Telecommunications
Telecommunications news covering 5G networks, broadband infrastructure, connectivity solutions, and telecom industry developments in Saudi Arabia and the region.

AVIXA Postpones InfoComm EDGE Dubai to October 2027, Plans Q4 2026 Preview Event
AVIXA postpones its flagship InfoComm EDGE Dubai conference to October 2027 and plans a curated preview event in Q4 2026 to address regional priorities.

ZTE Calls for Shift From Network Metrics to User Experience in Broadband Strategy
ZTE argues that fiber network speed alone does not guarantee revenue growth. Operators must shift focus to user experience and customer behavior through intelligent networks and home-centric strategies.

Nokia and Orange Partner to Develop AI-RAN Capabilities with Nvidia Support
Nokia and Orange partner to develop AI-RAN capabilities with Nvidia support, focusing on network performance, energy efficiency, and 6G readiness through GPU-accelerated radio processors and AI integration.

Amazon Agrees $11.6 Billion Deal to Acquire Globalstar
Amazon agreed to acquire Globalstar for $11.6 billion to expand its satellite connectivity services. The deal includes a parallel agreement with Apple to power satellite services on iPhones and Apple Watch devices.

Amazon to Acquire Globalstar, Become iPhone’s Primary Satellite Provider
Amazon announced plans to acquire Globalstar for $11.6 billion and become the primary satellite provider for iPhones and Apple Watches, marking a major expansion in direct-to-device satellite connectivity.

PayTabs Completes Acquisition of TAPn’GO to Expand Contactless Payment Services Across MENA
PayTabs Group completed its acquisition of TAPn’GO, integrating contactless payment capabilities into its Super App platform. The move targets merchants across retail, hospitality, and healthcare sectors in the MENA region.

Rebellions, SK Telecom, and Arm Join Forces to Build Sovereign AI Infrastructure for Telecom Markets
Rebellions, SK Telecom, and Arm are collaborating to develop AI inference servers combining the Arm AGI CPU with Rebellions’ RebelCard accelerator, targeting sovereign AI data centers globally.

Amazon Leo Aviation Antenna Targets Starlink’s In-Flight Wi-Fi Market
Amazon debuted the Leo Aviation Antenna this week, promising up to 1Gbps download speeds and single-day installation for commercial jets. The system competes with Starlink, which already serves United, Hawaiian, and Air France.

Mobily and Motorola Launch Razr Fold FIFA 26 World Cup Edition Exclusively in Saudi Arabia
Mobily and Motorola have launched the Razr Fold FIFA 26 World Cup edition exclusively in Saudi Arabia. Customers buying the device through the Mobily App receive a free ticket to a 2026 World Cup match.

Cisco Wireless Report: Saudi Organizations Face AI Complexity Despite Strong Network Returns
Cisco’s inaugural State of Wireless Report finds that 83% of Saudi organizations report better customer engagement from wireless investment, while 84% faced a security incident in the past year.

ZTE and CIMB Sign MoU to Advance 5G and Digital Infrastructure Across ASEAN
ZTE Corporation and CIMB Bank Berhad signed an MoU on April 14, 2026, to support 5G deployment and digital infrastructure across ASEAN. The agreement covers Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Cambodia.

Neo Space Group and Saudia Airlines Launch Free High-Speed In-Flight Internet Across the Fleet
Neo Space Group and Saudia Airlines have launched free high-speed in-flight internet across Saudia’s fleet, using the NSG Skywaves® system powered by SES Open Orbits™ multi-orbit satellite technology.

Infobip Turns 20 and Launches AgentOS as Agentic AI Moves Into Production
Infobip marks its 20th anniversary with the live launch of AgentOS, a platform designed to deploy agentic AI across enterprise customer communications at scale.

Vodafone Oman and Red Hat Partner to Unify IT Infrastructure Ahead of 2028 Cloud Target
Vodafone Oman and Red Hat are consolidating the operator’s IT infrastructure on Red Hat OpenShift, targeting 100% cloud-native production workloads by 2028 to cut costs and support 5G growth.

ZTE Showcases 5G-A, AI, and Zero-Carbon Solutions at GITEX Africa 2026 in Marrakech
ZTE Corporation displayed 5G-A, AI-driven solutions, and zero-carbon energy products at GITEX Africa 2026 in Marrakech. The company also introduced AI-powered smartphones and Wi-Fi 7 terminals targeting African markets.

Private 5G System XCOM RAN Launched by Globalstar Targeting Industrial AI and Automation
Globalstar has launched the XCOM RAN private 5G system for industrial enterprises, targeting AI-driven automation, warehouse robotics, and demanding IoT environments.

5G Coverage Is No Longer the Goal: GSMA Intelligence Declares a Capability Era in 2026
GSMA Intelligence’s 5G Connectivity Index benchmarks 46 markets and finds that coverage alone no longer defines 5G leadership. Advanced capabilities, from standalone networks to industrial IoT, now separate the leaders from the rest.

Siemens Expands Private 5G Networks to 15 Countries, Targeting Industrial AI Demand
Siemens is expanding its private 5G offering to 15 countries, adding the US, Canada, and six European markets to support industrial AI workloads with licensed-spectrum connectivity.

Huawei Techco2.0 Framework Targets Telecom-to-Techco Shift at SAMENA Summit 2026
Huawei unveiled its Techco2.0 framework at the SAMENA Leaders’ Summit 2026 in Dubai, outlining a three-layer AI model to help telecom operators generate new revenue and automate operations.

Infobip Gathers Over 1,000 Engineers at DevDays 2026 to Advance AI Integration
Infobip gathered more than 1,000 engineers at DevDays 2026 to mark its 20th anniversary and deepen AI integration across its global communications platform.

UAE Launches World’s First Commercial U6GHz Network, Targeting 10Gbps Connectivity
The UAE launched the world’s first commercial U6GHz network at the SAMENA Council Leaders’ Summit 2026, targeting 10Gbps speeds and laying early groundwork for 6G.

Infobip Messaging Trends Report 2026: RCS Grows 3x, SMS Holds 62% of Traffic
Infobip’s Messaging Trends Report 2026 analyzes 628 billion interactions and finds RCS traffic tripled globally while single-channel use fell to 2.3%.
