi‑Fi 6 support, and cloud‑based management into a portfolio of 4G and 5G...
Bundesliga Production Onside for Scalable IP Transport with VIDI and Media Links
VIDI has upgraded broadcast infrastructure across 36 Bundesliga stadiums, delivering a unified IP media network that supports higher volumes of live baseband and IP services. The Media Links Xscend Platform was integrated with VIDI’s Network Managing System, providing centralized control...
Sceye Completes 12‑Day HAPS Test, Paving Way for Stratospheric 5G Service
Sceye announced that its high‑altitude platform system (HAPS) balloon completed a 12‑day endurance flight, marking the end of its technology validation phase. The data gathered will inform upcoming commercial trials aimed at delivering 5G‑grade broadband from the stratosphere. The milestone...
Space Compass Forges Optical Satellite Relay Pact
Space Compass signed a memorandum of understanding with Apolink and JSAT International to develop optical data‑relay technology that links geosynchronous (GEO) and low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) satellites. The agreement will explore both technical feasibility and commercial potential, initially focusing on integrating Apolink’s...
Stephan Rettenberger to Speak on Fiber Innovations for Scalable Data Centers at FTTH Conference 2026
Adtran’s Stephan Rettenberger will join a panel at the FTTH Conference 2026 to examine how fiber‑optic technologies can support the scaling, resilience and low‑latency needs of next‑generation data centers. The discussion targets CIOs grappling with AI, cloud and edge‑driven traffic...
MmWave 5G Performance in the U.S.: Ultra-Fast Speeds, Limited Reach Drive Strategic Deployments
U.S. mmWave 5G remains the fastest layer of next‑gen connectivity, with Verizon expanding its footprint to 91 metropolitan markets and consistently delivering gigabit‑plus download speeds. While the technology can exceed 1 Gbps in real‑world tests, it appears in only 2.2% of...
Iran's Business Leaders Warn Internet Shutdowns Costing up to $80mn a Day
Iran's leading business chambers warned that internet shutdowns tied to the ongoing conflict are draining up to $80 million a day from the country's digital economy. Direct losses are estimated at $30‑$40 million daily, with indirect costs pushing the total higher. Hundreds...
AgileSP Builds Momentum Inside Teraco’s Carrier-Neutral Ecosystem
Agile Solutions Provider (AgileSP) has expanded its footprint by operating points of presence (POPs) in five Teraco Data Environments facilities—JB1, JB3, DB1, CT1 and CT2—across Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. The carrier‑neutral model of Teraco lets AgileSP deliver IP Transit,...
ETSI’s Response to the European Commission’s Proposal for the Cybersecurity Act 2
On 15 April 2026 ETSI issued a formal position paper responding to the European Commission’s proposal for the Cybersecurity Act 2. The standards body endorses a risk‑based, tiered certification framework, calls for transparent governance and stakeholder input, and stresses the need...
Lidl Parent Expands Into Telecommunications with 1Global
The Schwarz Group, owner of Lidl and Kaufland, is buying a 10% stake in telecom firm 1Global for roughly $80 million. The investment bolsters Lidl Connect, the supermarket chain’s mobile‑virtual‑network‑operator, which currently serves about two million German customers. Until now Lidl Connect...
The Satellite War on Terrestrial Telecoms Has Already Begun
The convergence of silicon‑carbon battery advances, relaxed FCC power‑limit rules and higher‑bandwidth LEO satellite capabilities is bringing satellite direct‑to‑device (DTD) connectivity closer to everyday use. Early demonstrations—MTN’s 2025 voice call in South Africa and Vodafone’s 2026 video call—show that smartphones...
Stryten Launches E-Series AGM Batteries for Telecom and Utility Reliability
Stryten Energy has launched the E‑Series AGM160 and AGM190 multi‑terminal batteries, targeting telecom and electric‑utility backup power. The sealed, maintenance‑free VRLA units can operate at up to 80% depth of discharge and charge rapidly, offering long discharge cycles for harsh...
Telecoms Consumer Charter — Sky Broadband Change Calls Into Question What Exactly Is the Point?
Sky Broadband has replaced its explicit £3‑per‑month price rise (about $3.80) with a vague "price may change" clause, testing the limits of the government‑backed Telecoms Consumer Charter. The voluntary charter, signed by major operators, promises consumers certainty and bans unexpected...
CESNET, Ribbon Achieve PoC in Quantum-Secured Optical Networking
Ribbon Communications announced the successful completion of a quantum key distribution (QKD) proof‑of‑concept with CESNET, the Czech Republic’s national academic network. The test used Ribbon’s Apollo optical platform to deliver Layer‑1 encryption with virtually zero latency, proving quantum‑secured transmission can...
BookEnd
The newly released second edition of Terry Edwards’ *Gigahertz and Terahertz Technologies for Broadband Communications* updates the original 2000 text with the latest advances in high‑frequency wireless and wired systems. Spanning 250 pages, the book surveys cabled, free‑space optical, satellite,...
Private 5G Open RAN Platform
AmpliTech Group unveiled a private 5G platform built on Open RAN with a 7.2 functional split architecture, delivering deterministic sub‑10 ms latency and up to 1.5 Gb/s downlink throughput. The solution pairs hardware‑accelerated baseband processing on Intel Ice Lake, Sapphire Rapids or Granite Rapids CPUs with...
New Products
A wave of new RF components hit the market this week, spanning attenuators, couplers, circulators, filters, amplifiers and up‑converter modules. JFW introduced three USB‑controlled attenuators covering 400 MHz to 8.4 GHz, while Krytar and Micable added broadband directional couplers up to 26.5 GHz...
OneWeb UK Ups Revenue in 2025
OneWeb Holdings UK, the London arm of Eutelsat, posted a 44.5% jump in revenue to $186 million for the year ending June 2025. Staff costs were cut by a third, falling to $82.8 million, while the operating loss shrank 66% to $456 million. Eutelsat...
Slovakia Appoints Samuel Migaľ as Minister of Informatics, Boosting Digital Agenda
Slovakia's cabinet has installed Samuel Migaľ as the new Minister of Informatics, a move that underscores the government's intent to accelerate public‑sector digital transformation. The appointment arrives amid ongoing debates about the ministry's capacity to deliver large‑scale IT projects.
Telecom Infrastructure Providers, Gear Makers Face Disruptions
Telecom infrastructure providers in India report operational disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict. Restrictions on diesel sales in several states have hampered refueling of tower generators, while frequent power outages increase reliance on diesel backup. Supply‑chain bottlenecks, including LPG...
KT Corp Shares Appear Deeply Discounted as Asian Telecoms Rebound
KT Corp (KRX:030200) is trading at a price‑to‑earnings multiple of 7.78, well below the telecom industry average of 12.66. The carrier's price‑to‑sales (0.54) and price‑to‑cash‑flow (2.68) ratios also undercut peers, prompting value investors to label the stock as undervalued amid...
Another Dish Wireless Suit
Industrial Tower and Wireless has filed a lawsuit against Dish Wireless for failing to pay rent on 62 tower sites since November 2025. The leases run through 2032, and the vendor is also seeking reimbursement for removal costs of Dish's...
US Mobile’s New Bundle Combines Its Multi-Network Mobile Service with Starlink Residential Internet
US Mobile announced a partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink to bundle its prepaid, multi‑network cellular service with Starlink residential internet. The offering combines unlimited mobile plans that switch automatically among AT&T, Verizon and T‑Mobile with uncapped Starlink broadband, all managed through...
I Read 24 Papers. The Press Releases Were Lying. Why Samsung, NVIDIA, Broadcom, and Meta Were All at the Same...
A deep dive of all 24 papers presented at OFC 2026 reveals that optics, not GPUs, is becoming the next performance bottleneck for AI data centers. The analysis uncovers five technology fronts—silicon‑photonic foundries, co‑packaged optics (CPO), advanced glass packaging, high‑speed...
Indonesia Sets Out 2029 Digital Infrastructure Expansion Roadmap
Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs unveiled a roadmap to expand digital infrastructure through 2029, emphasizing fibre‑optic network growth, broadband penetration, and open‑access principles. The plan aims to raise sub‑district fibre coverage from 72.5% in 2025 to 90% by...
Bill C‑22 Expands Production Orders for Subscriber Data
The second of a series on what's in Bill C-22, the Lawful Access Act of 2026 (Canada's new #LawfulAccess bill). A close look at Production Orders for Subscriber Information in Part 1 of the bill, new on my YouTube channel:...
SoundHound AI Teams with Associated Carrier Group to Deploy Agentic AI for Tier‑2/3 Telecoms
SoundHound AI has signed a partnership with Associated Carrier Group (ACG) to bring its agentic AI platform to Tier‑2 and Tier‑3 telecom operators. The deal gives smaller carriers access to autonomous AI agents that can resolve customer issues end‑to‑end, a...
China Accelerates Orbital Internet Deployment with Successful Smart Dragon-3 Sea Launch
China’s Smart Dragon‑3 carrier rocket lifted off from a sea‑based platform off Guangdong on April 11, delivering a test payload for its sovereign low‑Earth‑orbit internet network. The four‑stage solid‑propellant vehicle, now on its 11th successful flight, can place up to 1,500 kg...
FCC Bans Foreign Routers, Households Stuck with Insecure Devices
FCC rules restrict new foreign routers, leaving ISP-controlled households stuck with existing devices despite security concerns and no immediate replacement options https://t.co/IRSztufKkU
Starlink Speed in Asia Pacific: Growth, Regulation, Pricing and Performance Trends
Starlink now serves over 10 million subscribers in 155 countries, capturing 97.1% of global satellite Speedtest samples in Q3 2025. In Asia‑Pacific, Oceania leads with median download speeds of 162 Mbps and 35 ms latency, while Southeast Asian markets show mixed results—Malaysia up to...
Reliance Jio Launches ₹189 SIM‑Active Plan, the Cheapest Voice‑focused Offering in India
Reliance Jio has unveiled a ₹189 (about $2.30) SIM‑active recharge that delivers unlimited voice calls, 300 SMS and 2 GB of data for 28 days. The plan follows the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) push for low‑cost voice‑only tariffs and...
DoT Strengthens Telecom Safety Push, With Sanchar Saathi at Its Core
India’s Department of Telecommunications is intensifying its focus on user‑centric security through the Sanchar Saathi platform. The app gives individuals visibility into every mobile number tied to their identity and lets them flag unknown connections. Features such as Chakshu reporting,...