Satellite communications partners ICEYE and Nokia signed a pact with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence to develop sovereign capabilities, a move announced as the country reportedly continued to have issues with connectivity supplied by SpaceX.

Partners ICEYE and Nokia inked a letter of intent for the project with authorities in the country yesterday (22 October) during a diplomatic visit of Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo to Ukraine.

The move is positioned as aiding Ukraine’s defensive capabilities by building sovereign satellite communications capabilities.

It comes weeks after the two companies unveiled a deal to collaborate on low Earth orbit (LEO) systems aimed at governments and other entities.

ICEYE CEO Rafal Modrzewski noted the satellite sector specialist had “proudly supported Ukraine since 2022,” adding the country “needs secure, sovereign and high-performance satellite communications systems that it controls. We have a proven track record of delivering sovereign missions at speed to help build that capability”.

Starlink
The announcement with the Finnish companies on a sovereign system comes as contradictory reports emerged on restrictions being lifted on the military version of SpaceX’s Starlink in the country.

Earlier this month authorities in Ukraine complained it was experiencing limited functionality on Starshield, sparking wide media speculation about who was to blame.     

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported yesterday (22 October) US President Donald Trump called SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to request the system be restored to full functionality. Numerous outlets claimed this had subsequently been done.

However, earlier today the BBC cited sources in the country revealing problems were still being experienced.

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A body charged with pushing 6G-related developments in the European Union selected a quintet of projects to share €22 million in its latest funding award, including undertakings on connected devices and improving data for AI-native networks.

The European Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) explained the initiatives selected were intended to help address key needs for the next phase of 6G development.

Its aim with the newly-backed projects is to help researchers and businesses in the region advance promising technologies to large-scale tests and real-world adoption.

The partly EU-funded organisation noted now was a “crucial point for Europe’s 6G ambitions” given intensified global competition in next-generation communications.

Those chosen this time around are 6G-AID, Hemes-6G, EUnicon-6G, EU-India-6G-Bridge and SNS Impact.

6G-AID is focused on building a European data foundation for AI-native 6G networks; Hemes-6G will bring together eight testbeds across the EU on a shared platform for larger-scale work; EUnicon-6G seeks to identify opportunities for connected devices outside of smartphones; as the name suggests EU-India-6G-Bridge deepens collaboration with India; and SNS Impact is set to support cross-project collaboration.

Executive director of the SNS JU, Erzsebet Fitori, said for industry the projects would mean: “better access to the data, testbeds, technologies and partnerships needed to turn 6G research into products and services” while for citizens it helped “the foundations for more secure, reliable and capable connectivity in the years ahead”.

“These proposals are about making sure that Europe helps shape the technologies and standards that will define the future.”

The five selected come from the organisation’s sixth call for proposals which closed earlier this year.

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Nokia CEO Justin Hotard (pictured) pointed to a boom in sales for its AI and cloud products during Q3, as he asserted the vendor is in a strong position to take advantage of growing demand for related infrastructure.

AI and cloud sales were up 123% year-on-year, with €1.5 billion of new orders placed in the quarter.

Hotard reported there is also an order backlog, positioning it for further growth in the area.

“Nokia’s strengths are uniquely suited to meet growing demands for AI infrastructure that is larger, more distributed and hyperconnected,” he added. “We are investing where we can differentiate and co-innovate with hyperscalers”.

Hotard highlighted progress on AI-RAN, which was the subject of an update yesterday (21 October) made at an event held by the Finnish vendor’s partner and investor Nvidia.

“AI-native networks are moving into the physical world and our AI-RAN platform is being developed to deliver the performance needed for this market,” Hotard said.

Gains
Nokia booked net profit of €156 million in Q3, up 95%.

Net sales were almost €5.2 billion, a 10% increase. The latter figure would have been a 9% rise with exchange rate fluctuations stripped out.

In its Mobile Infrastructure division, revenue was up 5% to €2.9 billion, partly attributed to shifting income from Q4 into Q3. The company noted this part of the business benefitted from “commercial discipline” and continued execution of cost reduction measures.

Hotard highlighted Nokia had continued to “simplify our portfolio” and was on track to complete the integration of optical networks company Infinera by the end of 2026, having acquired it in 2025.

The process is set to be completed a year ahead of its original plan, with the executive noting this created €200 million in net synergies.

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South Korea’s ICT authority pledged to support mobile operators and transit providers to ensure 5G-based Wi-Fi would be available on underground railway networks across the country, following a deployment on two lines in Incheon.

In a statement issued at an event showcasing the newly-installed technology on Incheon Metro Lines 1 and 2, second vice minister at the country’s Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) Ryu Je-myung highlighted the “quality improvements achieved”.

He added the government agency would “continue to cooperate with the three mobile operators and regional transit corporations and provide policy support so that 5G-based subway Wi-Fi can be expanded nationwide.”

The project saw LTE replaced by 5G to supply connectivity to the Wi-Fi system, with all three of the country’s mobile operators supporting the service.

To assess the quality of the connection on a section of one of the lines, politicians and other officials were joined by representatives from the operators, Incheon Transit Corporation and a handful of members of the public at the event.

The showcase involved participants streaming video, browsing the internet and using social network services. MSIT noted users were able to experience faster response times than before the upgrade.

“Even when many users were connected simultaneously, high-definition videos could be viewed without interruption, enabling smooth use of data-intensive services,” it added.

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Agricultural equipment manufacturer AGCO inked a deal to trial Agility Robotics’ Digit humanoid for various factory operations including sorting and stacking parts, with a view to using robots to automate repetitive and hazardous tasks.

In a statement on the project, Agility Robotics explained its robot would be used to support key assembly and production operations, with the pilot set to kick-off during 2027 at an AGCO manufacturing site in the US state of Kansas.

The pilot is part of a wider agreement between the pair to “advance the future of manufacturing” using humanoid automation, supporting an aim by AGCO to create more flexible and intelligent factories.

Agility Robotics added by automating physically demanding work, its robot would “help enhance ergonomic safety, improve operational efficiency and empower employees to focus on higher-value, skill-driven work that advances innovation and productivity”.

The agricultural sector player claims to be the largest “pure-play farm equipment manufacturer” in the world, supplying a wide range of heavy equipment for the sector including tractors and combine harvesters.

AGCO director of manufacturing technology Thomas Enghof said “this strategic relationship views humanoid robotics and AI as essential teammates in building flexible, intelligent factories”.

The executive added the machines would augment “human capabilities by absorbing repetitive, strenuous or hazardous tasks. By pairing human ingenuity with robust robotic engineering and strict safety governance, we create resilient manufacturing systems that empower the workforce and deliver measurable business value.”

Agility Robotics noted the latest deal adds to deployments with other leading companies including Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, GXO Logistics and manufacturer Schaeffler.

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Ericsson unveiled extended partnerships with Singtel and Telstra in two of several announcements made this week based on developing advanced network technologies and automation.

Its latest move with Singtel is a five-year pact based around advancing 5G capabilities in Singapore and accelerating adoption of AI-native applications, expanding a collaboration announced in March.

The vendor explained the latest deal establishes a longer roadmap on scaling 5G-Advanced and enabling new AI capabilities for industries.

On the latter, Singtel CEO Ng Tian Chong noted “as AI becomes more embedded in how we live and work, networks will need to support far more complex applications, from autonomous machines and real-time analytics to the AI tools people use every day”.

The Singtel agreement announced today (20 October) comes a day after Ericsson hosted the signing of a “trusted technology” declaration by officials at its headquarters during a Singaporean state visit to Sweden.

To coincide with the state visit, the vendor revealed researchers from Sweden’s Royal Institute of Technology and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore would be part of a 6G research group being co-ordinated by Ericsson.

The project is set to kick off next month to explore how new positioning technologies using AI and 6G can “catalyse safe, secure and reliable autonomous systems” with an eye to delivering applications in sectors including healthcare, transport, manufacturing, logistics and emergency services.

Telstra
Ericsson announced an extended collaboration with Telstra on autonomous networks, building on an agreement inked in October 2025.

The vendor noted initial work by the pair covered establishing a framework for exploring “business-driven use cases” while the next phase will focus on “the knowledge, trust and governance foundations needed to support the next stages of network autonomy”.

As part of this, the two will lead a working group with the aim of publishing outcomes and supporting “wider industry influence and adoption”.

Telstra chief architect Mark Sanders said “autonomous networks require more than the automation of individual tasks. They depend on a shared understanding of what the network is, what it is expected to do and how much confidence can be placed in the knowledge supporting each decision”.

“By working with Ericsson on common approaches to knowledge and trusted agency, we can help address these foundational challenges and contribute to the industry’s progress towards more interoperable and dependable network autonomy.”

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The European Commission (EC) flagged concerns KKR may have provided incorrect or misleading information during its investigation into a deal for Telecom Italia’s (TIM) fixed network assets led by the company in 2024.

In a Statement of Objections document, the regulator cited concerns about responses submitted by the investment company on wholesale access agreements.

The EC explained following a probe into the issue sparked by complaints from operators it holds the preliminary view KKR “at least negligently, submitted incorrect and/or misleading information on the terms of its existing long-term agreements”.

Its accusation centres on a claim terms in existing contracts would continue to apply post-acquisition, since they could only be changed in agreement with third-party operators.  

This policy being in place, it believed, would ensure “KKR will not be able to deteriorate the conditions for wholesale access or terminate such access”, the regulator added.

EC asserted information on this issue was key in its assessment of the proposed deal at the time.

However, following the buyout the regulator received complaints from third-party operators claiming the wholesale provider, FiberCop, had increased the price.

EC EVP for clean, just and competitive transition Teresa Ribera said: “Effective merger control depends on companies providing the commission with correct information.”

She continued: “KKR appears to have provided incorrect or misleading information about whether it would keep its existing long-term access agreements under the same terms unless mutually agreed otherwise with the third-party operators. Our evidence suggests that, after the merger, KKR may have raised prices for existing wholesale broadband customers, in some cases significantly.”

A KKR spokesperson told Mobile World Live it “strongly disagrees with the European Commission’s preliminary assessment. We stand by the accuracy of the information provided during the commission’s 2024 review”.

“We will vigorously challenge these preliminary allegations in our response to the Statement of Objections, while continuing to engage constructively with the commission. The Statement of Objections is not a final finding of infringement, and the commission’s existing clearance of the transaction remains valid.”

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Telecom Italia appointed new enterprise and technology chiefs effective today (19 October), with both executives being replaced set to depart the company at the end of the year.

The operator’s new chief enterprise and innovative solutions officer is Mirko Mischiatti. He replaces Elio Schiavo, who held the role for more than four years.

Mischiatti joins from Poste Italiane, which has a controlling stake in the operator after a shareholder buyout offer executed earlier this year. He held various positions at the postal service provider, most recently as head of the digital, technology and operations.

Telecom Italia’s new CTO is Claudio Ongaro, who was previously chief strategy, business development and wholebuy officer at the operator.

He takes over from Leonardo de Carvalho Capdeville, who spent just over two years heading the operator’s technology office and spent a decade in the equivalent role at its operation in Brazil.

Ongaro’s former responsibilities have been handed to Telecom Italia’s CEO Pietro Labriola on an interim basis.

In a short statement on the moves, the operator noted the two departing employees were leaving voluntarily to “pursue new professional challenges”, adding the company “expresses its gratitude” for “their significant professional and managerial contributions”.

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Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) became the first body of its kind in India to get the nod for a private 5G network, as it eyes smart operations, cargo tracking and general digital transformation benefits.

A statement from the country’s official press agency explained the port authority, in Goa, was issued with a Captive Non-Public Network (CNPN) licence for the network last month with preparatory work already underway to help deliver the project.

It is apparently the first major port operator in India to secure the authorisation and the “first government autonomous body” to do so.

MPA has already issued a request for information to identify systems integrators and manufacturers for the project and appointed a consultancy firm to create a detailed plan.  

Its move aligns with a focus from India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to promote “digitisation, process optimisation and improving operational efficiency across the maritime sector”.

As with most projects of this type, the network is expected to deliver high-speed, low latency connectivity.

The authority anticipates this could “support operational requirements” while providing “greater control over network management and the handling of operational data”.

Potential use cases cited include automated logistics and cargo tracking, drone-based surveillance and management of port infrastructure.

“The adoption of these technologies is expected to support improved operational visibility, more efficient cargo movement and better coordination of port activities,” the statement added, noting as the project progresses it could provide reference points for ports elsewhere.

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Telefonica Tech unveiled a platform for the smart management of water meters aimed at local authorities and customers in the utility sector, highlighting benefits for billing and flagging irregularities.

The system, developed in-house, provides data and analysis from meters to identify trends, usage and remotely monitor the status of devices.

Telefonica noted it is compatible with meters from a range of manufacturers and integrates with its IoT connectivity platform Kite which, among other things, facilitates security and automation for “deployments involving thousands of geographically distributed meters”.

The company’s director of IoT Dario Cesena said: “The digitalisation of the water sector requires tools that are simple, efficient and capable of transforming data into useful information for day-to-day management”.

He added with the latest launch it was “taking another step forward in our mission to be the best gateway to digital technologies by helping water management companies and public authorities to optimise resources and move towards smarter and more sustainable water management.”

The move is the latest by the operator group targeting the utility sector with IoT technology including projects in Spain and Germany with water companies.

A study by GSMA Intelligence released in April 2026 cited smart utilities as one of the main sectors contributing to an expected a boost in enterprise IoT connections in the years to 2030, alongside smart building deployments and manufacturing.

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Jio Platforms set the price band for shares sold in its IPO, with the company set to raise a maximum of INR302.1 billion ($3.2 billion) from the float.

In a stock market filing, parent company Reliance Industries announced shares would be priced at between INR1,065 and INR1,119 with 270 million units available. Employees are set to receive a INR54 per share discount.

The latest filing came hours after the publication of a prospectus confirming the offer is scheduled to open on Wednesday 21 October and close two days later. Anchor investors can bid from the start of the week.

Reuters reported if Jio reaches the $108.3 billion valuation the top end would equate to, the company would become India’s fourth largest by market capitalisation behind Reliance Industries, Bharti Airtel and bank HDFC.

It also noted the IPO represented a record offering in the country.

Jio stated in its prospectus the net proceeds are set to be used to pay down debt and for general corporate purposes.

The IPO has been a major media talking point for some time, especially in India. In June 2026 Reuters reported the company was aiming for around $3.8 billion from a sale, a significant drop from how much Bloomberg estimated Jio was targeting from a float during 2025.

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BT Business unveiled a managed security service aimed at increasing protection against AI-enhanced attacks for enterprises and public sector organisations, combining its technology and know-how with that of partner Microsoft.

Announcing the Security Operations Centre-as-a-Service (SOCaaS) product for the Microsoft Sentinel platform, the operator noted the launch was the result of an extended relationship with its partner across AI, security and cloud.

BT added the product combined the tech giant’s “leading security technology” with its scale, security and network operations.

Pointing to the need for beefed-up security in the AI era given accelerated attack timelines, BT positioned the offering as helping customers cut complexity of security operations, control costs and “improve detection, response and resilience”.

BT Business CEO Jon James explained “AI is transforming the cyber threat landscape at unprecedented speed, and our customers need protection that stays one step ahead”.

“By extending our partnership with Microsoft, we’re combining cutting-edge security technology with BT’s cyber expertise and threat intelligence to deliver stronger, more proactive protection”.

The managed service launch is the latest enterprise-focused offering promoted as helping UK organisations battle the ever-increasing tide of cybercrime.

In May, it unveiled what it called industrial-grade security products for small and medium sized businesses using technology from specialist CrowdStrike.  

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Nokia and satellite sector specialist ICEYE inked a deal to develop sovereign low Earth orbit (LEO)-based communications systems for government use cases including defence, border security and disaster response.

The Finnish pair aim to launch the first communications satellites for the project in 2028, noting the planned systems would give nations ownership and control of the satellites, ground infrastructure and terminals.

In a joint statement, they explained they intend to deliver “targeted, high-throughput, low-latency connectivity over priority mission areas” to complement existing military and commercial networks rather than replace them.

Their birds are expected to add reach, resilience and capacity for critical connections.

The pact draws on ICEYE’s expertise in delivering sovereign satellite projects in Europe, and Nokia’s experience in networks and defence.

They plan to “integrate satellites, ground infrastructure and ruggedised end-user terminals” to extend ICEYE’s so-called sovereign intelligence from space business model to satellite communications.

The satellite company has customers in defence, environmental monitoring, insurance and emergency management, among others, operating what it describes as the world’s largest and most advanced synthetic aperture radar satellite constellation.

It provides data services and whole sovereign satellite projects.

Complementary
ICEYE CEO and co-founder Rafal Modrzewski said “nations must be able to fully own and control their communications, without dependency on a foreign commercial operator’s terms of service”.

“We delivered Poland its own radar satellite system in under a year. Partnering with Nokia lets us move at a similar speed for satellite communications, on the timelines nations need.”

Nokia president and CEO Justin Hotard added “sovereign operations depend on the ability to sense, decide and act in real time. Physical AI makes that possible, but only with secure, resilient connectivity across land, sea, air and space”.

He added the joint project would complement terrestrial networks “giving nations the situational awareness, connectivity and control they need to operate with confidence in contested environments across all domains”.

The move is the latest from European companies targeting increasing demand for sovereign technology systems from commercial and public sector organisations.

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Construction and heavy machinery manufacturer Komatsu launched a telematics system for its kit in Saudi Arabia using technology from NTT Docomo Business and STC Group.

In a statement on the project, NTT explained the manufacturer is expanding its Komtrax telematics and remote monitoring system to the country using the equipment and expertise of the two telecoms partners.

The system captures operational data from construction machinery with the aim of providing greater visibility of equipment usage and improving operational efficiency.

It offers the means for remote monitoring, data analytics and predictive maintenance, and is already available in a number of Komatsu’s markets.

Komtrax is promoted by the Japanese-headquartered manufacturer as delivering cost savings to clients while helping achieve peak machine performance.

To support the launch in Saudi Arabia, NTT supplied platform design and delivery, helping “Komatsu address country-specific telecommunications requirements while minimising the need for changes to its connectivity model”.

STC provided network services, and a SIM and connectivity management platform offering “reliable and scalable connectivity for Komatsu’s construction equipment” while meeting local regulations.

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