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
Sodola SL510S-4T2XS Review A Cheap Half-Width 6-Port 10G Web Managed Switch
Sodola introduced the SL510S-4T2XS, a six‑port 10 GbE web‑managed switch priced at $169, positioning it as a budget‑friendly upgrade over typical 2.5 GbE solutions. The unit offers four 10GBASE‑T copper ports and two SFP+ fiber ports, all within a half‑width chassis that can mount in compact racks. Its design includes a front‑panel 12 V DC power input and basic ventilation, though it lacks power‑connector retention. The price is only $60 higher than Sodola’s 12‑port model, delivering comparable performance in a smaller form factor.
Live in the Booth: Matt Desch Talks Iridium NTN Direct and Alt PNT Advances
Iridium is launching Iridium NTN Direct, positioning itself as the first standardized, global narrow‑band satellite IoT service. The offering runs on Iridium’s existing constellation, eliminating the need for new hardware. CEO Matt Desch highlighted automotive use cases such as airbag...
African Market for Satellite Services Offers Pent Up Demand
Africa’s satellite market is accelerating, with 21 nations operating space programs and 65 satellites already launched, and another 120 slated by 2030. Broadband penetration remains under 50% for over 1 billion people, prompting a surge in satellite terminals from 100,000 to...
India's Telecom Base Hits 1.32 Billion, Broadband Adds 7.3 M Subscribers in February
India's total telephone subscriber base rose to 1.321 billion at the end of February, driven by a 7.31 million net gain in broadband users. The surge lifts wireless tele‑density to 89.30% and cements the dominance of Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel in...
Panelists Share the Innovations That Have Helped Reduce Telecom and Texting Scams
Over 50% of people worldwide report receiving scam calls, texts or emails, prompting the Global Anti‑Scam Alliance to convene a panel hosted by the Stimson Center. Panelists highlighted public‑private innovations that are adding friction to scam delivery, especially a Singapore‑Google...
Italian Telecom Infra Wireless Posts FY2025 Profit Rise, Announces Higher Dividend
Infrastrutture Wireless Italiane S.p.A. posted a 2% jump in FY2025 net income to €360.8 million and lifted its dividend by 7.5% to €0.5543 per share. The telecom tower operator also saw revenue climb to €1.08 billion and maintained a 91.4% EBITDA margin,...
Colombo Dockyard Begins Orange Marine Cable Vessel
Colombo Dockyard PLC laid the keel for Yard No. 0263, a new cable‑laying and repair vessel commissioned by France’s Orange Marine. The 100‑metre, 1,800‑DWT ship, designed by Norway’s VARD Design, will feature advanced station‑keeping and low‑fuel consumption systems. Construction began...
Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) Advances AI and Satellite Expansion Plans
Amazon is in advanced talks to acquire satellite telecom group Globalstar, a move intended to accelerate its Project Kuiper broadband constellation. Kuiper currently operates 180 satellites and targets a 3,200‑satellite network to challenge SpaceX’s Starlink, which runs over 9,500 satellites....
Researcher: About 12.7 Million Seniors Lack Broadband Subscription, 7.2 Million Lack Computer or Tablet
A new analysis shows 12.7 million U.S. seniors are without broadband and 7.2 million lack a computer or tablet. The gaps are independent, meaning many older adults miss either service or device, and programs targeting only one will leave many unserved. Massachusetts...
6G Could Introduce New Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities, Report Finds
The FCC’s Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council warned that 6G networks could bring unprecedented cybersecurity and reliability risks. The report highlights that 6G’s reliance on virtualization, artificial intelligence, and cloud‑native infrastructure expands attack surfaces and complicates threat detection. It...
India's 60 Mn SMBs May Present Next Big Revenue Opportunity for Telcos: Experts
India’s telecom operators face stagnant ARPU around ₹180‑200 ($2‑$2.5) per month as subscriber growth stalls at 1.17 billion. Analysts estimate that targeting the country’s 60 million small and medium enterprises could unlock up to ₹50,000 crore ($6 billion) in annual revenue through commissions, cloud...
The RAN Semiconductor War: Ericsson vs Intel vs NVIDIA vs The Rest
The radio access network (RAN) market, worth roughly $35 billion, underpins a $1.3 trillion telecom ecosystem. A shift from traditional silicon to AI‑enabled chips is turning base stations into micro‑AI factories, influencing power consumption and national network strategy. NVIDIA, Intel, and incumbent...
T‑Mobile, TPG Weigh Bid for Uniti Group’s Fiber Assets
Wireless carrier T‑Mobile and private‑equity firm TPG are reportedly evaluating a joint acquisition of Uniti Group’s fiber‑to‑the‑home business and its enterprise fiber assets. The prospect has lifted Uniti’s shares 6.7% to $10.01, underscoring market interest in consolidating broadband infrastructure.
The Trump Administration Is Trying To Steal $21 BIllion Earmarked For Better Broadband
The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocated $42.5 billion for state broadband grants. The Trump administration has rewritten NTIA guidance, stripping affordability provisions and steering billions toward satellite operators Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. As a result, $21 billion in “non‑deployment”...
BH Telecom Expands Internet Allowance in TeenZ Package
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s BH Telecom has boosted its TeenZ mobile plan, offering 30 GB of data per month – four times the previous allowance – for customers who sign a 24‑month contract under the “Giga for everyone” campaign. The promotion runs...
The Buildout: Comporium Grows Reach in Rural South Carolina
Comporium announced a $7.8 million fiber build funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, extending 138 miles to serve 1,255 locations across rural South Carolina counties and adding public Wi‑Fi at Cada Park in Chesnee. The rollout mirrors a wave of investments...
Telecom Egypt Denies Move to Turn Data Center Complex Into ‘Cash-Generating Asset’
State‑owned Telecom Egypt has refuted media reports that it plans to turn its regional data centre complex into a cash‑generating asset. The company said there are no new developments and will announce any changes in line with its transparency commitments....
DC Lawyers Claim FCC Can Still Change 39% Cap
There are lawyers in DC making $1600 an hour who argue before the @FCC and the DC Circuit that this language was structured in a way to preserve the FCC’s ability to alter the 39% cap. The current FCC Chairman...
Realtek RTL8159 10GbE to USB 3.2 Adapters Sell for About $55 and Up
Realtek's RTL8159 10 GbE‑to‑USB 3.2 adapters have entered the market at prices ranging from roughly $45 to $80, making multi‑gigabit Ethernet accessible for laptops and small‑form‑factor PCs. The WisdPi WP‑UT9 retails for $79 (about $87 shipped to the US), while the XikeStor...
MTS Plans to Deploy 2,600 More Irteya Base Stations by Beginning of 2027
MTS, Russia’s leading mobile operator, will add 2,600 LTE base stations built by Irteya by early 2027, raising the total to 3,800 across 76 regions. The expansion supports both GSM and LTE technologies, enhancing network density in urban and remote...
Telecom News: Bharti Airtel, AT&T, Bangladesh Telecoms Face Fuel Shortages
Bharti Airtel announced it has crossed 650 million subscribers, making it the world’s second‑largest telecom operator, driven by strong growth in India and Africa. AT&T pledged up to $2 billion to modernize the FirstNet public‑safety network, enhancing 5G coverage and cutting rates...
CME Group Extends Deadline for Network Equipment Upgrades
CME Group has pushed back the deadline for its network equipment upgrades to June 27, 2026, after hearing client concerns. The exchange will replace end‑of‑life hardware that currently supports listed‑derivatives connectivity on Globex hubs, where market‑data traffic now regularly exceeds 1 Gbps....
Telecom News: Tata Communications, Cisco, CallTower
Tata Communications has been named a Leader in Gartner’s 2026 Magic Quadrant for Global WAN Services for the 13th consecutive year, highlighting its AI‑driven networking and 800G infrastructure investments. Cisco’s new report shows that roughly 80% of enterprises are increasing...
Think Robots Are Impressive Now? Just Wait Until They Have 6G
At Mobile World Congress, robot makers such as Boston Dynamics and Honor showcased humanoids that hint at a future powered by 6G connectivity. Industry experts argue that 6G will transform robots from isolated machines into networked fleets by providing pervasive...
Senegal's Regulator Issues Formal Warning on Illegal Wi-Fi Services
Senegal’s telecom regulator, the Autorité de Régulation des Télécommunications et des Postes (ARTP), issued a formal warning to operators of illegal “community Wi‑Fi” services. The warning targets networks that frequently rely on Starlink satellite antennas to provide unauthorised broadband. ARTP...
Telenet Delivers 5G Network Slice for Colruyt Trial of Unmanned Delivery Vehicle
Telenet Business is providing a dedicated 5G network slice to support Colruyt’s trial of an unmanned delivery vehicle in Leuven, Belgium. The pilot runs from mid‑May through August, with the vehicle transporting groceries from the supermarket chain to customers. Connectivity...
Lab: Summarizing IS-IS Level-1 Routes
IS‑IS was originally built for NSAP addressing, separating node and area prefixes, but its IP implementation mirrors OSPF by defaulting to no automatic prefix summarization. Network operators must manually configure summarization to aggregate Level‑1 routes into the Level‑2 backbone. The...
MSI Launches HERALD BE9400 WiFi 7 PCIe Card with Tri-Band Speeds
MSI has launched the HERALD BE9400, a PCIe x1 Wi‑Fi 7 card that brings tri‑band 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz connectivity to desktop PCs. The card claims peak speeds of 5.76 Gbps on 6 GHz, 2.88 Gbps on 5 GHz and 688 Mbps on 2.4 GHz, and includes a detachable...
TCCA White Paper Gives Direction on Building Cybersecurity Into Critical Communications
The Telecoms Critical Communications Association (TCCA) has published its first white paper on cybersecurity for mission‑critical broadband networks, marking a key step toward securing 4G and 5G‑enabled communications. The document outlines international standards, frameworks and deployment models, and stresses the...
1973: Marty Cooper Makes First Ever Mobile Call
#ThisDayInTechHistory. April 3, 1973. Dr Marty Cooper from Motorola made the first mobile phone call to his competitor at AT and T. (Bloomberg Business) #Mobile #Technology https://t.co/cZjwZUT6Q6
How Nigeria’s CDMA Operators Built a Market, Then Lost It
Nigeria’s early CDMA operators—Multilinks, Starcomms, Visafone and others—pioneered private mobile services in the late 1990s, reaching up to three million subscribers at peak. Their growth was stunted by regional licences that barred nationwide expansion, while GSM rivals received national licences...
Recover Outstanding Damages, Non-Performance Penalty of Rs 8.49 Cr From Airtel: CAG
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has urged Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) to recover ₹8.49 crore (≈ $1 million) in liquidated damages and non‑performance penalties from Bharti Airtel. The penalties arise from Airtel’s failure to meet its 2017‑2019 agreement to commission 756 rural...
Sheikh Nahyan Inaugurates SAMENA Telecom Leaders' Summit 2026 in Dubai
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan inaugurated the SAMENA Telecommunications Council Leaders' Summit 2026 at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai, under the theme “Intelligent Networks for Sovereign and Sustainable Futures.” The event, co‑hosted with Huawei and backed by the UAE’s TDRA, gathered...
Vietnam: Accelerating 5G Rollout, Preparing for a 6G Future
Vietnam is fast‑tracking a nationwide 5G rollout, with nearly 40,000 base stations covering about 90% of the population and 23 million subscribers by February 2026. Viettel leads the effort, having installed 23,500 stations in 2025 and targeting 98% coverage by 2026, while...
Debate Over 39% Cap: Statute or FCC Rule?
But that's a highly controversial issue -- with some insisting the 39% cap is statutory and only Congress can change it. Meanwhile, @NXSTMediaGroup and many more say the 39% cap is an @FCC rule that the agency is free to...
Why in 2026 Business Broadband Is Needed in Construction Enterprise
Construction firms are increasingly dependent on digital tools such as BIM, cloud project management, and IoT sensors, making reliable business broadband essential. High‑speed connectivity across sprawling job sites enables real‑time blueprint access, instant communication, and rapid data exchange, reducing delays...
“Alexa, Let’s Go to Outer Space”
In this episode of Motley Fool Money, hosts Tyler Crowe, Matt Frankel, and John Klost discuss the rapid evolution of the space industry, focusing on the potential Amazon acquisition of Globalstar and its strategic value for Amazon’s satellite ambitions, as...
HP Go 5G's “Unlimited” Data Comes With Hidden Limits
HP Go 5G provides “unlimited” data under restrictive terms, with prepaid plans, throttling, and limited international access. https://t.co/IS12m0RpxH
Life After Affirmed: What Operators Should Prioritize as 5G Core Strategies Evolve
Microsoft’s decision to retire the Affirmed Networks portfolio has forced operators worldwide to reassess their 4G/5G core infrastructure. The shift accelerates a move toward cloud‑native, micro‑service‑based cores that can run across hybrid and multi‑cloud environments. Vendors that offer modular, low‑cost...
'Unlimited 5G Data': HP's Latest AI PC Ultraslim Laptop Promises Superfast WiFi-Killer Broadband and Built-In Antivirus — Just Make Sure...
HP announced the EliteBook 6 G2q, an ultraslim laptop powered by Snapdragon X2 processors that delivers up to 85 TOPS of AI performance. The device includes HP Go 5G, marketed as unlimited data, but the service requires a built‑in eSIM, works only on Windows 11 commercial PCs,...
Tarana Says Starlink’s BEAD Antics “Pulled the Rug Out” From NTIA
Tarana Wireless has accused Starlink of undermining the BEAD program by demanding upfront payments, installation fees, and relief from its minimum 100/20 Mbps service commitment for awarded projects. Tarana says the move "pulled the rug" from under the NTIA and state...
FCC Cracks Down on Foreign Bank Impersonation Scams
FCC Acts to Protect U.S. Consumers from Bank Impersonation Scams Linked to Suspicious Foreign Call Traffic https://t.co/4LNmknNXR0
Cogeco, Eastlink Say They Will Not Stop Decommissioning Despite CRTC Request
Canadian regulator CRTC asked cable operators Cogeco and Eastlink to keep legacy copper infrastructure accessible to wholesale ISPs TekSavvy and Fibernetics. Both incumbents replied they will proceed with scheduled decommissioning, citing economic infeasibility and lack of binding authority from CRTC...
ArkEdge Space to Work With ABIT For IoT Service Rollout
ArkEdge Space and Japan’s ABIT Corporation have signed an MOU to co‑develop wide‑area IoT solutions and satellite communication equipment. The collaboration merges ArkEdge’s low‑power, long‑range satellite network—validated on 18 in‑orbit satellites—with ABIT’s ground‑side device design, mass‑production and protocol expertise. ArkEdge...
Macnica: Two Speeds On One Card
Macnica will unveil an upgraded MEP100 SmartNIC at the NAB Show, adding simultaneous 100 GbE and 25 GbE support on a single card. The new version also expands GPU‑accelerated processing via GPUDirect, adds Windows DirectShow filter compatibility, and incorporates SMPTE ST 2110‑41 fast metadata...
Tower Operator SBA Communications Is Exploring a Potential Sale
SBA Communications, a leading tower operator with over 46,000 sites, is weighing strategic alternatives after receiving preliminary takeover interest from large infrastructure funds. The company’s enterprise value stands at roughly $37 billion, including debt, while its market cap is about $21.6 billion...
PM-WANI Crosses 4 Lakh Hotspots as Public Wi-Fi Use Surges Across India
The Prime Minister Wi‑Fi Access Network Interface (PM‑WANI) scheme now operates 409,403 public Wi‑Fi hotspots across India, marking a significant expansion of shared broadband infrastructure. User adoption has surged, with over 24.4 million individuals accessing the network and generating approximately 58.6 petabytes...
Northwestel Secures Multi-Year Telesat Lightspeed Deal for Rural Broadband
Canada's @northwestel signs multi-year contract for @Telesat Lightspeed capacity, part of Telesat's CAD 600M ($432M) capacity pool agreement w/ Canada government to reduce costs for rural broadband access. Northwestel coverage map: https://t.co/ITYDkWqUS1
Using AI, DeepSig Advances Open, Intelligent Baseband RAN Architectures
DeepSig has leveraged deep‑learning models to eliminate the pilot signal in mobile networks, cutting signaling overhead without hurting performance. The startup is now a principal contributor to OCUDU, an open‑source carrier‑grade baseband stack launched by the Linux Foundation and the...
Starlink's $35 Fee Challenges Broadband Affordability Goals
Question for @elonmusk: How do you expect state broadband affordability laws and the federal $42.45 billion BEAD program to succeed if you keep charging $35 for a monthly a @Starlink plan? https://t.co/NqXTOLBbYQ