India unveils proposal to create telecoms production powerhouse in Madhya Pradesh
INDIA 31 JUL

India unveils proposal to create telecoms production powerhouse in Madhya Pradesh

India is preparing to establish a dedicated telecom manufacturing and research zone (TMZ) in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The policy envisages the construction of a 350-acre industrial cluster in the city of Gwalior, capitalising on Madhya Pradesh's arterial location within India. The national government believes the project will attract an influential congregation of telecom manufacturers and innovators, with a focus on building turnkey production and research capacity to encourage domestic businesses.

E& and Khalifa University publish study on Integrated Sensing and Communication in 6G deployments
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 29 JUL

E& and Khalifa University publish study on Integrated Sensing and Communication in 6G deployments

E& UAE and Khalifa University have published a study in the IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society, outlining a path to transition Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) from an emerging 6G concept into commercially viable deployments. The peer-reviewed paper evaluates the technical, standardisation and commercial requirements necessary to bring ISAC to life. It builds on the partners' previous research into AI-native 6G architecture.

US NTIA joins global allies in 6G call to action
GLOBAL 28 JUL

US NTIA joins global allies in 6G call to action

The US federal telecom agency NTIA has joined 24 friendly governments in a bid to steer 6G development towards a common vision centred on open, secure, and AI-capable technology. The 6G Leadership and Security Call to Action is backed by several European governments, namely the UK, Norway, Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, France, Estonia, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Albania, Romania and Sweden, as well as Honduras, Canada, Australia, Costa Rica, Japan, Panama, Paraguay, the Philippines, and South Kor

South Africa publishes draft mobile spectrum roadmap
SOUTH AFRICA 28 JUL

South Africa publishes draft mobile spectrum roadmap

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has published its draft International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) Roadmap 2026 and implementation plans for public comment. The roadmap outlines a five- to ten-year framework for managing and assigning radio frequency spectrum for current and next-generation mobile broadband, including IMT-2030 technologies. Aligned with the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 and the SA Connect Broadband Policy, the initiative aims to bridge the digital

Open Fiber showcases future network advances in EU-backed RESTART programme
ITALY 24 JUL

Open Fiber showcases future network advances in EU-backed RESTART programme

Italy's Open Fiber said it has led research into next-generation telecommunications under the RESTART programme, an EU-funded initiative that concluded its reporting phase on 30 June. Backed by EUR 116 million from the NextGenerationEU fund under Italy's PNRR recovery plan, RESTART brought together 135 partners across 32 projects to explore future network architectures and services, delivering advances ranging from quantum-secure networks to edge computing and fibre-based sensing,

Sixteen stakeholders join new SNS-JU advisory body
EUROPE 20 JUL

Sixteen stakeholders join new SNS-JU advisory body

The EU's Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS-JU) has formally established its new advisory body with the enrolment of sixteen stakeholders as members. Orange, Nokia, Ericsson and Latvijas Mobilais Telefons are among organisations serving on the SNS-JU's new Stakeholders Group. The remit of this body includes consultation on the JU's strategic priorities, including contributions to its annual work programmes and strategic R&D agenda, as well as preparations for the forthcoming EU research fram

UK moves ahead with AFC-driven upper 6 GHz Wi-Fi
UNITED KINGDOM 20 JUL

UK moves ahead with AFC-driven upper 6 GHz Wi-Fi

Ofcom has given the go-ahead for UK Wi-Fi devices to access upper 6 GHz frequencies (6,585-7125 MHz) on a non-priority basis, leveraging automated frequency coordination (AFC) to ensure bands are reserved for 6G cellular transmitters when needed. In addition, Ofcom has set aside an extra 160 MHz share in the upper 6 GHz range (6,425 - 6,585 MHz) for low-power Wi-Fi devices on a priority basis. Clearance from an AFC system will still be required before higher-powered Wi-Fi signals can access these frequencie

Global small cell shipments to reach almost 10 million units in 2031
GLOBAL 17 JUL

Global small cell shipments to reach almost 10 million units in 2031

The Small Cell Forum (SCF) expects global shipments of small cell equipment to reach 9.8 million units in 2031, representing a 9.1 percent compound growth rate (CAGR) from 2024. The figure comes from this year's edition of SCF's Market Forecast Report, which estimates that cumulative shipments from 2024-2031 will hit 67.2 million units, arriving 2 million units ahead of the 2025 report's forecast.

US NTIA opens bidding for fourth, AI-themed Innovation Fund opportunity
UNITED STATES 16 JUL

US NTIA opens bidding for fourth, AI-themed Innovation Fund opportunity

The US National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has allocated a further USD 53 million for cellular RAN development projects under the federal Wireless Innovation Fund. The fourth notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is the first to be issued since the NTIA said it was exploring a revised mandate for the Innovation Fund to back US development of AI-RAN technology and other AI-native network architectures. The deadline for this AI-focused funding call will lapse on 09 September, with

Cohere backs proposed 'dApp' interface for open RAN software plug-ins
GLOBAL 16 JUL

Cohere backs proposed 'dApp' interface for open RAN software plug-ins

Cohere Technologies has announced plans to package its Universal Spectrum Multiplier (USM) software as an Open RAN dApp through the tentatively announced E3 interface space. Cohere said E3 interfaces will allow tighter integrations between software plug-ins and radio access components, including the critical central and distributed units (CU/DUs). As such, E3-powered dApps are expected to push out the innovation frontier, particularly for AI-RAN use cases.

ESA picks Keysight, Sateliot for blockchain-based 5G satellite network project
EUROPE 16 JUL

ESA picks Keysight, Sateliot for blockchain-based 5G satellite network project

Keysight Technologies said it has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to lead a three-year programme to develop a blockchain-enabled framework for anomaly detection in 5G non-terrestrial networks. Keysight will act as prime contractor, working with Spanish satellite operator Sateliot on technical development and mission integration.

Boldyn sets up private network to advance 6G research at UPC Barcelona
SPAIN 16 JUL

Boldyn sets up private network to advance 6G research at UPC Barcelona

Boldyn Networks said it has collaborated with the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (UPC) to deploy a secure, high-performance private network supporting the university's new 6G LabNet platform. The infrastructure connects two campuses via 32 km of fibre-optic cable and combines advanced 5G and fibre technologies to enable real-world testing of next-generation connectivity systems.

GLOBAL 15 JUL

Viavi secures over USD 1 mln to create 6G digital twins for Shield-6G threat intelligence project

Viavi Solutions has clinched USD 1.1 million in funding from the EU's Smart Networks and Services joint undertaking (SNS-JU) and the Horizon Europe scheme to advance its contribution to the Shield-6G research project. Shield-6G aims to catalyse AI-driven cyber threat intelligence alongside interoperable security, orchestration and regulatory controls in 6G networks. Viavi's contribution focuses on delivering digital twin models powered by its TeraVM AI RAN Scenario Generator (RSG).

GLOBAL 15 JUL

Nokia to launch AI-RAN offering in 2027 with promise of major spectral gains

Nokia announced the upcoming launch of its commercial AI-RAN platform. Nokia's offering will begin pilot deployments before the end of this year before rolling out commercially in 2027. The product aims to help mobile carriers realise spectral efficiency gains of over 100 percent in the next couple of years, potentially doubling the wireless bandwidth available in existing spectrum assets.

EUROPE 13 JUL

EU-backed R&D project targets 6G-powered smart factories

A European research project aimed at bringing next-generation 6G technologies into industrial manufacturing environments has been launched under the lead of Spain's Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) and involving Madrid-based Imdea Networks. The EUR 7.76 million initiative, known as PRIME-6G (Pilot for Resilient Industrial Manufacturing Environments with 6G Technologies), is funded by the EU under the Horizon Europe programme through the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking.

UNITED STATES 13 JUL

AT&T, Ericsson trial 5G ISAC kit in drone detection use case

AT&T has trialled a drone-detection sensing system powered by 5G cellular infrastructure in partnership with Ericsson. The demonstration paves the way for 5G cellular sites to utilise integrated sensing and communications (ISAC). AT&T said the pilot was able to identify, locate and track multiple drones successfully, leveraging existing cellular towers equipped with Ericsson's massive MIMO radios.

FRANCE 10 JUL

France launches call for projects to support 6G standardisation

The French government has announced that the 'France 2030' multi-billion euro investment programme will provide funding for projects that can strengthen the country's participation in international efforts towards 6G standardisation. This latest call for projects, managed by French state-owned bank Bpifrance, will close on 15 January 2027, with interim deadlines during the last four months of the current year.

GLOBAL 9 JUL

Taara introduces middle-mile TCO calculator in alliance with GSMA Intelligence

Taara has announced the launch of a browser-hosted economic planning support tool that helps operators calculate total cost of ownership (TCO) for middle-mile telecoms infrastructure. Taara worked closely with GSMA's market and data research unit, GSMA Intelligence, to ensure the calculator produces accurate cost estimates across a range of middle-mile transport modes. The Taara TCO Calculator defines relative cost profiles for running middle-mile fibre, microwave, mmWave and wireless optical links at pre-d

EUROPE 8 JUL

European consortium achieves first 5G NTN transmission with Hispasat

A European research consortium has announced the completion of a Horizon Europe-funded project called Trantor (5G+ evoluTion to mutioRbitAl multibaNd neTwORks) aimed at advancing 5G Advanced and pre-6G satellite networks. Milestones achieved during the three-year programme include the first successful 5G NTN (non-terrestrial network) transmission in Europe using a Hispasat satellite.

SAUDI ARABIA 7 JUL

Saudi Arabia's CST launches NTN 6G research competition

Saudi Arabia's Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) launched the third edition of the Non-Terrestrial Networks 2026 international research competition. Organised in partnership with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the global initiative aims to attract researchers and academics from around the world to develop innovative ideas in the field of non-terrestrial networks and next-generation wireless communications. The competition winners will be announced in Octobe

IRELAND 6 JUL

Pilot Photonics secures EIC Accelerator grant worth over EUR 10 million

Ireland's Pilot Photonics said it will receive EUR 10.4 million (USD 11.9 million) in funding from the European Innovation Council Accelerator. The investment by the EU Horizon Europe-funded deep tech accelerator supports the upcoming phase of Pilot Photonics' growth roadmap, including qualification of upcoming products ahead of high-volume manufacturing as well as taking on additional staff.  Founded in 2011, Pilot Photonics has devised a patented technology for producing photonic chips. Its portfolio incl

UNITED STATES 3 JUL

Cohere lands USD 28 mln Future G contract to build defence-targeted ISAC prototypes

Cohere Technologies said it has been awarded a USD 28 million research tender by the US Department of War's FutureG Office, aimed at creating a "multi-waveform" RAN prototype for mission-critical integrated sensing (ISAC) in mobile telecom infrastructure. The award builds on an earlier phase two project under the US National Science Foundation's VINES (verticals-enabling intelligent network systems) research programme. Cohere is best known for its Universal Spectrum Multiplier (USM) software and the Pulsone

GLOBAL 2 JUL

Rakuten Symphony puts ex-Boost, Ericsson leader at helm of RAN business unit

Rakuten Symphony has selected Amit Bhardwaj to succeed Anil Sawkar as president of its Radio Access Network (RAN) business unit. Bhardwaj arrives at Symphony after almost two years leading RAN and device engineering activity at US cellular carrier Boost Mobile. He has been working for Boost Mobile out of its Denver headquarters, and will remain sited in the US as he transitions into his new role. Rakuten Symphony said Bhardwaj's remit would include advancing its cloud-native Open RAN offering, pitched to ca

GLOBAL 1 JUL

Cumulative AI-RAN revenue to hit USD 35 billion in next five years - Dell'Oro

Dell'Oro Group's latest forecast for global AI RAN markets indicates they will generate a USD 35 billion cumulative turnover in the five years from 2026 to 2030. AI RAN products and services are expected to scale up well ahead of 6G roll-outs, becoming a key enabler of greater virtualisation, automation and intelligence in cellular infrastructure. The base forecast for AI in mobile sites is not expected to provide a boost to the overall RAN market, however, with Dell'Oro already projecting marginal CAGR gro

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Background

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The week in telecom: Samsung works on foldable challenge, US telcos try FMC

19 JUL 23:41

The week in telecom: OnePlus exits tough smartphone market and Apple takes on OpenAI

12 JUL 23:30

The week in telecom: European telcos take shape as Xavier Niel buys more of Vodafone, Telenor expands in Sweden

5 JUL 23:03

The week in telecom: Comcast gives up on vertical integration, BT and Verizon agree global alliance