Today's Telecom Pulse
Airtel’s 5G slicing‑enabled Priority Postpaid hits availability snag
Bharti Airtel rolled out its Priority Postpaid service on May 19, using 5G standalone network slicing to deliver premium benefits. The offering is unavailable to most Indian customers because it only works on 5G SA smartphones, while the majority of devices in the $100‑200 and $200‑400 price brackets support only 5G non‑standalone. Early users have reported call failures.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Optimum secures $300M in preferred equity
Huawei to Unveil Industry’s First AI-Native Framework for Intelligent Operations at MWC 2026
Huawei announced that it will unveil the telecom industry’s first AI‑Native framework for intelligent operations at MWC Barcelona 2026, accompanied by a new generation of AI‑driven solutions. The framework is built around outcome‑oriented intelligence, digital‑twin‑network (DTN) and domain‑model driven architecture, and a novel "Agentic Operations" model that fuses human expertise with AI agents. Huawei says the approach will shift operators from incremental automation to fully autonomous, value‑focused network management. The launch positions Huawei at the forefront of AI‑powered telecom transformation as 5G‑Advanced and 6G rollouts accelerate.
Wireless Tech Drives Seamless Guest Experiences
Smart Hospitality: How #Wireless #Tech Is Powering Seamless Guest Experiences by @NordicTweets #Innovation #EmergingTech #TechForGood https://t.co/ETlhtOJ3mD
FWA Poised to Capture 25% of Broadband by 2025
"FWA now controls 16% of the broadband connections and at current pace might touch 25% by the end of next year." via @chetansharma https://t.co/CEISuOjqNg
Huawei to Launch Open-Source Project for A2A-T Software at MWC26
Huawei announced at MWC 2026 the launch of an open‑source project for its A2A‑T (Agent‑to‑Agent for Telecom) protocol software, including an SDK, Registry Center, and low‑code Orchestration Center. The A2A‑T protocol, built on the IG1453 beta and IG1453A meta‑model, aims...
Huawei Unveils Full U6GHz Product Suite at MWC Barcelona 2026 to Power 5G-A and Accelerate 6G Evolution
At MWC Barcelona 2026, Huawei announced a complete U6GHz product suite designed to boost 5G‑Advanced performance and lay groundwork for 6G. The portfolio includes macro AAUs with 256 transceivers delivering up to 100 Gbps downlink, indoor small cells with 400 MHz bandwidth,...
XGN Global, X1 Mobile Release Commercial 5G Broadcast Rugged Smartphone
XGN Global and X1 Mobile have unveiled the world’s first commercial rugged smartphone capable of receiving 5G Broadcast television signals, targeting first‑responder use cases. The device delivers free, subscription‑free live video, audio and emergency alerts in under half a second,...
GSMA and Wing Announce Nova Future Summit, a New Event for Trailblazing Technology and Connectivity Leaders
GSMA and Wing Venture Capital announced the Nova Future Summit, an invite‑only, closed‑door event for senior technology and telecom leaders. The three‑day summit will be held in Napa, California, from September 28‑30, bringing together CEOs, C‑suite executives, venture capitalists, and...
This Week: Fiber, Phones, and Farewells: The Reshaping of Telecom's Landscape
In this episode, Don and Roger discuss recent leadership changes at Charter, highlighting the appointment of Nick Jeffrey—formerly of Frontier, Vodafone UK, and Verizon—as COO to boost Charter's struggling home internet segment. They then turn to the ongoing consolidation of...
MWC 2026 Spotlight: MobiMind Builds the Foundation for Recurring Digital Growth
At MWC 2026, MobiMind announced a strategic pivot from pure aggregation to an AI‑powered intelligent monetization engine that emphasizes recurring, value‑based revenue. The company is investing in AI‑driven revenue orchestration, API‑first infrastructure, and advanced behavioral intelligence to boost yield per...
Optimizing, Securing, and Monetizing the Future of Telecom: Enea’s Strategic Vision
At Mobile World Congress 2026, Enea unveiled a three‑pillar portfolio—Optimize, Secure, Monetize—to help telecom operators and CPaaS providers cut costs, defend against AI‑driven threats, and generate new revenue streams. The strategy addresses shrinking margins, rising regulation, and sophisticated attackers by...
FTI CEO Johannes Hummer on Rewriting the Telecom Playbook Through Fintech Integration
Freedom Telecom International (FTI) CEO Johannes Hummer says telecom operators are uniquely positioned to dominate the next wave of fintech by exploiting their massive customer bases, rich data intelligence, and existing billing infrastructure. He outlines three high‑impact focus areas: embedded...
AI and Connectivity Power Next‑Gen Services at CES
CES 2026: AI Infra, Edge & Connectivity What to Watch AI + connectivity are the backbone for next‑gen services. #AI #CES2026 #MWC26 #IoT #Robotics https://t.co/Yu0zK5EeYb
Telecoms Deploy AI to Automate and Insight‑Drive Networks
The Telco AI factory: co‑shaping the future with intelligent communications platforms - Telecom embedding AI for automation and insights. #AI #CES2026 #MWC26 https://t.co/MEgZoGoqjG https://t.co/R7yUIDbtlE
Inside Starcloud and SpaceX’s Orbital Data Centers FCC Filings
Starcloud and SpaceX have each submitted FCC applications to launch orbital data centers, outlining satellite constellations, orbital parameters, communication architectures, and disposal strategies. The filings reveal Starcloud’s plan for a 120‑satellite low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) network and SpaceX’s proposal for a 300‑satellite...
Starlink's Growth Hinges on Terrestrial Competition, Not Physics
The future growth of Starlink revenues is absolutely *not* just a matter of "math and physics". SpaceX can provide ample capacity, they don't even need Starship to do that. It's now a matter of competing with terrestrial providers, which has...
Starlink's $1B Ukraine Deal Sparks Renewed Debate
Seems like we had this debate before re Starlink and Ukraine...so how does it play into the DoW's ~$1B per year contract with Starlink? https://t.co/vRYy6SwnTe
T-Mobile and Deutsche Telekom Set 6G Strategy Around AI-Native Networks and Physical AI
T‑Mobile and Deutsche Telekom have launched a joint 6G Innovation Hub in Bellevue and Berlin to develop AI‑native wireless networks. The partnership reframes 6G as the foundational layer for “Physical AI,” embedding intelligence directly into network architecture rather than treating...
MM8108 Wi-Fi Chip Hits up to 43 Mbps While Stretching Links for Miles
Morse Micro’s MM8108 Wi‑Fi chip delivers up to 43 Mbps while extending coverage to several miles, far beyond conventional routers. The chip’s low‑power design enables solar‑ or battery‑powered installations, making it ideal for off‑grid and disaster‑relief scenarios. Global regulatory compliance and...
MWC 2026: Embracing Agentic AI in the IQ Era
MWC 2026 lands 🛬 March 2–5 📍Barcelona🥘 Theme: "The IQ Era" moving beyond "being connected" to a world where our networks and data centers think and act for us with Agentic AI. Which smart shift matters most? 🗳️👇 @GSMA @MWCHub #MWC26 #TheIQEra #DataCenters
Iran ’S Internet Near-Totally Blacked Out Amid US, Israeli Strikes
Iran experienced a near‑total internet blackout on Feb. 28, 2026, as U.S. and Israeli strikes hit the country. Network monitoring by NetBlocks showed national connectivity dropping to roughly 4% of normal levels, while Cloudflare reported traffic falling to effectively zero...
Starlink High-Speed Wi-Fi Is Coming to British Airways Planes in March, But Rollout Schedule Remains Unclear
British Airways will launch its first aircraft equipped with high‑speed Starlink Wi‑Fi in March, though the broader rollout timetable remains vague. CEO Sean Doyle highlighted "excellent progress" despite the system not yet being installed on any plane. The IAG‑wide contract...
Italy’s Mynet Picks STL to Drive Connectivity for Intacture Data Centre
Italy’s Mynet has partnered with STL to install next‑generation optical‑fibre connectivity at the Intacture data centre in Trentino. The €50.2 million project, with €18.4 million funded by the PNRR, required ultra‑fast deployment in a mountainous environment. STL’s high‑fibre‑count, compact‑diameter cables enabled Mynet...
Telecom News: Akanda, First Towers & Fiber, ZICTA, MTN Zambia, Nokia
First Towers & Fiber, an Akanda subsidiary, unveiled a 700‑kilometre dark‑fiber network across Central Mexico, built under a 20‑year lease with Telefónica and also serving Marcatel. The infrastructure delivers scalable, high‑capacity connectivity for multiple tenants while generating stable lease revenue....
Telecom News: StratEdge, Proximus, TRAI, Vodafone Idea
StratEdge announced new molded ceramic packages and gold‑plated die‑on‑tab solutions that operate up to 18 GHz, targeting high‑power GaN applications in aerospace and defense. Proximus revealed a restructuring plan to cut roughly 1,200 jobs—about 15% of its workforce—by 2030, aiming to...
Telecom News: Cirrus360, Vodafone, Pegatron, Wind River, Open RAN
Cirrus360 and Vodafone introduced an AI‑driven declarative digital twin platform that creates virtual RAN models to anticipate failures and streamline 5G/6G deployments. At MWC 2026, Pegatron showcased AI‑enabled 5G hardware, including the PR2850 macro radio and PS2400 network‑in‑a‑box, targeting rapid...
GSMA Foundry, NUHS Partner to Drive 5G and AI Innovations in Healthcare
The GSMA announced a strategic partnership between its Foundry innovation hub and Singapore’s National University Health System (NUHS) to accelerate 5G‑enabled, AI‑driven healthcare solutions. The collaboration will focus on private 5G networks, digital twins, XR, IoT and ambient AI to...
KT, LG Uplus Face Lingering Fallout over Hacking Incidents
Korea's telecom giants KT and LG Uplus are still dealing with the repercussions of recent hacking incidents. KT has extended the deadline for customers to claim early‑termination‑fee refunds to June 30 after many missed the Jan. 31 cutoff. LG Uplus is under investigation for...
FCC Approves Merger of Charter and Cox
"The Federal Communications Commission has given the go ahead for two of the US' biggest cable providers, Charter Communications and Cox Communications, to merge." via @engadget https://t.co/2GF4W9NFlt
FCC Pushes Broadcasters to Meet Public Interest Obligations
*The FCC has been requiring broadcasters to comply with their public interest obligations. And we’re going to be doing more of that.
What Does Universal Service Fund Reform Mean for Rental Housing?
The Federal Communications Commission has reconstituted the Universal Service Fund (USF) Working Group, tasking it with modernizing the nation’s broadband subsidy programs. Rental‑housing advocates argue that current eligibility rules, especially for bulk‑billed or managed‑Wi‑Fi arrangements, unintentionally bar many renters from...
A Major MVPD Merger Is Done: FCC OKs Charter-Cox Deal
The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau approved Charter Communications’ $34.5 billion acquisition of Cox Enterprises’ residential cable, fiber, and managed‑IT businesses. The deal, signed in May 2025, will rebrand the combined consumer offering under the Spectrum name while adopting the Cox corporate...
Google Invests $500M in Dominican Republic Digital Port
Google announced a $500 million investment to build a 7,000 sqm international digital exchange hub in the Dominican Republic, complemented by a new submarine cable system linking the island directly to South Carolina and Virginia. The infrastructure will triple the nation’s direct...
TAT-8, First Fiber-Optic Transatlantic Cable Recovered
Engineers have lifted the historic TAT-8 cable, the first fiber‑optic transatlantic link, from the ocean floor. Deployed in 1988, the 6,000‑kilometer system connected the United States, United Kingdom and France at roughly 280 Mbps using 1.3‑micrometer single‑mode fiber. The recovery, led...
Cable One Down 10.9k Subs, Shentel Up 5.4k
Cable One shed 10,900 broadband subscribers in Q4 2025, a smaller decline than the 21,300 lost in Q3, as disconnect rates improved. CFO Todd Koetje cited intense competition from fixed‑wireless and fiber overbuilds and a challenging macro environment. New CEO Jim...
Verizon Upgrades to Massive MIMO; T‑Mobile’s C
According to $SBAC --Verizon to add massive MIMO to existing AWS and PCS deployments. --T-Mobile's C-band "has not been deployed at all yet that at some point, we would expect them to start to deploy." https://t.co/gOupPOZlDu
Charter Ends DEI, Pushes Cox Merger and Onshoring
NEW Charter tells @BrendanCarrFCC that it ended DEI, as it continues to pursue its merger with Cox: https://t.co/s4uJ8LIA1d Charter also said it will do some onshoring: https://t.co/JqEELKcoU4 $CHTR
Planex GPE-XGT Brings Low-Power Realtek 10GbE to PCIe (2.5W)
Planex is set to ship the GPE‑XGT, a PCI Express 3.0 x2 10GBASE‑T network card built around Realtek’s RTL8127AT controller. The adapter delivers up to 10 Gbps while drawing only about 2.5 W, keeping heat low during sustained transfers. It supports 10/5/2.5 Gbps modes and falls...
New CEO Bullish on Mobile, Convergence Takes Time
Jim Holanda, Cable One's new CEO, is bullish about mobile but warns that the operator's budding convergence strategy will take time to drive results. @Light_Reading https://t.co/aH0YccspLJ
Truvista Fiber Names Michelle Harvey VP of Marketing
Truvista Fiber announced that Michelle Harvey will serve as its new vice president of marketing. The appointment comes as the regional broadband provider accelerates fiber rollout across South Carolina and Georgia. Harvey will steer brand strategy, digital and traditional channels,...
Hedge 297: MPLS
In this episode, Scott Robbin and the hosts explore the origins, design goals, and lasting impact of MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching). They explain how MPLS was created to address the exploding size of routing tables and forwarding complexity in the...
Acquired Nextivity’s HPUE Line to Boost AirG Portfolio
"I'm excited to announce that we recently acquired the HPUE or High Power User Equipment product line from Nextivity." https://t.co/qJSVIM8AGg $AIRG
Weekly Brief – 27th February 2026
PXC has refreshed its wholesale platform, 1Portal, adding end‑to‑end automation and expanding orderable services to include Openreach SOGEA, CityFibre FTTP, Community Fibre and Freedom Fibre, with Trooli slated for future integration. Village Networks has lodged an Ofcom application for code...
Samsung Confirms Satellite Connectivity for Galaxy S26 and Older Galaxy Devices
Samsung announced that its upcoming Galaxy S26 series – S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra – will support satellite connectivity in major markets such as the United States, Europe and Japan. The feature is also being back‑ported to select older Galaxy flagships and...
Shen Announces 10% Workforce Cut for Glo Fiber Completion
"On February 23, we announced a workforce reduction of approximately 10% of our employees to better align our staffing levels with the planned completion of the construction phase of Glo Fiber." https://t.co/GzjBeZOwWx $SHEN
Orange Maroc Launches Yo Max 5G Plans with OTT Services
Orange Maroc unveiled Yo Max 5G, a new family of mobile plans priced between MAD 99 and MAD 649 per month. The six options deliver 25 GB to unlimited data, with higher tiers adding 80 GB+ roaming allowances. Each tier bundles an expanding set...
Mobile Pilot Goes Live; Full Rollout Planned Q1
"we launched a mobile pilot in 6 markets, and the service is live today with a small number of customers. ... the team is preparing for a broader launch across the footprint expected in late Q1." https://t.co/TfblnhevIq $CABO
Ripple Fiber Details Colorado Expansion, Frederick Ribbon Cutting
Ripple Fiber, a 100% fiber‑optic provider, celebrated the opening of its Frederick, Colorado office with a ribbon‑cutting ceremony attended by local chambers and town officials. The company, which merged with HyperFiber in 2025, currently serves over 7,000 homes and businesses...
Rohde & Schwarz and Viasat to Collaborate on NB-NTN IoT Test Plan for Connectivity Via Satellite
Viasat and Rohde & Schwarz have teamed up to create a comprehensive NB‑NTN IoT test plan using the CMX500 one‑box signaling tester. The plan targets protocol, performance and RF validation to ensure chipsets, modules and devices meet 3GPP Release 17 requirements and interoperate...
UCSB’s James Buckwalter Inducted as Senior Member of the US National Academy of Inventors
University of California Santa Barbara electrical and computer engineering professor James Buckwalter has been inducted as a senior member of the U.S. National Academy of Inventors. The honor recognizes his pioneering work on high‑speed, high‑frequency integrated circuits that power 5G,...
Starlink Will Provide Connectivity to Archer’s Midnight Air Taxis
Archer Aviation announced a partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink to equip its Midnight electric air taxis with low‑Earth‑orbit satellite internet. The integration will provide high‑speed, low‑latency connectivity for passenger Wi‑Fi and real‑time data links between aircraft, pilots and ground teams. Testing...