stc Group seized the initiative on AI-native networking, setting a target of employing the technology directly in its core infrastructure by 2030.
The operator believes placing the technology at the heart of its infrastructure is essential to keep pace with growing demand for AI services and the resulting changes to connectivity requirements.
stc detailed its ambitions and approach in a white paper released during the Network X event in Austria last week in which it argued AI is essential to handle the complexity of modern telecoms networks.
In a statement publicising the white paper, stc explained the evolution to 5G-Advanced is a principal driver of increased operational complexity. It also pointed to “AI-enabled calling and immersive communications” as factors necessitating the technology.
stc argued operators are set to become essential providers of connectivity as AI services take-off, stating agents and automated systems “need networks to coordinate communications and computing resources”.
It believes an AI-native network is essential in this regard because of the greater levels of automated decision making and resource allocation the technology should afford.
stc is also seeking to improve network maintenance and reliability.
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”.
Global telecom employment fell 2.1% year-on-year in Q2 2026, extending a decline dating to 2016, according to a report by MTN Consulting.
The report’s author, Matt Walker, chief analyst at MTN Consulting, said the panel of 145 operators employed about 4.2 million people, down from 4.3 million a year earlier. The 2.1% fall exceeded the decade-long annual average of 1.7%.
The job cuts did not consistently reduce labour costs or establish a direct link between AI adoption, smaller workforces and wider margins. Among 72 sizable operators, MTN Consulting found no measurable relationship between headcount changes and trailing four-quarter EBIT margins.
It also found no consistent link between AI-related news and restructuring. Telefónica cut its headcount by 19.3%, the steepest reduction in the industry, yet had no tagged AI-automation news, while SK Telecom drew the most AI coverage and reduced headcount by 6.2%.
The findings were less positive than those in other industry surveys. Nvidia’s fourth annual State of AI in Telecommunications report stated about 65% of respondents reported AI-driven revenue gains or annual cost reductions above 5%.
MTN Consulting found fewer than 20% of global operators increased revenue by more than 5% a year, while fewer than 20% cut operating expenses by over 5%. Only BSNL, Iliad and MTN Group achieved both, representing less than 2% of the global market.
MTN Consulting said the gap suggested survey responses reflected industry optimism rather than audited operating results.
Labour costs per employee across the global panel rose 6.8% year-on-year to about $62,500. Higher compensation per worker more than offset savings from job cuts, increasing the industry’s total labour bill.
Asia was the only region to add workers during the quarter, with headcount up 0.6%, largely due to hiring by operators including KDDI. Europe posted the largest decline at 3.4%, partly reflecting Telefonica’s 19.3% reduction. Employment fell 2.8% in the Middle East and Africa and 1.2% in the Americas.
Operators who cut staff were more likely to improve operating margins, but better performance was not assured. Event studies dating to 2011 found they outperformed operators which did not cut staff in about 57% to 67% of cases.
MTN Consulting advised operators, vendors and investors to assess workforce changes and automation returns using detailed financial data rather than broad technology claims.
AT&T moved to tackle customer pain points such as phone transfers and long customer wait times by refreshing its America’s Best Guarantee programme, in a bid to win subscribers from rivals Verizon and T-Mobile US.
The latest iteration of the guarantee initiative now offers a connection with a customer service expert in five minutes or less, whether they are buying a new device, seeking technical support, paying a bill or starting service. If the timeframe is not met, customers will be offered a callback time.
Should the operator fail to connect customers with an expert within that timeframe, not offer a scheduled callback or falls short of other support promises, eligible customers may receive a benefit such as a bill credit.
Subscribers who pair AT&T Fiber or AT&T Internet Air with a mobile service will now have one dedicated technical expert to help them from start to finish.
AT&T Consumer EVP and GM Jenifer Robertson stated customers expect straightforward, fast and transparent support. She added the changes were intended to reduce friction, build trust and hold the operator accountable when it falls short of its service standards.
The operator offered its AT&T Guarantee to fibre, dedicated internet and wireless business customers after it launched a year ago.
In March 2026, AT&T extended the programme to offer bill credits to small businesses using its Internet Air fixed wireless access (FWA) service in the event of network outages.
In Q2 2026, AT&T reported 432,000 post-paid phone net additions while Verizon and T-Mobile had 184,000 and 277,000, respectfully.
Verizon and Ericsson claimed the first pre-standard 6G field call in the 7GHz range, moving their testing from the laboratory to a commercial network site.
The call was conducted at a Verizon commercial site in Concord, California, using an Ericsson 6G proof-of-concept kit. The companies tested upper mid-band frequencies outdoors and measured how the signals penetrated a building.
The test used a base station installed on a site shelter and user equipment housed in a 12-by-8-foot mobile enclosure capable of supporting stationary outdoor and indoor radio configurations.
Positioned away from the site shelter housing the base station, the mobile test unit features custom power backups, varied glass and wall material configurations. The setup allows engineers to measure how a pre-standard 6G stack operating over a 400MHz carrier handles line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight paths, foliage, physical obstacles, and building entry loss.
The companies verified an outdoor call and are also testing how 6G signals travel from open-air environments into buildings. The work measures coverage, throughput, latency, stability and feature performance in real-world conditions.
Verizon CTO and SVP of technology development Yago Tenorio stated Ericsson plays a key role in the operator’s 6G Innovation Forum and its efforts to turn 6G research into practical deployments. He added the outdoor trial would provide technical insights to help shape global standards and guide the design and deployment of future networks.
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.
AT&T sealed a deal worth $2 billion to sell its business in Mexico to Grupo Televisa and Fintech Holdings, ending a decade long battle to gain ground in the country that is dominated by Carlos Slim’s America Movil.
AT&T stated the sale represents another step in a wider strategy to prioritise investment in US fibre and wireless networks, an area where it continues to make “meaningful progress”.
The US operator entered Mexico in 2015 following major regulatory reform, acquiring operators Iusacell and Nextel for a total $4.4 billion, which it merged to establish the AT&T Mexico brand.
It decided to offload the business last year and a $2 billion deal was mooted by Bloomberg.
In its statement, AT&T claimed it had grown the business into one of the country’s leading providers, and it believes Grupo Televisa and Fintech Holdings are well positioned to lead it through the next phase of growth.
Both companies will take an equal share in AT&T Mexico and means Grupo Televisa will become the first provider in the country to offer mobile, internet, pay-TV and fixed line services.
America Movil owned Telcel has around a 58% market share, while AT&T Mexico has around 16% with 24.7 million wireless subscribers as of 31 December 2025.
John Stankey, AT&T chairman and CEO, said it had articulated a strong belief that the AI future will run on converged networks and dense fibre assets.
“This move positions AT&T Mexico to participate in that evolution and is consistent with our long-term strategy to focus our capital allocation on opportunities for growth in the vibrant US market,” he added.
The deal is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027 following regulatory approvals.
Telefonica also sold off its business in Mexico, striking a $450 million deal with a consortium of investors in April.
Ukrainian reconnaissance troops used a captured Russian soldier’s radio for four days to listen to Russian military communications and relay important intelligence to their command, according to a report by ArmyInform, which covered the episode. The soldiers serve in the 23rd Separate Reconnaissance Battalion, which operates in the Oleksandrivka sector, the report noted.
Russia uses infiltration tactics involving small groups to slip through Ukrainian positions undetected, establish themselves into the rear of Ukrainian positionse, and create conditions for the further advance of its main forces. They are countered not only by reconnaissance drones but also by specialized reconnaissance teams, which sometimes cover several dozen kilometers on foot to reach their designated targets.
Ukrainian scouts capture Russian soldier in the grey zone
Ukrainian reconnaissance troops captured a Russian soldier in the grey zone as he was trying to enter a neighboring house, the report said.
“He took off his body armour and set his rifle aside. He felt right at home. Our commander went over and offered him a chance to surrender, and he agreed. He then stayed with us for four days. He told us everything he knew,” a soldier with the call sign Kubik said in the report.
The soldiers’ hideout was later discovered. Fleeing a Ukrainian drone, a Russian infantryman ran into the building where the reconnaissance troops were staying. The position was subsequently attacked by FPV drones, followed by an artillery barrage.
Reconnaissance soldier with the call sign “Kubik” of the 23rd Separate Reconnaissance Battalion, 2026. Photo: ArmyInform
One Ukrainian soldier sustained a minor injury, but the group managed to withdraw without suffering serious losses.
Reconnaissance soldier Kubik spent 23 days on a combat mission
For reconnaissance troops, the journey to their positions and the return trip remain perhaps the most dangerous parts of a mission. During his year of service, Kubik has completed five combat missions, one of which lasted 23 days, according to the report.
During their most recent mission, the soldiers covered 20 kilometers on foot in one direction, moving mostly through tree lines, Kubik said. He added that they had to run across open areas and destroy enemy drones lying in wait before quickly retreating to cover.
Because of the constant threat from the air, the length of time reconnaissance troops can remain at their positions depends on the weather and the situation, the report noted. Sometimes, staying in place longer is safer than risking exposure while a team is being replaced.
Dzhus’s first mission: 20-year-old reconnaissance soldier chooses infantry
Twenty-year-old Mykyta, whose call sign is Dzhus, is preparing for his first combat mission as part of the 23rd Separate Reconnaissance Battalion, the report said. He joined the military under the “18–24 Contract” program after leaving the police force.
“Many people who join under the ‘18–24’ contract go into UAV operations, but I’m more interested in infantry work. We have many experienced reconnaissance soldiers, and the guys are constantly giving advice and sharing their experience,” Dzhus said.
Reconnaissance soldier with the call sign “Dzhus” of the 23rd Separate Reconnaissance Battalion, 2026. Photo: ArmyInform
He is heading out on the mission under the guidance of an experienced commander, he said. The soldiers prepare thoroughly for every mission, practicing at the training ground and rehearsing procedures tailored to the specific task, the media outlet noted.
Russian troops seek new hiding places for infiltration along the front
Russian forces continue to use small-group infiltration tactics. For example, the Russian army is likely increasing its infiltration efforts in Kharkiv Oblast, taking advantage of the remaining summer foliage for concealment, the Institute for the Study of War reported on 9 October. In particular, Russian forces are seeking to infiltrate the city of Kupiansk in small groups, according to an RBC-Ukraine report published on 7 October.
Similar incidents have also been reported in Donetsk Oblast. Russian troops are attempting to infiltrate the gaps between Ukrainian observation posts in small groups and establish positions there, Artem Prybilnov, spokesperson for the 155th Separate Mechanized Brigade, said during a broadcast on Suspilne.Studio on 7 October, NV reported. Their aim is to build up forces for a further advance toward Dobropillia. Ukrainian infantry, working alongside drone operators, is repelling the ongoing Russian attacks and preventing them from achieving this goal, Prybilnov added.
As autumn sets in and vegetation becomes thinner, Russian troops find it increasingly difficult to conceal themselves in tree lines, Prybilnov noted. During the summer, they used these areas for cover and to accumulate personnel, ammunition, and equipment, the spokesperson said. Russian forces are now attempting to infiltrate villages, where they can hide in buildings and basements and establish positions, he added.
A Ukrainian drone sergeant who volunteered for the infantry held a frontline position for six months, ArmyInform reported. He saved three soldiers in that time, and in one fight he stopped a Russian advance after contact with command was lost. The agency did not say where or when.
Senior Sergeant Dmytro, call sign Berezen “March”, spent 20 years as a television director before the invasion. In the 152nd Separate Jaeger Brigade, he served as chief sergeant of a drone platoon, worked with three crews, and trained soldiers. When the need arose to reinforce the infantry, he volunteered to switch. ArmyInform did not say what created that need.
“I didn’t come here to a sanatorium. I’m in my third year of fighting, I know what this is. It was my choice,” Dmytro said
Two wounded, one firefight
One comrade was hit by a mine and lost a leg. As Dmytro treated him, Russian troops began moving toward the position. Another wounded soldier was trying to reach them, and contact with command was lost. He killed two Russian soldiers and halted their advance, ArmyInform reported. He said he barely thought about himself, because a breakthrough could have hurt the soldiers holding positions behind him.
Not everyone could be saved. One wounded comrade was about 200 meters away. Dmytro heard his voice on the radio but could not leave his position mid-fight. Over the six months, he saved three soldiers. Two left the position with him, and the third was evacuated wounded. No money, he said, is worth blood.
A survey by Verizon Frontline revealeddaily AI usage by US public safety agencies nearly tripled over the past year while drone and robot deployments also saw an uptick.
The sixth annual Verizon Frontline Public Safety Communications Survey, conducted by Lexipol Media Group, highlighted daily use of AI reached nearly 32%, while 56% of public safety agency users anticipate daily AI reliance within three years, signalling it as a critical decision-support tool.
Additionally, the daily use of drones and robots increased from 15% to 26% as agencies more frequently use them to navigate hazardous environments to keep human emergency responders out of harm’s way while providing real-time situational awareness.
Network resilience remains a priority as agencies adopt these technologies, with more than 77% of the responders identifying it and reliability as their main operational requirements. Network performance also shapes personal device choices, with about 49% of respondents citing resilience and reliability as the biggest factor when selecting a device plan.
Kim Mirabella, VP of Verizon Public Sector and Verizon Frontline, stated the 2026 findings show technologies including AI and robotics, once considered futuristic, are already essential tools used by first responders every day.
Verizon stated 1,035 US public safety professionals took part in the survey
Telia Company outlined plans to cut approximately 900 jobs across the group and lower its operating cost base, setting a target of achieving annual gross savings amounting to SEK1 billion ($100 million).
The company stated its moves represent the next step in becoming simpler, faster and more efficient, with an intention to localise its operations further “and strengthen the role of its country units in meeting evolving customer needs”.
As part of the shake-up, it will transfer approximately 220 positions primarily from its common Technology unit to country units. The 900-headcount reduction will hit all units, covering both employees and resource consultations.
The restructure is expected to be completed by 31 December, subject to customary union negotiations and will result in charges of SEK600 million in Q4 206, with cash flow effect mainly in 2027.
Finland will be the most impacted by the staff cuts, with 280 reductions, followed by home market Sweden with 260.
Patrik Hofbauer, CEO and president at Telia (pictured), said the plan was part of building the future Telia and further localisation “means doubling down on what we know gets results”.
“We must always become even simpler, faster and more efficient in everything we do. We want to empower our countries more, get the utmost from our common Technology unit and other Group Functions, and sharpen Telia’s edge in a very competitive market,” he added.
As of 1 October, the company had a total 14,100 employees.
Telenor Connexion appointed former Nokia president and CEO Pekka Lundmark (pictured) as its chair, part of a broader board reshuffle at the IoT player linked with an earlier move to bring equity company Verdane into the ownership mix.
Ingrid Wistrand, an executive with experience in the IoT units of Tele2 and Deutsche Telekom, and Verdane representative Morten Weicher are also joining the Telenor Connexion board, as the company moves to broaden the experience among its top brass.
CEO Mats Lundquist said the board shuffle is the “first visible step” in a move to bring Verdane in as a co-owner of Telenor Connexion.
He said the line-up is intended to give the IoT unit a “strong starting point” as it seeks to solidify a frontrunning position in global service provision.
Dan Ouchterlony, Tom Hvammen and Liv Ingeborg Blekkerud remain to oversee corporate development.
Jesper Bruksner is being brought in to handle HR matters: Telenor Connexion highlighted experience in “scaling global technology companies”, having cut his teeth with businesses including digital payments player Klarna and online health provider Kry.
Lundmark led Nokia from August 2020 until April 2025, when Justin Hotard took over.
Elon Musk-controlled SpaceX struck a deal to buy a nationwide low-band spectrum portfolio from Grain Management, ratcheting up its challenge to compete with US carriers for mobile customers.
The transaction for all of Grain Management’s nationwide portfolio of up to 14MHz of paired spectrum in the 800MHz band is subject to regulatory approval by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Financial terms are not available.
“This is the last critical piece of the spectrum puzzle needed for SpaceX to provide complete phone coverage in America,” Musk said on X above a post which questioned the company’s direct-to-device (D2D) strategy.
SpaceX stated Starlink Mobile’s global 2GHz mid-band spectrum will deliver high-capacity coverage in the US, while the newly acquired low-band frequencies will improve signal reach through obstacles including walls and extend service to devices indoors. The company added most existing mobile devices already support the underused band.
SpaceX plans to pair its satellites with ground-based femtocells to provide 5G mobile coverage, a plan many executives in the industry consider far-fetched.
The company stated the low-band spectrum would address a key remaining technical gap and help pave the way for Starlink Mobile to become a major US mobile carrier.
SpaceX stated once it garners approval it “will deploy a flexible architecture combining our satellite-to-mobile constellation in space with an advanced terrestrial deployment that can seamlessly connect devices everywhere”.
The move follows through on its plan to roll out a D2D service to compete against T-Mobile US, Verizon and AT&T.
On 6 October, SpaceX announced a regulatory win after it secured FCC approval to launch 15,000 next-gen satellites for D2D.
In August, T-Mobile US completed the sale of its nationwide 800MHz spectrum portfolio to Grain Management in exchange for $2.9 billion in cash and all of the latter’s 600MHz spectrum licences more than a year after agreeing a deal in principle.
Grain Management previously outlined a plant to work with energy and infrastructure specialist Black & Veatch to market the spectrum to utilities, critical infrastructure operators and rural and regional carriers.
Verizon continues to retool its executive leadership team, with Adam Koeppe, chief network officer for core engineering and operations, set to depart by the year-end.
Koeppe stated on LinkedIn “it’s time to move on to the next chapter” after more than 26 years with the company.
“My confidence in Verizon’s future remains high,” Koeppe stated. “The mission to build, secure, and scale the foundational networks of tomorrow matters now more than ever.”
He started his career in telecommunications as a customer service representative at Bell Atlantic Nynex Mobile which was a joint venture that eventually led to the formation of Verizon.
Recon Analytics analyst Roger Entner stated on LinkedIn Koeppe was one of the employees “who made Verizon Verizon almost from day one,” while congratulating him on “a terrific and highly impactful career”.
Koeppe was named to his current position in December 2025 after working in several technology and engineering roles during his career at Verizon.
Koeppe’s planned departure came after current CEO Dan Schulman took over as chief in October 2025 with a pledge to overhaul the company, including its executive team.
The company announced a plan to slash 15,000 jobs in November 2025, which was followed by laying off roughly 3,000 retail and corporate employees in July 2026.
Verizon announced in June 2026 Joe Russo, executive VP and president of global networks and technology, is retiring in Q1 of next year after 30 years at the company. He will be replaced by ex-Deutsche Telekom executive Abdu Mudesir.
In February, Verizon consumer chief Sowmyanarayan Sampath stepped down from his role as part of Schulman’s turnaround effort prior to resurfacing as CEO of Zayo on 1 September.
VodafoneThree raised its cost-savings target to £1 billion per annum by 2032, as it set out a UK growth strategy with a new set of “bolder” financial ambitions.
During a Vodafone Group investor briefing, the company focused on its ambitions for VodafoneThree and how it will deliver significant value creation over the coming years.
Among the highlights, the company stated it was upping its cost savings goal, which was previously pegged at £700 million per annum by full year 2030, to £1 billion per annum by full year 2032, which will run to March that year. By 2030, £800 million in annual cost savings is expected.
The upgraded target comes more than two months after Vodafone completed a full takeover of VodafoneThree, acquiring CK Hutchison’s 49% in the business for £4.3 billion.
Targets Other financial targets set for the company include a goal of mid-to-high single digit annual growth in adjusted earnings between 2025 and 2032, and a plan to more than triple operating free cash flow during the same period.
The briefing, hosting by group CEO of European markets, Ahmed Essam and VodafoneThree CEO Max Taylor, also reiterated an £11 billion network investment plan spanning 10 years to upgrade the UK’s mobile network, accelerate leadership in the consumer market and grow its Business unit.
Margherita Della Valle, CEO of Vodafone, said VodafoneThree had been created because it saw an opportunity to transform the UK market.
“After a strong start, we now have even greater confidence in the opportunity ahead. That’s why we are upgrading our cost target to £1 billion, with VodafoneThree set to become an increasingly important contributor to Vodafone’s growth ambitions,” she said.
Veon struck a decade-long agreement with Amdocs, tasking the software company with advancing its digital strategy and modernising core technology operations.
The operator stated the deal will require its partner to use certain IP rights from Veon’s QazCode AI platform, which will be integrated into Amdocs telecoms-specific aOS agentic operating system.
On a broader level, Amdocs will run and operate the company’s technology operations, accelerate Veon’s push around digital services and “provide long-term cost predictability” across its IT operations in Eurasia.
Veon CEO Kaan Terzioglu said around 27% of group revenue is generated from digital and AI services, “and that contribution keeps growing”.
He explained QazCode had helped Veon build the technology and talent to bring better digital experiences to millions, and adopting Amdocs’ aOS is a natural next step.
“Our strategic partnership with Amdocs creates a strong foundation to keep improving people’s lives through digital and AI innovation over the next decade.”
Anthony Goonetilleke, group president of New Growth Horizons at Amdocs, described Veon as “one of the most ambitious digital operators” in the industry and “exactly the kind of partner” it made a telco-specific operating system for.
“With aOS, Amdocs will help transform Veon’s operations, customer experiences and digital services through verticalised, telco-specific AI, advancing its evolution toward intelligent agentic autonomy.”
He added the agreement expands Amdocs’ presence in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and the wider Eurasia region, “where we see significant opportunity”.
Chunghwa Telecom lined up an unusual deal to use drones to transport blood, in turn offering insight into how unmanned aerial vehicle connectivity (UAV) could be used to advance smart healthcare.
The Taiwanese operator signed a memorandum of understanding with the New Taipei City Fire Department covering transport of blood supplies for emergency medical uses.
Chunghwa Telecom stated the pair plan trials “along the northern coast and mountainous areas” to see if the drones can “improve the efficiency of medical resource allocation”.
The operator’s New Taipei Operations Office is handling its side of the commitment, which involves providing mobile and fixed network connectivity, establishing smart cold chain systems and evaluating technical aspects.
Chunghwa Telecom also agreed to handle the integration of UAVs and various flight-related elements including monitoring the blood drones as they fly, planning their routes and securing the necessary airspace.
It explained the companies hope to provide more reliable blood supplies during emergency situations, particularly in remote or mountainous areas. Longer term, the pair hope to establish standard operating procedures and boost the links between the UAV set-up and existing emergency service systems.
Chunghwa Telecom pitched the work as a practical example of collaboration “between government, healthcare and technology”, which could broaden the use of smart logistics by emergency and medical service providers.
Telus and AST SpaceMobile completed an initial integration test between the mobile operator’s terrestrial network and the satellite player’s space-based infrastructure ahead of enabling direct-to-device (D2D) calls and text messages.
Independent analyst Carlos Placido told Mobile World Live southern Canada should have better coverage than other regions due to the inclination of AST SpaceMobile’s satellites.
“They said they would have 45 to 60 satellites in orbit by year-end, but currently have only 12, making that target seem unlikely,” he said.
Canada has large rural areas where terrestrial connectivity is not available which makes D2D services more attractive.
Telus EVP and CTO Nazim Benhadid described the successful test with AST SpaceMobile as an important step towards extending mobile coverage to areas without service, supporting the operator’s goal of providing reliable connectivity to more Canadians.
AST SpaceMobile previously projected 45 to 60 of its next-generation satellites would launch this year but is now targeting having approximately 45 in orbit by early 2027.
The delay was revealed in a Securities and Exchange Commission regulatory filing tied to a $1 billion notes offering and follows a serious setback to one of its two main launch partners.
UAE operator group e& reverted to its original branding of Etisalat, a name it stated reflects its heritage, strategy and ambitions for the AI era.
The company said it was making the name change to mark its 50th anniversary, explaining the original Etisalat name means “connection” which has guided “what we build and the role we play”.
It rebranded from Etisalat to e& in February 2022, stating at the time the new identity was designed to reflect its ambitions to push from a traditional telecoms company into a global technology and investment conglomerate.
However, the company is now pushing for AI-led growth, launching numerous strategic projects to expand its digital infrastructure in the UAE and beyond.
For example, in July it struck a deal with cloud provider Cloud 42 to launch sovereign AI compute services for its home market, a move it said supports the country’s vision to build an AI-native economy and advance the national agentic AI agenda.
This was followed in September by a deal with Accenture to accelerate digital and AI-led transformation across government and enterprise sectors in the UAE.
In the telco space the company is putting a firm focus on its core business in the Middle East as part of a strategic shift which led to the sale its 16.2% stake in Vodafone Group to tycoon Xavier Niel.
On the rebrand, the company added that today, Etisalat “carries even greater significance as we bring connectivity, digital capabilities and infrastructure together to enable new opportunities”.
The GSMA lined up the board which will guide the organisation through key decisions around 6G, satellite connectivity and spectrum, with six new companies represented and fresh faces at some existing members.
Its overall board remains at 26 members, though the company representation is shifted with Axiata Group; Millicom; NTT Docomo; Ooredoo Group; stc; and Telstra joining the ranks.
By contrast, Ethio Telecom; KDDI; KT; Telenor; TIM; and Veon are not among the names of the next board.
Companies remaining on board but with different representatives comprise AT&T; China Telecom; China Unicom; China Mobile; Deutsche Telekom; e&; Globe Telecom; and Telefonica.
America Movil; Bharti Airtel; BT Group, Liberty Global; MTN Group; Orange; Reliance Jio; Personal (previously Telecom Argentina); Turkcell; Verizon; and Vodafone Group continue with the same representatives.
GSMA director general Vivek Badrinath rounds the board out.
The technical developments scheduled for the next board’s tenure include setting initial 6G standards, establishing regulatory frameworks for satellite and NTN communications, and spectrum allocations. The ITU’s WRC-27 is scheduled to take place in October and November 2027.
A key focus for the GSMA’s next board is the impact of AI on the mobile sector. Current chair Gopal Vittal said the technology and “open digital platforms” are opportunities to “create significant economic and societal value”, which the organisation would work to unlock.
Vittal is keen to see a continued focus on “digital safety and trust”, along with tackling connectivity and usage gaps.
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