Inflight connectivity tech firm SkyFive says it has signed a MoU with Kazakh telecoms operator Freedom Telecom to provide inflight connectivity to airlines and other aircraft operators using SkyFive’s air-to-ground (A2G) solution.

Under the deal, SkyFive and Freedom Telecom will deploy A2G coverage for Kazakhstan’s main air route, which they say is also a key overflight corridor for routes between Europe and Asia. 

Skyfive said this will enable foreign airlines equipped with A2G to seamlessly roam into the new network, which will be compatible with other SkyFive A2G networks.  

SkyFive CCO Dirk Lindemeier said the deal marks its entry into the Central Asian aviation market. 

“Kazakhstan is important in its own right, represents a significant step toward a contiguous A2G corridor across the Eurasian supercontinent, and is a major addition to our global A2G footprint,” he said in a statement on Tuesday. 

SkyFive – which was spun off from Nokia in 2019 – has launched services across Europe and has established an A2G network in Saudi Arabia. It is developing others in Australia, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey, according to Aviation Week. 

In October 2024, SkyFive and Viasat signed of a roaming agreement between the European Aviation Network (EAN) and SkyFive’s Middle East networks.  

Freedom Telecom received regulatory approvals to provide A2G connectivity earlier this year. Freedom Telecom CEO Kairat Akhmetov said that its A2G deal ties into its broader strategy to provide connectivity to airports across the country. 

“Freedom Telecom has already provided free Wi-Fi coverage to the international airports of Almaty and Astana, and we are committed to extending connectivity to all airports across Kazakhstan by the end of this year, » Akhmetov said.  

Freedom Telecom says it has already launched free Wi-Fi in 150 locations across Kazakhstan, with plans to achieve blanket Wi-Fi coverage across all cities.

The operator also said it has constructed over 2,500 km of fibre infrastructure and connected 24,000 households to high-speed broadband internet in the last two years.

In February, Freedom Telecom said it was investing around US$200 million to develop a “West-East” fiber-optic hyper-highway and Tier-4 data centers in a bid to position Kazakhstan as an alternative route for international data transit between Europe and East Asia. The project is slated for completion sometime in 2026.

News 

Industry leaders have called for governments to better protect subsea cables amid rising security threats 

A group of leading European telecoms and infrastructure providers has called on the EU, UK, and NATO to step up joint efforts to protect subsea cable infrastructure, warning of growing threats to systems critical for Europe’s connectivity and security. 

In a joint letter, signatories including GlobalConnect, Vodafone, Orange, Telecom Italia Sparkle, and Alcatel Submarine Networks emphasised the importance of a coordinated response to recent hybrid threats, including recent incidents in the Baltic and North Seas. 

The group stresses that subsea cables are vital to Europe’s “connectivity, competitiveness, defence readiness, and economic stability”, and call for increased collaboration between public authorities and industry stakeholders across borders. 

The letter backs the EU Action Plan on Cable Security, describing it as a “clear approach to further increase the resilience and security of subsea cables”. It also supports the European Commission’s intention to work with industry to define Critical Projects of European Interest (CPEIs) and deploy protection and surveillance technologies. 

“We welcome in particular the reference made to the instrumental aspect of the Connected Europe Facility (CEF),” the letter states, adding that “instruments of the UK authorities and of NATO could strengthen the momentum if coordinated effectively.” 

The group urges decision-makers to develop harmonised, risk-based security practices and to treat the entire subsea cable ecosystem as critical infrastructure. They also highlight the need for streamlined governance and permitting processes to accelerate action. 

Back in January, a Russian vessel used for gathering intelligence and mapping the UK’s critical underwater infrastructure, unexpectedly passed through British waters. The UK Defence Secretary John Healey called the incident “another example of growing Russian aggression”.  

 “I also want President Putin to hear this message: we see you, we know what you are doing, and we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country,” he said. 

However, many in the industry remain cautious about attributing recent cable outages to sabotage. Most damage, they point out, is still caused by accidents. Speaking to The Tech Capital Magazine, an executive at Ciena said that “a cable deliberately damaged and one damaged by accident is going to look the same when you drag it up to repair it and investigate.”   

“If the goal is to impact internet services in a rival country, cutting one subsea cable is unlikely to have much of an effect,” echoed Mike Conradi, co-chair of the international telecoms and digital infrastructure lead at global law firm DLA Piper.   

“To seriously impact a country like the UK, multiple cables would have to be cut simultaneously, at which point the action becomes less sabotage and a more overt attack. In this scenario, a higher-profile target would make more sense,” he continued. 

The letter closes with a clear message to European and transatlantic policymakers: “By acting now, we can safeguard the networks that underpin our shared future.” 

Join us at next year’s Submarine Networks, 27-28 May in London. Get discounted tickets here! 

Also in the news:
NOW Telecom’s mobile licence revoked after ‘grossly deficient’ infra rollout
Nokia, Telia, and Finnish military demo 5G network slicing across borders
Anatel approves expansion of Starlink satellite operations in Brazil

ICT solutions and smart devices giant Huawei, and Ektech, a solutions distributor, have announced a partnership to develop the internet service provider (ISP) market in Brazil.

The announcement was made at a special certification ceremony held at Huawei’s headquarters in São Paulo.

The collaboration aims to strengthen the infrastructure of regional ISPs by offering access to innovative technologies and high-performance connectivity solutions. With a portfolio that includes connectivity solutions for next-generation fibre optic networks, the partners say the alliance will enable Brazilian ISPs to expand their coverage, optimise their services and offer higher-performance connections to end users.

The initiative will, they add, provide technical training, specialised support and joint initiatives to build capacity in the sector, ensuring that providers have access to the best practices and technologies available in the market. In addition, Huawei and Ektech will develop flexible and accessible business models, enabling ISPs of all sizes to modernise their operations and expand their services efficiently.

Patrick Canton, President of Ektech, highlighting the importance of the synergy between the two companies, says: « Huawei’s expertise in cutting-edge technologies, combined with our capillarity and knowledge of the local market, will allow Brazilian ISPs to have access to robust and efficient solutions, ensuring sustainable growth and greater competitiveness. »

Huawei has four business units in Brazil: a group dedicated to operators, which offers telecommunications equipment and infrastructure; one that meets the needs of the corporate market, providing ICT solutions and infrastructure; Huawei Cloud; and Huawei Digital Power, whose smart solutions are focused on the generation, distribution and storage of photovoltaic energy.

The company also develops projects in the area of smart automotive solutions and devices for the end consumer, such as smartwatches, routers and smartphones.

News

The regulator’s decision follows the operator’s abject failure to deploy mobile infrastructure after almost five years

This week, the Philippines regulator National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has denied NOW Telecom’s appeal to extend its mobile operating licence.

The regulator said that the operator had failed to meet numerous regulatory requirements attached to the licence, including minimal rollout targets and a sufficient use of assigned mobile spectrum.

“[Now Telecom’s] provisional authority to install, operate and maintain a nationwide mobile telecommunications system, offer services and to charge rates, with the clarification that said authority is not specific to 3G, is hereby deemed inoperative in view of its expiration/non-extension of its provisional authority,” said the NTC in a statement.

Founded as Satellite Paging Systems Philippines in 1992, NOW Telecom acquired a mobile network operating licence from the NTC in 2020, aiming to take on the de facto mobile duopoly of Globe and PLDT. As part of this licence agreement, NOW pledged to rollout 2,306 base stations across the country.

Five years on, however, the NTC says NOW has deployed just six base stations and still does not offer commercial services.

“After more than five years, the frequency band 3520-3540 MHz is used only in six out of 2,306 base stations (0.26 percent) or three out of 245 locations (1.22 percent),” read the NTC’s order.

In addition to this rollout failure, NOW also owes the regulator spectrum payments of over PHP 3.57 billion ($62 million), a figure that the operator contests.

NOW has 15 days to appeal to the decision, according to reports.

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Also in the news:
Harmeen Mehta Joins Equinix as Chief Digital and Innovation Officer to Accelerate Customer and Employee Experiences
Amazon could launch satellite broadband later this month
Millions of Brits have no home internet access, Ofcom warns

Five bits of FTTx news, one in the Midwest, one in the Midatlantic, and three in the UK from this week’s news: … [visit site to read more]

NBCC (India) Limited, a central public sector enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with RailTel Corporation, a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) or government-owned establishment under the Ministry of Railways, to collaborate on developing data centre projects.

The collaboration extends from concept to commissioning across India and overseas for a period of five years.

NBCC has Navratna status, a designation granting CPSEs enhanced financial and operational autonomy, allowing them to make larger investments and enter into international collaborations without needing government approval.

Formerly known as National Buildings Construction Corporation, NBCC’s operations include project management consultancy, engineering, procurement and construction, and real estate development.

RailTel meanwhile, is a PSU and one of the largest neutral telecom infrastructure and ICT solutions and services providers in the country, owning a pan-India optic fibre network covering several towns and cities and rural areas of the country.

Under the terms of the MoU, NBCC will offer project management consultancy services for the construction of data centre buildings and associated civil and passive infrastructure. RailTel will provide expertise in planning, designing, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, and operations and maintenance of IT-related infrastructure for the data centres.

This collaboration is designed to leverage the core competencies of both organisations, enabling them to supplement each other’s capabilities and enhance client acquisition and service delivery efficiency on a long-term, sustainable basis.

News  

Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) has approved changes to Starlink’s licence, allowing it to launch 7,500 more satellites 

The decision significantly broadens Starlink’s footprint in Brazil, building on its existing licence granted in 2022, which covered 4,408 satellites. 

Starlink currently operates around 6,750 low Earth orbit satellites, which provide global coverage of satellite internet services..  

Following this latest approval, the company is now authorised operate up to 7,500 additional satellites to provide services across the country.  

While the council unanimously approved the expansion, Anatel issued a regulatory alert highlighting the need to modernise Brazil’s telecoms framework.  

According to councillor Alexandre Freire, the “purpose is to preserve the coherence, predictability and legitimacy of administrative deliberations, while ensuring transparency in dialogue with the regulated sector and society in general”. 

“Although we have unanimously granted the request to change Starlink’s satellite exploration right to expand the number of satellites and authorized frequency bands, as well as update the associated networks, this case has made clear to me the limitations of the current regulations to offer adequate responses to the complex issues that emerge in this scenario,” he added. 

Starlink’s operations in Brazil have become entangled with Elon Musk’s broader business interests, particularly his ownership of X (formerly Twitter). In August 2024, Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered the suspension of X after the platform refused to comply with legal demands to take down accounts accused of spreading misinformation and failed to appoint a local legal representative. Although Starlink and X are legally separate, authorities treated them as part of the same economic group, freezing Starlink’s assets to force compliance. While Starlink ultimately agreed to block access to X, allowing it to maintain its service in Brazil, the episode highlights the fragile and politically sensitive relationship between Musk’s companies and Brazilian institutions. 

The recent implementation of significant tariffs on US imports, such as the 104% tariff on Chinese goods effective from this month, could impact the satellite industry. These tariffs may increase costs for electronic components essential for satellite manufacturing, potentially affecting production expenses and service affordability for companies like SpaceX.  

Separately, several regions globally have reconsidered Starlink contracts, reflecting the importance of geopolitical tension in the satellite connectivity industry. For example, the Canadian province of Ontario announced the cancellation of a $68 million Starlink contract, commenting “Ontario won’t do business with people hellbent on destroying our economy.” 

Italian defence Minister Guido Crosetto also announced last month that negotiations over a $1.63 billion Starlink contract had stalled, expressing outrage over reports that the US had threatened to shut down Starlink’s communications in Ukraine earlier this year. 

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Also in the news: 
Nokia, Telia, and Finnish military demo 5G network slicing across borders
Mobile operators quibble with Ofcom over spectrum fees
Deutsche Telekom commits to Google Cloud through 2030 

It seems as if a day doesn’t go by without another billion dollar data center campus project getting announced. But yesterday we saw one go the other way all of a sudden. Microsoft has pulled back from its plans to build three data center campuses in the Columbus OH metro area. … [visit site to read more]

News 

A report published late last month by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has revealed that the UK government risks missing out on the potential benefits of AI for the public sector due to dated IT systems, poor data quality, and a clear digital skills gap. 

The report specifically highlighted five areas of improvement that are needed:  

1. Legacy technology and poor data are blocking AI progress

Outdated government IT systems using siloed data are major obstacles to AI adoption in the public sector. Despite being flagged as high-risk, nearly a third of the government’s legacy systems still lack funding for upgrades, at the time of the report.   

The PAC is urging the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to publish a detailed plan within six months on how it will prioritise and fund upgrades for the most critical legacy systems, and to track progress more transparently. 

2. Lack of transparency undermines public trust in AI

Secondly, the transparency around AI use in the public sector is minimal, therefore eroding public trust. Government bodies are not publishing enough information about how algorithms are used in decision-making.  

“As of January 2025, only 33 records had been published on the government website set up to provide greater transparency on algorithm–assisted decision making in the public sector,” the report read.  

Without clear standards and more transparent reporting, the public may lose confidence in government AI initiatives. 

3. The digital skills gap still remains a barrier

Recruiting and retaining digitally skilled professionals in the public sector continues to be a major issue in AI implementation. The report found that over 70% of departments reported difficulty sourcing AI talent, partly because of large pay disparities with the private sector making the civil service less competitive. Current reforms may not be sufficient to close the gap.  

4. Legacy tech hindering UK’s AI drive 

Many government departments are piloting the use of AI tools, ranging from natural language processing to image recognition. But despite these projects, there is little evidence that these tools are being rolled out more widely. 

One major issue is the lack of a centralised process for combining insights from these pilots and sharing results between departments. Without this more holistic approach, promising innovations risk being overlooked, duplicated, or confined to isolated teams.  

DSIT has acknowledged the gap and is trialling an AI Knowledge Hub to improve collaboration, but real progress will depend on stronger leadership and a more coordinated strategy. 

5. AI procurement needs to re-strategise

The AI market dominated by a small number of large technology suppliers; as such, PAC has raised concerns about competition, innovation, and vendor lock-in. In response, DSIT has committed to developing a dedicated AI sourcing and procurement framework and establishing a digital commercial centre of excellence to ensure better value and broader supplier access. 

“We want to make sure that the AI industry has a government that is on its side, one that will not sit back and let opportunities slip through its fingers. In a world of fierce competition, we cannot stand by,” the report concluded. 

In response to the report, a government spokesperson said that “these findings reflect much of what we already know, which is why we set out a bold plan to overhaul the use of tech and AI across the public sector – from doubling the number of tech experts across Whitehall, to making reforms to replace legacy IT systems more quickly and building new tools to transform how people interact with the state.” 

The Committee has set a six-month timeline for DSIT and the Cabinet Office to report back on progress in key areas, including legacy tech upgrades, transparency compliance, and digital talent reforms. A detailed Digital and AI Roadmap is expected later this year. 

Join us at Connected North, 23-24 April in Manchester. Get discounted tickets here 

Also in this month’s feature week:
Ciena survey reveals AI’s strain on data centre connectivity 

Poland-based telecoms infrastructure company Emitel has signed an agreement with Orange to build several hundred new mobile towers across the country.

In a statement, Emitel said the new towers will be used for the installation of base stations and other telecommunications equipment. The infrastructure will be rolled out nationwide under a Build-to-Suit model over the coming years.

“We are pleased that Orange Polska has once again placed its trust in us by commissioning a significant infrastructure project,” said Emitel CEO Maciej Pilipczuk. “As an experienced technology partner, we guarantee the highest standards of execution and efficiency in delivering even the most demanding investments.”

As of the end of 2024, Emitel operated 762 towers and counts all of Poland’s major mobile network operators as tenants.

“Our many years of experience in building and managing telecommunications infrastructure enable us to support the expansion of mobile networks in Poland, meeting the growing needs of both operators and end users,” Pilipczuk added.