Telecom News: UCSAF, Orange, MasOrange, Turkcell, ZTE, Netas
Tanzania’s Universal Communications Service Access Fund has deployed 758 new telecom towers and expanded fibre, aiming to close the digital divide in rural areas. In Europe, Orange secured EU approval to acquire the remaining 50% of MasOrange in a €4.25 billion (≈$4.6 billion) deal, consolidating its position in Spain’s largest operator. Turkcell, together with ZTE and Netas, unveiled a 5G‑Wi‑Fi 7 Superbox that delivers fibre‑like speeds without fixed lines. Meanwhile, South Africa’s MTN and Vodacom broke the 1 Gbps mobile speed barrier, underscoring rapid 5G progress on the continent.
Telecom News: RUCKUS Networks, Nokia, Telecom Italia (TIM), Jio, Airtel, Vi, BSNL
RUCKUS Networks and Nokia have introduced an early‑access Wi‑Fi 7 solution paired with Nokia’s fiber optical LAN, managed via the AI‑driven RUCKUS One platform, targeting enterprises and service providers. The integrated offering promises multi‑gigabit speeds, low latency, and plug‑and‑play deployment, with...
Telecom News: CESNET, Ribbon Communications, Telit Cinterion, Lenovo, NVIDIA, Lidl, 1GLOBAL
CESNET and Ribbon Communications demonstrated a quantum‑secured optical network using Quantum Key Distribution, proving near‑zero latency encryption can be integrated into live fiber links. Telit Cinterion showcased its deviceWISE Industrial Active Intelligence platform at Hannover Messe 2026, leveraging Lenovo edge...
Amazon Nears Deal for Globalstar in Push to Rival Musk’s Starlink
Amazon.com Inc. is in advanced talks to acquire satellite operator Globalstar Inc., a move that would accelerate its Project Kuiper satellite broadband rollout. The deal, expected to be announced as early as Tuesday, would give Amazon access to Globalstar’s low‑Earth‑orbit...
Algeria Is Offering Two Licences To Operate Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) Satellite Networks
Algeria's Regulatory Authority of Posts and Electronic Communications (ARPCE) announced the issuance of two licences for operating Non‑Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) satellite networks. The licences grant holders the right to both operate and provide services linked to NGSO satellites within Algerian...
ZTE Redraws Growth Strategy Beyond Telecoms as AI Demand Builds
Chinese telecom operators plan 2026 capex of $38.4 bn, an 8% decline, with computing infrastructure becoming the top priority at $11.8 bn and double‑digit growth. ZTE is reshaping its business model, moving from a pure connectivity focus to a full‑stack AI strategy...
Videotron Launches 2 Gbps Internet in Select Areas of Quebec
Videotron has rolled out its new 2 GIGA home internet service, delivering up to 2 Gbps download and 200 Mbps upload speeds, in select neighborhoods of Montreal, Laval and Quebec City. The tier doubles the download speed and quadruples the upload speed of...
Google Shoehorned Rust Into Pixel 10 Modem to Make Legacy Code Safer
Google’s Project Zero uncovered a remote code‑execution flaw in Pixel phone modems, prompting the company to bolster baseband security. Instead of rewriting the entire firmware, Google inserted a Rust‑based component into the Pixel 10 modem’s legacy C/C++ stack. The Rust module...
Optus Strengthens Spectrum Strategy Expertise
Optus has hired Golnar Khomami, a former Telstra spectrum strategist, as senior director of network technology standardisation. Khomami will report to Kent Wu and lead Optus's engagement with international spectrum standards bodies. The move follows a series of senior tech...
Ultra-Broadband 200 W Solid-State Amplifier
Exodus Advanced Communications introduced a rugged ultra‑broadband solid‑state amplifier that operates from 6 to 10 GHz and delivers more than 200 W of saturated output. The unit provides 53 dB of gain using a Class A/AB architecture, offering excellent linearity for EMI/RFI, CW, pulse and communications...
Ookla Report: MmWave 5G Networks Are Growing
Ookla’s latest speed‑test report shows that Verizon and AT&T are expanding mmWave 5G deployments, especially in dense urban centers. Verizon’s mmWave footprint grew from 75 markets in 2024 to 91 in late 2025, while AT&T’s testing activity rose 20% in...
USB-Controlled Attenuators
JFW Industries announced three new USB‑controlled attenuator models that operate across a 400 MHz to 8.4 GHz spectrum. The units are offered in two‑, four‑ and eight‑channel configurations, catering to a range of test setups. Each attenuator ships with dedicated test software,...
Senate Commerce Targets Satellite Security in Next Executive Session
On April 13, 2026, the Senate Commerce Committee scheduled a markup session to consider nine bills, including the Secure Space Act and the Satellite Cybersecurity Act, aimed at strengthening U.S. satellite communications security. The Secure Space Act would bar the...
Rogers Signs New Long-Term Agreement as Exclusive Telecom Partner of Toronto Pearson Airport
Rogers has secured a new multi‑year contract to remain the exclusive telecommunications partner at Toronto Pearson Airport, Canada’s busiest hub. The agreement, extending the relationship first forged in 2019, will introduce phased technology upgrades beginning later this year, including business...
Robert Corn-Revere: Fact Checking Without Facts
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is using the public‑interest licensing standard to threaten broadcasters that he labels as spreading "fake news," a stance that departs from decades‑old FCC precedent. Over the past year he has posted on social media that stations...
A Practical Guide to Fiber Optic Equipment and Its Uses
Fiber optic networks underpin modern data, video, and mission‑critical communications, making a reliable toolkit essential for technicians. The guide breaks down equipment by lifecycle stage—from cable jacket strippers and precision cleavers for preparation, to core‑alignment fusion splicers that deliver sub‑0.05 dB...
House Bill to Offset Data Centers' Impact on Energy Costs Introduced
Rep. Paul Tonko introduced the Power for the People Act, a House bill that would require data‑center developers to pay for the transmission upgrades their power demand triggers. The legislation follows a Senate counterpart introduced by Sen. Chris Van Hollen...
Campuses Ready Their Wireless Infrastructure for the Future
Colleges and universities are shifting their view of campus Wi‑Fi from a cost center to a strategic infrastructure investment. To support AI‑driven tools, hybrid learning, and the surge of BYOD devices, institutions are launching multi‑year, campus‑wide wireless modernizations. Cisco’s new...
Missiles Are Hitting Data Centers. Now What?
On April 1 a missile struck Batelco’s Hamala headquarters in Bahrain, destroying an AWS‑hosted data center, following March drone attacks that knocked out three AWS sites across the UAE and Bahrain and halted banking, ride‑hailing and payment apps. These events constitute...
Hughes Readies Satellite Antenna Combo for Airlines
Hughes Network Systems announced a new electronically steerable antenna (ESA) that merges Ka‑band and Ku‑band capabilities, aiming to free airlines from reliance on a single satellite network. The solution pairs the existing HL1520 Ku‑band ESA with a newly developed Ka‑band...
TIM Edges Closer to Sparkle Sale
Telecom Italia’s wholesale unit Sparkle is being sold to Italy’s Ministry of Economy and Finance and infrastructure specialist Retelit for roughly €700 million (about $756 million). The European Commission cleared the transaction, stating it poses limited competition risk in cable landing stations,...
Openreach Furthers Its Sustainability Effort with New Zyxel Fiber ONTs
Openreach has teamed with Zyxel to roll out Optical Network Terminals built from 95% recycled plastic, aiming to cut plastic waste in its UK fiber‑broadband expansion. Half a million of these sustainable ONTs are already installed, and the partnership supports...
Branded Calling for Businesses Gets a Boost in US
Boost Mobile has partnered with First Orion to roll out branded calling, displaying a company’s name on outbound calls to improve consumer trust. The service joins a federated US solution that already reaches AT&T, T‑Mobile and Verizon, collectively branding about...
UK Police Spend £25m on Legacy Comms Network Waiting for New Emergency Network Service
UK police have allocated roughly $32 million to keep a legacy communications network running for six months, after a four‑year, $64 million contract for a new Emergency Network Service fell behind schedule. The original plan envisioned a seamless transition, but the new...
Mercedes-Benz Accelerates Factory Automation Using Private Networks
Mercedes‑Benz is deploying dedicated mobile private networks (MPNs) to eliminate latency spikes that plague public 5G in its highly automated factories. The private 5G slices enable real‑time coordination of robotics, automated guided vehicles and edge‑compute quality‑control systems, treating the network...
Africa Data Centres to Give Connectivity in South Africa a Boost
Africa Data Centres, the continent’s largest carrier‑neutral data‑centre platform, has partnered with Oni‑Tel Fibre Networks to upgrade connectivity at its Gauteng sites. The deal will link the Midrand and Samrand campuses to Oni‑Tel’s Infinity dark‑fibre interconnection platform, delivering high‑capacity, low‑latency...
HAPS Specialist Claims Record for Stratospheric Flight
US aerospace firm Sceye completed a 12‑day, 6,400‑mile stratospheric flight from New Mexico to Brazil, setting a record with 88 hours over the target area. The SE2 HAPS platform maintained power, position and pressure loops using solar energy and batteries,...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...