FORT LAUDERDALE. October 27, 2025 — MTN, the leading global provider of best-in-class satellite and wireless solutions, announced the launch of a cutting-edge solution for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity: StarEdge Horizon, a service that provides a Layer 2 network architecture over SpaceX-Starlink for enterprises. StarEdge Horizon delivers more consistent performance by routing long-haul traffic off the public internet. This avoids the extra latency typically introduced by using standard VPNs and tunneling, especially when centralizing security at MTN’s servers or the customer’s cloud or data center.

“StarEdge Horizon is a fundamental shift in how LEO is deployed for enterprise users,” said Emmanuel Cotrel, CEO at MTN. “We are moving beyond basic internet access to deliver a true Layer 2 private network solution. This is about providing corporate security, guaranteed high-speed, with a simplified network and seamless integration for redundancy. This ensures that mission-critical operations in every remote corner of the globe are always connected with fiber-level secure connectivity.“

Layer 2 is a method that allows two points to communicate as if they were on the same local network, simplifying data management. With StarEdge Horizon, this protocol provides many benefits to companies such as:

• Redefining Security and Simplified Wide Area Network (WAN) Integration: As companies have made security a top priority, StarEdge Horizon is engineered to improve cybersecurity while unifying remote corporate networks. With a true private network architecture, StarEdge Horizon’s private path lets remote sites connect into the corporate WAN through MTN’s points of presence. Internet access is centralized at MTN’s servers or the customer’s data center under one policy, improving visibility and reducing operational complexity and cost.
• Mission-Critical Performance and Continuity: The system also enables advanced Network Segmentation and Quality of Service (QoS) prioritization. In moments of network saturation, this capability guarantees that mission-critical data, such as control systems or security feeds, is prioritized over general internet traffic, maintaining operational continuity. In addition, StarEdge Horizon system seamlessly integrates with OneWeb, LTE, or traditional VSAT solutions, providing automatic redundancy.
• Direct Cloud Peering and Static IP: In addition, Horizon provides private connectivity options to major clouds (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) where available, reducing exposure to the open internet for cloud-bound traffic. It also delivers true static IP addressing and subnet allocation, giving each remote site or device a secure and consistent network identity. This enables centralized monitoring, policy enforcement, and access control capabilities that are essential for enterprise security, remote management, and application allow-listing.

StarEdge Horizon is rolling out with enterprise customers across land-based sectors including energy, construction, and logistics, among others. MTN plans broader availability for the maritime sector in Q1 2026.

###

About MTN

MTN is a world-class network operator that connects global operations with the speed, security, and trust required. Our multi-network architecture delivers resilient, fully managed connectivity for critical systems and remote teams across the maritime, energy, government, and enterprise sectors.

Headquartered in Florida with offices across Europe, the Middle East, and South America, MTN enables rapid deployments and white-glove service anywhere. The company has pioneered the delivery of converged connectivity solutions on a global scale by partnering with major wireless carriers and satellite communications providers that integrate 5G/LTE and high-throughput satellite (HTS) networks, as well as cutting-edge Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations such as Starlink and OneWeb.

For more information, please visit www.fmcglobalsat.com or www.mtnsat.com

Media contact

Fernando Arreaza Vargas, Director of Media Relations and Corporate Communications

Fernando.vargas@mtnsat.com | +1.305.343.8279

Press Release

Ericsson  and Saudi Railway Company (SAR) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on advancing rail operations through 5G technology.

The collaboration aims to modernize the rail’s communication systems, improve passenger experience, and drive digital advancements within the transportation sector in alignment with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy of Saudi Vision 2030. By introducing state-of-the-art 5G infrastructure into rail networks, the collaboration aims to enhance the reliability and connectivity of railway systems in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Ericsson will provide its expertise in 5G and Future Railway Mobile Communication Systems (FRMCS) technologies by deploying the solutions, infrastructure, and technical support required to enable advanced rail communication and operational capabilities.

Under the MoU, Ericsson and SAR will deploy mission-critical 5G capabilities to ensure reliable and secure rail communications and enhanced rail performance services. They will also develop and test FRMCS-based use cases, and high-speed broadband solutions for passengers (“Gigabit train”).

The collaboration will also involve establishing a test lab or innovation center to validate 5G applications in a rail context, creating training programs to upskill SAR’s teams in FRMCS/5G rail technologies, and conducting a trial deployment of Ericsson’s solutions on one of SAR’s existing rail lines to evaluate integration and performance in real-world conditions. It will also enable use cases such as train control, staff communications, real-time video streaming, and Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity onboard trains.

The collaboration between Ericsson and SAR highlights the transformative potential that 5G technology can offer to the railway industry and marks an important step toward the modernization of rail communication systems in Saudi Arabia. Together, they are setting the tracks for a connected and efficient railway network that supports the national digital transformation goals of the Kingdom.

Keep up to date with all of the latest telecoms news from around the world with the Total Telecom newsletter

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News

The German broadband market is currently focused on an aggressive transition from older Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) infrastructure to high-speed fibre optic services. This transition is being driven by a combination of commercial necessity and increasing regulatory demand for transparency.

Vodafone Germany is taking commercial action to actively encourage this technology shift. The company has launched a new set of aggressive fibre tariffs from 26 October, aiming to boost the uptake of faster broadband, a strategic priority for the country’s Digital Ministry. The move is crucial for Vodafone, as its German operations—the group’s largest market—have been a financial drag, partly due to customer churn following a regulatory change that granted tenants the right to choose their broadband provider in multi-tenant dwellings. The company previously acknowledged that “Slowing growth in Germany’s fixed broadband market may affect overall performance” in its most recent quarterly earnings report.

The new GigaZuhause (GigaHome) fibre offers are designed to make the switch from DSL highly attractive for the more than 10 million German households that can access them. Vodafone is increasing value by delivering higher speeds for the same price. New download bandwidths will be 150Mbps, 300Mbps, and 600Mbps (up from 100Mbps, 250Mbps, and 500Mbps respectively), along with up to three times higher upload speeds. In a further incentive, the price for the fastest gigabit tariff, GigaZuhause 1000, will be reduced by €10. The flexibility to downgrade without penalty after six months is intended to remove a key barrier to customer adoption of higher-tier services.

However, the push to accelerate the fibre switch is simultaneously being checked by regulatory action demanding honesty in marketing. This week, the Koblenz Regional Court ruled that ISP 1&1 misled customers by promoting its fibre-to-the-curb (FTTC) connections as full fibre optic services. The court banned the use of deceptive terminology, such as “fiber optic DSL,” which it found created a false impression of a fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) service.

This ruling is highly significant, emphasising that while FTTC is faster than traditional DSL, it still relies on copper cables for the final connection to the home, a segment that “falls short of FTTH’s gigabit potential without signal degradation over copper.” The court’s insistence on “clear and unambiguous” advertising sets a precedent across the EU, compelling providers to be precise about their network’s final-mile technology.

For the B2B community, these developments underline that the German fibre transition requires a dual strategy: not only must providers offer compelling commercial incentives to migrate customers away from DSL, but they must also invest in true FTTH infrastructure to support their speed claims and avoid regulatory penalties for misleading advertisements.

Zvezdana Lazic-Latincic, Vice President, Fibre & Connectivity Delivery,1&1 Versatel is speaking on a panel on Accelerating network deployment in Germany at Connected Germany. Alongside her are Frederic Ufer, VATM; Benjamin-Georg Ernst-Treffer, Tele Columbus Netz; and Jakob Kwiatkowski, Deutsche Glasfaser. Come and join the at the event, book your place at www.totaltele.com/connectedgermany

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Podcasts

The public shouldn’t have to think about connectivity. It should just work, says Rob Chambers, the managing director of Total Telecom.

By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities

Rob Chambers, the Managing Director of Total Telecom, says Connected Britain has evolved with the growth of the connectivity market in the United Kingdom.

“What started as being a conversation purely about fibre rollout has now moved on to a more complete discussion about connectivity and what people do with it,” he said, speaking to Beyond the Cable in at Connected Britain. 

Connected Britain, held annually in London, brings together thousands of industry experts, innovators, and policymakers. The event boasts an impressive lineup of top speakers, cutting-edge exhibitors, and networking opportunities for those driving the United Kingdom’s digital transformation.

Similar to Total Telecom’s U.S. events, like Connected America and Broadband Communities Summit, Connected Britain is also technology agnostic.

While the United Kingdom’s connectivity market may be in some more advanced stages than the U.S., Chambers said it’s not all ahead of the curve.

He said he believes North America has excelled at adopting technologies like low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite, whereas LEO has been slower to take hold in European markets.

Still, in the next five years, Chambers predicts the connectivity picture in the United Kingdom will become more complete.

“I’ve banged the drum a long time for the fact that the public shouldn’t have to think about connectivity. It should just work,” he said.

Nowadays, Chambers said it’s harder to think about what people don’t use connectivity for, rather than what they do use it for.

Looking ahead, Chambers also said he hopes to see more participation from emerging sectors.

“I think we’ll start seeing more around things like smart grids, more around sustainable energy, more around cybersecurity and protection of infrastructure,” he said.

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News

Finnish vendor Nokia reported a third-quarter profit that surpassed market expectations, driven by strong demand in optical and cloud services, including sales related to AI-focused data centres following its acquisition of US optical networking firm Infinera. The company’s comparable operating profit reached 435 million euros in the quarter through September, significantly exceeding the 342 million euros analysts had forecast.

This profit beat comes despite a challenging year for Nokia, which had previously issued a profit warning in July due to factors including US tariffs, a market slowdown, and a weaker dollar. The company has also “lost ground in the North American telecoms market” after US carrier AT&T chose Nordic rival Ericsson for a $14 billion 5G contract in 2023, phasing out Nokia’s existing deal.

The AI and Cloud Catalyst
Despite these headwinds, Nokia’s quarterly group net sales rose 12% to 4.83 billion euros, above the 4.6 billion forecast, supported by strong growth in Optical Networks and cloud services. Artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud customers accounted for 6% of group net sales and 14% of network infrastructure sales, with optical networks alone seeing a 19% rise on a constant currency basis.

Nokia’s CEO, Justin Hotard, highlighted the accelerating demand, stating, “AI and data center demand continues to be robust. In fact, it continues to accelerate from our perspective”. This focus on high-growth areas like AI is part of a strategic investment, with mobile networks remaining Nokia’s core business. Looking ahead, the Finnish company anticipates annual operating profit to be between 1.7 billion and 2.2 billion euros, a slight increase from the previous range of up to 2.1 billion.

Ericsson’s Cost Discipline
Meanwhile, rival Ericsson is executing a strategy that pivots “from prioritising top-line growth to being disciplined on costs and considering non-core disposals and cash returns”. This strategic pivot is playing out better than anticipated, with Morgan Stanley raising its price target on Ericsson due to “stronger-than-expected cost efficiencies and higher profitability forecasts”. Operational improvements, including a 6% workforce reduction and better management of the geographical mix, are helping to sustain margins at historically high levels. Analysts now expect gross margins in mobile networks to reach “record levels above 50% in 2025 despite a 6–7% revenue decline”.

Ericsson’s improved expense management is forecasted to keep operating margins steady in the 12–15% range through 2026. The company, which analysts now describe as resembling a “Telco” with a focus on free cash flow, is also expected to significantly boost shareholder returns. The firm is estimated to distribute 30 billion kronor in 2026, which is around 10% of its market capitalisation, through a mix of ordinary dividends, a special dividend, and share buybacks.

A Shared Path to Value
Both Nokia and Ericsson are demonstrating a business focus on margin expansion and financial discipline. For Nokia, this involves leveraging its Infinera acquisition and capitalising on surging demand from AI and cloud customers to drive growth in optical networks. For Ericsson, the emphasis is on rigorous cost control and operational efficiency to deliver strong profitability and substantial returns to shareholders.

This dual focus on profitability and capitalising on high-growth sectors signals a maturing phase for the telecom equipment industry, where disciplined management of costs and strategic investments in future technologies are key to driving value for a technically knowledgeable and business-focused audience.

Ericsson have made the shortlist for this years World Communication Awards in several categories including the 5G Award alongside Batelc0, Jio Platforms, KT and Singtel. View all the finalists here

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News

Applied Digital has signed a lease with a US investment‑grade hyperscaler for roughly $5 billion of contracted revenue over an estimated 15‑year term, covering 200 megawatts (MW) of critical IT capacity at its Polaris Forge 2 campus near Harwood, North Dakota.

The agreement, announced on 22 October 2025, phases the initial 200MW across two buildings that are expected to begin coming online in 2026 and reach full commissioning in 2027. The hyperscaler holds a first right of refusal on an additional 800MW — the remainder of the campus’ 1 gigawatt (GW) build‑out — giving Applied Digital potential to scale the site substantially if demand materialises.

With this deal, Applied Digital says its total leased capacity in North Dakota with two major global hyperscalers across Polaris Forge 1 and 2 reaches 600MW. The company has promoted the project’s design and sustainability metrics, stating Polaris Forge 2 is engineered for a projected power usage effectiveness (PUE) of 1.18 and “near‑zero water consumption,” and built for high power density and liquid cooling.

Wes Cummins, Applied Digital chairman and chief executive, said: “What sets us apart isn’t just the size of our pipeline – it’s how fast we can deliver. The real constraint in this industry is execution, and our team continues to prove that large‑scale, next‑generation data centers can be designed, financed, and brought online faster and more efficiently than anyone thought possible.”

The lease follows a string of recent transactions for Applied Digital, including a 150MW lease with CoreWeave at Polaris Forge 1 and a previously announced $5bn partnership with Macquarie Asset Management. The company has also been highlighted in industry rankings for rapid growth.

Industry observers say the deal underlines continued hyperscaler appetite for purpose‑built, inland sites that offer grid capacity and cooler climates for high‑density AI and high‑performance compute workloads. Questions remain about execution risks — including permitting, financing and construction timelines — and how quickly additional capacity can be monetised if the tenant exercises expansion rights.

For B2B buyers and suppliers in the data‑centre ecosystem, the transaction signals ongoing demand for specialised AI infrastructure and opportunities in power, cooling and construction services as hyperscalers shift more of their build‑out into large, modular campuses outside traditional coastal markets.

Hyperscale Live: INFRASTRUCTURE, ENERGY, AND FINANCE FOR AI
New from Total Telecom 21-22 October 2026, Lisbon. Find out more

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News

Lynk Global and Omnispace have announced plans to merge, aiming to create a leading direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity provider by combining key technological and spectrum assets. The merger would unite Omnispace’s 60 megahertz of globally coordinated S-band spectrum with Lynk’s multi-spectrum satellite technology platform, which is currently operational with five low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites offering intermittent messaging and alert services across several island nations.

The combined entity, backed strategically by Luxembourg-based multi-orbit operator SES, which is set to become a major shareholder, intends to utilise this S-band spectrum aligned with international 3GPP standards for non-terrestrial networks. This move will deliver enhanced D2D and Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity solutions. These services are targeted at mobile network operators (MNOs), enterprises, government users, and commercial sectors worldwide, signalling a significant expansion in satellite-based mobile communications offerings.

Omnispace, headquartered in Washington, D.C., initially planned to deploy a constellation exceeding 600 satellites utilising its spectrum for global D2D coverage. However, its progress was hindered by interference issues reportedly related to the overlap with SpaceX’s spectrum usage in the U.S., particularly concerning T-Mobile’s cellular frequencies. According to Omnispace’s vice president of strategy and marketing, George Giagtzoglou, this interference was specific to the U.S. market, with expectations that a recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulatory request by SpaceX could alleviate conflicts by aligning frequency usage with international S-band allocations.

Lynk CEO Ramu Potarazu expressed confidence that the merger provides the “right mix of technology, spectrum and leadership” to accelerate the delivery of seamless messaging, voice, and data services globally, extending coverage to commercial and industrial vehicles, governments, utilities, and consumer markets. Potarazu is slated to become CEO of the new combined entity, with Omnispace CEO Ram Viswanathan taking on the role of chief strategy officer.

This strategic pivot towards spectrum ownership marks a critical step for Lynk, which recently discontinued a planned public merger with Slam Corp., a special purpose acquisition company, following legal disputes that had constrained its capital-raising efforts. Instead, Lynk has been focusing on leveraging SES’s extensive satellite network in geostationary and medium Earth orbits and focused on a technology validation launch that will test new multi-orbit relay functions.

The timing of this merger also places Lynk and Omnispace alongside major industry competitors such as SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile, both actively securing satellite spectrum to bolster their D2D services. SpaceX is in the process of acquiring S-band spectrum rights from EchoStar (DISH), a deal reported to be valued at up to $17 billion in total considerations, which would significantly expand its licensed spectrum. The move is intended to grow its capacity from the modest 10 megahertz currently licensed through T-Mobile to a potential 50 megahertz for a next-generation service. Its constellation of over 650 Starlink satellites currently supports text messaging, emergency alerts, and select apps in specific markets.

Meanwhile, AST SpaceMobile, currently operating five test BlueBird LEO satellites, aims to scale rapidly with U.S. carriers AT&T and Verizon. It is pursuing various global spectrum agreements to provide higher-throughput satellite broadband, competing directly with the newly combined entity.

The Lynk-Omnispace merger is positioned to strengthen the landscape of D2D satellite communication by combining spectrum assets—Omnispace’s 60 MHz S-band and Lynk’s operational platform—with financial backing from SES. The companies anticipate finalising the transaction by late this year or early next year, subject to customary regulatory approvals. This consolidation reflects a growing industry trend where satellite firms seek to secure expansive, globally coordinated spectrum bands in order to deliver seamless, low-latency connectivity directly to consumer devices without relying solely on terrestrial cellular networks.

Total Telecom are testing AI tools for content generation. This article used Noah Newsroom, please let us know about any inaccuracy 

News

The collaboration will see thousands of sites rolled out across the company from early next year

This week, Wind River has revealed its selection by Vodafone to help deploy Open RAN in Germany and the rest of its European markets.

The partnership covers the use of Wind River® Cloud Platform as the containers-as-a-service (CaaS) layer, which Wind River says allows for the “development, deployment, operation, and servicing of distributed edge networks at scale”.

“Vodafone continues to advance and collaborate with the industry in realizing the promise of Open RAN. We’re proud to extend our partnership to enable the next wave of large-scale deployments,” said Paul Miller, chief technology officer, Wind River. “Wind River Cloud Platform delivers the scalable, distributed cloud infrastructure service providers need to run next-generation networks efficiently.”

The news follows Vodafone Group’s ‘Spring 6’ announcement earlier this month, which provided an update on the company’s ongoing RAN refreshment strategy. The update said that the company would continue to lean on Ericsson, Huawei, and Nokia for its transition to 5G Advanced, but would bring in Samsung as a strategic vendor for the deployment of Open RAN across Europe.

Germany will be Vodafone’s first market to implement Open RAN at scale, with Samsung reportedly set to equip “thousands of sites” throughout the country. The first Open RAN site is already live in Hannover, with Wismar planned as the first city fully equipped with Open RAN from spring 2026.

Thousands more Open RAN sites in other markets are planned for deployment over the course of the five-year investment programme.

How is the German connectivity landscape changing in 2025? Join the industry in discussion at Connected Germany 2025

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Contributed Article

by James Lilley, Director of All-IP at Openreach

The UK is gearing up for a historic moment – the final full-scale infrastructure transition of our lifetimes. The Public Switched Telephone Network will be switched off on 31st January 2027 in favour of internet-based (All-IP) networks. Even though this deadline is fast approaching, many businesses are still resistant to the move. Switch-overs are continuing to happen, but the progress is slower than expected, considering the finality of the deadline. By 2027, most people in the UK will need to have a digital phone line, or risk being left behind.

Why aren’t businesses moving?

Many businesses are avoiding the switch due to the perceived difficulty of switching. Continuing with current systems seems like an easier option. The classic idea of ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ echoes with businesses happy to stick to their current trusted systems. Many organisations will have only ever used their current networks and are satisfied with the way they run.

However, as the world becomes increasingly digital, PSTN simply can no longer keep up. Legacy PSTN networks already have far more service disruptions and outages than all-IP systems, and in 2024 alone the number of PSTN incidents reported to Ofcom increased by 45%.

Many businesses aren’t fully aware that though the PSTN switch-off is scheduled for January 2027, the practical deadline for businesses to act is December 2025. After that, support for legacy services will diminish, and businesses could be exposed to operational risks. The reason being, that Openreach has formally notified Communication Providers (CPs) that the current Wholesale Line Rental (WLR) contracts will terminate on 31 December 2025.  After this date, any remaining WLR assets i.e. services not yet migrated or cancelled, will be subject to new contract terms. Under the revised terms, Openreach reserves the right to terminate any remaining WLR services with just 90 days notice.  After that, services may continue only at Openreach’s discretion, and with reduced service guarantees. This could mean businesses facing things like slower repair times and reduced service response guarantees.

So, while ‘it ain’t broke’ currently, delaying the switch will only create bigger problems for businesses in the near future as well as further down the line

There are common misconceptions about the difficulty of switching over from PSTN to all-IP. The switch over is simple and for many can be completed in just a number of days. By resisting the transition, businesses may actually be costing themselves more money and time. Legacy infrastructure is expensive to maintain. Reliance on copper materials and outdated hardware means that maintenance and replacement parts are costly and difficult to source. This not only drives up maintenance costs but also leads to longer repair times, meaning that delaying the switch ultimately results in greater disruption and downtime for businesses

Alongside technological improvements, an all-IP network is actually cheaper to run and maintain than the current legacy network. Streamlined all-IP systems use less hardware than legacy networks. With fewer pieces of hardware involved, there’s less that can break, and if something does go wrong, repairs are faster and more affordable.

A final reason that businesses may be delaying is due to assumptions that the deadline may move but there are several reasons why the January 2027 deadline is non-negotiable. Since September 2023, Openreach has enforced a “stop sell” on PSTN and ISDN services. This means no new analogue lines can be activated and existing ones can’t be expanded which means the infrastructure is already being phased out, not just planned for future removal. The January 2027 extension was granted to allow more time to safely migrate vulnerable customers, especially those using telecare devices like personal alarms. Around 2.3 million people rely on these services, and some devices failed during early migrations. Since then, more safeguards have successfully been brought in to protect those deemed vulnerable.  This was more of a one-time reset than a rolling extension. In addition, industry-wide migration is well underway with providers already migrating tens of thousands of customers weekly.

The role of CSPs in helping businesses transition NOW

Customer Service Providers (CSPs) are crucial to this switch-off. To begin the transition, businesses should reach out to their communications providers (CPs), who can guide them through the process. The deadline is the same across the UK, but some CSPs will require businesses to move ahead of the switch-off. Transferring to the all-IP and VoIP system will bring different benefits across the various service providers so businesses should check for any extra benefits.  With some CSPs, calls over the internet may be cheaper than analogue phone lines or even mobile, particularly if you’re calling someone abroad, and some providers will be offering add-ons and enhanced services made available by the digital system.

Improvements for businesses using all-IP networks

Even without the extra benefits provided by CSPs, all-IP networks will bring significant improvements for businesses. All-IP networks are purpose-built to meet the demands of modern businesses that operate in the digital world.

• Reliability – They are more reliable than traditional networks, as fibre is more resistant to environmental damage. This means reduced downtime for businesses whose critical services run on connectivity.
• Scalability – Running services over the internet means new lines and services can be added easily, without needing to adjust physical infrastructure, to scale with business needs.
• Bandwidth – Fibre technology can handle massive amounts of data at the same time. This makes it possible for technologies such as IoT that demand high bandwidth to be more performant. As more business operations become digital, we need the infrastructure to keep up.

Moving to all-IP allows businesses to gain the network performance required to keep pace with today’s digital demands.

New revenue opportunities

All-IP can also create new revenue streams unavailable on the legacy network. All-IP networks will allow businesses to harness more modern technologies, including cloud-based communication systems such as Zoom or Teams, more efficiently. These advanced communication platforms can play an essential role in opening new revenue streams. For example, chat functions between businesses and customers can be better supported by an all-IP network. An all-IP network enhances chat functions by handling all communication types – text, voice, and video—as data packets over a single, unified infrastructure. This can help create upselling opportunities that were difficult or impossible to achieve over legacy networks. Many businesses are already reaping the rewards of the all-IP network and PSTN connections are now only 27% of residential landline connections.

With the 2027 deadline rapidly approaching, the reasons for businesses’ hesitance to switch must be addressed. The deadline will not move again, and holding back from switching means a delay to the benefits of an all-IP system. The increased capabilities of an all-IP network will allow for digital transformation for businesses previously reliant on outdated hardware, so while business can wait until the end of 2026 to switch, the benefits of switching earlier are clear.

Keep up to date with all of the latest telecoms news from around the world with the Total Telecom newsletter

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London – October 20, 2025 – RETN, the leading independent global network services provider, today announces the launch of Flex IX, a new wholesale connectivity solution that, for the first time, combines Remote Internet Exchange (IX) access and IP Transit in a single service.

RETN analysis shows that at least 70% of capacity at industry peering and interconnect points goes unused – highlighting a long-standing inefficiency: IX bandwidth often sits idle when peers are inactive. Flex IX solves this by combining Remote IX and IP Transit on a single port, automatically converting unused peering bandwidth into IP Transit with the option to burst beyond the committed rate – allowing operators to fully utilise purchased capacity without the cost and complexity of separate services.

“This is a first in our industry,” said Tony O’Sullivan, CEO of RETN. “Flex IX ends wasted capacity. Carriers, ISPs and Content networks can commit once and be certain that their bandwidth is always working for them – whether for peering or transit. It simplifies operations, increases efficiency, and builds resilience into networks.”

Key benefits of Flex IX include:

• Zero waste – unused IX capacity automatically becomes available for IP Transit.
• Resilience by design – if a peering partner or IX has an outage, traffic continues over transit (based on BGP setup).
• One solution – peering and transit combined on a single RETN port and CDR.
• Global reach – access to RETN’s Remote IX portfolio, including: AMS-IX (Amsterdam), BBIX (Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore), BCIX (Berlin), BIX (Budapest), DE-CIX (Frankfurt), DTEL-IX (Kyiv), ESpanix (Madrid), France-IX (Paris), INEX (Dublin), JPNAP (Tokyo), JPIX (Tokyo), LINX (London), MIX (Milan), Netnod (Stockholm), VIX (Vienna).

William Manzione, Product Manager at RETN, added: “We designed Flex IX because we care about the quality of our customers’ networks. Every network buyer knows the frustration: you commit to IX capacity, but traffic patterns shift, peers aren’t always active, and valuable bandwidth sits unused. Meanwhile, you’re managing separate contracts for IX and transit, adding cost and complexity. Flex IX is designed to address this.”

Discover more about Flex IX here: https://retn.net/trending/FlexIX 

About RETN 

RETN is one of the fastest-growing independent Eurasian network services providers, awarded the title of Innovation Disruptor of the Year, at the Global Connectivity Awards 2024, and the Digital Infrastructure Action Award, by The Tech Capital in 2025.

RETN’s unique solution to connect Europe and Asia is built on its own homogenous DWDM and IP/MPLS Network Platform and widely branched land routes, passing through Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia up to the border with China and further onwards into Southeast Asia.

RETN provides telecommunication services throughout its Eurasian network with short lead times, industry-leading uptimes, and multiple layers of redundancy.

For more information on RETN and its services, please visit the company’s website at www.retn.net

For press enquiries, please contact pr@retn.net