Extreme Connect 26: Agent ONE Takes Forward Network AI
Extreme Networks launched Agent ONE at its Connect 26 conference, introducing a four‑layer AI stack that embeds reasoning, context, procedures and execution directly into enterprise networks. The first product, Agent ONE Coworker, arrives in July 2026 and provides proactive, ambient assistance to IT teams, while the upcoming Agent ONE Operator will run continuously to automate tasks. An accompanying Extreme Exchange marketplace lets customers add industry‑specific AI skills. Analysts say the move shifts networking from AI copilots to truly autonomous infrastructure, reshaping the market.
Reliance Eyes LEO Satellites to Build India's Answer to Starlink
Reliance Industries is exploring a multi‑billion‑dollar entry into low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) satellite communications, to be housed within its Jio Platforms unit. Six internal teams are already working on satellite design, launch logistics, payloads and user terminals, while senior executives steer the...
Bharti Airtel Explores 5G Network Slicing for Premium Plans
Bharti Airtel is piloting 5G network slicing to launch premium voice and data plans, aiming to capture higher average revenue per user. The move follows industry data suggesting slicing can boost ARPU by 20‑30%, a gap Indian telcos lag behind...
Policy, Politics and Profit
FCC Chairman Jessica Carr abruptly ordered an early review of ABC’s broadcast licenses, compressing filings due in 2028‑2031 into a month‑end deadline. The move follows President Trump’s public demand that ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel after a controversial joke, marking the...
Eighth Circuit Reverses FCC’s Digital Discrimination Rules
The U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the Federal Communications Commission’s digital discrimination rules, which were adopted under Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to curb broadband inequities tied to race, income and ethnicity. The court held that the FCC exceeded its statutory...
Vero Fiber Announces Completion of Hamlin, Texas Network
Vero Fiber announced the completion of its fiber‑to‑the‑home network in Hamlin, Texas, bringing high‑speed connectivity to more than 1,200 homes and businesses. The new infrastructure delivers symmetrical speeds up to 2.3 Gbps, a substantial upgrade over legacy broadband options. The rollout...
Megaport Launches Built-In DDoS Protection Enabling On-Demand Network Resilience
Megaport Limited announced Megaport DDoS Protection, a built‑in security layer that filters malicious traffic directly within its global network fabric. The service eliminates the need for external scrubbing centers, reducing latency and simplifying routing for enterprise cloud environments. Customers can...
North Dakota Signs All BEAD Contracts
North Dakota has signed all of its Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grant agreements, covering 279 eligible locations—277 slated for fiber and two for cable. The state allocated just $6.1 million of its $130 million BEAD funding to two providers, Midco...
Extreme Moves Toward Autonomous Networking with Advanced AI Agent, Management Tools
Extreme Networks announced its second‑generation AI agent, Extreme Agent ONE, at Extreme Connect 2026, promising proactive, autonomous detection and remediation of network issues. The company also rolled out a major update to its Platform ONE management suite, adding third‑party device...
Spectrum Names New SVP of Connectivity Products
Charter Communications' broadband arm Spectrum announced that Dave Rodrian has been promoted to senior vice president of connectivity products. In his new role he will head a newly created connectivity organization that merges the company’s internet, Wi‑Fi and voice product...
What Amazon’s Globalstar Acquisition Means for MSS Spectrum and D2D Market: Analyst Roundtable
Amazon agreed to buy Globalstar for roughly $10.8 billion, securing the satellite operator’s mobile‑satellite‑services (MSS) spectrum licenses and an active network. The deal includes a continuation of Apple’s satellite service partnership, giving Amazon immediate access to millions of iPhone users. By...
ReConnect Rural Broadband Grant Program Appears to Be Saved
The U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture restored $40 million to the USDA’s ReConnect Loan and Grant Program for fiscal year 2027, reversing a proposed 19 percent cut that would have eliminated the initiative. The funding approval came as part of the...
AT&T’s On-Net Business Fiber Dominance Continues
AT&T has retained the top position on Vertical Systems Group’s 2025 U.S. Fiber‑Lit Buildings leaderboard for a decade, underscoring its expansive on‑net fiber footprint built through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. In Q1, the company’s Business Fiber and advanced connectivity...
California PUC Issues $3.29 Million In Digital Literacy Grants
California’s Public Utilities Commission approved $3.29 million in grants to expand digital‑literacy training and public broadband access across the state. The funding supports 18 new digital‑literacy projects and three expanded broadband‑access initiatives, reaching over 16,000 Californians. Programs will deliver at least...
FCC Designates Broadcast Auxiliary Service Frequency Coordinator for FIFA World Cup 2026
The FCC has named Louis Libin, Sinclair’s vice‑president of spectrum policy, as the special frequency coordinator for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The designation gives him sole authority to manage Broadcast Auxiliary Service (BAS) spectrum across 11 U.S. host cities and...
Telesat Confirms Fully Funded 2028 Lightspeed Timeline Following Q1 Design Reviews
Telesat reported Q1 2026 results, investing roughly $125 million USD in its Lightspeed LEO constellation, bringing total spend to about $2 billion USD. The company confirmed it is fully funded to launch global commercial service by the first quarter of 2028. A $800 million...
Grand Jury: Monterey County, Calif., Needs Better Emergency Radios
A civil grand jury report reveals that 42% of Monterey County lacks digital radio coverage and another 18% is without any reliable signal, exposing residents and responders to communication failures during emergencies. The county’s rugged terrain and a patchwork of...
Lumen to Acquire Alkira, Establishing the Control Plane for Cloud Connectivity
Lumen Technologies announced a deal to acquire Alkira, a cloud‑native networking platform that provides a programmable control plane for enterprise connectivity. The integration will marry Alkira’s software‑defined orchestration with Lumen’s extensive fiber backbone, accelerating Lumen’s digital platform roadmap. The combined...
Ekinops Q1 Revenue up 8% on Strong SASE, Software Growth
Ekinops reported Q1 revenue of $32.3 million, an 8% sequential increase driven by strong performance in its SASE and software divisions. Software and Services now represent 20% of total sales, with annual recurring revenue climbing 5% to $18.3 million. Connectivity and SASE...
High ARPU Does Not Mean Better Network Performance – Analyst
Ookla’s new study reveals that Europe’s most congested mobile markets during evening peak hours are Spain, Ireland and Switzerland, with Spain scoring the worst at 62 out of 100. Despite Switzerland’s record‑high mobile ARPU of €50.90 (≈$55) and 74% 5G...
SmallSat Europe Speaker Focus: Olaf Eckart, BMW Group
BMW Group’s Non‑Terrestrial Network (NTN) team, led by senior expert Olaf Eckart, is driving the convergence of automotive and satellite communications. The 5G Automotive Association’s NTN Roadmap, released in September 2024, outlines phased deployment of narrowband, wideband and broadband satellite links...
Three Ireland Delivers €1.2m of High-Capacity Mobile Upgrades at Ireland’s Largest Venues and High-Footfall Locations
Three Ireland has finished a €1.2 million (≈$1.3 million) 4G/5G upgrade programme at Ireland’s busiest venues, including Croke Park, Aviva Stadium, 3Arena, Dublin Airport and Dundrum Town Centre. The enhancements cut video‑upload times at a sold‑out 3Arena concert from six seconds to about...
Meter’s New $100M Partner Fund: What You Need To Know
Meter announced a $100 million partner fund to increase partner margins on its Network-as-a-Service platform. The fund delivers a 50‑75% margin boost through customer credits, rebates and MDF, on top of the usual 3‑4× advantage over legacy providers. Meter also offers...
IQ Fiber Launches Fiber Internet Service in Pinellas County
IQ Fiber, a Jacksonville‑based fiber‑optic ISP, launched its 100% fiber internet service in Pinellas County, covering St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Largo. The rollout is part of a more than $100 million investment that will span 18‑24 months and generate over 50...
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Sierra Leone Invests $400M in Telecom, 60% Usage Gap Remains
Sierra Leone has poured $400 million into telecom infrastructure, expanding its national fibre backbone to 14 of 16 districts. Despite the rollout, a 60 % usage gap persists, with only 20.8 % of the 8.86 million population online at the end of 2025. Minister...
Global Telecom CTO 2026: AI, Open RAN, and Cloud Leadership Reshape Network Strategies
In 2026 telecom operators are transitioning from hardware‑centric networks to AI‑native, software‑defined ecosystems, elevating the CTO to a strategic innovation driver. Leaders at Vodafone, KT, Telefonica, Verizon, AT&T, Telkomsel, STC, Deutsche Telekom and Rakuten are championing Open RAN, sovereign cloud,...
Amazon Leo Prepares To Bring Satellite Internet Service To Kenya
Amazon’s Kuiper Kenya subsidiary has submitted a Network Facilities Provider Tier 2 licence application to the Communications Authority of Kenya, seeking regulatory clearance to launch its Leo satellite‑internet service. Kenya, which gained Starlink coverage in 2023, could soon host a second...
FCC Overhauls Satellite Spectrum Rules
The FCC announced it will scrap the decades‑old equivalent power flux density (EPFD) rules that capped interference from non‑geostationary satellites. Instead, operators will negotiate interference protections through voluntary, good‑faith agreements, a move the commission says could lift LEO satellite throughput...
Top U.S. Metros for Internet Connectivity & Speed
Roughly 90% of U.S. households now have broadband, with most major metros exceeding a 95% subscription rate, but the real differentiator is connection quality. Kansas City leads the nation with a median fixed‑line speed of 410 Mbps, while Texas boasts three...
BSNL to Raise Tariffs in FY27
State‑run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) plans to lift prepaid tariffs in FY27, aiming to boost its average revenue per user (ARPU) from Rs 101 (≈ $1.22) to Rs 150 (≈ $1.81), a 50% jump. The operator traditionally avoids headline price hikes, instead trimming...
Basalt Space and Bay Area Rivals Aim to End Starlink’s Constellation Monopoly
San Francisco‑based Basalt Space and other Bay Area startups are launching a "Constellations‑as‑a‑Service" model that lets governments and enterprises task their own small satellite swarms without relying on Starlink or traditional providers. The pitch emphasizes sovereign control over orbital capacity,...
Global Fiber Deployment 2026: AT&T’s $250 Bn Push, Verizon’s Frontier Deal, and Jio’s 43% Market Surge
In 2026 the global telecom sector is pouring record capital into fiber, with AT&T announcing a $250 bn connectivity program that will extend service to 40 million homes in the United States. Verizon, after acquiring Frontier, is committing $16‑$16.5 bn in capex and...
Telecom News: IFC, Samsung–ZTE Patent Battle, Huawei
Guinea is negotiating a strategic partnership with the International Finance Corporation to fund telecom network expansion and broader digital infrastructure, aiming to accelerate its digital economy. In the UK, a High Court ordered Samsung to pay $392 million to ZTE for...
Telecom News: Airspan, Huawei, ZTE, HFCL
Airspan, together with Wireless Services, has installed its MobileAccess 6000 digital DAS at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, delivering high‑capacity 4G and 5G coverage for thousands of simultaneous users. The European Commission has urged EU members to steer clear of Huawei and...
Telecom News: SOLiD, Comcast, Xfinity Network, Clearfield
SOLiD unveiled its fourth‑generation nGENESIS digital DAS, a neutral‑host platform that delivers up to 25 Gbps fiber capacity while slashing head‑end power consumption by more than 50 percent. Comcast’s Xfinity is extending multi‑gigabit broadband to rural Nassau County, Florida, targeting an additional...
More Consultations on Data Rollover Bills Pushed
CitizenWatch Philippines has asked lawmakers to suspend deliberations on proposed data‑rollover legislation until broader stakeholder consultations are held. The group warns that the current drafts could clash with the Philippines’ promo‑driven prepaid mobile market, which relies on low‑cost, short‑term bundles....
Charter’s California Settlement Details
Charter reached a settlement with California regulators that obligates the company to provide three fixed‑price residential broadband plans – $70 for 1,000/35 Mbps, $50 for 500/20 Mbps, and $30 for 100/20 Mbps – for three years. The deal also includes low‑income offerings, a...
Spectrum Offers Two Mobile Lines on One Phone
Charter’s Spectrum Mobile has launched a new add‑on called Second Line, letting customers attach a second unlimited voice and text line to their existing handset for $10 per month. The extra line shares the primary data allowance and can use...
Lumentum Holdings Inc (LITE) Q3 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Lumentum Holdings posted a record $665.5 million revenue for Q2 FY2026, up more than 65% year‑over‑year, driven by strong components sales and rapid growth in cloud transceivers, optical circuit switches (OCS) and co‑packaged optics (CPO). Non‑GAAP operating margin surged to 25.2%,...
Starlink Gains Speed
Ookla’s latest Speedtest data shows Starlink now delivers median download speeds of 100 Mbps or higher in 49 states, up from 23 states a year earlier. The service also achieved median upload speeds of 22 Mbps in 22 states, crossing the FCC’s...
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Moment Partners with SCAT Airlines to Deliver Wireless IFE Across Fleet
Moment announced a partnership with Kazakhstan‑based SCAT Airlines to install its wireless inflight entertainment (IFE) system across the carrier’s fleet. The deal, signed on March 4, makes SCAT the first Central Asian airline to adopt Moment’s Flymingo Box, a compact, autonomous...
Future-Proofing Satellite Networks With ST Engineering iDirect Sales SVP Brian Jakins
Brian Jakins, senior vice‑president of sales at ST Engineering iDirect, discussed how satellite operators can future‑proof their networks amid rapid advances in 5G, non‑terrestrial networks, multi‑orbit architectures, and AI‑driven services. He highlighted the paradox of abundant technology choices creating decision...
Space/Satellite Market
The global satellite market is expanding at a 16.9% CAGR, propelled by rapid deployment of low‑Earth‑orbit constellations for broadband, Earth observation and defense communications. Operators are investing heavily in inter‑satellite laser links, compact optical terminals and advanced propulsion to overcome...
Encrypted RCS Between Android and iPhone Launching with iOS 26.5
Apple announced that iOS 26.5 will support end‑to‑end encrypted RCS messaging with Android devices via Google Messages. The feature is available in the iOS 26.5 release candidate and will roll out to users once the final OS ships, displaying a lock icon...
Cornelis Expands Partner Ecosystem for AI and HPC Networking
Cornelis announced an expansion of its global partner ecosystem, adding ASI Corp., CTG Federal and TVAR Solutions to distribute its CN5000 400‑Gbps scale‑out networking family. The new partners will broaden reach into North American, public‑sector and federal markets, positioning CN5000...
Amazon Leo’s Satellite Total Surpasses 300
Amazon’s Project Kuiper subsidiary, Amazon Leo, successfully launched 32 satellites on April 30, bringing its low‑Earth‑orbit constellation to a total of 302 satellites. The deployment used an Atlas V rocket from the Guiana Space Center, marking the second launch in a week...
APTelecom Backs American Samoa Cable Extension
APTelecom announced it will extend the Central Pacific Cable subsea system into American Samoa, partnering with the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority (ASTCA). The project receives Department of War funding and endorsement from U.S. Indo‑Pacific Command, underscoring its strategic value. The...
Inside Amazon Web Services' Plan to Make Networking Disappear
Amazon Web Services is engineering a self‑contained networking stack that makes the network virtually invisible to customers. By consolidating all switching functions onto a single ASIC and running a custom Linux‑based NetOS, AWS can scale its infrastructure while keeping hardware...
Charter Taps Rodrian to Lead New Connectivity Products Team
Charter Communications promoted Dave Rodrian to senior vice president of connectivity products, giving him oversight of internet, Wi‑Fi and voice offerings across both wireline and wireless. Rodrian, a Charter veteran since 2009, previously led Wi‑Fi product development and introduced innovations...
Future of Nebraska Broadband Office Unclear Following Reduction in Federal BEAD Funds
Nebraska’s Broadband Office, created in 2023 to manage a $405 million BEAD award, has only secured $44.5 million so far. The remaining $340 million sits in limbo as the NTIA delays guidance on non‑deployment uses. Interim director Vicki Kramer says no funds have...