News  

The ongoing cyber-attack was first reported in October

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. 

Join us at next year’s Connected America, 11-12 March in Texas. Get discounted tickets here! 

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  

News 

The new equipment deal will support Indosat’s ongoing rollout of mobile technology across the nation 

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. 

Keep up to date with the latest international telecoms news by subscribing to the Total Telecom daily newsletter

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  

Press Release

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.

Keep up to date with the latest international telecoms news by subscribing to the Total Telecom daily newsletter

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

News 

The milestone means passengers traveling through central London stations can enjoy reliable 4G coverage on their journeys 

Transport for London (TFL) and neutral host provider Boldyn Networks have completed the rollout of high-speed mobile coverage across the entire Elizabeth Line. This marks another step in TfL’s ongoing efforts to improve connectivity across London’s transport system. 

All UK mobile network operators — Three UK, EE, Vodafone, and Virgin Media O2 — are participating in the project, allowing all UK mobile customers access to connectivity on the Tube 

Back in May, TfL and Boldyn announced that 4G coverage had been deployed at all stations on the Elizabeth Line; today’s announcement means that the coverage is now delivered inside the tunnels too.  

The work extends coverage to tunnels serving central London stations such as Whitechapel, Stratford, Canary Wharf, Custom House, and Woolwich.  

“This is yet another step towards ensuring Londoners and visitors can stay connected on our transport network. It means customers can access the latest travel information and keep in touch with colleagues, friends, and family throughout their journey on the Elizabeth line,” said Mayor of London Sadiq Khan in a press release. 

For commuters, this means the ability to stay online throughout their journey. The expanded network also benefits TfL staff, improving communications and bolstering safety by supporting the Emergency Services Network (ESN). Once fully operational, the ESN will provide frontline responders with access to real-time data and critical information during emergencies. 

The Elizabeth Line milestone is part of a broader effort from TFL and Boldyn Networks to bring mobile coverage to the entire London Underground, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), and London Overground Windrush line. 

Progression includes: 

– Northern Line: Coverage expansion towards Morden and between King’s Cross St Pancras and Moorgate, expected by early next year. 

– Bakerloo Line: Tunnel sections between Piccadilly Circus and Embankment will go live in the coming weeks, with additional stations to follow. 

– Piccadilly and Victoria Lines: Further connectivity is planned for these lines in the coming months. 

Keep up to date with the latest international telecoms news by subscribing to the Total Telecom daily newsletter 

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

News

New US export controls on semiconductor technology this week have been met immediately by retaliatory measures from China

This week has seen the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) ramp up controls on its tech exports to China, particularly those related to the manufacture of semiconductors.

The additional restrictions cover 24 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment and three types of software tools for developing or producing semiconductors. It also includes High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM), a computer memory interface at the heart of AI chip technology.

In addition to these restrictions, the update added 140 companies to the US’s infamous Entity List, 136 of which were Chinese. US companies looking to sell restricted items to entities designated on this list are required to acquire a specialised export licence from BIS, which is seldom granted. Companies to the list in this most recent batch include semiconductor fabs, tool companies, and investment companies that the US claims have links to the Chinese government.

These new measures, BIS says, are designed to slow China’s ability to “indigenise the production of advanced technologies” that may pose a threat to US national security. In particular, this includes the creation of advanced-node integrated circuits, which are used for advanced AI and military applications.

“They’re the strongest controls ever enacted by the US to degrade the PRC’s ability to make the most advanced chips that they’re using in their military modernization,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.

China has responded quickly to the new sanctions, banning shipments to the US of several ‘dual-use’ metals used to make semiconductors and military applications. This includes export bans on gallium, germanium, antimony and superhard materials, with stricter rules also to be put in place for graphite products.

“The US preaches one thing while practicing another, excessively broadening the concept of national security, abusing export control measures, and engaging in unilateral bullying actions. China firmly opposes such actions,” said China’s Commerce Ministry in a statement.

These retaliatory sanctions are effective immediately.

This trade dispute represents the latest sparks in the ever-increasing geopolitical clash for technology dominance between the US and China. Both nations are currently supporting multibillion-dollar state subsidy programmes to bolster domestic semiconductor production, aiming to reduce their reliance on the global supply chain.

In other chip-related news, this week saw the shock retirement of Intel CEO Patrick Gelsinger.

Intel has been struggling to remain competitive in recent years against the likes of TSMC and AMD, despite substantial internal restructuring and the laying off of 15,000 staff. In its most recent quarterly report, the company reported losses of $1.6 billion.

The US telecoms industry is changing rapidly. Join the heart of the discussion at Connected America 2025 live in Dallas, Texas!

Also in the news:
Deutsche Telekom replaces Huawei kit in new Nokia deal
BT secures £1.29bn contract for UK emergency services network
UK govt looks to satellite to solve rural connectivity woes 

News 

The formation of the joint venture had been under discussion for over a year 

Telefónica’s proposed sale of its Peruvian fibre optic network to private equity firm KKR and Chilean telecom operator Entel has collapsed, representing a major setback in the Spanish telecom giant’s efforts to streamline operations and reduce debt.  

The deal, announced in July last year, would have seen KKR and Entel acquire a 54% and 10% stake in the network, respectively, valuing the business at approximately €550 million, including debt, according to reports. The newly created joint venture, dubbed On Net Fibra de Peru, would become Peru’s first open first independent open access wholesale fiber optic network, with KKR aiming to more than double the network’s coverage to 5.2 million by the end of 2026. 

The deal was cleared by the Peruvian competition regulator in September, leaving the way seemingly clear for the deal to go ahead. 

Last week, however, Entel disclosed the breakdown of negotiations in a Peruvian regulatory filing, citing unfulfilled closing conditions.  

“Pangea has communicated that, due to the failure to comply with certain closing conditions stipulated in the SSA (in reference to the agreement), related to a parallel transaction between KKR and Telefónica Hispam regarding Pangea that will not materialize, Telefónica Hispam has expressed its intention to formally document the termination of the SSA. To date, the parties to the SSA are in discussions regarding the terms and conditions of said termination,” explained Entel in a statement. 

Telefonica had planned to use the sale proceeds to cut its debt by €200 million, aligning with its broader strategy to divest non-core assets and focus on key markets like Spain, Brazil, and Germany. 

Telefónica has been actively selling off assets in recent years, including its tower businesses and shares in fibre ventures across Europe and Latin America. These moves are aimed at tackling its €26 billion debt burden and free up capital to investment in 5G and digital infrastructure in key markets. 

KKR has a history of investments in critical telecom infrastructure – including most recently in Telecom Italia – has partnered with Telefónica in other fibre-related ventures, including acquiring its Chilean wholesale fibre optic network in 2021. 

Keep up to date with the latest international telecoms news by subscribing to the Total Telecom daily newsletter 

Also in the news:

Partner Article

The deployment, which Huawei says is the world’s first ‘large-scale integrated 5G-Advanced intelligent network’, will provide services to over 10 million people in the Chinese capital

China Unicom Beijing has deployed a far reaching 5G-Advanced network covering stadiums, schools, scenic areas, metro stations, commercial areas, residential areas, and other facilities in Beijing. 

The new three component carrier (3CC) network will provide 5G coverage for roughly 10 million customers within Beijing’s 4th Ring Road and the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center, 85% of which will use the latest 5G-Advanced technology.  

This 5G-Advanced network offers greater speeds (up to 10 Gbps), improved network capacity, spectral efficiency, and coverage versus existing 5G networks. These capabilities make the new network perfect for supporting the latest consumer use cases, such as immersive videos, UHD live streaming, and cloud gaming, according to China Unicom and it tech partner Huawei. 

But perhaps the most important aspect of this new network – at least from China Unicom’s perspective – will be its integration with AI and machine learning.  

The operator has built in end-to-end automation for sites based on user service data, including AI-powered optimization of provisioning, services, iteration, and inspection. This will not only help the sites to operate more efficiently, resulting in cost savings for the operator, but allow for the rapid deployment of new services automatically, without manual intervention. In this way, this automated process will reduce the provisioning time from days to minutes.  

These AI capabilities will require significant compute power to function effectively. As a result, China Unicom is deploying the necessary compute infrastructure alongside the sites themselves, allowing AI workloads to be handled locally, at the edge.  

China Unicom says it is the first operator to implement this network self-provisioning and self-optimisation in lightweight scenarios.  

“Large bandwidth can quickly improve user experience. Only by providing 10-gigabit network capabilities can we guarantee a gigabit experience for all users. This time, we’ve built a large-scale integrated 5G-Advanced intelligent network to bring a better experience to all China Unicom users across Beijing,” said Yang Lifan, Deputy General Manager of China Unicom Beijing. “We are confident that, based on Huawei’s advanced technologies and our smart operations capabilities, we will provide users in Beijing with an increasingly better network experience in the future.” 

5G-Advanced shines at Workers’ Stadium and the Great Wall 

As part of the public network deployment, China Unicom has paid special attention to the recently reopened Workers’ Stadium, one of the country’s largest football stadiums. The stadium will be supported by numerous 5G-Advanced 3CC sites, both inside and outside, allowing customers to receive download speeds of over 10Gbps. 

“Field tests recorded a downlink peak rate of 11.2 Gbps, allowing a crowd of up to 68,000 people to simultaneously and smoothly watch 1080p videos. Meanwhile, the uplink peak rate reached 4 Gbps, sufficient to support services like UHD shallow compression,” explained Huawei in a statement.  

The stadium’s 5G-Advanced network will also support novel use cases, including those related to the Internet of Vehicles (IoV), Internet of Things (IoT), and extended reality (XR) split rendering. 

Alongside Workers’ Stadium, another area receiving a significant 5G-Advanced network deployment from China Unicom is the Great Wall Scenic Area, situated roughly 70km northeast of Beijing. This area is one of the Great Wall of China’s best preserved and most picturesque sections, receiving over 1.4 million visitors annually.  

Here, China Unicom has worked with the local Yanqing District Government to deploy 5G-Advanced base stations at scale, offering the area 5G coverage both on the ground and at low altitudes of up to 300 metres. This ensures that visitors to the Wall and the surrounding area can enjoy uninterrupted network coverage wherever they are, helping to support tourism, logistics, and emergency rescue. 

As user demands on the network continue to increase and AI use continues to scale, 5G networks must continue to evolve. Telcos around the world will be watching this deployment from China Unicom closely, hoping to take key lessons for their own 5G-Advanced upgrades in the near future. 

News

The European parliament has approved Ursula von der Leyen’s selected commissioners for her second term as President of the European Commission

Earlier this summer, Ursula von der Leyen was re-elected as President of the European Commission, granting her a second five-year term as head of the European Union’s most powerful institution. Now, this week has seen von der Leyen’s selection of European Commissioners ratified by parliament, setting the stage for a new European regulatory era to begin next year.

“This is the Europe that I love. And this is the Europe my Commission will always devote itself to. Because I believe that our generation of Europeans must once again fight for freedom and sovereignty. For the freedom that the people of Ukraine are heroically fighting for. For the freedom to shape our own future in a confrontational and unstable world. But this freedom is not just an abstract word. It is about Europeans knowing that their families will be safe. Their country protected. That they will be able to afford to buy food or heat their homes, with decent wages and fair prices. That they will be able to seize opportunities. And that they feel in control of the change – and the speed of change happening – in society,” said von der Leyen said in a speech this week.

“Our fight for freedom may look different to generations past. But the stakes are just as high. And, honourable Members, these freedoms will not come for free. It will mean making difficult choices. It will mean massive investment in our security and prosperity. And above all it will mean staying united and true to our values. Finding ways to work with each other – and overcoming fragmentation. This is what I – and all 26 women and men with me – will strive for every single day. We are ready to get to work immediately.”

In terms of the incoming Commission’s priorities, von der Leyen spoke of closing the innovation gap between Europe, the US, and China, with a heighted focus on European R&D and international competitiveness. Digital technology, naturally, will be a keystone here, with Finland’s Henna Virkkunen being appointed to lead this strategic approach as Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy.

As far as telecoms regulation is concerned, the other key figure being appointed to the Commission is Spain’s Teresa Ribera Rodríguez, who will become Executive Vice-President for the Clean, Just and Competitive Transition. Rodríguez will be tasked not only with accelerating the bloc’s decarbonisation, but also with overseeing its competitive landscape and State Aid framework.

Exactly how Virkkunen and Rodríguez will approach telecoms regulation remains to be seen, but the first significant indicator will likely be the legislative proposal for the Digital Networks Act, which Virkkunen will be required to prepare early next year. This Act will include a framework for the governance of the bloc’s telecoms sector and is likely to have a major impact not only for telcos but also Big Tech.

You can find the full list of Commissioners-designate here.

The UK’s telecoms landscape is changing rapidly. Join the operators in discussion at Connected North 2025 live in Manchester

Also in the news:
Sweden asks Chinese ship to return for investigation after Baltic Sea cable damage
Australia regulator dishes out midband spectrum for private networks
BT unveils new managed SASE service 

News 

The group’s formation is timely, following the high-profile damage to subsea cables in the Baltic Sea earlier this month 

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) have joined forces to create a new advisory group focused on protecting submarine cables.  

Submarine cables carry over 99% of international data, making them essential for everything from online shopping and financial transactions to digital health services and education. However, is critical infrastructure is vulnerable to damage from fishing, anchoring, natural disasters, equipment failures, and potentially deliberate sabotage, with around 150 to 200 faults reported each year, according to data from the ITU. 

As such, this newly formed advisory body will bring together governments, industry leaders, and experts to develop best practices for protecting cables, speed up cable repairs and deployment efforts, and reduce risks to existing cables. 

“The formation of this International Advisory Body with ITU marks another step toward safeguarding our global digital infrastructure,” said ICPC Chair, Graham Evans in a press release. 

“By working together, we can promote best practices, foster international collaboration, and create a consistent approach to protect the vital submarine cable networks that underpin global connectivity,” he added. 

The advisory group currently includes 40 members, including government ministers, telecom regulators, and industry experts. It will be co-chaired by Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and Sandra Maximiano, Chair of Portugal’s National Communications Authority (ANACOM). 

The group will meet at least twice a year, with the first virtual meeting planned to take place next month. A physical meeting at the Submarine Cable Resilience Summit in Nigeria will follow in February. 

The formation of this advisory group comes just days after a pair of submarine cables were severed in the Baltic Sea, putting the submarine cable industry under the international spotlight. An investigation into the cause of the damage is already underway, with European governments saying at the time that they feared the incident could be an intentional act of sabotage on behalf of malicious state actors.  

This week the Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson requested that Chinese cargo ship Yi Peng 3 return to Swedish waters as part of the investigation, as the incident occurred inside Sweden’s exclusive economic zone (the area of the sea to which a country has exclusive rights). The ship was in the area at the time of the damage. 

Just yesterday, it was revealed by the Wall Street Journal that the ship is currently surrounded European vessels after investigators suspect that the ship deliberately dragged its anchor 100 miles across the Baltic Seabed.  

The investigation is still ongoing and the ship’s crew is cooperating.  

“Neither sabotage nor an accident can be ruled out,” said Katja Bego, a Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House, speaking to Reuters. 

Join us at next year’s Submarine Networks EMEA in London. Discounted tickets available here! 

Also in the news:
VMO2 launches UK’s first 5G standalone small cells in Birmingham
BT says Labour’s budget will cost company £100m
Vodafone Spain and Telefonica complete FibreCo deal

News 

The deal covers over 3,000 Open RAN sites across Germany 

Nokia has announced a deal with Deutsche Telekom to support the deployment of over 3,000 sites for its Open RAN network in Germany.  

The rollout, which is already underway in the Neubrandenburg region, will see Nokia replace equipment from the incumbent vendor, Huawei. Partnering with Fujitsu, Nokia will provide O-RAN-compliant technology designed to modernise Telekom’s network.  

“This deal is further evidence of our significant commitment to multi-vendor Open RAN and ensuring we have greater supplier choice for radio access networks,” said Abdu Mudesir, Group CTO and Managing Director of Technology Germany at Deutsche Telekom in a press release. “The network performance in the already implemented area is delivering the best customer experience. And now together with Nokia, we look forward to scaling up Open RAN in Germany.”. 

This deal comes amid broader efforts by European telecom operators to reduce their reliance on Huawei, which has historically been a dominant supplier of equipment in the region. 

 Huawei’s presence in Europe has faced increasing scrutiny over security concerns raised by the US and several European governments. While the EU itself has not specifically lobbied against the use of Huawei equipment, it has introduced more stringent security guidelines for network equipment and encouraged telecom operators to diversify their supplier base. 

As such, only a small number of countries – such as the UK and Sweden – have banned the use of Huawei equipment in national networks outright. Instead, most governments have taken a lighter approach, with many only mandating that Huawei equipment be removed from the most sensitive parts of telecoms networks.  

This is the case for Germany, which has been particularly cautious in mandating operators to phase out Huawei equipment. After years of indecision, it was only this summer – almost five years since the 5G security debate began – that  Germany ordered the removal of Huawei equipment from the core of the network by the end of 2026. By the end of 2029, the wider network components from these manufacturers in 5G access and transport networks must be replaced. 

“We are protecting the central nervous systems of Germany as a business location — and we are protecting the communication of citizens, companies and the state,” said Interior Minister Nancy Faeser. “We must reduce security risks and, unlike in the past, avoid one-sided dependencies”  

In anticipation of rules such as this, Deutsche Telekom, one of Huawei’s largest European customers, has been gradually shifting toward a more diverse vendor mix for a number of years. The partnership with Nokia represents another significant step in this direction, with Deutsche Telekom moving to better align with European Union objectives of reducing dependency on high-risk vendors and fostering a competitive, secure telecom ecosystem. 

Keep up to date with the latest international telecoms news by subscribing to the Total Telecom daily newsletter 

Also in the news:
UK govt looks to satellite to solve rural connectivity woes
Did your virtualization cloud provider just do you a massive favor?
USA regulatory revamp? The week’s top 5 telecoms stories from Broadband Communities