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The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is pushing for stricter cybersecurity rules for telecom providers after what experts are calling the worst hack in US telecommunications history.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel unveiled plans to require carriers to bolster their defenses against cyberattacks, responding to an incident allegedly tied to Chinese state-tied hackers last month
The attack, linked to a group known as “Salt Typhoon,” exploited vulnerabilities in systems used for lawful surveillance, potentially exposing sensitive communications.
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner called it “the worst telecom hack in our nation’s history – by far.”
Rosenworcel has proposed a new framework that would make it mandatory changes to for telecom providers to secure their networks from unauthorised access. If adopted, the FCC would immediately enforce these requirements under the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA).
To ensure their compliance, telecom providers would need to submit annual certifications confirming they have up to date cybersecurity risk management plans in place. These measures are designed to address weaknesses exposed by the recent breach and prevent future incidents.
“The cybersecurity of our nation’s communications critical infrastructure is essential to promoting national security, public safety, and economic security,” said Rosenworcel. “As adversaries grow more sophisticated, we need to modernise our defenses.”
The FCC will also seek feedback on additional cybersecurity requirements for a broader range of communications providers, aiming to strengthen protections across the industry.
The proposed rules come as the US grapples with the fallout of the recent Salt Typhoon cyberattack. Hackers reportedly gained access to confidential data by exploiting wiretap requests sent to telecom companies by federal agencies. The breach has raised questions about the adequacy of current security standards and whether telecom providers are prepared to fend off sophisticated cyber threats.
Last month, senators met with telecom executives and federal officials to discuss the attack, emphasising the need for better collaboration between the government and private sector.
A government statement described the meeting as a chance to “share intelligence and discuss the People’s Republic of China’s significant cyber espionage campaign targeting the sector.”
While the names of the companies involved were not disclosed, it’s believed that major players like AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen were affected.
China has strongly denied the allegations, with embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu calling them a “distortion of fact” and accusing the US of spreading disinformation for geopolitical purposes.
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Also in the news:
Cubic Telecom and Skylo partner for satellite capabilities for vehicles
TFL announces full 4G coverage on London’s Elizabeth Line
CMA finally approves Vodafone–Three merger
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Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH) has announced a new partnership with Nokia to expand its 4G and 5G networks across Indonesia. The collaboration will see IOH deploy Nokia’s advanced multiband radio technology and baseband solutions to improve network coverage and service quality in key regions.
IOH and Nokia will work together on several key objectives, including boosting revenue growth, improving customer retention, and optimising the network. By incorporating AI and machine learning tech, the partnership will also look to streamline network investments and enhance efficiency, particularly in high-demand areas.
While this deal primarily focusses on 4G and 5G mobile services, it will also explore various Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) solutions, aimed at bringing broadband to underserved regions. The introduction of FWA is expected to improve internet access in rural and remote areas, supporting digital inclusion and driving economic development across the country.
“By leveraging our state-of-the-art Radio Access Network solutions and AI-driven capabilities, we are empowering IOH to build a robust, future-ready network. This deal not only reinforces our leadership in the 4G and 5G space but also deepens our commitment to supporting Indonesia’s digital transformation and growing mobile ecosystem,” said Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia in a press release.
Also in the news:
Cubic Telecom and Skylo partner for satellite capabilities for vehicles
TFL announces full 4G coverage on London’s Elizabeth Line
CMA finally approves Vodafone–Three merger
Keep up-to-date with all the latest news, articles, event and product updates posted on Developing Telecoms.
Subscribe to our FREE weekly email newsletters for the latest telecom info in developing and emerging markets globally.
Cubic Telecom, a leading global provider of software-defined vehicle (SDV) solutions, and Skylo Technologies, the pioneer in non-terrestrial network (NTN) communications, have unveiled a commercial partnership that will see Cubic’s connectivity solution extended to include access to Skylo’s global network. As part of this partnership, Skylo’s NTN solutions will be offered as a network connectivity option on Cubic’s industry leading solutions.
With Cubic connecting more than 21 million vehicles in over 190 countries, this new partnership enables global network coverage using standards-based NB-NTN chipsets and an efficient messaging protocol that maximizes the benefits of satellite connectivity. Skylo’s satellite network allows seamless switching between cellular and satellite, ensuring reliable communication for critical vehicle use cases, including location tracking, remote diagnostics, vehicle unlock, and emergency communications.
The new partnership aims to enhance NTN use cases, particularly in emergency communications. Satellite communication offers superior reliability and coverage, ensuring real-time communication in critical situations. This capability is essential for supporting emergency response teams, making a significant impact during disaster missions and helping to save lives.
“By integrating Skylo’s NTN capabilities with our software-defined vehicle solutions, we are elevating critical vehicle communications to new heights of energy efficiency, smart technology integration and robust security. This collaboration allows us to optimise energy usage through intelligent network management, harness cutting-edge smart technologies for seamless connectivity and reinforce security measures to protect data and communications. This will underscore our commitment to innovation, safety and sustainability, ensuring our customers can rely on secure connectivity whether on the road or in remote areas—especially during emergency situations,” said Barry Napier, CEO of Cubic Telecom.
“Skylo’s partnership with Cubic is a key enabler for OEMs to seamlessly bridge satellite and cellular networks for remote vehicle monitoring and control, emergency messaging, and roadside assistance in a cost-efficient way, with service that’s live and available today,” said Parthsarathi Trivedi, Co-Founder and CEO of Skylo. “Operating with a standards-based solution provides automotive OEMs the predictability and reliability they need as they integrate satellite connectivity in their multi-year product roadmap.”
To bring satellite connectivity to new markets around the world, Skylo utilises dedicated, licensed mobile satellite service (MSS) spectrum in existing, globally allocated satellite frequency bands. This allows ubiquitous and continuous coverage in rural and remote areas without requiring mobile network operators to share their valuable spectrum assets. It also avoids potential network interference that can occur when satellite and cellular networks attempt to share the same frequency bands. The overlay of MSS spectrum does not require exclusion zones and allows for the infill of those micro-holes that often exist in cellular coverage.
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Also in the news:
Vodafone to sell off last remnant of Indus Towers stake
China Mobile makes $1bn offer for HKBN
EE airdrops mobile tower into Isle of Skye
This Industry Viewpoint was authored by Daria Batrakova, Director Business Line Telecom Solutions at FNT Software
In today’s dynamic telecommunications landscape, operators face increasing demands for better connectivity, faster service delivery, and higher network reliability. Managing telecom infrastructure effectively is critical to meeting these requirements while also ensuring scalability for future growth. Let’s explore … [visit site to read more]
ST Telemedia said on Thursday that it will sell the majority of its stake in Malaysian telco U Mobile to local firm Mawar Setiam, which is majority-owned by U Mobile chairman Vincent Tan, in a deal that could see the country’s royal family hold a combined controlling stake in the telco.
ST Telemedia currently owns 48.3% of U Mobile via its wholly-owned subsidiary Straits Mobile Investments. No details were given on the value of the transaction or how many shares were sold, but ST Telemedia said in a statement that the deal with Mawar Setiam will reduce its stake to 20%.
ST Telemedia also said U Mobile would cease to be a subsidiary of the company once the deal is completed, which the company expects to happen by the third quarter of 2025, pending all necessary regulatory approvals.
According to news site Soya Cincau, citing data from the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), Mawar Setiam was incorporated in April 2024 by Vincent Tan, who owns 70% of the company. The other 30% is held by Johor princess Tunku Tun Aminah Sultan Ibrahim, who also chairs numerous subsidiaries of Tan’s Berjaya Corporation.
SSM data also shows that Ibrahim ibni Iskandar, the fifth Sultan of Johor and the current King of Malaysia, owns 22.31% of U Mobile. According to a report Friday from news site Malaysiakini, assuming ST Telemedia sold 28.26% of its shares to Mawar Setiam, that would give the royal family a cumulative 30.8% stake in the telco, technically making it the largest shareholder.
U Mobile had previously said it would arrange for ST Telemedia to reduce its stake to 20% after winning the rights to become Malaysia’s second 5G operator last month. U Mobile had also said the stake would be sold to a Malaysian company in an apparent bid to allay concerns over the fact that it was the only mobile operator in the running for the second 5G licence that’s majority-owned by a foreign company.
Four strategic partnerships and collaborations from four corners of the globe to keep up with: … [visit site to read more]
Ethio Telecom, Djibouti Telecom, and Sudatel Telecom Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a multi-terabit, redundant terrestrial fibre optic link interconnecting Ethiopia, Djibouti and Sudan.
The plan – billed as the Horizon Fiber Initiative – will leverage the combined infrastructure of Ethio Telecom, Djibouti Telecom and Sudatel to create “an efficient and fluid data transmission network”, according to a Facebook post from Ethio Telecom on Tuesday.
The Horizon Fiber Initiative has been in the works since June 2024, when representatives from all three telcos formed a technical team to carry out a detailed feasibility study and problem analysis.
With that phase now completed, the three telcos said they will finalize contracts by next month, while the interconnected fibre network is scheduled to be ready for commercial services by April 2025.
The resulting interconnected fibre network “will allow companies and individuals to benefit from better communication capabilities, reduced latency and increased access to broadband services, » Ethio Telecom said.
Ethio Telecom, Djibouti Telecom and Sudatel are also pitching the Horizon Fiber Initiative as a terrestrial alternative to reliance on subsea cables after a year of frequent disruptions due to subsea cable cuts, particularly along the Red Sea route. The telcos said the new terrestrial route would be cheaper and easier to deploy and maintain compared to subsea cables, and provide extra resilience while reducing dependence on subsea links.
The initiative is also aimed at attracting hyperscalers, content providers, and wholesalers by providing low latency, more reliable connectivity and expanded access to international markets.
Ethio Telecom CEO Frehiwot Tamru said in a statement that the Horizon Fiber Initiative is “aligned with Africa’s Digital Transformation Strategy 2030.”
