KDDI and Okinawa Cellular, in partnership with Starlink, have launched au Starlink Direct — Japan’s first direct-to-device satellite service. Starting April 10, 2025, au users can enjoy seamless connectivity even beyond network zones, enabling emergency alerts, location sharing, and AI-powered assistance, all at no extra cost.
Germany’s antitrust authority has accused Vodafone and Vantage Towers of blocking 1&1’s 5G rollout by withholding promised tower access. The delay, the regulator claims, harms competition and could have been avoided.
TXO has acquired the AirWay Group, strengthening its North American presence and expanding its sustainable telecom solutions. The deal enhances TXO’s network lifecycle capabilities and supports its mission to reduce waste, while bringing on board key leadership and over 250 global telecom clients.
The Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) is championing the development of 5G Reduced Capability, known as RedCap, by forming a focused group. This initiative is crucial for propelling 5G’s ecosystem forward, backed by industry giants like Ericsson, Huawei, Qualcomm, and MediaTek.
The Philippines’ NTC has denied NOW Telecom’s appeal to extend its mobile license after the company failed to meet rollout targets—deploying just 6 of 2,306 promised base stations. Regulatory non-compliance and unpaid spectrum fees totaling PHP 3.57 billion further sealed its fate.
A group of major European telecoms, including Vodafone and Orange, urges urgent EU, UK, and NATO action to protect subsea cables amid rising hybrid threats. Citing recent incidents and geopolitical tensions, the coalition supports enhanced cross-border collaboration and the EU’s Cable Security Action Plan to safeguard Europe’s connectivity.
Nokia, Telia, and the Finnish Defense Forces achieved a world-first by successfully demonstrating seamless 5G standalone slice handover across borders. Conducted during a Nordic defense exercise, the trial proved the potential of secure, uninterrupted communications for mission-critical operations.
Anatel has approved Starlink to launch 7,500 more satellites in Brazil, expanding its network. While boosting internet coverage, the decision raised regulatory concerns. Amid tensions with Brazilian authorities and global contract setbacks, Starlink also faces rising costs from U.S. import tariffs.
Wildanet is revolutionizing fibre broadband in Cornwall with its latest initiative, leveraging its partnership with Xantaro. With an investment of £77 million, this project under Project Gigabit aims to connect over 35,000 rural premises. Xantaro’s advanced technologies streamline deployment, reduce costs, and enhance connectivity.
The U.S. Department of Energy has identified 16 federal sites for future AI data centers, leveraging existing power infrastructure. This initiative, aiming for completion by 2027, supports a federal strategy to bolster AI capabilities. Proposed locations include national labs and decommissioned nuclear sites.
