AST SpaceMobile’s five BlueBird satellites are set to launch on September 12, heralding the start of their commercial non-terrestrial network services in collaboration with carriers like Verizon and AT&T. This pivotal event not only enhances global cellular connectivity but also signifies a major milestone in low Earth orbit telecommunications.
The FCC approved SpaceX to replace its aging Starlink satellites with advanced second-gen models. The number of Australians using FWA for home broadband nearly doubled. Hiya’s report found nearly 20 billion spam calls globally. The UK CMA has paused its app store investigations into Apple and Google.
The National Advertising Review Board (NARB) has urged AT&T to revise its claims about its Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) following a challenge from T-Mobile US. AT&T’s advertisement implied the advanced VoIP service is operational, which is misleading. Transparent communication in the evolving VoIP and satellite communications landscape is essential.
AST SpaceMobile is gearing up for a significant milestone with the upcoming launch of its first commercial satellites. Set for early August, the five new Bluebird satellites will enhance the company’s ability to offer non-continuous commercial VoIP services. Once deployed in low Earth orbit, these satellites will revolutionize remote mobile coverage via direct-to-device communications.
Opensignal’s report shows T-Mobile leads in US 5G availability.
Google has reversed its decision to phase out tracking cookies. Businesses rapidly adopting generative AI face long-term infrastructure and security challenges. EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure plans to build a new data center. Nokia’s Broadband Easy Connect uses AI and cloud technology to streamline fibre connections.
Point Topic’s recent analysis reveals that global fixed broadband connections will rise to 1.39 billion by the end of this decade. While some regions will reach near-saturation, others will see significant growth opportunities.
T-Mobile has secured a significant $2.67 billion defense contract, positioning itself as the primary wireless solutions provider for the U.S. Navy over the next decade. This contract, known as Spiral 4, succeeds the earlier Spiral 3 agreement, which expired in May. The new arrangement allows all U.S. Department of Defense agencies to access T-Mobile’s wireless services and equipment until 2034.
In a strategic move aimed at enhancing network capabilities, Telstra, the Australian telecom giant, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vonage, a unit of Ericsson. This partnership signifies Telstra’s intent to integrate its network APIs into Vonage’s platform, offering enterprises and developers access to advanced network features.
T-Mobile US has launched a new backup fixed-wireless access (FWA) service called Home Internet Backup in response to frequent network outages and an anticipated severe hurricane season. This new service is an entry-level FWA subscription priced at $30 per month, which includes a bundled home gateway. It is designed to be a cost-effective alternative to T-Mobile’s existing Home Internet package, offering a $20 discount.
T-Mobile has announced an agreement to acquire the bulk of UScellular’s wireless assets, including its customer base, retail stores, and certain spectrum holdings. The total value of the transaction is $4.4 billion, consisting of cash and the assumption of $2 billion in debt.
