3GPP marks completion of first 6G RAN study item
GLOBAL 10:47

3GPP marks completion of first 6G RAN study item

The first 6G RAN study in the 3GPP's standardisation pipeline has been approved by the alliance. Study item TR38.914, version 1.0.0, aimed to identify typical usage scenarios for 6G radio technology along with technical requirements in each use case. Following its completion, 3GPP intends to share the study with the ITU''s Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) in support of IMT-2030 standardisation activity. TR 38.914's analysis looks at key performance indicators in next-generation cellular, along with archite

Orange and CEA to research intelligent communication for future networks
FRANCE 09:20

Orange and CEA to research intelligent communication for future networks

Orange has announced a five-year R&D collaboration with CEA, a publicly funded French organisation specialising in scientific and technological research, with a view to establishing a joint laboratory named AI-Native Communications. This project focuses on an emerging approach known as semantic communication, which represents a major evolution in how networks can process information. In particular, semantic communication promises to reduce the volume of exchanged data, in turn increasing efficiency and cutt

Thread Group, Broadband Forum to collaborate on managed internet and mesh IoT convergence
GLOBAL 08:38

Thread Group, Broadband Forum to collaborate on managed internet and mesh IoT convergence

The alliance responsible for the IoT wireless mesh networking protocol Thread has joined forces with Broadband Forum in a formal collaboration aimed at managed services in ISP smart home and IoT use cases. A liaison agreement aims to promote smoother interplays between Thread IoT networks and operator-managed premises equipment, raising the prospect of "fully managed services" backed by ISPs and electronics vendors.

Korea and ASEAN complete high-performance computing project in Indonesia
INDONESIA 06:31

Korea and ASEAN complete high-performance computing project in Indonesia

South Korea and ASEAN have completed the deployment of a high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure project in Indonesia, marking a milestone in their broader digital cooperation programme. South Korea's ministry of science and ICT and ministry of foreign affairs, together with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI), announced the official opening of the facility at Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency.

NTT Docomo launches open-ear hearing assistance device
JAPAN 06:03

NTT Docomo launches open-ear hearing assistance device

NTT Docomo has begun selling the cocoe Ear open-ear hearing assistance device and the companion cocoe Link television transmitter through its retail and online sales channels, while expanding in-store demonstrations across Japan. The products, developed by NTT Sonority, went on sale on 18 June through Docomo Shops nationwide and the operator's online store. On the same date, Docomo also began offering hands-on demonstrations of cocoe Ear in 56 Docomo Shops across all 47 prefectures.

TM Forum embarks on AI-native ODA transition
GLOBAL 17 JUN

TM Forum embarks on AI-native ODA transition

TM Forum is set to introduce AI-native extensions in its Open Digital Architecture (ODA), which acts as a standardised software template for telecoms IT such as modernised BSS and OSS systems. Unveiled ahead of the forum's DTW Ignite 2026 event, this announcement marks the beginning of efforts to implement a governed, AI-native execution layer, enabling agentic tools to run within the existing ODA specification, including TM Forum's component architecture and Open APIs.

Japan and UK prepare beyond 5G research programme on AI networks, NTN and photonics
JAPAN 17 JUN

Japan and UK prepare beyond 5G research programme on AI networks, NTN and photonics

Japan's ministry of internal affairs and communications (MIC) has launched a process to identify prospective participants for a planned Japan-UK joint research programme focused on Beyond 5G and 6G technologies. The initiative will be delivered through the Beyond 5G Fund administered by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT). Ahead of a formal funding call, NICT has begun seeking expressions of interest from organisations intending to submit proposals.

Ericsson and SoftBank complete multi-slice 5G SA and mmWave trial at F1
JAPAN 17 JUN

Ericsson and SoftBank complete multi-slice 5G SA and mmWave trial at F1

Ericsson and SoftBank have completed a trial of five simultaneous 5G Standalone (SA) and millimetre wave (mmWave) network slicing use cases during the 2026 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit. The companies said the demonstration used five independent network slices, including mmWave-based services, operating on SoftBank's commercial network. The trial was designed to assess the ability of network slicing to support multiple communications requirements simultaneously during a large-scale event w

LG Uplus expands Toyota Connect infotainment platform for new RAV4 model
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 17 JUN

LG Uplus expands Toyota Connect infotainment platform for new RAV4 model

LG Uplus has upgraded its Toyota Connect connected vehicle platform and will deploy the enhanced service in the new Toyota RAV4 in partnership with Toyota Motor Korea. Toyota Connect is based on LG Uplus's U+Drive infotainment platform and provides navigation, music streaming, television content and voice recognition services within vehicles.

UCD-led consortium aims to deliver semantics-driven 6G network resilience
IRELAND 16 JUN

UCD-led consortium aims to deliver semantics-driven 6G network resilience

University College Dublin (UCD) has formally launched an EUR 8 million R&D project endorsed by the EU's Smart Network and Services joint undertaking (SNS-JU) to advance security and resilience in Europe's future 6G networks. Shield-6G's threat intelligence project will focus on 6G semantics, whereby future cellular networks would be able to encode intent and meaning from raw data uploaded into the network. This work will be coupled with federated learning, secure multi-party computation and differential pri

IQE and Tower sign multi-year InP wafer supply agreement for AI data centre optics
UNITED KINGDOM 16 JUN

IQE and Tower sign multi-year InP wafer supply agreement for AI data centre optics

UK-based chip wafer supplier IQE and Tower Semiconductor have signed a multi-year agreement covering the supply of indium phosphide (InP) epiwafers for optical connectivity technologies used in AI-driven data centre infrastructure. Under the agreement, IQE will supply InP epiwafers for use in several of Tower Semiconductor's silicon photonics platforms. The companies said the collaboration will support the development and production of optical technologies including 200Gb/s-per-lane pluggable transceivers,

SNS-JU project examines XR connectivity in Romanian schools
ROMANIA 15 JUN

SNS-JU project examines XR connectivity in Romanian schools

A pre-6G pilot backed by the EU's Smart Network Services Joint Undertaking (SNS-JU) is progressing a trial deployment of extended reality in action in two rural schools in Romania. A recent update of SNS-JU activity said that the trial was implemented in May. Existing 5G capacity from Orange Romania was deployed to carry XR content, but the programme also provided a glimpse at technologies likely to become more prevalent in 6G cellular, such as advanced dynamic slicing and quality-of-service (QoS).

BRAZIL 15 JUN

Brazil and EU forge digital partnership

Brazil and the European Union have formalised a Digital Partnership to establish international cooperation in critical areas such as data governance, AI, 5G and 6G network infrastructure development, high-capacity connectivity, and digital public goods and services platforms. Beyond bilateral initiatives, the partnership will also involve political coordination in major global forums like the UN, G20, ITU, Unesco and ICANN, as well as technical standardisation bodies such as ISO, IEEE and 3GPP.

JAPAN 15 JUN

JAXA confirms successful H3-30 launch and satellite deployments

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has successfully launched the sixth flight of its H3 launch vehicle, using the H3-30 configuration for the first time. The rocket lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center on 12 June and reached its planned orbit, according to JAXA. The second stage was injected into its predetermined orbit and that the separation of the Petrel and Stars-X satellites was confirmed approximately 16 minutes after launch. Based on post-orbit data from the second stage, the agenc

JAPAN 15 JUN

NH Institute and SynaXG partner on private 5G and edge AI deployments

Japanese startup NH Institute has announced a partnership with Singapore-based AI-RAN company SynaXG to deploy integrated private 5G and edge AI infrastructure using the SynaSpark Rover platform. The collaboration was announced at Computex 2026 in Taiwan and will focus on deploying the platform across locations including shopping centres, stadiums and office buildings. NH Institute said the system combines private 5G networking with distributed AI computing, enabling connected devices such as robots and dro

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 15 JUN

Naver Cloud outlines sovereign AI strategy for defence applications

Naver Cloud has outlined its approach to deploying AI in defence environments, highlighting multimodal AI, edge infrastructure and field-based engineering support as key components of its strategy. The company presented its plans during a defence AI transformation seminar held at the InLEX Korea Defence Industry Development Expo in Daejeon, attended by representatives from the defence, defence industry and ICT sectors.

GLOBAL 12 JUN

Global 6G RAN capex could reach USD 100-500 billion a year - Dell'Oro

Dell'Oro has published its current forecast for the global 6G capex trajectory in the first six years of deployment. According to its June 2026 6G Advanced Research Report, 6G RAN expenditure could surpass USD 100-500 billion annually. This reflects an expectation that RAN procurement will scale rapidly following 6G's standardisation. However, Dell'Oro notes that operator cell sites today have greater capacity than in the 4G-5G transition, and there may be scope for existing massive MIMO transmitters to be

JAPAN 12 JUN

NTT East and Chiyoda launch IOWN-based remote plant operations trial

NTT East and engineering company Chiyoda Corporation have begun a proof-of-concept project to develop a next-generation remote operations and maintenance (O&M) model for industrial plants using NTT's Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) technology. The project was selected under Japan's ministry of internal affairs and communications regional society DX promotion package programme for advanced communications systems. Siemens and Emerson are also participating, providing virtual programmable logic

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 12 JUN

KT to showcase AI and cloud strategies at Busan Cloud Day 2026

Korea Telecom (KT) will present AI and cloud transformation strategies at Busan Cloud Day 2026, an event being held in partnership with the Busan Information Industry Promotion Agency to support digital transformation among businesses in South Korea's Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongnam regions. The event will take place on 18 June at BEXCO in Busan and is aimed at enterprises and industry stakeholders interested in AI and cloud adoption. KT said the programme will focus on practical implementation approaches and in

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 12 JUN

LG CNS and LX Pantos plan humanoid robot deployment at logistics centre

LG CNS and logistics company LX Pantos have signed an MoU to develop a next-generation smart logistics system using humanoid and shuttle robots at LX Pantos's MegaWise Cheongna logistics centre. Under the agreement, the companies will build and test an automated logistics workflow that combines humanoid robots with shuttle robots across warehouse operations. The planned system would see shuttle robots retrieve goods scheduled for dispatch from storage areas, with humanoid robots receiving the items and load

NETHERLANDS 11 JUN

Netherlands expands Deep Tech Fund to EUR 610 mln

The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and state financing institution Invest-NL have announced a combined EUR 360 million top-up to the Deep Tech Fund (DTF), bringing its total size to EUR 610 million. The DTF targets knowledge-intensive startups and scale-ups active in fields such as photonics, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and nanotechnology — sectors where long development cycles and high technical risk often make private financing difficult to secure.

SINGAPORE 11 JUN

BW Digital and NUS launch research into quantum-ready data centre infrastructure

Singapore-based digital infrastructure company BW Digital and the National University of Singapore's College of Design and Engineering (NUS CDE) have announced a research collaboration focused on developing engineering frameworks for quantum-ready digital infrastructure in Southeast Asia. The partnership will examine infrastructure requirements for integrating future quantum computing systems with conventional computing environments in data centres.

EUROPE 11 JUN

Korea and EU agree to expand cooperation on AI, quantum and digital tech

South Korea's ministry of science and ICT and the European Union have agreed to expand cooperation in science, technology, AI and digital policy during South Korean president Lee Jae Myung's state visit to Belgium and the EU. The discussions formed part of the Korea-EU summit and covered AI innovation, AI governance, digital policy cooperation, research and innovation programmes, researcher exchanges and support for deep-tech start-ups.

SINGAPORE 11 JUN

Singapore launches data festival focused on AI, privacy and data governance

Singapore's Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) will launch the inaugural Singapore Data Festival from 20 to 24 July 2026, bringing together more than 2,000 data and AI professionals, policymakers and business leaders. The event, which will be held at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore, replaces the former Personal Data Protection Week and reflects a broader focus on data governance, responsible data use and artificial intelligence.

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Background

1 JUN 00:13

The week in telecom: EU telcos push sovereign services as governments question foreign tech investors

23 MEI 23:42

The week in telecom: Starlink ready to go public, Singapore telco M&A and Google courts AI subscribers at I/O

18 MEI 00:31

The week in telecom: US operators mount rural satellite challenge, Cisco cashes in on AI boom

11 MEI 00:53

The week in telecom: Lumen, NTT turn to data centre market to revive growth, Hutchison exits UK