Telecommunications infrastructure

Nokia expands 5G partnership with Airtel

Nokia has signed a multi-year deal with Bharti Airtel to expand their core network collaboration instead of maintaining a limited partnership, aiming to enhance 5G service delivery.

The move will integrate 5G and 4G technologies into a unified server setup instead of running them separately, while also helping Airtel grow its 4G/5G customer base.

Nokia’s Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) will provide additional solutions for home broadband and enterprise-critical applications instead of relying solely on traditional infrastructure.

The rollout will cover network automation across most Airtel service regions in India, helping the telecom giant optimise its hardware footprint and reduce costs per bit by using appliance-based Packet Core gateways.

Airtel CTO Randeep Sekhon highlighted that Nokia’s Packet Core deployment will improve network quality and reliability instead of allowing congestion to impact customers.

Nokia’s president of cloud and network services, Raghav Sahgal, emphasised that this collaboration strengthens Airtel’s 5G standalone (SA) readiness, reinforcing Nokia’s leadership in core network solutions in India and globally.

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Commission seeks simpler, harmonised telecom rules

EU Tech Commissioner Henna Virkkunen has voiced support for using a Regulation, rather than a Directive, in the upcoming Digital Networks Act.

She says this would ensure consistent implementation across all member states, avoiding the patchwork seen under current telecom rules.

Virkkunen also hinted at easing merger rules and reducing ex-ante regulation within the existing framework, the European Electronic Communications Code.

These changes, she noted, could encourage investment and help the EU meet its goal of full 5G and fibre coverage by 2030.

She criticised slow national efforts to phase out high-risk Chinese components from 5G networks, calling for stronger action.

Her stance follows pressure from MEPs concerned about ongoing cybersecurity risks and lack of enforcement.

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Android messaging gets full screen emoji animations

Google Messages has introduced a playful new feature for Android users, letting certain emojis trigger full-screen animations in RCS chats.

Typing two identical emojis, like a pair of hearts or a thumbs up, can now spark lively ‘Screen Effects’ on your screen.

These effects build on phrase-triggered animations that launched in 2023, where typing phrases like ‘congratulations’ or ‘happy new year’ would activate colourful visuals.

Google hasn’t revealed a full list, encouraging users to uncover triggers naturally.

However, this update is part of Google’s push to keep Messages competitive with rivals like WhatsApp and iMessage.

Alongside emoji effects, the app has recently added better photo sharing, new security tools, and signs point to even more upgrades on the way.

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Mobile coverage from space may soon be reality

Satellite-based mobile coverage could arrive in the UK by the end of 2025, with Ofcom launching a consultation on licensing direct-to-smartphone services.

The move would allow users to stay connected in areas without mast coverage using an ordinary mobile phone.

The proposal favours mobile networks teaming up with satellite operators to share frequencies in unserved regions, offering limited services like text messaging at first, with voice and data to follow.

Ofcom plans strict interference controls, and Vodafone is among those preparing to roll out such technology.

If approved, the service would be available across the UK mainland and surrounding seas, but not yet in places like the Channel Islands.

The public has until May to respond, as Ofcom seeks to modernise mobile access and help close the digital divide.

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Satellite messaging comes to Xfinity and Spectrum

Comcast and Charter introduced satellite-based emergency messaging for their mobile customers, following Verizon’s lead a day earlier. The new feature is available to Xfinity Mobile and Spectrum Mobile users but only on Samsung Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 9 devices.

The service is powered by Skylo, a non-terrestrial network provider that also helped launch Google’s Satellite SOS feature on the Pixel 9. The function is currently limited to sending emergency messages when users are outside Wi-Fi or cellular coverage.

Both companies plan to expand the feature soon, allowing users to send and receive regular SMS texts via satellite. This move places Comcast and Charter among many carriers exploring satellite connectivity.

Other telecom giants are also advancing in this space. T-Mobile is working with Starlink to offer direct-to-cell satellite messaging, while AT&T is developing capabilities similar to AST SpaceMobile, signalling a broader shift in how mobile networks handle connectivity in remote areas.

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MIT advances scalable quantum computing networks

MIT researchers have developed a breakthrough quantum interconnect device that could significantly advance quantum computing by enabling direct communication between multiple quantum processors.

Unlike point-to-point architectures, which suffer from compounded error rates, their new ‘all-to-all’ communication system allows superconducting quantum processors to exchange quantum information efficiently using microwave photons.

By successfully demonstrating remote entanglement between two quantum processors, the researchers have taken a crucial step toward building large-scale quantum computing networks.

Their method involves using superconducting wires to shuttle photons, allowing quantum processors to remain entangled even when physically separate. However, this advancement paves the way for scalable quantum computing with higher flexibility and reduced error rates.

To maximise efficiency, the team employed reinforcement learning algorithms to optimise photon absorption, achieving over 60% absorption efficiency—enough to confirm successful entanglement.

Future improvements may involve refining photon pathways and integrating modules in 3D to further enhance performance. The research, supported by multiple US agencies and AWS, brings quantum computing closer to practical, large-scale implementation.

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EU pushes for satellite internet funding for Ukraine

The European Commission has urged EU nations to fund Ukraine’s access to satellite internet through European commercial providers, amid growing concerns over the country’s reliance on Elon Musk’s Starlink.

The call, outlined in a newly published defence white paper, comes as Ukraine faces potential service disruptions unless it agrees to a minerals deal with the US. European satellite operators are now in talks with the EU to explore alternative solutions.

Brussels has proposed granting Kyiv access to the EU’s space programme to ensure stable connectivity for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The initiative aims to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience by diversifying its satellite-based services. Poland, which partially funds Ukraine’s Starlink access, has also backed the need for alternative providers.

Spain’s Hisdesat has confirmed plans to expand its coverage over Ukraine, while other European satellite firms, such as Eutelsat and SES, have been approached for potential involvement.

The move reflects Europe’s broader strategy to secure independent infrastructure for Ukraine and reduce dependence on private or non-EU providers.

The Commission’s proposal, if implemented, could mark a significant shift in how Kyiv maintains vital communications during the ongoing conflict.

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Ofcom backs broadband competition to expand full-fibre coverage

Britain should maintain competition in the broadband market to boost full-fibre coverage to 96% of premises by 2027 while capping prices on slower-speed services, UK telecoms regulator Ofcom announced on Thursday.

The cap would limit what BT’s Openreach can charge for connections up to 80Mbit/s, an increase from the current 40Mbit/s limit.

Ofcom’s previous measures, including encouraging new providers to use Openreach’s infrastructure, have helped increase full-fibre coverage from under 25% to nearly 70% of homes.

It now proposes keeping high-speed broadband prices free from regulation until 2031 while ensuring affordability for those relying on older copper-fibre connections.

In rural areas where commercial networks are less viable, Ofcom plans to support Openreach in expanding full-fibre access. The regulator’s consultation on these proposals will run until June 12, with final decisions expected in March 2026. BT shares rose 0.5% following the announcement.

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India plans five-year limit on satellite spectrum

India’s telecom regulator plans to recommend allocating satellite broadband spectrum for around five years to assess market adoption, a move that goes against Elon Musk’s Starlink, which has been pushing for a 20-year permit.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is finalising key recommendations on the licensing timeframe and pricing, opting for a shorter period to monitor industry growth before making long-term commitments.

A government official confirmed TRAI is inclined towards a five-year limit, allowing regulators to review the market and revise spectrum pricing as needed.

However, this decision could impact Starlink’s long-term plans in India, as its deals with Reliance and Airtel are still pending regulatory approvals. Meanwhile, industry forecasts suggest India’s satellite communication sector could expand over tenfold, reaching $25 billion by 2028.

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Reliance Jio and SpaceX partner for Starlink in India

Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to bring Starlink satellite internet services to India, marking a surprising turn after months of rivalry over spectrum allocation.

Under the agreement, Jio will stock Starlink equipment in its retail stores, giving the US company direct access to thousands of outlets across the country.

Move like this one comes after New Delhi sided with Musk’s preferred method of spectrum allocation, despite Ambani’s earlier concerns that Starlink could dominate India’s telecom sector.

The deal follows a similar partnership between Starlink and Bharti Airtel, India’s second-largest telecom provider, both of which depend on government approval for operations to begin. While Airtel’s shares dipped slightly after the Jio announcement, Reliance Industries saw a marginal rise in trading.

Starlink, which has been awaiting licenses since 2022 due to national security concerns, is using the agreement as a low-cost entry into India’s fast-growing satellite internet market, expected to reach $1.9 billion by 2030.

For Musk, the stakes in India go beyond Starlink, as he recently secured a deal to open Tesla’s first showroom in the country.

However, high tariffs on imported electric vehicles remain a challenge. Meanwhile, Jio and SpaceX are also exploring other areas of cooperation, while Jio continues its own satellite broadband plans with Luxembourg-based SES.

Despite past disputes, the partnership signals a shift from competition to collaboration in India’s evolving telecom landscape.

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