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.
In response to a significant tariff hike, Apple has flown five cargo planes of products from India to the U.S. to avoid steep new taxes. This costly decision reflects the urgency U.S. companies face amid trade tensions. As tariffs rise, consumers worry about price hikes, while tech firms like are grappling with increased costs.
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.
The UK’s major mobile operators are challenging Ofcom’s proposed changes to spectrum annual license fees. Despite a proposed 21% reduction in fees for the 900MHz and 1800MHz spectrums, and a 12% increase for the 2100MHz band, operators argue the fees are still too high.
The United Kingdom’s AI Energy Council is harmonizing clean energy with AI infrastructure. Key players like Microsoft and AWS aim to ensure sustainable power for data centers and AI facilities. This initiative aligns AI growth with renewable energy sources, enhancing the U.K.’s computing power and economic development.
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.
