Taiwan’s government is taking decisive action to combat telecom fraud through new regulations proposed by the Ministry of Digital Affairs. These regulations focus on the stringent management of four-digit telephone numbers beginning with ’19,’ typically allocated to government agencies and charitable organisations.
The primary goal is to safeguard these critical numbers from misuse. To this end, the government plans to impose penalties on telecom operators who breach the Fraud Hazard Prevention Act, including limiting the number of phone numbers they can receive. This measure aims to deter fraudulent activities effectively. Furthermore, organisations in Taiwan will need to obtain government approval before making any changes to the use of these numbers and must return them if their usage changes. To ensure compliance, the Ministry will conduct random inspections to monitor the proper use of these numbers.
Taiwan’s government is also enhancing its anti-fraud efforts by proposing amendments to the Subsidy, Reward, and Assistance Regulations for Promoting Industry Innovation. These changes will allow the Ministry to offer financial support, including subsidies and rewards, to digital industries developing technologies to prevent fraud. By encouraging technological innovation in this field, the government aims to strengthen fraud prevention measures and protect individuals and organisations against telecom-related fraud.
BlackDice and Bin Omran Trading and Telecommunication have launched a strategic partnership to enhance Qatar’s cybersecurity infrastructure significantly. Combining their expertise will deliver state-of-the-art cybersecurity solutions, with BlackDice leveraging its AI-powered security and data intelligence to safeguard critical infrastructure and sensitive information.
Additionally, their collaboration will focus on strengthening the cybersecurity capabilities of major telecom operators in the region, thereby boosting network resilience and protecting extensive personal and financial data. Consequently, this comprehensive approach supports DA2030’s goal of creating a secure and resilient digital environment essential for Qatar’s economic diversification and social development.
By addressing the evolving needs of the digital landscape in Qatar, BlackDice and Bin Omran Trading and Telecommunication contribute to the nation’s ambition of becoming a global leader in technology and connectivity and ensuring robust protection against emerging cyber threats.
SoftBank and Intelsat have announced a groundbreaking collaboration to establish a ‘Ubiquitous Network’ that integrates terrestrial and satellite communications seamlessly. That innovative partnership aims to develop a hybrid communication solution combining these two network types, providing users with uninterrupted connectivity regardless of location.
The key focus is creating a universal device that ensures continuous connectivity by automatically switching between terrestrial mobile networks and satellite communications. That solution is expected to be especially beneficial for applications in land mobile, maritime, and disaster response scenarios, where reliable communication is essential.
SoftBank and Intelsat will advance this hybrid network solution through a phased approach, aligning with developing new 3GPP 5G standards for non-terrestrial networks. The methodical development process will support both existing satellite terminals and future 5G-based terminals. By aligning with industry standards, the collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of these advanced connectivity solutions, enhancing global network coverage and ensuring that users can remain connected anytime and anywhere.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has secured a significant deal to provide H3 rocket launches for French satellite company Eutelsat from 2027. This agreement marks a major step forward for Japan’s H3 project, backed by a $1.5 billion investment, aiming to expand its presence internationally. Eutelsat, the world’s third-largest satellite operator by revenue, is the second foreign client to choose H3 rockets after Britain’s Inmarsat.
The H3 project, following its first successful flight earlier this year, aims to reduce launch costs to $33 million per mission and increase the number of annual launches to ten. Rising global demand for commercial rockets has made the competitive pricing of H3 appealing. Japan hopes to position H3 as a flagship rocket for its satellite and exploration missions.
After merging with OneWeb, Eutelsat now competes directly with SpaceX’s Starlink in the low-earth orbit communications market. The global satellite sector is intensifying, with other major players such as Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, Boeing-Lockheed’s Vulcan, and Europe’s Ariane 6 also preparing for launches.
MHI’s strategy to make the H3 rocket more competitive reflects growing global interest in space exploration and communications. Japan’s ambitions with H3 align with the increasing number of companies seeking to expand satellite fleets, driven by surging demand for internet connectivity.
Sparkle, the University of Genoa, and the SubOptic Foundation have forged a landmark partnership to advance education and innovation in the field of submarine communications. Their collaboration will introduce the world’s first post-graduate degree focused on submarine fibre optic cables, a pioneering program that the University of Genoa will coordinate.
That initiative aims to draw upon the expertise of industry professionals from Sparkle and other leading companies, creating a comprehensive educational experience with a significant global impact. In addition to the educational program, the partnership is committed to enhancing scientific and technological advancements through joint efforts to foster education, research, and innovation in submarine communications.
The collaboration includes plans to organise institutional events and initiatives that promote technological and entrepreneurial culture, and it extends to working with other organisations focused on underwater technology, such as the Polo Nazionale della dimensione Subacquea (PNS), to ensure a broad and impactful approach to advancing the field.
That partnership underscores their dedication to advancing education and promoting technological and economic development in the submarine cable industry. The strategic importance of this initiative is further highlighted by the enthusiastic support from key figures, including Federico Delfino, Jayne Stowell, and Enrico Bagnasco, who emphasise the course’s role in shaping the future of submarine fibre optic technology.
Ericsson has recently joined the Mobile Satellite Services Association (MSSA), marking a significant step in advancing Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) and expanding global connectivity. The following collaboration underscores Ericsson’s commitment to developing Direct-to-Device (D2D) and Internet of Things (IoT) services through space-based networks, integrating satellite networks with terrestrial cellular systems to address coverage gaps.
Recognising the transformative potential of 5G NTN, Ericsson aims to extend mobile coverage to underserved areas, leveraging L- and S-band spectrum well-suited for mobile satellite services. By employing 3GPP standards, this integration will enable conventional 5G devices to maintain connectivity even in regions lacking terrestrial network coverage, thus contributing to a scalable, sustainable, and affordable global connectivity ecosystem.
Ericsson’s involvement with the Mobile Satellite Services Association (MSSA) highlights its commitment to improving mobile network coverage and reliability. Freddie Södergren of Ericsson’s Business Area Networks emphasises the potential of integrating Non-Terrestrial Networks with land-based networks to enhance global connectivity. Mark Dankberg, MSSA Board Chairman, views Ericsson’s membership as a key boost to developing standards and best practices for Direct-to-Device (D2D) services, aiming for a seamless and affordable user experience through integrated networks.
ReOrbit and Uzma Berhad have announced a groundbreaking partnership to advance a Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) communications satellite project. That collaboration will launch a state-of-the-art GEO satellite to boost connectivity and ensure dependable coverage throughout Malaysia.
By merging ReOrbit’s cutting-edge software-enabled satellite technology with Uzma’s expertise in Malaysia’s energy and technology sectors, the initiative is poised to drive major improvements in the region’s communication infrastructure. Positioned as a transformative venture, this agreement has the potential to revolutionise connectivity solutions. Uzma’s CEO, Dato’ Kamarul Redzuan bin Muhamed, emphasised the project’s role in advancing space technologies and promoting a sustainable future within the New Space Economy.
Through the strategic alliance, ReOrbit and Uzma Berhad aim to bolster Malaysia’s dynamic economy with cutting-edge satellite technology. Sethu Saveda Suvanam, CEO and Founder of ReOrbit expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, noting its alignment with ReOrbit’s mission to enhance connectivity and serve the Malaysian population. The partnership will leverage ReOrbit’s technological expertise to address Malaysia’s evolving communication infrastructure needs.
NTCA (The Rural Broadband Association) and ACA Connects strongly advocate for the NTIA to prioritise fibre deployment in the BEAD Program, asserting that fibre is the most reliable and scalable technology to meet the evolving connectivity needs of households and businesses in the US. They argue that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and BEAD’s Notice of Funding Opportunity have already established fibre as the preferred broadband infrastructure, given its long-term durability and capacity to support future demand.
Moreover, NTCA & ACA Connects have recommended that NTIA seek further consultation on integrating low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites into the program. They express concerns that LEO systems, with their shared capacity across multiple jurisdictions, may undermine the IIJA’s focus on infrastructure investment. Therefore, they propose that NTIA carefully explore LEO satellite technology’s long-term viability and cost implications before allocating BEAD funding to such projects.
In addition, NTCA & ACA Connects believe that alternative technologies, such as unlicensed spectrum and LEO satellites, should only be considered as a last resort, particularly in cases where deploying fibre or other reliable broadband solutions is not economically feasible. They stress that these non-reliable technologies should be deployed solely in the hardest-to-reach areas, ensuring that fibre remains the primary solution in most cases.
By doing so, NTCA & ACA Connects aim to guarantee that Americans, especially in underserved regions, have access to robust and enduring high-speed internet. Furthermore, they emphasise that NTIA’s broadband strategy should focus on delivering long-term connectivity benefits to rural and remote communities. By concentrating on fibre as the core technology and carefully scrutinising the use of alternatives, they believe the BEAD Program can effectively bridge the digital divide and provide sustainable, high-quality internet access for all Americans.
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has introduced new proposals to regulate AI-generated communications in telecommunications. That initiative, detailed in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) released in August, seeks to define and manage the use of AI in outbound calls and text messages.
The NPRM proposes defining an ‘AI-generated call’ as one utilising AI technologies—such as machine learning algorithms or predictive models—to produce artificial or prerecorded voice or text content. The rules would require callers to disclose AI use and obtain specific consent from consumers, ensuring greater transparency and control over AI-generated communications.
In addition to defining and regulating AI-generated calls, the NPRM includes provisions to address the needs of individuals with speech or hearing disabilities. It proposes an exemption from certain TCPA requirements for AI-generated calls made by these individuals, provided such calls are not for telemarketing or advertising. That exemption aims to facilitate communication for those who depend on AI technologies for telephone interactions, balancing regulatory requirements with accessibility needs.
The NOI, on the other hand, seeks feedback on technologies designed to detect, alert, and block potentially fraudulent or AI-generated calls, exploring their development and privacy implications. It questions how these technologies handle call content data and whether current privacy laws are adequate.
The FCC also invites comments on the potential costs and benefits of the proposed rules and asserts that its authority to implement them is grounded in the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). As the comment deadlines approach, the FCC anticipates a thorough discussion on these regulatory changes, which could significantly impact how AI technologies are managed in telecommunications.
Ofcom has introduced new guidance to ensure that broadband providers offer clear and precise information about the technology behind their services. That change aims to address the confusion caused by the industry’s inconsistent use of the term ‘fibre’. Under the new rules, providers must use specific terms like ‘full-fibre’, ‘part-fibre’, ‘copper’, or ‘cable’ to describe their network technology, eliminating the vague term ‘fibre’ alone. That move will help consumers make more informed choices by understanding exactly what type of broadband service they are subscribing to.
Ofcom’s new guidelines mandate that this technology information be provided to consumers before finalising their purchase. Whether signing up in person, over the phone, or online, customers must be given unambiguous details about the underlying network technology of the broadband service they are considering. This ensures that potential buyers are fully informed about what they are committing to, reducing the risk of misunderstandings and dissatisfaction.
Ofcom also requires that broadband providers offer a more thorough explanation of the technology used in their services. This information should be easily accessible, often through a link, allowing consumers to understand better what their broadband service entails. By enforcing these measures, Ofcom aims to enhance transparency and ensure that consumers are well-informed about the broadband technology they choose.
