News

Samsung and TSMC are notably exempt from the tariffs due to their US manufacturing investments

Edited by Harry Baldock, Total Telecom

Donald Trump’s announcement of a 100 percent tariffs on imported semiconductors has triggered a major shift across the Asian chip markets, with a distinct divide between firms punished by the measure and those benefiting from exemptions linked to U.S. investment.

The announcement underlines the intensifying global competition for high-end chips, crucial components underpinning artificial intelligence and advanced computing.

At a White House briefing, Trump declared that the tariffs would apply to all chip imports apart from those coming from companies that manufacture or commit to manufacturing semiconductors within the United States. Prominent players such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) and Samsung Electronics have emerged as key beneficiaries, buoyed by their strategic investments in U.S. facilities.

TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker and supplier to tech giants like Apple and Nvidia, surged nearly five percent on Taiwanese markets following confirmation from Taiwan’s National Development Council that it would be exempt due to its substantial U.S.-based factories. Similarly, Samsung Electronics, which plans billions of dollars in U.S. investment, saw its shares rise by around two percent in Seoul.

Non-exempt Asian tech companies, on the other hand, are facing a tough road ahead. In Japan, manufacturers heavily involved in chip production and related equipment saw share prices tumble: Tokyo Electron dropped 3.2 percent, Renesas sank 3.4 percent, and other chip component producers like Disco Corporation and Sumco also lost value. South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix too initially experienced a significant share decline of 3.1 percent before South Korea’s trade envoy clarified that SK Hynix and Samsung would be exempt due to their U.S. manufacturing plans, easing some market apprehension.

Industry experts view the tariff policy as a clear attempt to reorient global semiconductor supply chains toward America and reduce dependence on foreign imports. Alicia Garcia-Herrero, chief economist for Asia Pacific at Natixis, speaking to Agence France-Presse, noted that the move would leave many of the highest-end semiconductor producers unaffected, but would potentially cripple the producers of less advanced chips in Malaysia and China.

“This kills producers of low-end chips,” she said.

The tariffs mark yet another departure from Biden-era economic policy, which focussed on government subsidies to incentivise US investment. The CHIPS Act pledged $52.7 billion for semiconductor manufacturing, R&D, and workforce development in the US, sparking multi-billion dollar investment announcements from the likes of TSMC, Samsung, Intel, and GlobalFoundries.

Trump, however, has called CHIPS Act a “horrible, horrible thing”, preferring to pursue an aggresive economic policy based on tariffs over subsidies.

This article was partially generated by AI and edited by a journalist

Also in the news:
US judge rules Huawei must face charges of fraud and racketeering
Optus ditches football rights to focus on telecoms
Nokia launches digital twin platform Enscryb to digitalise energy sector

News

The new joint venture will own 2,700 sites in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania

Today, Swedish telco group Tele2 has announced that it will spin off its Baltic tower assets, forming a joint venture with Global Communications Infrastructure (GCI).

The newly formed business will include own 2,700 telecoms towers and rooftop sites across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

The business will be split 50:50 between the two owners, with Tele2 to serve as an anchor tenant for the tower company in all three markets under a 20-year service agreement.

“We want to develop our tower assets together with a partner who brings both capital and expertise. This is a way for us to create additional value from the assets we have, together with an experienced partner who knows this business well,” said Jean Marc Harion, President and CEO of Tele2.

The agreement values the new company at around €560 million on a debt-free basis, with Tele2 expecting cash proceeds of around €440 million from its creation.

The deal includes a 10-year investment plan for new sites across all three countries.

Assuming regulatory approvals, the deal is expected to be finalised in Q1 2026.

Until now, the Baltics has broadly remained untouched by Europe’s independent tower giants, like Cellnex, with most of the countries’ mobile operators preferring to own and operate their own tower assets. The only notable exception to this rule is Bitė Group’s subsidiary TeleTower, which was spun off in 2009 and operates a few hundred towers in both Latvia and Lithuania.

As such, the launch of the new JV will make the company the largest independent towerco in the region.

Keep up with all the latest telecoms news with the Total Telecom newsletter

Also in the news:
US judge rules Huawei must face charges of fraud and racketeering
Optus ditches football rights to focus on telecoms
Nokia launches digital twin platform Enscryb to digitalise energy sector

News

EchoStar has taken another critical step towards plans to launch a new constellation of low Earth orbit satellites by 2029.

By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities

MDA Space has been selected as the prime contractor for EchoStar’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, which has an estimated price tag of $5 billion.

Colorado-based EchoStar announced the decision to land with MDA Space for an initial contract, valued at approximately $1.3 billion, late last week.

The contract covers design, manufacturing, and testing for “the first tranche” of over 100 direct-to-device (D2D) satellites, according to the global connectivity provider’s release.

“The full initial configuration of the system consists of 200 satellites with future growth to thousands, as demand requires,” the announcement stated.

“The full initial configuration of the system consists of 200 satellites with future growth to thousands, as demand requires,” the announcement stated.

Mike Greenley, the CEO of MDA Space, said the contract represents the Ontario-based company’s continued momentum in the marketplace.

His remarks continued, adding that MDA Space seeks “to be the prime contractor of choice for satellite operators in the direct-to-device and broadband connectivity.”

Overall, EchoStar has invested over $18 billion in non-terrestrial network satellite connectivity since 2012, according to the company.

Hamid Akhavan, the president and CEO of EchoStar, says it’s that past experience that helps make EchoStar uniquely positioned to execute on their plans for a new LEO constellation.

“Critically, this will foster U.S. leadership in the growing space economy,” said Akhavan, who was quoted in EchoStar’s announcement.

According to EchoStar, the new constellation will utilize 25×20 MHz of AWS-4/S-band 2GHz frequencies.

In addition to messaging, voice, broadband data, and video services, EchoStar says the constellation will also “connect to an array of sensor and mobile vehicles.”

The company expects the delivery of satellites in 2028, and the launch of commercial service in 2029, according to their August 1 announcement.

Get content like this delivered to your inbox. Subscribe to the Broadband Communities newsletter.

News

The joint venture’s fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) network will span 12.2 million premises, making it one of the largest networks in Europe

This week, Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC has agreed to purchase a 25% stake in MásOrange and Vodafone Spain’s upcoming fibre network joint venture, internally known as ‘Surf’.

Vodafone Spain and MásOrange announced the creation of the joint venture in January. The business, estimated to be worth €8–10 billion, will combine the two companies’ fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) networks, reaching roughly 12.2 million premises across Spain.

The move will create the largest fibre network operator in the country, with more than 4.5 million existing customers.

Assuming the typical regulatory approvals, the deal is expected to close in Q4 this year.

“We look forward to partnering with MasOrange and Vodafone Spain to create Spain’s largest FibreCo,” said Boon Chin Hau, Chief Investment Officer at GIC. “Spain is one of the most advanced European countries in terms of its Fibre to the Home rollout, however, there remains significant fixed broadband penetration growth potential. In addition, the FibreCo has been designed to offer best in class service quality to customers whilst offering robust core infrastructure characteristics to investors.”

The financial details of the deal remain undisclosed, but sources speaking to Bloomberg have previously valued Surf at €6–7 billion, including debt, suggesting the stake is worth €1.5–€1.75 billion.

MásOrange says it will receive at least €3.2 billion from the deal, which it will use to pay down debt, while Vodafone Spain’s new owner, Zegona, will receive €1.4 billion.

That GIC is only taking a 25% stake in the new business is notable. When the creation of Surf was first announced, the plan was for MásOrange to hold a 50% stake and Zegona a 10% stake, with a third-party investor to be found for the final 40%. By May, however, the sale of a stake of this size was looking unlikely, with the company reportedly having only received non-binding offers below the minimum valuation the partners were seeking.

This smaller investment from GIC, therefore, will see the new ownership structure adjusted accordingly, with MásOrange and Zegona’s stakes increased to 58% and 17%, respectively.

Spain is one of the most advanced fibre broadband markets in Europe, with FTTH technology reportedly available to 95.2% of households.

Keep up with all the latest telecoms news with the Total Telecom newsletter

Also in the news:
US judge rules Huawei must face charges of fraud and racketeering
Optus ditches football rights to focus on telecoms
Nokia launches digital twin platform Enscryb to digitalise energy sector

Industry veteran Steve Leighton, an influential figure in the UK telecoms industry and Chairman of ISPA (Internet Service Providers Association), joins award-winning ISP infrastructure specialists Altnets as Strategic Advisor on 1 August 2025. This appointment comes at a critical juncture as Altnets aims to increase market share, accelerate growth, and redefine how the telecoms sector approaches infrastructure distribution.

More than just a new chapter for Altnets, this appointment is a powerful declaration of the company’s future course and its commitment to assisting the UK’s quickly changing connectivity demands. Under Steve’s counsel, Altnets will enhance its standing as a major force behind full fibre broadband infrastructure delivery, supporting the transformation of the industry.

With 20 years’ experience in the telecommunications sector, plus a stint in government, Steve offers Altnets an unparalleled combination of entrepreneurial skills and policy knowledge. He is best known for his decade of service as CEO of Voneus, where he promoted digital inclusion and rural broadband expansion. As a strategic advisor and entrepreneur, he has also supported several ISPs and tech companies.

Currently serving as Chairman of ISPA, the UK’s trade association for internet service providers, Steve represents more than 200 members, ranging from large corporations to agile small and medium-sized players. He has in-depth knowledge of the commercial and regulatory forces influencing the telecoms sector, thanks to his previous senior government positions, such as Head of Communications Sponsorship at the former Department of Trade and Industry.

Reflecting on his appointment, Steve shares:

“I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the incredible team at Altnets as a Strategic Advisor to the Board. I’ve watched the business grow from both my Voneus seat and more latterly from my seat as the Chairman of ISPA.

“As I enter the most exciting phase of my career, I’m focused on working with businesses that have a clear edge in a competitive market, and Altnets has that. I want to work with driven, like-minded people who share my values, ambition, and positive spirit. The Altnets team ticks every box, and I’m looking forward to helping them realise their big plans while having some fun along the way!”

This couldn’t have come at a more crucial moment for Altnets. Faster, more effective, and better-connected supply chains are critical to achieving the UK’s digital goals. Accelerating the country’s connectivity rollout is an urgent commercial and societal necessity, not just a business priority. Altnets is in a better position than ever to take the lead in unlocking this infrastructure, assisting ISPs, and contributing to the delivery of the high-speed broadband that the UK sorely needs, thanks to Steve’s strategic direction.

This appointment coincides with the formal transition of Olly Shepherd into the role of Managing Director, marking a new phase of leadership for Altnets as the business intensifies its emphasis on development, innovation, and market expansion.

Olly said:

“We are delighted to welcome Steve to Altnets! His appointment represents a significant milestone for us and underscores our position as a leading force across the telecommunications sector.

“Steve’s guidance will be instrumental as we enter our next phase of growth and strengthen industry partnerships. With the ISP landscape evolving rapidly, his expertise gives us real confidence in navigating what’s next and helping to steer our strategic direction.

“This appointment shows our commitment to partnering with top industry experts to deliver outstanding connectivity and lasting value for our customers and stakeholders.”

Steve has been a catalyst behind some of the UK’s most significant infrastructure projects in recent years, driven by his enthusiasm for the telecoms sector and its ability to change lives through connection. Beyond the boundaries of his roles, he has continuously influenced how the sector works together, innovates, and addresses the needs of digitally disadvantaged people.

To find out more about how Altnets is disrupting the telecoms industry, go to https://www.altnets.co.uk/.

Press Release

T-Mobile today announced that Fluid Conservation Systems (FCS), an industry leader in advanced leak detection technology, has selected T-Mobile to enhance cellular connectivity for its award-winning acoustic monitoring solutions. By leveraging T-Mobile for Business Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and America’s best mobile network, FCS provides water utilities nationwide with insights that conserve millions of gallons of treated drinking water annually, prevent costly infrastructure damage and significantly reduce operational costs.

Water infrastructure across the United States faces substantial challenges, including aging pipes and persistent leaks that often go unnoticed until they cause significant loss. Traditional leak detection methods often rely on visible evidence or random sampling, leading to inefficient maintenance practices and unnecessary disruptions. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, approximately 33.3 trillion gallons of water are lost annually due to deteriorating infrastructure. To put that into perspective, that is enough water to supply New York City’s usage for more than 91 years.

“Water utilities across the country struggle with aging infrastructure, hidden leaks, and limited resources,” said Beth Powell, President of Fluid Conservation Systems. “Our acoustic leak detectors, connected by T-Mobile, give utilities real-time data to accurately pinpoint leaks before they become costly problems. We’re essentially listening for leaks overnight, so our customers can wake up each morning knowing exactly where to focus their efforts.”

FCS pioneered acoustic leak correlation technology 40 years ago, fundamentally changing how leaks are detected and managed. Their loggers—essentially rugged, cellular-connected acoustic sensors—are attached non-invasively to external surfaces of clean water pipes. These loggers measure the noise emitted by water systems, identifying leaks based on unique acoustic signatures. This advanced monitoring is continuous, automated and highly precise—substantially reducing the need for costly manual inspections.

With reliable connectivity and IoT solutions from T-Mobile, FCS sensors can send critical data even from difficult-to-reach locations, such as mountainous or remote areas, helping to overcome traditional coverage limitations. Previously, detecting leaks required extensive manual labor with teams walking hydrant-to-hydrant using handheld ground microphones. Now, FCS can transmit acoustic data directly from sensors in the ground, enabling utilities to significantly reduce labor costs and quickly address leaks before they cause substantial damage.

In addition to efficiency and cost savings, FCS solutions have significant environmental benefits, helping prevent treated water from infiltrating natural ecosystems and damaging waterways.

Proudly made in America, their products have been recognized for their role in conserving vital water resources, including the Environmental Protection Award.

“FCS’s acoustic leak detection with T-Mobile sets a new standard in water management, proactively addressing leaks and conserving vital resources,” said George Fischer, SVP of Sales, T-Mobile Business Group. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to innovation, resilience, and protecting critical infrastructure nationwide.”

Keep up with all the latest telecoms news with the Total Telecom newsletter

Also in the news:
US judge rules Huawei must face charges of fraud and racketeering
Optus ditches football rights to focus on telecoms
Nokia launches digital twin platform Enscryb to digitalise energy sector

This Industry Viewpoint was authored by Markus Persson, Global Industry Director of Telecoms at IFS

The U.S. telecommunications industry is at a critical crossroads. The rollout of 5G networks promised ultra-fast speeds, low latency, and high reliability, yet, unlike previous network iterations such as 3G and 4G, consumers are seeing very little difference in their service. Major U.S. telecom operators now face a $28 billion free cash flow gap to reach their … [visit site to read more]