Brazil rolls out 5G in rural areas of Paraiba state
BRAZIL 11:43

Brazil rolls out 5G in rural areas of Paraiba state

The Brazilian government has launched 5G mobile service in the rural areas of Alagoa Grande, state of Paraiba, providing internet and phone access to over 4,000 residents in Zumbi and Canafístula. Previously, residents in these areas struggled with basic communication and app access. Now, they have a stable 5G signal thanks to an investment of BRL 769,000, the communications ministry announced. The connectivity is being provided by regional operator Brisanet.

Dutch pilot finds potential for shared spectrum systems in 3.8 GHz band
NETHERLANDS 11:27

Dutch pilot finds potential for shared spectrum systems in 3.8 GHz band

The Dutch spectrum management agency RDI has found potential for more sharing of radio frequency bands. A pilot conducted last year, the result of which are now published by the authority, found that Dynamic Spectrum Management and Sharing (DSMS) systems can allow for real-time distribution of the frequencies, creating space for new wireless applications while ensuring protection for incumbent users of licensed bands. The study focused on the 3.8-4.2 GHz range. 

GCT clinches licence to supply satellite operator with 5G and 4G chipsets
GLOBAL 11:02

GCT clinches licence to supply satellite operator with 5G and 4G chipsets

GCT Semiconductor has agreed a licensing deal to supply its satellite-capable 5G and 4G RF chips to an unnamed client, described as one of the world's largest satcom providers. Under the agreement, GCT's 5G and 4G product can be integrated with the client's user equipment, unlocking high-bandwidth connectivity via both satellite and terrestrial networks. GCT said the deal provides scope for additional chip volumes, with the client committed to leveraging its latest 5G silicon for direct-to-satellite applica

US to allow higher power Wi-Fi devices in 6 GHz band
UNITED STATES 10:16

US to allow higher power Wi-Fi devices in 6 GHz band

The US Federal Communications Commission plans to establish a new unlicensed spectrum category enabling wireless devices including Wi-Fi to operate in almost all 6 GHz bands outdoors and at higher power levels than under existing regulations. A report and order from the commission stipulates that devices classified as being "geofenced variable power" (GVP) will be able to operate in the 5.925-6.425 GHz and 6.525-6.875 GHz bands, though with restrictions in predefined exclusion areas and within predetermined

Telecom Argentina integrates Nokia core in 5G upgrade
ARGENTINA 09:45

Telecom Argentina integrates Nokia core in 5G upgrade

Telecom Argentina announced it is adopting Nokia equipment for its 5G mobile core network, as part of a multi-vendor strategy for the Personal mobile network. The new core is rolling out first in the Buenos Aires metro area and other regions, including Mar del Plata, Tucuman, Rosario, and Cordoba, and will expand to other areas in the coming months. Personal has already completed integration and validation of the first network nodes and started migrating traffic. 

GSMA integrates Vodafone-founded diversity and inclusion platform
GLOBAL 09:36

GSMA integrates Vodafone-founded diversity and inclusion platform

The GSMA announced it will take over administrative responsibility for the Vodafone-founded Change the Face Alliance, an affiliated diversity and inclusion (D&I) programme aimed at spurring industry action towards inclusivity. Following this announcement, the GSMA will integrate the programme with its existing "Connectivity for Good" initiatives, bringing together two movements with overlapping impact missions targeting telecoms and tech.

CelcomDigi launches short film to promote 5G network
MALAYSIA 08:25

CelcomDigi launches short film to promote 5G network

Malaysian operator CelcomDigi has launched a short film to illustrate the ultra-fast responsiveness of its 5G network. Titled 'An Epic Showcase of 5G', the film features a synchronized challenge between two of Malaysia's elite athletes: World No. 1 towerrunner Soh Wai Ching and FIM MiniGP World Champion Qabil Irfan.

KDDI partners Bango for bundled streaming services for povo2.0 prepaid users
JAPAN 05:42

KDDI partners Bango for bundled streaming services for povo2.0 prepaid users

KDDI has selected Bango's Digital Vending Machine platform to support the launch of bundled digital content offerings for subscribers to its povo2.0 prepaid mobile service. The agreement enables KDDI to offer access to a range of third-party streaming subscriptions alongside mobile services for povo2.0 users in Japan.

Rakuten Mobile verifies Intel Xeon 6 processors for 5G core
JAPAN 05:41

Rakuten Mobile verifies Intel Xeon 6 processors for 5G core

Rakuten Mobile has completed verification of Intel's Xeon 6 processor with efficiency cores for use in its 5G core network, as it prepares for commercial deployment. The testing was carried out using containerised 5G core applications running on Rakuten Symphony's Rakuten Cloud platform. The verification showed that the Xeon 6 processor sustained throughput of 30 Gbps while reducing power consumption by around 30 percent compared with a currently deployed Intel Xeon Scalable platform, according to the opera

NTT Docomo partners with Aduna to distribute network APIs globally
JAPAN 05:39

NTT Docomo partners with Aduna to distribute network APIs globally

NTT Docomo has concluded a partnership agreement with network API aggregator Aduna to make its mobile network application programming interfaces (APIs) available internationally through Aduna's platform. The agreement is intended to support the expansion of a global ecosystem for standardised network APIs. Under the arrangement, Docomo's network APIs developed for international markets will be distributed via Aduna's aggregation platform, which provides enterprises and developers with a single access point

TIM and Vivo top performers in Opensignal Brazil networks survey
BRAZIL 29 JAN

TIM and Vivo top performers in Opensignal Brazil networks survey

TIM Brasil and Vivo were the top performers in Opensignal's latest 'Brazil Mobile Network Experience' report, with each winning six of 14 available awards. The report analyzes the mobile network experience of Claro, TIM, and Vivo in Brazil from October to December 2025. TIM leads for the fourth consecutive time with 72.7 percent, over four percentage points ahead of Vivo. The operator secured the top spot for Reliability Experience, Video Experience (63.0 points out of 100), Live Video Experience, and 5G Av

Telia Lithuania revenues up 7% in Q4, EBITDA grows 17%
LITHUANIA 29 JAN

Telia Lithuania revenues up 7% in Q4, EBITDA grows 17%

Revenues at Telia Lithuania rose to EUR 140.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, up 7.1 percent from a year earlier. Adjusted EBITDA increased 16.6 percent to EUR 48.7 million, and the net profit grew 32.9 percent to EUR 22.7 million. Capital expenditure was 26.8 percent higher at EUR 24.8 million, leading to a drop in free cash flow to EUR 26.6 million from EUR 33.3 million a year ago.

UKRAINE 29 JAN

Vodafone Ukraine tests 5G in Kiev region

Vodafone Ukraine said that it has started testing its 5G services in Borodyanka in the Bucha municipality in Kiev region. 5G services are provided on the 3,500 GHz band on base stations from Nokia. The project will run until the end of this year.

UNITED KINGDOM 29 JAN

O2 UK's 5G Standalone network goes live across Dorset

Virgin Media O2 has activated the O2 5G Standalone mobile network in several major towns across the English county of Dorset - including Poole, Bournemouth, Swanage, Dorchester and Christchurch. This provides local residents and businesses with faster speeds, lower latency and enhanced coverage.

JAPAN 29 JAN

NEC confirms telecom restructuring with Q3 charges

NEC has confirmed a restructuring of its telecom business with its third-quarter results. The Japanese company took JPY 18 billion in charges in the quarter to wind down its conventional base station business and shift the focus to virtual RAN and software products. Parts of the business will also transfer to or work more closely with other divisions at NEC, such as those focused on national security and IT services. The new organisation is aimed at maximising synergies across the business and improving pro

NETHERLANDS 29 JAN

Dutch embrace genAI, half using it for work - Deloitte

GenAI has its mainstream breakthrough in the Netherlands in 2025, according to research from Deloitte. Over three-quarters of people (76%) said at year-end that they were familiar with generate AI and 61 percent had used the technology. Usage is mainly private (83%), although around half say they have used AI apps at work (52%). Young people are the most avid adopters, according to the survey of around 2,000 people. 

BRAZIL 29 JAN

Unifique acquires 3.5 GHz band rights in Parana state

Brazilian regional operator Unifique has acquired the primary authorisation to use an 80 MHz block in the 3.5 GHz radio frequency band in the state of Parana. This frequency, originally awarded to Ligga through the 5G Sul Consortium in an Anatel auction, is valid for 20 years and is extendable. As part of the agreement, Unifique will invest in telecommunications infrastructure from 2026 to 2030 to meet Ligga's coverage commitments in Parana. This includes deploying 745 base stations to serve 336 municipalit

CANADA 29 JAN

Rogers Satellite available for free to customers in Atlantic Canada

Rogers Communications is now including Rogers Satellite with all 5G+ plans for all customers in Atlantic Canada, at no extra cost for up to 24 months. This will help keep customers connected across the region, with traditional mobile networks only covering around 28 percent of Atlantic Canada.

JAPAN 29 JAN

SoftBank deploys AI-based Massive MIMO control system at major event venues

SoftBank has begun deploying an AI-powered external control system to optimise Massive MIMO coverage at large-scale event venues in Japan, following a commercial network demonstration at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. The system, developed with Ericsson, is designed to automatically adjust base station coverage patterns in response to rapid changes in user distribution, which are common at events held in arenas, domes and theme park-style venues.

JAPAN 29 JAN

NEC develops compact amplifier for 5G base stations

NEC Corporation has developed a high-efficiency, compact Power Amplifier Module (PAM) for the sub-6 GHz band, designed for integration into 5G base station Radio Units (RUs). PAMs are electronic components that amplify signals for long-distance radio transmission, and their power consumption accounts for approximately 75 percent of the total power consumed by an RU. By integrating this high-efficiency PAM into RUs, NEC aims to reduce device power consumption and size, thereby contributing to reduced operati

MALAYSIA 28 JAN

CelcomDigi intros 5G Hyper, Power+ mobile internet passes for prepay users

Malaysian operator CelcomDigi has introduced 5G Hyper and Power+ mobile internet passes for its prepay users. These internet passes are designed to deliver all day 5G access, as well as unlimited calls to all networks and unlimited hotspot usage, enabling connectivity across multiple devices.

GLOBAL 28 JAN

Aglocell debuts SpectraMax site optimisation integrated with Ericsson's EIAP suite

US software vendor AgloCell has partnered with Ericsson to launch an AI-equipped RAN software optimisation that maximises spectrum efficiency at clusters of transmission towers operating at the cellular edge. Available via an integration with Ericsson's Intelligent Automation Platform, AgloCell's SpectraMax optimisation is packaged as an rApp executed from the Open RAN-defined non-real time intelligent controller (RIC), which delivers configurations at single-second latency or greater.

POLAND 28 JAN

Orange Poland covers more than 80% of population with 5G

Orange Poland announced that it operated 12,670 base stations at the end of  2025, after 165 new base stations were built in the year. In addition, 5G services on the C band were activated on over 1,500 base stations, taking this footprint to around 4,500 such base stations in total. 5G services on the 700 MHz band were available on 1,200 base stations. Altogether, the 5G network of the operator covers more than 80 percent or the country's population.

GLOBAL 28 JAN

Semtech marks launch of 5G RedCap routers with bundled AirLink Complete service

Semtech announced the launch of two rugged 5G reduced capability (RedCap) routers under its AirLink brand. The AirLink RX400 and EX400 are available in a bundle that includes 12-month access to Semtech's AirLink Complete service plan, providing a product warranty, ongoing technical support, and remote management features through the AirLink Management Service platform. They can be purchased from channel partners enrolled in Semtech's AirLink ecosystem programme.

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Commentary

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Background

26 JAN 00:31

The week in telecoms: Netflix and Ericsson all about cash, EU sketches out rip-and-replace and copper transition plans

22 JAN 14:28

Netflix can spend more on content and still improve its margin

19 JAN 00:42

The week in telecom: Apple holds on to smartphone crown, Ericsson slims down and CommScope changes name

16 JAN 09:51

Belgian mobile market under pressure from Digi, broadband impact still to come