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
Lycamobile Launches Ligue1+ Promotion in France
Lycamobile, a UK‑based MVNO, has launched a €19.99 prepaid 30‑day 5G plan in France aimed at football enthusiasts. The offer bundles 200 GB of data, unlimited calls and texts, and a Ligue 1+ streaming pass for one screen. It is available throughout March and April, coinciding with the final two months of the Ligue 1 season, and renews automatically unless cancelled. The promotion seeks to attract sports fans and grow Lycamobile’s subscriber base in the competitive French market.
Press Release: Gilat Secures Multi-Million Dollar IFC Hardware Order
Gilat Satellite Networks announced a multi‑million‑dollar order from a leading in‑flight connectivity integrator for its AeroStream Ka‑band wideband amplifiers. The hardware, including 60 W Ka‑band block upconverters, will be delivered over the next 24 months to equip commercial aircraft. Gilat notes...
2 Communication Stocks Likely to Gain From Strong Industry Prospects
The Zacks Communication‑Infrastructure outlook highlights a 60.2% one‑year price gain, driven by accelerating fiber densification and 5G rollouts. While high capex, raw‑material inflation and geopolitical tensions pose risks, the sector’s EV/EBITDA of 4.23× remains far below broader market multiples. IHS...
Industry Analyst Education Era Ends; Telecom Influence Shifting
The golden era of industry analyst education is over. @5GAmericas is winding down, signaling a massive shift in how the telecom industry wields influence and manages power politics. 🚨📉
Telcos Must Fuse AI, 6G, Quantum to Win
Just finished my segment on @theCUBE from #MWC26, 5th year in a row. @furrier and I had a great discussion on what it takes for telcos to win this time, where AI, #6G and #QuantumComputing are going to converge in...
KT and Rohde & Schwarz to Showcase AI-Enhanced Radio Transmission Performance
KT, Qualcomm, and Rohde & Schwarz showcased a 6G AI proof‑of‑concept at MWC Barcelona 2026, using the CMX500 one‑box tester to demonstrate AI‑enhanced radio transmission. The AI‑enabled prototype achieved roughly a 50 % increase in downlink throughput compared with conventional methods,...
Siemens Delivers Verified AI-Driven Cybersecurity Solution for Industrial 5G with Palo Alto Networks
Siemens announced a verified AI‑driven cybersecurity solution for private industrial 5G networks, developed with Palo Alto Networks. The offering integrates Siemens’ private 5G infrastructure, the SINEC Security Monitor, and Palo Alto’s next‑generation firewall optimized for OT protocols, delivering IEC 62443‑grade protection...
Stride Pro Unmanaged+ Ethernet Switches From AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect has launched the STRIDE PRO Unmanaged+ industrial Ethernet switches, which extend basic unmanaged functionality with features like IGMP snooping, VLAN support, port monitoring, and alarm capabilities. The product line includes PoE, PoE+, and Gigabit models with up to 12...
LitePoint, Aethertek and Metanoia Announce Joint Collaboration to Create High Bandwidth Technology for Dense Environments
LitePoint, Aethertek and Metanoia have formed a three‑way partnership to fast‑track the development of next‑generation 5G FR2 open radio units (O‑RUs). The collaboration combines Aethertek’s beamforming phased‑array hardware, Metanoia’s O‑RAN‑compliant Split 7.2 SDR PHY, and LitePoint’s OTA test and validation platform....
Technology Shorts March 2026
Researchers unveiled four breakthrough technologies that could reshape communications and data‑center infrastructure. Columbia University’s "rainbow chip" creates a frequency‑comb, allowing dozens of precise light channels to travel simultaneously through a single fiber, promising massive bandwidth gains for broadband networks. The...
6G: Essential Backbone for the AI Revolution
If you believe in the AI revolution, #6G is the critical infrastructure that makes it possible. Check out the highlights from my #MWC26 keynote. https://t.co/1KOCOD5wka
MWC 2026 | Intracom Telecom Showcases AI-Enabled Platform Enabling Autonomous Operations
Intracom Telecom unveiled its uni|MS™ AI platform at MWC Barcelona 2026, promoting fully autonomous network operations for communication service providers. The AI‑driven solution lets operators specify desired outcomes—such as rollout validation, segment optimization, or disruption prevention—and automatically orchestrates diagnostics, analytics, and...
MWC 2026 | Aduna Drives Global Network API Adoption with Ecosystem Expansion
Aduna announced at Mobile World Congress 2026 that its network‑API platform now partners with 15 digital‑identity, fraud‑prevention and communications providers, expanding its ecosystem. The joint‑venture, originally launched by Ericsson and 12 major operators, now offers CAMARA‑based APIs in six countries...
From Ambition to Execution: How Open Gateway Is Scaling the Global API Economy
Three years after its debut, GSMA Open Gateway has moved from ambition to execution, with 86 operator groups covering over 300 networks and 80% of global mobile connections adopting a common API framework. More than 60 channel partners, including hyperscalers...
Leighton Buzzard Gains CityFibre Full Fibre Service in Linslade Area
CityFibre has launched full‑fibre service in Leighton Buzzard’s Linslade area, adding new streets—especially around Melfort Drive—to its Project Gigabit rollout. The network uses XGS‑PON technology, offering symmetrical speeds from 2 Gbps up to 5 Gbps, with the highest tier currently exclusive to Sky...
Nokia Expands Network as Code Ecosystem; Advances API-Based Agentic AI with Google Cloud Partnership
Nokia announced an expanded Network as Code ecosystem at Mobile World Congress, now encompassing over 75 global partners including major operators such as Deutsche Telekom, Orange, and Vodafone. The initiative provides secure API access that streamlines complex network functions and...
Telcos Rebrand as Cloud Providers During MWC
At Mobile World Congress, global telcos announced a strategic shift to brand themselves as AI, cloud, and edge service providers, directly targeting enterprise and public‑sector customers. They are leveraging partnerships with hyperscalers to embed telco workloads into existing cloud platforms,...
Du Maintains Full Operations, Robust Liquidity, and Strategic Momentum
du confirmed uninterrupted network operations across mobile, fixed and enterprise services, serving 9.7 million mobile and 735,000 fixed customers. The telecom operator reported AED 4.2 billion of available liquidity and a board‑approved dividend of 64 fils per share for 2025. CEO...
Tejas Networks Unveils Hyper-Scalable DCI Platform at MWC Barcelona
Tejas Networks introduced the TJ1600‑D3, a hyper‑scalable data‑center interconnect (DCI) platform, at MWC 2026 in Barcelona. The WDM optical transport system delivers line rates from 400 Gbps to 1.2 Tbps per wavelength and can scale to 51.2 Tbps of shelf capacity within a compact...
Qualcomm's Amon Offers Mixed 6G Vision, Beyond AIRAN
I just listened to the recording of @Qualcomm Cristiano R. Amon speaking about #6G at #MWC26. It was a mixed bag. Some interesting observations on #agenticAI and #physicalAI, as well as a vision of network-integrated compute that goes beyond #AIRAN. https://t.co/GLmwNBw25O
Tired of Roaming Charges? Here’s How eSIMS Work
Travelers and business users are increasingly frustrated by high roaming fees, prompting a shift toward embedded SIM (eSIM) technology. eSIMs store multiple carrier profiles digitally, allowing users to activate local data plans without swapping physical cards. Major carriers across Europe,...
Understanding 10BASE-T1L
10BASE‑T1L, defined in IEEE 802.3cg, delivers 10 Mbps full‑duplex Ethernet over a single twisted‑pair for up to 1 km. The standard lets BACnet/IP run directly on the link, eliminating gateways and allowing seamless integration with IT networks. Existing two‑wire fieldbus runs can be...
Thales Validates Post-Quantum Cryptography on Live Networks, Enabling Ongoing Protection
Thales demonstrated live‑network post‑quantum cryptography for 5G, remotely updating SIM and eSIM cards with quantum‑safe algorithms. The "crypto agility" approach eliminates the need for massive hardware swaps, enabling instant security upgrades across existing devices. The trial underscores Thales’ role in...
Cloud RAN Live in Two Cities, Scaling by Q1
“We are live with Cloud RAN in two cities and on track to complete system integrations and start scaling by the end of first quarter. “ $t https://t.co/JlrMT5dZS0
MTN mmWave Trials Show Promise for Extending 5G Broadband Reach
MTN South Africa and US‑based Pivotal Commware completed field trials of the Pivot 5G mmWave repeater at three sites in Gauteng and Limpopo. The repeaters redirected and amplified millimetre‑wave signals, delivering download speeds two to five times faster than without...
Syria Opens International Bidding Process for 20-Year Mobile Network License
Syria’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has launched an international Request for Applications for a 20‑year mobile network operator license, with proposals due by 2 April 2026. The award will replace the MTN Syria concession, keep the market two‑operator for five...
Telekom Relies on Starlink: Satellites to Close the Last Gaps in Mobile Coverage in Germany
Deutsche Telekom announced a partnership with Elon Musk’s Starlink to launch direct‑to‑device satellite mobile service in Germany starting in 2028. The initiative targets the remaining 1.2% of the country without 2G coverage, offering basic voice, data and messaging where terrestrial...
DISH Pushes for Higher Power Limits in CBRS
And would really like to get higher power limits and increased value for this spectrum...
Starlink’s Net Adds Steady; Production Bottleneck, Not Slowdown
Of course Starlink is definitely not experiencing a slowdown in net adds ahead of the IPO and is instead constrained by temporary terminal production shortfalls...
DoT Seeks Legal Clarity on Dues of Insolvent Telcos
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked the Attorney General for legal guidance on how to handle adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues of insolvent telcos Reliance Communications and Aircel after the Supreme Court ruled that spectrum cannot be transferred or...
Telecom News: Veon, Starlink, Kyivstar, MWC 2026, TRAI, Huawei
Veon predicts its Ukrainian unit Kyivstar will boost Starlink adoption from roughly 5 million today to about 12 million users by the end of 2026, leveraging satellite links for remote and conflict‑affected areas. The group also plans to roll out Starlink on...
India Mobile Congress 2026 to Be Held From October 7-10 in New Delhi, GSMA Partners to Boost Global Collaboration
India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026 will take place in New Delhi from October 7‑10, marking the event's 10th edition. The Indian government and the Cellular Operators Association of India are organizing the show, which will draw over 150,000 participants and...
Optus Completes Dual-Path Resilience Test
Optus has completed a dual‑path resilience trial delivering 800 gigabit Ethernet services across a 4,700 km Sydney‑to‑Perth corridor. The test used the Indigo subsea cable paired with a terrestrial fibre backup, leveraging Nokia’s 1830 Photonic Service Switch for automatic fail‑over. Results showed...
Vietnam’s 5G Expansion Fuels Digital Economy Growth
Vietnam’s rapid 5G rollout is reshaping both urban and rural economies, with tens of thousands of base stations enabling real‑time data, AI‑driven traffic and flood management, and new digital services. Smart city pilots in Hanoi illustrate how low‑latency connectivity powers...
How Nvidia Turned a Steal of a Deal Into Its Secret Weapon
Nvidia leveraged its 2020 $7 billion acquisition of Mellanox to transform its networking business into a major growth engine. In the most recent fiscal quarter the company reported $11 billion in networking revenue, a 263 % increase year‑over‑year, positioning it as the world’s...
Cisco: AI Is a Double-Edged Sword in Industrial Networks
Cisco’s 2026 State of Industrial AI Report reveals AI is a double‑edged sword for industrial networking teams, simultaneously creating security challenges and offering defensive benefits. While 40% of surveyed professionals cite cybersecurity as a major barrier and 48% list it...
ESChat Announces Interoperable PTT Availability to LA-RICS
ESChat announced its broadband push‑to‑talk platform is now available to users of the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA‑RICS). The integration leverages the Project 25 Inter‑Sub‑System Interface (ISSI) to connect ESChat with the LA‑RICS LMR network, supporting over 800 P25...
Autonomy Shifts From Tech Goal to Economic Strategy
For years, telecom has talked about automation as a technical ambition. Closed loops. AI-driven optimization. Zero-touch operations. The language has been consistent, almost ritualistic. But what became clear at MWC26 was not just that automation was advancing, it was that...
Galaxy 1 Partners with Viasat to Deliver Rapid, Scalable and Securecommunications for Uncrewed Aircraft
Galaxy 1 Communications has teamed with Viasat to extend the Velaris satellite service for uncrewed aerial vehicles and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) platforms. The partnership leverages Galaxy 1’s Distribution Partner‑as‑a‑Service (DPaaS) model, providing a managed layer that simplifies provisioning, billing,...
KRYTAR Announces New Compact 3 dB, 90-Degree ULTRA+ Hybrid Coupler Covers 2 to 18 GHz
KRYTAR, Inc. introduced the ULTRA1830, a 90‑degree ULTRA+ hybrid coupler that provides 3 dB coupling from 2 GHz to 18 GHz in a compact form factor. The device offers tight amplitude (±0.3 dB) and phase (±4°) balance, >17 dB isolation, and low insertion loss (<1.2 dB)....
Accenture Down to Buy Downdetector as Part of $1.2 Billion Deal
Accenture announced a $1.2 billion acquisition of Ookla, the parent of Downdetector, from Ziff Davis, bringing Speedtest, Ekahau and RootMetrics into its portfolio. The deal expands Accenture’s intelligence and analytics capabilities for telecom operators, hyperscalers and enterprise networks. Ziff Davis will apply the...
DT Shows Impressive AI Progress at MWC26, Future Growth Expected
This is from DT today. Pretty incredible. Expect this to rise in the future. #AI at #mwc26 https://t.co/ItNU3LPHqT
3GPP Completes Release 19, While Progress Begins on 6G Work
The 3GPP Technical Specification Group meetings in December 2025 marked the freeze of Release 19, shifting all development effort to Release 20 and the initial study of 6G. The FirstNet Authority participated to ensure public‑safety requirements are embedded, reporting progress on high‑priority...
Western Allies Form 6G Security Coalition Amid Tech Rivalry with China
Western and Indo‑Pacific allies launched the Global Coalition on Telecoms (GCOT) at Mobile World Congress, uniting the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Australia, Sweden and Finland. The coalition released a set of voluntary security and resilience principles designed to...
February Update - Tematica Select Digital Infrastructure Model (DIGI)
On March 3, 2026 Tematica released its February update to the Select Digital Infrastructure (DIGI) model, which tracks firms that build and operate the backbone of the hyper‑connected economy. The revision expands the universe to include edge‑computing, 5G tower, and submarine‑cable operators,...
Cell Tower Valuation Model (Updated March 2026)
The article introduces a new Excel‑based Cell Tower Valuation Model designed for telecom infrastructure underwriting. It highlights how 5G rollouts, rising data usage, and new operators are turning cell towers into high‑demand, inflation‑protected CRE assets. Valuations are driven by cash‑flow...
Brownsville’s Edge AI Experiment Reimagines the Economics of the Connected City
Brownsville, Texas has launched an in‑city edge AI platform that runs on private 5G and fiber, turning low‑cost IoT sensor data into real‑time public‑safety insights. NTT Data’s Shahid Ahmed highlighted that traditional GPU‑heavy AI would break IoT economics, prompting a...
MWC 2026: Tech Mahindra and NVIDIA Launch AI-Powered Telco Network Operations Reasoning Agent to Accelerate L4+ Autonomous Networks
Tech Mahindra and NVIDIA unveiled an AI‑powered Telco Network Operations Reasoning Agent at MWC 2026, aimed at accelerating the shift to Level 4+ autonomous networks. The solution runs on Tech Mahindra’s Orion platform and leverages NVIDIA AI Enterprise, NeMo, and NIM...
Discussed Network Security with TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti
Always a pleasure to visit with Hon. Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. Enjoyed the discussion on network and national security issues. https://t.co/30NnC7YCMG
Europe's Tech Regulators Push for Fair, Reciprocal Rules
Meeting today with the tech and telecom regulators from across Europe. Important to ensure fair and reciprocal regulatory environments. https://t.co/9sNvWBfEfD