The economics of fixed wireless access have always been a story of two costs: the cost of reaching a subscriber, and the cost of serving one once reached. Fiber dominates the first conversation — trenching, permitting, and a per-home-passed bill that runs into the hundreds or thousands of dollars per location. FWA’s enduring pitch has been that it collapses the “reach” cost by spending spectrum instead of construction. What has quietly held FWA back in the places where it matters most is … [visit site to read more]

Operator Ooredoo Qatar has announced the launch of Qatar’s first 5G+ mobile network, building on the capabilities of 5G standalone, the network Ooredoo Qatar was the first to deploy.

The operator says that the 5G+ (a term sometimes used for 5G Advanced) network supports increasingly demanding digital applications, with faster speeds, greater network capacity, and lower latency.

These improvements, it adds, enable more devices to connect and exchange information efficiently, while shorter response times support applications such as real-time equipment monitoring and automated processes.

For consumers, Ooredoo continues, the 5G+ network supports enhanced streaming, more responsive gaming and seamless connectivity on the move.

Ooredoo has deployed this new technology across different locations in Qatar, though these are not specified in the announcement. It is commercially available through mobile broadband in areas covered by the 5G+ network.

For businesses, these capabilities provide a foundation for more efficient operations and better-informed decisions. Enhanced network reliability and performance support real-time monitoring, AI-enabled services, and complex digital workloads.

Network slicing, which allows connectivity to be tailored to specific applications, is another opportunity enhanced by the 5G+ network, while 5G advanced networks and edge computing can support mission-critical applications that require rapid responses.

Expanded IoT capabilities also support industrial sensors, asset trackers, and utility meters, enabling automation, intelligent operations, and future smart city services.

This is another first for the company. Sheikh Ali bin Jabor bin Mohammad Al Thani, Chief Executive Officer of Ooredoo Qatar, explains: “From launching the world’s first 5G network in 2018 to deploying Qatar’s first 5G Standalone core network, we have consistently advanced connectivity. This launch marks the next step in that journey, supporting the next generation of digital services across Qatar.”

A partnership, a buildout completion, and some AI agent news: … [visit site to read more]

Large-scale data centre growth in India appears to be accelerating, with recently announced deals or plans including big names such as CtrlS Datacenters, Submer, BSNL and Google, but some public discomfort has been expressed about the rollout in Andhra Pradesh.

CtrlS Datacenters has signed a letter of intent (LoI) with the government of Bihar, a state in eastern India, to invest INR100 billion (an estimated US$1.05 billion) to set-up a 150 MW hyperscale AI factory in Bodh Gaya, one of Buddhism’s most important pilgrimage sites. CtrlS has also formally inaugurated its INR4 billion (about us$42 million) AI and cloud-ready data centre in the capital Patna.

Meanwhile, global IT services and digital infrastructure provider Submer and BSNL Tower Corporation Limited (BTCL), a wholly owned subsidiary of operator BSNL, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore the development of sovereign, AI-ready data centre infrastructure across India.

Submer and BTCL will jointly assess opportunities spanning GPU-as-a-service (GPUaaS), sovereign AI cloud infrastructure, edge and micro-edge data centres and large-scale data centre projects of up to 20 MW.

Under the MoU, Submer will apply its expertise in integrated data centre architecture, liquid cooling, thermal management and high-density computing. BTCL will coordinate access to relevant BSNL premises and data centre facilities for technical and commercial feasibility studies. It will also support connectivity, regulatory alignment, and engagement with government and enterprise stakeholders.

However, in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh on India’s southeast coast, where the US$15 billion construction of Google’s largest data centre outside the United States is under way, such developments are being questioned.

Visakhapatnam is a landing point for submarine internet cables linking the country to Singapore, so, for India, the location of the 600-acre site is ideal. And other tech sites are planned in the area. Indeed, a joint venture between multinational conglomerate Reliance Industries, investment management company Brookfield and data centre platform provider Digital Realty, is investing US$11 billion in another AI data centre in Visakhapatnam.

Many residents fear the Google data centre will strain water and power resources, damage the environment and bring too few jobs in return, fears that Google and local government suggest are unjustified; they argue that many direct and indirect jobs, as well as significant economic activity, will result.

In response to comments about water supply, Google has said it will deploy ‘advanced’ air cooling technology to ease water use at the data centre, while the state plans six 1.2-gigawatt nuclear power plants to manage energy demand.

Nevertheless, news reports suggest that activists in Andhra Pradesh are demanding a moratorium on new data centres across the state until independent environmental and social impact evaluations are published.

However, more such developments are highly likely. India has only about 3% of global data centre capacity, according to government figures, and wants more. It has rolled out a variety of incentives to attract big tech companies, including tax cuts.

One partnership down under, two interesting deals from wholesale voice, and an interesting bit of M&A: … [visit site to read more]

IFS has launched IFS Intelligence, an AI product that lets industrial businesses query operational data, investigate issues and prepare actions through a conversational interface.

The product draws on live data from IFS and connected third-party systems, including information on assets, work orders, schedules and operational history. It can recommend actions and prepare them for approval, with controls based on each business’s rules and permissions.

IFS Intelligence includes three components: Cowork, for querying data and preparing actions; Loops, which runs defined workflows in the background and escalates tasks when human judgement or approval is needed; and Runway, which uses plain-language requirements to support IFS software migration, configuration and extension.

Customers can also save successful queries as reusable Skills or create Lenses, which provide live views of operational data. Cowork can connect to systems such as Microsoft 365 through the Model Context Protocol.

IFS cited crane rental and heavy lifting company Sims Crane & Equipment as an early user. The company said staff can query fleet data to identify suitable cranes for customer requirements and improve fleet utilisation.

Four interesting items from EMEA to catch up with: … [visit site to read more]

Global smartphone shipments fell 20% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2026 as rising memory chip costs pushed up device prices and weakened consumer demand, according to Counterpoint Research.

The decline marked the weakest third-quarter performance in 14 years, although it was in line with the research firm’s forecast. Average selling prices (ASPs) have risen 20% so far this year as manufacturers pass on increases in DRAM and NAND memory costs to consumers.

Counterpoint Research senior analyst Shilpi Jain said the market was only beginning to feel the full impact of the memory crisis, with the third quarter representing the second consecutive quarter in which manufacturers faced its effects.

Consumers are responding by delaying upgrades and considering refurbished devices, while the premium segment has proved comparatively resilient.

Samsung regained the top position in the market with a 23% share, despite a 3% year-on-year decline in shipments. The South Korean manufacturer focused on premium models, including foldable devices, which saw strong initial demand.

Apple followed with a 22% share, up from 18% a year earlier, despite a decline in shipments. Counterpoint attributed the fall in volumes partly to the absence of a base iPhone 18 variant and rising prices.

Xiaomi suffered the sharpest decline among the leading vendors, with shipments falling 30% year-on-year and its market share dropping from 14% to 10%. The Chinese manufacturer, known for its affordable devices and thin margins, has tightened shipment plans to avoid selling devices at uneconomical margins amid rising component costs.

Oppo and Vivo also recorded shipment declines of more than 20%, with market shares falling to 9% and 8%, respectively.

Counterpoint expects market conditions to remain challenging for the rest of 2026 as manufacturers prioritise profitability over shipment volumes. Rising component costs are putting pressure on both vendors’ margins and consumers’ purchasing power.
Manufacturers are expected to continue cutting production, reducing the size of their product portfolios and placing greater emphasis on premium devices as memory supplies remain constrained.

A recovery in shipment volumes is unlikely until component costs ease. Counterpoint has previously forecast that this improvement may not begin until late 2027.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has questioned the influence of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani as Starlink continues to await approval to launch its satellite internet service in India.

Musk said on social media that Starlink had spent five years complying with Indian government requirements but was still unable to begin operations. He questioned whether Ambani was the country’s “real boss”, a day after accusing unnamed oligarchs of maintaining a monopolistic grip on the Indian market.

Reliance Jio, controlled by Ambani, is India’s largest telecoms operator. Together with rival Bharti Airtel, it accounts for around 80% of the country’s telecoms market.
Musk’s comments drew a response from Rahul Gandhi, leader of India’s opposition Congress party, who suggested he would encounter another powerful businessman, Gautam Adani. Musk responded that the situation was troubling.

Starlink’s entry into India has faced delays despite agreements signed with Jio and Airtel in March 2025 to explore opportunities to distribute its satellite internet services.

Starlink received an operating licence in July 2025 but has yet to launch commercially.
Bloomberg reported in June 2026 that the Indian government had frozen approvals amid security concerns over the use of Starlink terminals before the service was authorised to operate.

Meanwhile, Jio is developing its own low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications plans. Local media reports say the company has proposed a network of around 1,600 satellites and 23 ground stations to expand connectivity across India.

Jio Platforms managing director Akash Ambani said this week that India needs its own indigenous technology stack, according to local media. The company’s satellite plans could place it in competition with Starlink, which operates a constellation of thousands of satellites and provides services in more than 170 countries and territories.

The dispute comes as Musk’s other major business, Tesla, also struggles to gain traction in India. Reports indicate that the electric vehicle maker has sold just over 1,000 cars in the country since launching there in 2025.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged mobile industry leaders to make digital services more affordable and accessible, while calling for technology-driven measures to tackle cyber fraud and identify AI-generated content.

Modi made the remarks during a meeting with members of the GSMA Board in New Delhi on October 7, ahead of the India Mobile Congress 2026. The meeting was attended by Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Minister of State for Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani.

Modi said technology should support inclusive and sustainable development, with particular attention to affordability and access in developing countries. He also highlighted the role of digital public infrastructure (DPI) in helping countries across the Global South expand access to digital services.

On cyber fraud, Modi called for technology-based solutions and sustained public awareness campaigns to warn users about fraudulent calls.

He also highlighted the risks posed by deepfakes and AI-generated content, suggesting that mechanisms be explored to help users identify the origin of digital material. He called for common global standards and rules for emerging technologies.

GSMA Board members welcomed India’s expansion of 4G and 5G connectivity, digital public infrastructure and telecoms manufacturing. They also highlighted opportunities for international cooperation in 5G, 6G, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital inclusion and satellite connectivity.

The meeting comes ahead of the 10th India Mobile Congress, which brings together telecoms operators, technology companies and policymakers. India has increasingly sought to position itself as a contributor to international discussions on next-generation connectivity, digital infrastructure and technology standards.