Du and Khalifa University publish '6G blueprint for telcos'
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 10:54

Du and Khalifa University publish '6G blueprint for telcos'

UAE-based operator Du has published its first whitepaper, 'The Intelligence Network: A 6G Blueprint for Telcos'. It was developed by Du Infra in collaboration with the Digital Future Institute at Khalifa University. It presents a blueprint for AI-native, autonomous and monetisable telecom infrastructure, exploring how telecom operators can evolve into intelligence infrastructure providers. Du has published the paper on its LinkedIn feed.

NGMN outlines agentic AI roadmap towards Level 4 autonomy in mobile networks
GLOBAL 11 AUG

NGMN outlines agentic AI roadmap towards Level 4 autonomy in mobile networks

The Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) Alliance has published its current view on pathways to agentic AI adoption in cellular infrastructures. NGMN's third-phase Network Automation and Autonomy paper provides a reference framework to assist with the selection of network components capable of driving agentic AI-based automation. The analysis aims to benchmark available open-source ecosystems for agentic deployment along with relevant technology standards, and also examines key factors in achieving safe,

NTT Docomo and Samsung validate AI-driven service degradation predictor with potential 6G use cases
JAPAN 10 AUG

NTT Docomo and Samsung validate AI-driven service degradation predictor with potential 6G use cases

NTT's mobile network NTT Docomo has trialled an AI-driven service degradation predictor for cellular sites in partnership with Samsung Electronics. The study deploys a newly developed AI-RAN tool that works at the user level as opposed to actioning a single configuration across all cellular activity at each cell.

LMT joins European 6G implementation advisory group
LATVIA 7 AUG

LMT joins European 6G implementation advisory group

Latvian operator LMT confirmed it has become one of 16 entities that will join the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking's (SNS JU) Advisory Group to work on 6G implementation. LMT said will play a leading role in two major SNS JU initiatives. The Shield 6G project aims to develop secure mechanisms for resilience and protection against cyber threats in next-generation 6G mobile networks. IoT Zero, on the other hand, is a research initiative focused on the development of zero-power or ultra-low-power

Intel enrols in Ocudu Ecosystem Foundation as a premier member
GLOBAL 6 AUG

Intel enrols in Ocudu Ecosystem Foundation as a premier member

The Ocudu Ecosystem Foundation has welcomed Intel on board as a premier member. The Linux Foundation-hosted project, which aims to mature open and interoperable RAN reference architectures backed by common software components, said Intel's involvement would draw on its expertise in cloud-native infrastructure and telecoms. It added that Intel's arrival was a sign that RAN suppliers are eager to deploy open source as the foundation for the next wave of mobile infrastructure deployments.

Optus and Nokia complete pre-6G massive MIMO transmission using upper 6 GHz frequencies
AUSTRALIA 5 AUG

Optus and Nokia complete pre-6G massive MIMO transmission using upper 6 GHz frequencies

Australia's Optus has completed an advanced 6G research trial that deployed Nokia's massive MIMO antenna to transmit an upper-6GHz signal. According to Optus, the link successfully achieved record peak download speeds of around 3.5 Gbps, underscoring the critical role that the upper 6 GHz band could play in unlocking 6G-era capacity for end subscribers. Optus's study was conducted at a mobile transmitter in Sydney currently equipped with live 5G infrastructure. Nokia's advanced 6 GHz massive MIMO radio was

Netherlands digital agency plans 6G research demo in September
NETHERLANDS 4 AUG

Netherlands digital agency plans 6G research demo in September

The digital infrastructure agency in the Netherlands, RDI is organising a 6G event 23 September in Amersfoort to show off the national 6G test bed and various 6G field labs around the country. Available to follow also online, the meeting is part of 'Digitalisation Week' and is organised in cooperation with the Do IoT Fieldlab in Delft and Future Network Services research group. 

US NTIA begins study of federally held 4.4 GHz band for 6G reallocation
UNITED STATES 3 AUG

US NTIA begins study of federally held 4.4 GHz band for 6G reallocation

The US National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is progressing with a study of the 4.4 GHz band with the intent of transitioning incumbent federal users to unlock capacity for national 6G auctions. It follows an earlier directive by US president Donald Trump in December 2025 instructing the NTIA to complete its assessment of the 7.215 - 7.4 GHz band within twelve months. Separate studies have also been approved for the 1.6 GHz and 2.7 GHz bands. As such, the NTIA has approved study

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

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,

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

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 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Just In

15:31

Megafon deploys indoor network at Volga Arena in Nizhny-Novgorod

15:30

Google updates Pixel range with increase in phone prices, predictive health on smartwatch

14:22

Rostelecom up 11% in Q2, EBITDA grows 9%

14:21

Beeline expands coverage in Moscow residential buildings

Commentary

11 AUG 10:49

Can Ziggo Group creation improve visibility for the Dutch market?

2 JUL 11:26

Canal Plus misses chance to strengthen Dutch business, time for exit?

23 JUN 09:56

ACM blocks Delta/Glaspoort deal - what can KPN do?

5 MEI 10:55

KPN: the art of making one-offs structural

Background

9 AUG 23:44

The week in telecom: Starlink's mobile ambitions and LEO challengers, plus Hollywood studios try streaming shorts and sports

2 AUG 23:37

The week in telecom: Telcos resist economic slowdown in Q2 while big tech gears up for more AI investment

26 JUL 23:19

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