Designed to serve both individual users and business environments, the device marks a shift from conventional mobile hotspots to smart, AI-enabled communication hubs.
The hotspot is powered by a custom-built AI app that offers voice-activated multilingual control, allowing users to manage services hands-free.
With real-time content access and an AI translation engine supporting over 20 languages at up to 95% accuracy, the device is particularly suited to international settings, such as global meetings and travel.
Built on the Qualcomm QCM4490 platform, the device uses an 8-core 4nm CPU running up to 2.4 GHz. It supports behavioural analytics, dual SIM standby, USB 3.1 and Ethernet, and offers 15-W fast and reverse charging.
Compatible with both Android and Linux systems, it also accommodates external cameras and 1080P displays.
Incorporating Qualcomm’s advanced Wi-Fi 7 chipset, the hotspot supports concurrent dual-band modes, enabling download speeds up to BE5800.
With full 3GPP Release 16 compliance and support for Sub-6-GHz frequencies, it promises reliable, high-performance wireless access for long-term and future-ready use.
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The plan allocates 20 trillion won in financial aid, up from 17 trillion, to drive innovation and production, addressing a 31.8% drop in chip exports to China due to US trade restrictions.
The package responds to US policies under President Trump, including export curbs on high-bandwidth chips to China, which have disrupted global demand.
At the same time, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will negotiate with the US to mitigate potential national security probes on chip trade.
South Korea’s strategy aims to safeguard a critical economic sector that powers everything from smartphones to AI, especially as its auto industry faces US tariff challenges.
Analysts view this as a preemptive effort to shield the chip industry from escalating global trade tensions.
Why does it matter?
For South Koreans, the semiconductor sector is a national lifeline, tied to jobs and economic stability, with the government betting big to preserve its global tech dominance. As China’s tech ambitions grow and US policies remain unpredictable, Seoul’s $23 billion investment speaks out about the cost of staying competitive in a tech-driven world.
US President Donald Trump is preparing to introduce new tariffs on semiconductor imports, aiming to shift more chip production back to the United States.
Semiconductors, or microchips, are essential components in everything from smartphones and laptops to medical devices and renewable energy systems.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said new tariff rates would be announced soon as part of a broader effort to end American reliance on foreign-made chips and strengthen national security.
The global semiconductor supply chain is heavily concentrated in Asia, with Taiwan’s TSMC producing over half of the world’s chips and supplying major companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia.
Trump’s move signals a more aggressive stance in the ongoing ‘chip wars’ with China, as his administration warns of the dangers of the US being dependent on overseas production for such a critical technology.
Although the US has already taken steps to boost domestic chip production—like the $6.6 billion awarded to TSMC to build a factory in Arizona—progress has been slow due to a shortage of skilled workers.
The plant faced delays, and TSMC ultimately flew in thousands of workers from Taiwan to meet demands, underscoring the challenge of building a self-reliant semiconductor industry on American soil.
Why does it matter?
Trump’s proposed tariffs are expected to form part of a wider investigation into the electronics supply chain, aimed at shielding the US from foreign control and ensuring long-term technological independence. As markets await the announcement, the global tech industry is bracing for potential disruptions and new tensions in the international trade landscape.
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Nvidia is significantly ramping up its presence in the United States by commissioning over a million square feet of manufacturing space in Arizona and Texas to build and test its powerful AI chips. The tech giant has begun producing its Blackwell chips at TSMC facilities in Phoenix and is developing large-scale ‘supercomputer’ manufacturing plants in partnership with Foxconn in Houston and Wistron in Dallas.
The company projects mass production to begin within the next 12 to 15 months, with ambitions to manufacture up to half a trillion dollars’ worth of AI infrastructure in the US over the next four years. CEO Jensen Huang emphasised that this move marks the first time the core components of global AI infrastructure are being built domestically.
He cited growing global demand, supply chain resilience, and national security as key reasons for the shift. Nvidia’s decision follows an agreement with the Trump administration that helped the company avoid export restrictions on its H20 chip, a top-tier processor still eligible for export to China.
Nvidia joins a broader wave of AI industry leaders aligning with the Trump administration’s ‘America-first’ strategy. Companies like OpenAI and Microsoft have pledged massive investments in US-based AI infrastructure, hoping to secure political goodwill and avoid regulatory hurdles.
Trump has also reportedly pressured key suppliers like TSMC to expand American operations, threatening tariffs as high as 100% if they fail to comply. Despite the enthusiasm, Nvidia’s expansion faces headwinds.
A shortage of skilled workers and potential retaliation from China—particularly over raw material access—pose serious risks. Meanwhile, Trump’s recent moves to undermine the Chips Act, which provides critical funding for domestic chipmaking, have raised concerns about the long-term viability of US semiconductor investment.
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Bangladesh is set to overhaul key ICT and telecom policies by June to eliminate major barriers to digital growth, according to Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for Posts, Telecommunications and ICT.
He shared the plan at the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025, highlighting that modern laws and a supportive business environment will pave the way for stronger digital investments.
Taiyeb noted that for over 15 years, fragmented digital initiatives have led to isolated systems with little integration or interoperability.
However, this lack of coordination has weakened citizen services and digital payments, and the government now aims to fix these issues as a top priority. The goal is to empower the country’s vast youth population through technology.
Several major reforms are currently in progress. The Cyber Security Ordinance, set to be finalised by the end of April, will introduce new transparency measures by requiring the government to disclose information about online content restrictions, giving citizens the right to legally challenge them.
Changes to the telecom licensing framework and network infrastructure are also moving forward.
At the summit’s digital growth panel, international experts called for easier cross-border e-commerce and fewer restrictions on digital transactions.
Bangladesh Bank plans to introduce full interoperability in digital payments by next year, and Grameenphone’s CEO highlighted how mobile connectivity continues to drive economic transformation.
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Deutsche Telekom has strengthened its collaboration with Google, moving more of its services to the Google Cloud platform as part of its transformation into an ‘AI-first company.’ The expanded partnership aims to improve the agility and efficiency of Deutsche Telekom’s operations through AI-driven solutions.
Stefan Schloter, Chief Infrastructure Officer for Europe at Deutsche Telekom, highlighted how leveraging data and AI will enhance digital solutions across business entities, software engineering, and customer interfaces.
The MyMagenta app, for example, will integrate Google’s AI-powered Gemini assistant, further improving customer experience.
Google Cloud will also serve as the technical foundation of Deutsche Telekom’s new AI platform, the ‘One Data Ecosystem.’ However, this platform consolidates data systems and enhances data processing speed while ensuring compliance with privacy and data-sharing regulations.
Marianne Janik, Vice President of Google Cloud for Northern Europe, expressed excitement about the partnership, noting how cloud technology is pivotal for communications providers in driving innovation, flexibility, and growth for enhanced user experiences.
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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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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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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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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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