SoftBank's earnings grew 3% driven by AI and cloud services. The Japanese telco announced a $634 million investment in a 7-Eleven partnership to build next-generation lifestyle infrastructure, signaling continued capex commitment in wireless and AI.
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China Mobile disclosed it is considering selling a portion of its 7.8% stake in Thailand's True Corporation. The potential divestment could reshape Southeast Asia's carrier ownership landscape as Chinese telcos recalibrate international holdings.
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Wispa challenged the FCC's draft notice of proposed rulemaking on unlicensed spectrum for direct-to-device satellite use, arguing certain claims lack accuracy and contradict years of record evidence. The ruling could reshape satellite cellular spectrum policy.
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Vodafone's interest in restarting Samsung's European network operations hinges on EU action against Huawei equipment. Without forced Huawei removal, Vodafone sees no commercial case for the costly network vendor transition Samsung would need.
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The Department of Defense is seeking legislative authority to bypass GSA and directly sell military real estate, accelerating funding for infrastructure projects including Golden Dome. The change could affect base communications and wireless infrastructure timelines.
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Maryland Lutheran church rooftop cell site removal timeline contradicts Environmental Health Trust's claim of rapid investigative success. The site was ordered removed weeks before EHT's July 14 press release, undermining anti-tower group fundraising narrative.
Read Full ArticleCheap drone warfare has reshaped military strategy, accelerating 6G-native ISAC (integrated sensing and communications) into late 5G networks. Ericsson demonstrates how existing cell towers can detect drones in real time using software layered on deployed equipment.
Read Full ArticleCellnex reports 5G-enabled devices account for roughly half of mobile connections in Western Europe. The tower company identifies AI infrastructure demand, 5G adoption, and EU digital sovereignty goals as converging drivers for the next round of wireless infrastructure investment.
Read Full ArticleIntel joins the OCUDU Ecosystem Foundation at premier level, contributing cloud-native, silicon, and telecommunications expertise to the shared open RAN software ecosystem. The move strengthens the multi-vendor open interface standards movement.
Read Full ArticleIranian hackers breached dozens of municipal water systems in Minnesota, knocking treatment plants offline. The attack highlights critical infrastructure vulnerability that parallels mobile network security risks, as cellular systems face similar OT/ICS exposure.
Read Full ArticleEchoStar's Hughes Satellite Systems filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as the parent company reported Q2 subscriber losses across pay-TV, wireless, and broadband segments. The filing complicates EchoStar's $23B spectrum sale to AT&T.
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A new US-led 6G alliance backed by 25 countries lacks a clear path to securing wireless supply chains. Industry observers say the coalition must demonstrate tangible results beyond diplomatic support to influence next-generation network standards.
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SpaceX's Starlink plans a direct-to-cell trial in Malaysia as an Ookla report reveals rapid D2C satellite service growth across Asia-Pacific. The expansion signals intensifying competition between satellite and terrestrial cellular coverage in underserved regions.
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Five major wireless operators reported Q2 results that met targets while obscuring subscriber growth composition behind four incompatible metrics. The industry retired traditional customer metrics at end of 2025, making cross-carrier comparisons nearly impossible.
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The FCC confirmed the $2.4 billion trust fund linked to EchoStar's spectrum sales to AT&T and SpaceX is exclusively for external companies and partners involved in Dish's 5G network buildout, not for servicing EchoStar subsidiary loans.
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India launched its first dedicated telecom manufacturing zone targeting $3.7 billion in investments to strengthen domestic production of wireless equipment. The initiative aims to reduce dependence on imported network gear and build local supply chain capacity.
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A Semafor report claims SpaceX is hunting for spectrum to serve cities and dense areas, potentially acquiring it through auction or M&A. The move would position the satellite company as a direct competitor to major US wireless carriers.
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Samsung posted $63 billion in Q2 profit overall, but its mobile division reported losses. The company warned memory chip shortages will persist through at least 2028, impacting smartphone production and network equipment supply chains.
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Singtel confirmed discussions with multiple parties to sell a minority stake in Australian carrier Optus. Meanwhile, Australia's telecom regulator ACMA is suing Optus over last year's Triple Zero emergency services outage.
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AT&T and Verizon announced additional workforce reductions attributed to AI automation, while other tech companies are rehiring amid growing skepticism about AI capabilities. The cuts highlight telecom's lagging approach to AI-driven restructuring.
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EchoStar and AT&T completed their $23 billion spectrum sale, with a portion deposited into an FCC-mandated trust fund. Uncertainty remains over whether the deal closure will prevent a potential Hughes unit bankruptcy filing.
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The FCC authorized $6.3 billion in incentive payments to help satellite operators clear the upper C-band for 5G use. Cable operators remain anxious about the transition timeline and potential service disruptions during the spectrum repurposing process.
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The GSMA published a report arguing that banning Huawei equipment across the EU would be economically disruptive and too costly for operators. The stance risks alienating the European Commission, Ericsson, and Nokia who support vendor diversification.
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TIM's proposed Poste Italiane takeover advances as the carrier targets growth in defense, mission-critical services, AI-enabled operations, and data centers. CEO Pietro Labriola highlighted ongoing tensions with fiber and tower partner Inwit.
Read Full ArticleFirstNet and AT&T launched the first 5G standalone core network dedicated exclusively to public safety and first responders. The deployment enables network slicing, enhanced reliability, and advanced emergency services capabilities across the national FirstNet infrastructure.
Read Full ArticleThe Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that local health boards lack legal authority to shut down cell towers based on RF exposure concerns, overturning a Pittsfield Board of Health cease-and-desist order against a Verizon tower that cost $84,000 to defend.
Read Full ArticleA tower foreman died July 15 after being struck by a transmission line during removal from a 300-foot self-supporting tower in Castle Danger, Minnesota. The incident marks the first wireless construction fatality of 2026, ending the industry's safest year on record.
Read Full ArticleOSHA issued five serious citations totaling $24,116 against Carlton Structural Services Corp. after a gin pole failure killed a technician at a 347-foot Atlantic City tower. The company's owner simultaneously faced four felony drug arrests during the investigation.
Read Full ArticleNATE endorsed FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's draft order to auction 160 MHz of Upper C-Band spectrum (3.98-4.14 GHz), which would harmonize terrestrial wireless across a contiguous 440 MHz super-band. The auction is critical for 5G mid-band expansion.
Read Full ArticleA federal judge released EchoStar from its legal requirement to build and operate a nationwide cell network, closing a key T-Mobile/Sprint merger condition. The ruling does not resolve EchoStar's larger disputes with tower companies over lease obligations.
Read Full ArticleDell'Oro Group reports 5G standalone core revenue is three times higher than 4G core was at the equivalent point in its technology cycle. Escalating hardware costs are expected to stretch the revenue curve longer than previous generations.
Read Full ArticleNTIA published FAQs for the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund Round 4, focused on AI-native telecommunications. Applications due September 9, 2026, with awards up to $50M federal share. The program targets open RAN, multi-vendor interoperability, and 5G/6G supply chain diversification.
Read Full ArticleNATE urged all member companies to participate in OSHA's Safe + Sound Week (August 10-16, 2026), a nationwide workplace safety initiative. Tower contractors are encouraged to host safety stand-downs, rescue drills, and heat illness training during the week.
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Ericsson launched a turnaround plan for Vonage under new management, pivoting to a 'quality on demand' approach after years of financial disappointment. The strategy aims to restore profitability in the cloud communications platform.
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AT&T completed its acquisition of 50 MHz of lowband and midband spectrum from EchoStar in a $23 billion deal. The spectrum adds critical coverage layers to AT&T's 5G network across the United States.
Read Full ArticleDell'Oro forecasts microwave transmission revenue associated with 5G will grow through 2028 at an average annual rate of 12%, driven by backhaul and fronthaul demand from expanding small cell and densification deployments.
Read Full ArticleAT&T and Ericsson demonstrated at AT&T Stadium that standard 5G cell towers can detect and track multiple drones in real time using software layered on existing equipment. The sensing capability does not include drone interception or neutralization.
Read Full ArticleThe Wireless Infrastructure Association was selected as one of five organizations nationwide to receive $29.9 million from the US Department of Labor for registered apprenticeship programs. The funding supports pay-for-performance incentives for telecom workforce development.
Read Full ArticleWireless contractors report they can no longer compete with illegal 1099 crews and undocumented workers who underbid compliant companies by avoiding insurance, workers' comp, and safety costs. Carrier capex remains strong but the contracting workforce is eroding.
Read Full ArticleCITCA opened a new regional safety training facility in North Jackson, Ohio through a partnership with Tri-County Tower LLC. The site provides hands-on tower, rooftop, and industry-specific safety training in a real-world environment for Midwest contractors.
Read Full ArticleA WIA-commissioned report and independent analysis both conclude satellite direct-to-device cannot replace terrestrial cell towers. Simultaneously, the federal government is stripping roughly half the broadband locations previously awarded to satellite providers under BEAD.
Read Full ArticleAdamo Construction filed a new Michigan Court of Appeals challenge after a Wayne County Business Court ruling rejected the company's attempt to unwind American Tower's rights to a Detroit cell site. American Tower's interest was preserved despite the property being sold in a $45,000 tax foreclosure.
Read Full ArticleA federal judge denied AT&T's request for a preliminary injunction to halt California rules requiring the carrier to maintain basic telephone service. The ruling deals AT&T a setback in its broader campaign to exit copper infrastructure nationwide.
Read Full ArticleNATE's July 31 government relations update covers: a federal judge clearing DISH to poll creditors as tower owners fight claim treatment, California's BEAD proposal approval, and AT&T reaffirming its AST SpaceMobile partnership while framing satellite as a complement to towers.
Read Full ArticleThe Telecommunications Industry Foundation and NATE released a detailed training video on installing collar ring mounts on monopoles, emphasizing proper planning and leveling for safe antenna platform construction. Part of an ongoing contractor education series.
Read Full ArticleAn Ookla report reveals US carriers dedicate a smaller share of network capacity to upload than international peers, creating a bottleneck for AI workloads that require heavy upstream data transfer. The mismatch highlights infrastructure gaps for AI-driven wireless demand.
Read Full ArticleAT&T filed a 606-page FCC application seeking emergency authorization to permanently suspend voice service at 600 locations across 16 states rather than repair copper facilities. The filing lists every incident individually, revealing the geographic spread of copper infrastructure failures.
Read Full ArticleVerizon, AT&T, and SK Telecom are investing heavily in AI infrastructure, but Omdia warns headline revenue numbers represent ceilings with actual income trailing capacity growth. Telcos face a gap between network buildout and monetization timelines.
Read Full ArticleAT&T released OTel 2.0, a post-trained Gemma 4 31B-IT model built using 400 billion telecom-specific tokens from over 1 trillion processed. The model tops the Open-telco.ai leaderboard and represents a step toward telco-grade AI for network operations.
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