Vodafone Business Adds TCS to UK Partner Ecosystem

Under the new partnership, Tata Consultancy Services joins Vodafone Business’s wider ecosystem of strategic partners focused on the UK enterprise market. Vodafone Business, the enterprise arm of VodafoneThree, will work alongside TCS to deliver a broad portfolio of enterprise telecom services spanning connectivity, digital infrastructure and managed services.

TCS brings capabilities in technology consulting, cloud services, AI, sovereign technology and systems integration. The partnership is designed to support enterprise growth, drive innovation and improve customer experience for businesses across the UK. It builds on VodafoneThree’s commitment to investing £11 billion in UK network infrastructure, which provides the underlying connectivity foundation for enterprise telecom services delivered through the partnership.

Partnership Targets Cloud, AI and Cybersecurity Services

The collaboration between Vodafone Business and Tata Consultancy Services covers a wide range of technology domains relevant to UK enterprise telecom. Key areas of focus include cloud transformation and migration, AI and automation, cybersecurity, network modernisation and digital infrastructure.

Beyond these core areas, the two organisations will also work together on data and analytics, IoT and connected business applications, managed services and operational transformation. These capabilities reflect the growing demand among UK businesses for integrated enterprise telecom services that go beyond traditional connectivity.

Vodafone Business already offers enterprise connectivity, cybersecurity, cloud and digital services to UK businesses. Earlier, it launched a 5G network slicing service aimed at delivering dedicated connectivity for enterprise use cases. The addition of TCS to its partner ecosystem now extends Vodafone Business’s reach into deeper technology consulting, systems integration and AI-driven solutions.

Enterprise Focus Extends Across Multiple UK Sectors

The partnership specifically targets enterprises operating in healthcare, education, financial services, manufacturing, retail and critical national infrastructure. These sectors represent some of the largest and most complex environments for enterprise telecom services in the UK, where businesses require secure, reliable and scalable digital infrastructure.

By combining Vodafone Business’s network and connectivity strengths with the consulting and technology expertise of Tata Consultancy Services, the partnership aims to address the full spectrum of enterprise digital needs. From managed services and cybersecurity to IoT and cloud migration, the collaboration is structured to deliver joined-up solutions for UK businesses navigating their digital priorities.

The move reinforces Vodafone Business’s position in the UK enterprise telecom market and signals a clear intent to deepen its service portfolio through strategic partnerships rather than relying solely on in-house capabilities.

The FBO licence enables Keppel Kruger Holdings to own and operate submarine cable landing infrastructure in Singapore, a necessary step before the broader subsea cable system can proceed toward construction and eventual operation.

Singapore Licence Advances Kruger Subsea Cable Development

Obtaining the FBO licence from IMDA is a key requirement for any entity seeking to operate telecommunications infrastructure in Singapore. For Keppel, this approval clears a critical regulatory hurdle and supports the company’s efforts to advance the Kruger Cable System through the development pipeline.

The planned cable landing site is located at Tuas, on Singapore’s western coast. Keppel intends to use the same beach manhole that already serves the Bifrost Cable System, allowing the Kruger project to benefit from existing landing infrastructure. Preliminary works are already underway at the Tuas site, and a 1.2-kilometre cable stub was laid in 2024, providing a physical foundation for future construction.

This shared infrastructure at Tuas is expected to help accelerate the subsea cable project’s timeline and reduce the complexity of early-stage deployment.

Kruger Cable to Link Singapore With South Asia and Oman

The Kruger Cable System is planned to connect Singapore, Malaysia, Bangladesh, India and Oman, with branches across South Asia. The route would establish a new international subsea cable corridor serving growing demand for international bandwidth between Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East.

As data consumption and cross-border digital traffic continue to rise, new submarine cable routes are increasingly important for meeting capacity requirements. The Kruger system is designed to address this demand by offering additional connectivity options along the Singapore-to-Oman path.

Keppel Prepares Kruger System for Investment and Construction

Keppel plans to attract third-party investment into the Kruger Cable System through its private infrastructure fund. Potential investors are currently being evaluated, though no financing has been formally secured at this stage.

The company expects to reach a final investment decision by the end of 2026. Until that decision is made, the subsea cable system remains in the development and planning phase, with ongoing preparatory work at the Tuas landing site.

The Kruger project forms part of Keppel’s broader efforts in subsea network development. The FBO licence from IMDA strengthens the project’s regulatory standing and provides a clearer path for the company as it works toward securing investment commitments and moving the cable system into its construction phase.

With the Singapore licence now in place, Keppel is positioned to continue advancing the Kruger Cable System as it seeks to finalise funding and begin full-scale deployment of the international submarine cable route.

Residential plans start at approximately VND1.13 million ($43.4) per month, delivering speeds of up to 100 Mbps. A higher-tier residential plan is available at around VND1.71 million ($65.7) per month, with speeds exceeding 400 Mbps. Hardware costs begin at approximately VND8.66 million, with the Standard kit and the Starlink Mini priced between roughly $330 and $390 upfront. Customers can place deposits through the Starlink website. Corporate plans start at VND1.48 million per month.

Starlink Opens Orders for Vietnam Satellite Internet

The commercial launch follows months of preparation after Starlink received local approval to operate under a controlled pilot programme. Vietnam’s government announced in March 2025 that it would permit SpaceX to operate the satellite internet service on a trial basis, temporarily waiving foreign ownership restrictions for the duration of the trial. The pilot is scheduled to run through the end of 2030.

Local operations are managed by Starlink Services Vietnam Co. Ltd., a dedicated entity established in September 2025 with charter capital of VND30 billion ($1.1 million). Four Starlink ground gateway stations have been authorised in the country by Vietnamese authorities.

Controlled Trial Sets 600,000 Terminal Limit

The satellite internet service is operating under a controlled framework, with authorities capping the number of user terminals at 600,000 during the trial period. This cap applies for the duration of the pilot, which runs until the end of 2030. The arrangement gives regulators oversight of the rollout while allowing Starlink Vietnam to build its subscriber base steadily.

According to SpaceX’s coverage map, Vietnam joins Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Timor-Leste as the sixth Southeast Asian market where Starlink satellite connectivity is available.

Satellite Service Targets Remote and Business Connectivity

Vietnam already has an extensive and affordable fibre-optic network in urban areas. Starlink’s satellite internet is not intended to replace that infrastructure but rather to bridge connectivity gaps in remote communities, islands and maritime vessels. The service also provides a potential high-speed backup connection for businesses, giving enterprises an additional layer of resilience for their broadband needs.

For remote areas where laying terrestrial cables is impractical, satellite connectivity offers an accessible alternative. Maritime operators and island-based communities stand to benefit from coverage that traditional networks have struggled to reach. On the enterprise side, corporate broadband plans starting at VND1.48 million per month position the service as a viable backup for organisations that need reliable remote connectivity alongside their primary connections.

The launch adds another dimension to Vietnam telecom infrastructure, with satellite broadband now available as a complement to existing terrestrial services under a regulated trial framework.

The three new subsea cable systems join a portfolio that includes a new branch for the Firmina cable and earlier investments in Curie, Nuvem and Sol. Together, these routes form the Americas Connect network, which is designed to improve resilience and expand capacity across the region.

Google Adds Three New Subsea Cable Systems

The Alisios cable will connect the Dominican Republic, Panama and Chile. According to Google, Alisios will interlink with a ring from the Dominican Republic to the US East Coast, providing connectivity to Google Cloud regions in South Carolina and Virginia. This route is intended to bring high-capacity network paths to Latin America and the Caribbean through interconnection with existing infrastructure on the US East Coast.

The Canoa cable will link the Dominican Republic to Bermuda. Google says that when Canoa is combined with the Nuvem and Sol cable systems, it will enable a highly reliable and resilient connection from Latin America and the Caribbean directly to Europe and North America. The Nuvem cable connects Portugal, Bermuda and the United States, while Sol links the United States, Bermuda, the Azores and Spain. The addition of Canoa therefore extends the reach of these existing subsea cables into the Caribbean basin.

The OlaLuz cable will provide a direct connection between the Dominican Republic and Florida. Google states that this new route significantly strengthens network capacity between the Caribbean and the US East Coast, adding another layer of redundancy to the growing web of subsea cable systems serving the region.

Americas Connect Expands Regional Network Routes

Americas Connect is the umbrella framework under which Google is grouping these new and existing investments. The initiative encompasses the three new cable systems alongside prior deployments including Curie, which connects Chile, Panama and the United States, and the Nuvem and Sol routes serving the Atlantic corridor between North America and Europe.

The Dominican Republic emerges as a central node within the Americas Connect network. With Alisios, Canoa and OlaLuz all landing in the country, and a new Firmina branch also set to terminate there, the Caribbean nation is positioned as a major interconnection point within Google’s subsea cable infrastructure. The convergence of multiple routes in a single location is typically aimed at improving path diversity and reducing the risk of service disruption caused by cable faults on any single system.

Google’s approach reflects a pattern seen across the technology sector, where large cloud and content providers continue to invest heavily in subsea connectivity to support growing demand for cloud services, data transfer and digital applications across emerging and established markets in the Americas.

Firmina and Pacific Links Add Network Diversity

Google is also introducing a new branch of the Firmina subsea cable that will land directly in the Dominican Republic. Firmina was originally built to connect North and South America, with landings in Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina linking back to the United States. The new branch extends Firmina’s high-capacity reach into the Caribbean, bringing additional network connectivity to the region.

On the Pacific side, Google says a subsea ring will create redundant paths connecting Chile to Panama, with a third link from Panama to the US West Coast. This Pacific infrastructure will provide connectivity to Google Cloud regions in Chile, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Combined with the Atlantic-facing routes, the Pacific subsea ring rounds out Google’s multi-ocean approach to network resilience across the Americas.

The scale of the Americas Connect initiative underscores the strategic importance of subsea cable systems in underpinning cloud infrastructure and international data flows. By layering multiple cable routes across both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Google is building a network architecture designed to offer diverse and redundant paths between its cloud regions and users across the western hemisphere.

The Department of Finance said it is working with iSON to facilitate the company’s planned expansion in the country. The investment has been earmarked for telecommunications towers and other digital infrastructure aimed at strengthening the nation’s telecoms landscape.

iSON Plans $300 Million Telecom Infrastructure Investment

Of the total $300 million planned investment, iSON has so far deployed approximately $65 million, equivalent to around ₱3.9 billion. That figure represents roughly 22 per cent of the company’s overall commitment and has been used to finance the construction of 450 telecom towers.

The remaining investment is expected to fund the build-out of additional tower deployment across the Philippines, bringing the total number of planned telecom towers to more than 3,000. The broader programme also encompasses other digital infrastructure projects intended to bring improved telecoms and digital services to communities nationwide.

Finance Secretary Frederick Go emphasised the government’s role in supporting the initiative. “The Department of Finance is committed to creating an environment where investments can translate into better opportunities for Filipinos. With active discussion with investors, we can unlock new investments, create quality jobs for the Filipino workforce, and strengthen key industries,” Go said.

3,000 Telecom Towers Form Core of Expansion

The centrepiece of iSON’s Philippines strategy is the construction of more than 3,000 telecom towers, a programme that the Department of Finance described as part of a wider effort to improve connectivity and expand access to reliable telecommunications and digital services. With 450 towers already financed through the approximately $65 million deployed to date, the scale of the remaining tower deployment underlines the significance of the company’s long-term commitment to telecom infrastructure in the Philippines.

iSON chair Vivek Gupta expressed confidence in the company’s direction. “As a group, we are excited and we are committed. We have understood the art of doing business here. The opportunities are tremendous. We want to put as much money on the ground as possible to really make it happen,” Gupta said.

iSON Expands Into Wider Digital Infrastructure

Beyond telecom towers, iSON is pursuing a range of complementary projects in the Philippines. The company is partnering with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority on modern agriculture initiatives and a 40-megawatt solar project in New Clark City.

Separately, iSON also plans to develop a $50 million modern agriculture project, valued at approximately ₱3 billion, and a 400-megawatt agro-solar project valued at $200 million, or roughly ₱12 billion. According to the Department of Finance, these projects are expected to support modern agricultural production while contributing to the country’s clean energy development.

The combination of telecom infrastructure Philippines investment and adjacent ventures in agriculture and renewable energy reflects the breadth of iSON Philippines operations as the company scales its presence in the market. The Department of Finance’s active engagement in facilitating the planned expansion signals the government’s interest in attracting further digital infrastructure investment and supporting tower deployment at scale across the country.

However, rural internet doesn’t have to be slow. As providers expand their networks, fiber internet is changing that reality.

The Rural Broadband Reality

The digital divide affects rural communities more severely than urban centers. Your frustration with limited connectivity options is real it reflects a widespread infrastructure challenge. Geographic distance between properties and smaller customer populations makes network expansion significantly more expensive per connection in rural areas.

This economic reality has left countless households and businesses without access to the high-speed internet that urban residents often take for granted. Of the 2.6 billion people who do not use the internet, 1.8 billion live in rural areas, according to a 2024 study.

The situation closer to home remains equally concerning. In the U.S., roughly 14% of rural households still lack reliable broadband, which disrupts work, school and healthcare access in meaningful ways. Residential customers and small businesses feel the impact when broadband falls short, facing inconsistent connections and limited provider choices that urban internet users rarely encounter.

Why Older Technologies Fall Short

Traditional rural internet options like satellite and DSL can’t keep pace with modern demands because the underlying technology wasn’t designed for today’s bandwidth requirements. DSL speeds also drop significantly for customers farther from the network equipment, while cable systems slow down during peak usage when multiple subscribers share capacity.

The problem runs deeper than aging technology. Rural areas often lack middle-mile infrastructure connecting local internet service providers to the global internet.

Satellite and fixed wireless technologies face their own set of challenges that can affect your connectivity experience. Weather interference disrupts signals, line-of-sight requirements restrict installations and latency creates noticeable delays.

As your household adds more connected devices and bandwidth-heavy applications, your network struggles to keep up. Supporting multiple users who stream content and access cloud applications simultaneously pushes older options past their limits.

How Fiber Optics Solves the Connectivity Crisis

Fiber internet bypasses the fundamental limitations that hold back older technologies by transmitting data as light pulses through glass cables rather than electrical signals through copper wires. This technological difference delivers measurable advantages that directly address the connectivity frustrations rural users face daily.

The key benefits of fiber internet include:

• Superior speed capabilities: Multi-gigabit performance exceeds that of older technologies.
• Consistent reliability: Underground fiber infrastructure remains protected from weather conditions that disrupt satellite signals or damage aboveground copper lines.
• Symmetrical performance: Equal upload and download speeds make fiber ideal for video conferencing and file sharing.
• Multi-device support: Ample bandwidth lets all your connected devices operate simultaneously without prioritization.

Top Fiber Internet Providers for Rural Areas

Several providers have made significant investments in bringing fiber connectivity to rural communities. Your available options depend heavily on your location, but these companies demonstrate a commitment to expanding access beyond traditional urban markets.

1. Highline

Highline is a top choice for rural fiber internet by focusing specifically on bringing reliable high-speed connectivity to communities in Michigan, Texas, Colorado, Kansas, Georgia and Nebraska. By running fiber directly to each home, the company delivers true end-to-end performance with symmetrical multi-gigabit upload and download capabilities.

Its mesh wifi technology extends coverage throughout your property while built-in security features safeguard your connection. The same infrastructure handles voice service without separate copper lines, and high-speed connectivity makes streaming as convenient as cable.

Key Features:

• True fiber-to-the-premises: Direct fiber running to your property eliminates bottlenecks from networks that stop at neighborhood nodes.
• Symmetrical multi-gigabit speeds: Equal upload and download performance supports video conferencing and file sharing without compromise.

2. Kinetic

Kinetic operates across 18 states, offering fiber connectivity to rural customers throughout a broad geographic footprint. The company’s upper-tier fiber plans can support simultaneous remote work and bandwidth-heavy business activities without slowdowns. Small businesses can also gain access to fiber and connectivity services through Kinetic Business, which delivers solutions tailored to commercial needs.

Network security protections are built into the service to guard against threats while maintaining consistent performance across all applications. This multi-state availability increases the likelihood that rural properties can find fiber service even in areas where regional providers have limited reach.

Key Features:

• Multi-state availability: Coverage spanning 18 states increases your chances of finding fiber at your address.
• Business-focused solutions: Kinetic Business delivers connectivity services tailored to small-business operations.

3. B4RN

B4RN takes a unique community-led approach to bringing gigabit fiber to hard-to-reach rural areas in the UK. Local stakeholders actively participate in building and maintaining the network, giving them a direct voice in expansion decisions that affect their communities.

This model demonstrates how local involvement can overcome the infrastructure challenges that prevent traditional providers from serving remote properties. The organization’s full-fiber architecture also creates direct connections to each property, which makes outdated copper infrastructure irrelevant while delivering connections without restrictive data allowances.

Key Features:

• Community ownership model: Local stakeholders drive network expansion and participate in infrastructure decisions affecting their areas.
• Unlimited data access: No restrictive caps mean you can use bandwidth freely, without tracking usage or incurring overage charges.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rural Connectivity

Common questions reflect practical concerns when evaluating connectivity and comparing providers.

How do you find fiber internet providers in rural areas?

Start by using provider availability tools and broadband coverage maps to identify which services reach your address. Don’t limit yourself to nationwide providers. Local and regional networks may offer options that broader searches miss.

Is fiber internet better than satellite for rural areas?

Most metrics for modern internet usage favor fiber over satellite. Speed represents the most obvious advantage, as wired connections deliver consistently faster performance. Unlike satellite, they can provide symmetrical download and upload speeds.

While extremely remote properties may still need satellite connectivity, the superior choice becomes clear when both options are available.

How much internet speed do rural homes and businesses need?

The number of users, connected devices and simultaneous activities determines appropriate speeds. Bandwidth requirements increase substantially when multiple people stream video and join calls simultaneously. Small businesses face higher demands, as video meetings and file transfers require robust upload performance.

Actual usage patterns will reveal whether entry-level speeds suffice or higher tiers make sense.

Ready to Upgrade Your Rural Internet?

Rural communities and businesses deserve the same quality internet access as their urban counterparts, and checking which networks currently reach your address represents a practical first step toward better connectivity.

As fiber internet infrastructure grows across underserved regions, more households and businesses will gain access to the dependable connectivity they need for digital work and everyday life.

The transaction builds on Wireless Logic’s 2025 acquisition of Arqia and signals the company’s continued commitment to growing Arqia’s presence in the Brazilian IoT market. For Algar Telecom, the divestment is intended to fund further investment in its core IT and telecommunications operations.

Wireless Logic Agrees to Acquire Algar IoT Business

Algar Telecom’s IoT connectivity business was launched in 2019 as an initiative focused on Machine-to-Machine (M2M) and Point of Sale (POS) markets. Since then, it has grown to become one of Brazil’s leading IoT platforms, according to the announcement. The agreement to bring this business under the Arqia umbrella represents a significant expansion of IoT connectivity services across the region.

Once the transaction is completed, the combined capabilities of Wireless Logic’s global reach and Arqia’s local expertise are expected to serve businesses across a range of sectors. These include agribusiness, logistics, payments, utilities, manufacturing, healthcare and smart cities, enabling organisations to scale their connected operations more effectively.

Tomas Fuchs, CEO of Arqia, commented on the deal: “The signing of this agreement marks an important milestone for Arqia and reinforces our growth strategy. Once completed, the transaction will enhance our ability to develop even more comprehensive solutions for our customers, while accelerating our expansion in a market that continues to experience strong growth. It also demonstrates Wireless Logic’s confidence in Brazil’s potential as its key growth market in Latin America and reinforces our commitment to accelerating digital transformation through the IoT: connecting businesses, infrastructure and essential services to create a more efficient, intelligent and competitive economy.”

Eliane Garcia Melgaço, president of Algar, explained the strategic rationale behind the divestment: “This decision marks a deliberate step for Algar to accelerate investments in our comprehensive IT and telecommunications solutions, with a focus on high-value areas such as cloud, cybersecurity, and professional services. Combined with our technological strength, our distinctive ability to build close, trusted relationships with customers makes Algar truly unique in the market. This move is part of the company’s strategic repositioning, reinforcing our role as a trusted partner in our customers’ digital transformation.”

Arqia to Expand IoT and M2M Capabilities

Beyond the increased scale that the acquisition will bring, the integration is set to expand Arqia’s solutions portfolio and strengthen its capabilities in mission-critical IoT and M2M connectivity applications. Latin America remains one of the world’s most promising IoT growth markets, and the deal is designed to bolster Arqia’s ability to support digital transformation across the region, driving greater efficiency, innovation and competitiveness.

Oliver Tucker, co-founder and CEO of Wireless Logic, added: “This agreement represents another important step in executing our strategy for Latin America. Once the transaction is completed, we’ll combine Arqia’s local expertise with Wireless Logic’s scale to deliver even greater value to customers and accelerate the development of the IoT market across the region.”

The acquisition underscores how IoT connectivity continues to be a central pillar of enterprise digital transformation strategies, particularly in markets where connected operations across agriculture, logistics, payments and utilities are seeing rapid adoption.

Transaction Remains Subject to Regulatory Approval

Completion of the transaction remains subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions for transactions of this nature, including applicable regulatory approvals. Until closing, Algar Telecom’s IoT business and Arqia will continue to operate independently.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The deal, once finalised, is expected to position Arqia as a stronger player in Brazil’s IoT connectivity landscape, backed by Wireless Logic’s global infrastructure and M2M connectivity expertise.

The agreement was signed in Kasane, Botswana, and establishes a framework for cooperation covering broadband infrastructure, digital government, ICT regulation, innovation, research, emerging technologies and capacity building.

Botswana’s Minister of Communications and Innovation, David Tshere, said the agreement is intended to move cooperation beyond policy discussions and towards the implementation of practical digital projects.

“Digital transformation and ICT present one of the most important opportunities to achieve this diversification, create employment, promote innovation and improve the lives of our citizens,” Tshere said.

Namibia and Botswana Establish Digital Cooperation Framework

The broadband cooperation agreement follows commitments made through the Namibia-Botswana Bi-National Commission, under which both governments identified telecommunications connectivity, infrastructure sharing, cybersecurity and digital transformation as priority areas for bilateral cooperation.

Namibia’s Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, said the MoU would support knowledge sharing and joint initiatives aimed at strengthening regional digital integration.

Implementation will be overseen by joint technical working groups covering connectivity, cybersecurity, digital skills, innovation, digital public services and infrastructure development.

Theofelus said continued investment, infrastructure expansion, innovation and sustainable business models remain important to achieving inclusive digital transformation.

Cross-Border Fibre Supports Broadband Cooperation

Namibia and Botswana are already working together on regional connectivity through a partnership between Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) and Botswana Fibre Networks (BoFiNet).

The partnership established the first direct fibre-optic connection between Namibia and Botswana, providing an existing basis for cross-border connectivity between the two countries.

Botswana is also expanding broadband access through its Universal Access and Service Fund and the SmartBots Programme. More than 228 villages have already benefited from upgrades to communication networks from 3G to 4G, according to Tshere.

“Through the Universal Access and Service Fund, more than 228 villages have already benefited from the upgrading of communication networks from 3G to 4G,” he said.

The existing connectivity projects form part of the wider digital infrastructure developments taking place alongside the new framework for broadband cooperation between Namibia and Botswana.

Cybersecurity and Digital Services Included

Cybersecurity is another area covered by the agreement, with the two countries committing to information sharing, institutional cooperation and skills development aimed at improving resilience against cyber threats.

“Cyber threats do not respect national borders, and our response must therefore include information sharing, skills development, institutional cooperation and strengthened collective resilience,” Tshere said.

Botswana recently enacted the Cybersecurity Act, 2025 and the Digital Services Act, 2025, covering secure digital services, fintech and digital trade. Namibia’s National Cybersecurity Incident Response Team (NAM-CSIRT) is also collaborating with Botswana’s BW-CIRT on cybersecurity capacity building.

The MoU further covers digital public services. Botswana is developing a digital ecosystem incorporating electronic identification, electronic payments, permit applications and revenue collection.

Tshere said Botswana’s Digital Economy Roadmap aims to increase the ICT sector’s contribution to 20% of gross domestic product, with digital technology positioned as a sector of economic production in its own right.

The joint technical working groups will oversee the implementation of the agreement across connectivity, cybersecurity, digital skills, innovation, digital public services and infrastructure development.

The Satellite Network Partnership brings together Vodafone, Orange, Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica and Vodafone Ukraine as the company works with the operators on preparations for satellite-based mobile connectivity.

Integration testing is already underway across multiple European countries, with participating operators working alongside AST SpaceMobile ahead of commercial deployment.

European Operators Join Satellite Network Rollout

The Satellite Network Partnership covers collaboration between AST SpaceMobile and the participating mobile network operators as the company prepares to integrate its satellite network with existing mobile infrastructure.

The participating operators include Vodafone, Orange, Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica and Vodafone Ukraine. The companies are working with AST SpaceMobile on the integration of its space-based cellular broadband technology with their respective mobile networks.

The collaboration forms part of AST SpaceMobile’s efforts to develop satellite-based connectivity that can operate with existing mobile devices and network infrastructure.

Integration Testing Underway Across Europe

Integration testing for the Satellite Network Partnership is underway across multiple European markets.

The testing phase is intended to prepare the participating operators and AST SpaceMobile for the next stage of deployment. The companies are working on the integration of the satellite network with terrestrial mobile networks as preparations continue for commercial services.

The collaboration involves operators with established mobile networks across Europe, providing the framework for AST SpaceMobile’s technology to be incorporated into existing telecommunications infrastructure.

BlueBird Satellites Expand Constellation Capacity

AST SpaceMobile also launched three BlueBird satellites, numbered 11, 12 and 13, on 5 August 2026 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral.

The new satellites are part of the company’s next-generation constellation and feature communications arrays more than three times larger than those used on its initial Block 1 satellites.

The company’s continued satellite deployment is intended to expand the capacity of its space-based cellular network as it progresses with the Satellite Network Partnership involving European mobile operators.

The latest BlueBird satellites are designed to provide higher capacity than the earlier generation, supporting AST SpaceMobile’s ongoing development of its satellite network.

With integration testing underway across European markets and additional BlueBird satellites being added to the constellation, AST SpaceMobile and its operator partners are continuing preparations for the next stage of satellite-based mobile network deployment.

The operator said the deployment is aimed at strengthening capacity, coverage, and performance, with particular emphasis on improving reliability in harder-to-reach locations such as indoor environments and rural communities. The 600MHz spectrum band is especially suited to this purpose because its signals can travel farther and penetrate buildings more effectively than higher-frequency bands, helping customers maintain connectivity at home, at work, and while on the move.

Measurable Performance Gains Across Upgraded Areas

In regions where wireless network modernisation upgrades using Ericsson infrastructure have already been completed, AT&T reported that customers are experiencing up to a twofold improvement in average speeds. The operator also cited a 10 per cent reduction in dropped and blocked calls and up to a 70 per cent reduction in instances of slower data speeds.

Additionally, standardising equipment at the top of cell towers has cut uplink interference by as much as 80 per cent, according to AT&T. These results underscore the tangible benefits the wireless network modernisation effort is delivering as the rollout progresses across the country.

Ericsson was chosen through an open, competitive process to supply the 600MHz dual-band radios. The new equipment will enable AT&T to deploy uplink-enhancing 8RX technology across low-band spectrum for the first time, a step that is expected to further improve coverage consistency and uplink performance for subscribers nationwide.

Building for AI and Open RAN at Scale

AT&T noted that the infrastructure work is designed to strengthen the network for AI-driven applications, including content creation, sharing, and real-time interaction. The deployment builds on a previously announced collaboration between the two companies to accelerate open RAN deployment across the operator’s footprint.

Yigal Elbaz, SVP and Network CTO at AT&T, said the wireless network modernisation programme is progressing according to plan. “We’re more than halfway through our wireless network modernisation, and we’re executing to plan,” Elbaz stated. “By combining our newly acquired 600MHz spectrum with Ericsson’s advanced radios, we’re improving coverage and performance for customers today while building a more modern, flexible network for the future.”

Dyon Agnew, SVP and Head of Customer Unit AT&T at Ericsson Americas, said the deployment demonstrates the impact open architectures can have on performance at scale. Agnew added that the two companies are working together to deliver faster speeds and more consistent coverage across the United States.

The 600MHz spectrum became available to AT&T following the completion of a deal valued at 23 billion dollars, which received final approval in July 2026. The operator had already begun deploying 3.45GHz spectrum acquired through a short-term spectrum manager lease arrangement prior to the transaction’s formal closure.

What Comes Next

AT&T confirmed it will share further details on the timing and commercial availability of the 600MHz deployment at a later date. As the wireless network modernisation effort moves past the halfway mark, the integration of new low-band spectrum and advanced dual-band radios positions the operator to expand reliable coverage into areas that have historically been underserved, while simultaneously preparing the network for next-generation applications and open RAN architectures at national scale.