Telecommunications
Telecommunications news covering 5G networks, broadband infrastructure, connectivity solutions, and telecom industry developments in Saudi Arabia and the region.
Majority Audio and Cambridge United Women FC Break Bluetooth Speakers World Record Using Auracast
Majority Audio and Cambridge United Women FC broke the Guinness World Record for the largest number of Bluetooth speakers played simultaneously on March 29, using Auracast technology. The attempt surpassed JBL’s previous record of 1,000 speakers, set in 2017.
Rakuten Mobile Extends Netcracker Partnership for AI-Enabled Digital BSS in Japan
Netcracker Technology and Rakuten Mobile have extended their partnership for an AI-enabled Digital BSS platform supporting Japan’s 4G and 5G networks. The agreement continues a relationship that began when Rakuten Mobile launched in 2019.
ZTE Intelligent Computing Solutions Take Center Stage at CloudFest 2026 in Germany
ZTE presented end-to-end intelligent computing solutions at CloudFest 2026 in Germany, reporting over 200% growth in server and storage revenue in 2025 and ranking eighth globally in server shipments.
SpaceX Globalstar Deal Edges Closer to $10 Billion Acquisition, Analyst Says
Satellite analyst Tim Farrar says the SpaceX Globalstar deal is nearing a $10 billion close, with SpaceX likely outbidding Amazon to block a rival’s expansion into direct-to-device connectivity.
Mobile Money Transactions Surpass $2 Trillion in 2025, GSMA Report Finds
Mobile money transactions surpassed $2 trillion in 2025, with active accounts growing 15% year-on-year to 593 million, according to the GSMA’s latest annual report.
Huawei NG WAN White Paper Sets Roadmap for Next-Generation Carrier Networks
Huawei released its NG WAN white paper at the Upperside World Congress 2026, outlining a target network architecture for 2030 built on AI, IPv6, and autonomous operations.
Ad
Qualcomm Pushes Back on Research Suggesting Apple’s C1X Modem Nears Parity
Qualcomm disputed Ookla research comparing its X80 modem with Apple’s C1X chip, saying the study used an outdated product and lacked methodological clarity.
ZTE Optical Network Solutions Win All Awards at 2026 Lightwave Innovation Reviews
ZTE earned awards for all its submissions at the 2026 Lightwave Innovation Reviews, covering AI diagnostics, 50G PON access, and a world-first 1.6 Tbps live-network transmission.
Apple C1X Modem Matches Qualcomm in Downloads, Trails in Upload Speeds
Ookla’s Q4 2025 Speedtest Intelligence data shows Apple’s C1X modem matches Qualcomm’s X80 in downloads and latency, while trailing by up to 32% in upload speeds.
SKT and Ericsson Partner on 6G Research Through 2031, While SoftBank Cuts Antenna Power Use
SK Telecom and Ericsson signed a joint 6G and 5G research agreement running through 2031. Separately, SoftBank and AGC reported antenna simplification that cuts base station power use by up to one-eighth.
South Korea Extends Facial Recognition SIM Registration Pilot to June 2026
South Korea’s MSIT extended its facial recognition SIM registration pilot until June 2026 after mobile operators and industry bodies requested more time to address on-site challenges.
Ookla Proposes New Framework to Evaluate AI-Powered Voice Calls at MWC 2026
Ookla presented a new AI voice evaluation framework at MWC 2026, adding three dimensions to assess AI-powered voice calls. A Philippines field study found VoLTE connection rates at only 31%.
Netcracker Digital OSS Upgrade Powers BICS Operations Support Modernization
BICS, a Proximus Global subsidiary, will upgrade its Netcracker Digital OSS deployment as part of a strategic modernization program covering all core OSS components. The initiative targets stability, security, and long-term platform support for wholesale and carrier services.
Sama X Launches Starlink Kuwait Services, Offering Satellite Internet Across Land and Sea
Sama X, the tech subsidiary of Al Ghanim Industries, has launched Starlink satellite internet services in Kuwait, offering speeds exceeding 300 Mbps with latency between 20 and 40 milliseconds.
IoT Satellite Connectivity and 5G Convergence Open New Use Cases, Experts Say at MWC26
Experts at MWC26 Barcelona said IoT satellite connectivity combined with 5G is expanding use cases from emergency vehicle calls to cattle tracking. Specialists from Deutsche Telekom, Verizon Business, and Skylo Technologies addressed certification, cost, and coverage challenges.
GlobalData Releases Voice Evolution White Paper at MWC 2026, Outlining AI Integration Roadmap for Telecom Operators
GlobalData released a white paper at MWC 2026 outlining a three-phase roadmap for integrating AI into voice networks. Principal Analyst Andy Hicks argues that a fully converged voice core is essential for operators managing multi-generational networks.
China Plans In-Orbit BeiDou Navigation Upgrade Across 50-Satellite Constellation
China’s satellite navigation office plans an in-orbit upgrade across all 50 BeiDou satellites, targeting improved user experience and a fully integrated spatiotemporal system by 2035.
GSMA Releases User Experience Specifications for AI Calling Services at MWC 2026
GSMA published a white paper at MWC 2026 in Barcelona defining user experience specifications and evaluation models for AI calling services on native telecom voice networks.
LG Smart Telematics Solution Debuts at MWC Barcelona 2026 with Integrated TCU-Antenna Module
LG Electronics debuted an integrated TCU-antenna telematics module at MWC Barcelona 2026, holding a 23 percent share of the global telematics market in 2025.
Ericsson and Future Technologies Venture Expand Collaboration to Accelerate Private 5G Adoption in North America
Ericsson and Future Technologies Venture have expanded their collaboration to accelerate private 5G adoption across North American manufacturing, logistics, energy, and transport sectors.
Global Cellular IoT Module Shipments Rise 15% in 2025, Driven by Smart Meters and Automotive Demand
Global cellular IoT module shipments grew 15% year-on-year in 2025, led by smart meters, PoS terminals, and automotive demand, Counterpoint Research reported.
Pakistan 5G Spectrum Auction Raises $507 Million as Jazz, Ufone and Zong Secure 480MHz
Pakistan’s 5G spectrum auction raised $507 million, with Jazz, Ufone, and Zong securing 480MHz across four frequency bands on March 11, 2026.