Telkom Kenya Is Now Kenya’s Smallest Mobile Operator After Two-Year Slide
Telkom Kenya has slipped to the fifth‑largest mobile operator in the country, with its subscriber base dropping from 1.34 million in December 2023 to about 744,500 by December 2025. The decline occurred despite overall market growth, as Safaricom and Airtel added millions of users and niche players like Equitel and Jamii expanded within specific segments. Telkom’s loss is linked to poorer network performance and a protracted tower‑access dispute with American Tower Corporation, limiting coverage upgrades. The shift underscores a Kenyan market increasingly dominated by scale and clear niche positioning.
WhatsApp Is Eating South African Operators’ Revenue
South Africa’s mobile operators saw a 21.5% rise in voice traffic in 2025 yet lost roughly $547 million in mobile services revenue, which fell 7.9% to about $6.4 billion. The decline was driven by a 38% plunge in SMS and multimedia messaging...
Kenya Adds 9 Million Mobile Money Users but the Easy Growth Is Over
Kenya added 9 million mobile‑money subscriptions in the year to December 2025, pushing total users to 51.36 million and driving penetration to 98%. The market’s growth is now limited by saturation, shifting competition from acquiring new users to increasing transaction frequency and wallet...
Tariff Hike 2026: Jio Quietly Cuts Rs 195 Pack Validity From 90 Days to 30 Days
Reliance Jio has trimmed the validity of its Rs 195 (≈ $2.34) Cricket Data Pack from 90 days to 30 days while keeping the 15 GB high‑speed data quota and a 90‑day JioHotstar subscription. The change raises the effective monthly cost for prepaid...
Viasat Positions IFC as Strategic Platform for Brand Loyalty
Viasat is positioning inflight connectivity (IFC) as a strategic brand‑building platform for airlines, citing its 2024 Passenger Experience Survey where 75% of travelers say quality Wi‑Fi makes them more likely to rebook. The company’s Amara solution delivers a scalable, multi‑orbit...
California Activates Nation’s Largest Middle-Mile Network, Connecting Tribal, Rural Areas
California’s Department of Technology activated the $3.2 billion Middle‑Mile Broadband Initiative, the nation’s largest open‑access middle‑mile network. The first connection was made to the Bishop Paiute Tribe in Inyo County, marking the inaugural tribal customer. Governor Gavin Newsom aims to build...
ULA’s Atlas 5 Rocket Launches Its Heaviest Payload Ever with Fifth Amazon Leo Mission
United Launch Alliance successfully launched an Atlas 5 rocket carrying 29 Amazon Leo broadband satellites, marking the heaviest payload the vehicle has ever delivered. Liftoff occurred on April 4 at 1:46 a.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral’s SLC‑41 after a brief weather‑related delay. The...
FCC Hits Telecom Firm that Enabled Bank Impersonation Calls
The FCC has issued a notice seeking a $4.5 million penalty against Voxbeam Telecommunications for allegedly routing tens of thousands of bank‑impersonation robocalls. The agency says Voxbeam transmitted about 61,000 spoofed calls between March 31 and April 3, 2025, with roughly 80% displaying...
AT&T Enhances Wireless Coverage Along NYC MTA Subway Line via Boldyn Partnership
AT&T has expanded its 5G cellular coverage in New York City subway tunnels by partnering with neutral‑host provider Boldyn. The rollout adds service on the MTA’s 4/5 lines between Bowling Green and Fulton Street and on the G line from Bedford‑Nostrand to Hoyt‑Schermerhorn....
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...
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...
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...
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 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”...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Airtel’s Rs 399 Plan Offers Unlimited Data: Here’s What You Get
In February 2026 Airtel launched a Rs 399 (≈ $4.80) prepaid plan that offers fully unlimited 4G and 5G data, unlimited local and STD calls, and 100 SMS per day for 28 days. The plan is available in 15 Indian circles, including Maharashtra,...
ISED Extends Telesat’s Use of Ku-Band for Broadcasting Services
Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) has approved an extension of Telesat’s use of the extended Ku (xKu) band for direct‑to‑home (DTH) broadcasting until November 2039. The decision keeps Shaw Direct’s service, operated by Rogers, on air for another decade, reversing...
Amazon Weighs a Deal to Boost Its Satellite Internet Ambitions. Why It's Worthy Pursuit
Amazon is in talks to acquire satellite operator Globalstar, a move that would expand its fledgling Leo internet‑from‑space service. Leo currently runs about 200 low‑Earth‑orbit satellites, far fewer than SpaceX’s Starlink network of over 10,000 satellites and 10 million users. The...
AT&T, FirstNet Support Comms for NASA's Artemis II Mission Around the Moon
AT&T is supplying connectivity and on‑site support for NASA’s Artemis II mission, enabling near‑Earth and deep‑space communications as the Orion crew circles the Moon. The carrier has upgraded its network and positioned teams at key NASA facilities, while its FirstNet public‑safety...
Oak Hill Capital Completes Acquisition of Hunter Communications
Oak Hill Capital has completed its acquisition of Oregon‑based fiber provider Hunter Communications, a deal first announced in December. Hunter operates a 3,000‑plus‑mile network serving roughly 35,000 customers across the Pacific Northwest. The new capital backing will accelerate fiber expansion...
ETSI Announces OpenCAPIF Release 4 Aligned with 3GPP
ETSI’s OpenCAPIF Software Development Group has launched Release 4.0.0, fully aligned with 3GPP Release 19. The update introduces a Visibility Control API that lets providers dictate who can discover and use their APIs, alongside a scalable certificate architecture that isolates keys per...
Docomo Completes Mobile Core Virtualisation
NTT Docomo has finished virtualising its entire mobile core network, including the 5G standalone core, evolved packet core (EPC) and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), by running them as software on general‑purpose servers. The transition was executed with Cisco, Dell Technologies...
Global Telecom Capex Trends: 10 Key Facts Shaping Industry Investment Strategy Through 2030
Dell’Oro Group reports that global telecom capital expenditure held steady in 2025, marking the first year of flat spending among the 50 largest operators, which account for roughly 80% of industry outlays. Despite the pause in capex, equipment manufacturers saw...
IDTechEx Reports on Optimizing Signal for Communication and Radar with Low Loss Materials
IDTechEx’s new report highlights the rising importance of low‑loss materials for 5G/6G, data‑center, and automotive radar applications through 2036. As high‑frequency signals become more sensitive, dielectric losses threaten bandwidth and reliability, prompting adoption of substrates such as PTFE, LCP, and...
Melon Digital Secures Global eSIM Deal
Melon Digital, an MVNO platform‑as‑a‑service provider, has teamed up with global eSIM specialist Airalo to deliver instant digital connectivity for international visitors in South Africa. The partnership launches an eSIM offering through Melon Mobile, allowing travelers to access data, voice...
Qorvo Introduces Dual-Band 2.4/5 GHz BAW Diplexer for Single-Antenna Wi-Fi Systems
Qorvo has launched the QPQ4701, a bulk‑acoustic‑wave diplexer that integrates 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi‑Fi filtering into a single laminate module. The device covers 2402‑2482 MHz and 5150‑5735 MHz, enabling true dual‑band operation over one antenna for access points, routers, gateways, CPE and...
Wilson Connectivity, Autonomous Systems Team for In-Building Wireless Service
Wilson Connectivity has teamed with Autonomous Systems to launch an automated, AI‑ready network‑lifecycle management service for in‑building wireless infrastructure. The offering blends Wilson’s three‑decade expertise in DAS, private 5G and CBRS with Autonomous’s cloud‑based monitoring platform, delivering real‑time visibility and active...
Starlink Shines Bright in Asia-Pacific
SpaceX’s Starlink is accelerating its direct‑to‑device (D2D) rollout across the Asia‑Pacific, with launch dates confirmed for New Zealand’s Spark and Japan’s NTT Docomo, while SoftBank announced future plans. Spark’s offering mixes free access with a NZD10 (~$5.70) fee tier, targeting remote and...