AGP Executive Report

AI Operations: AT&T and Amdocs have signed a multi-year deal to modernize business and customer operations with AI, aiming to cut complexity and bring services to market faster. Satellite-Mobile Race: Qualcomm will supply technology for Starlink Mobile’s planned US 5G network, with deployment expected to begin in 2027 and SpaceX eyeing a challenge to established carriers. Coverage Push: Tanzania’s UCSAF plans to improve mobile service along the Dar es Salaam–Dodoma railway within a year; Smart is also boosting 5G capacity on Siargao ahead of an international surfing event. Competition and Access: Nigeria’s NCC is reviewing a study of telecom competition to identify market challenges and protect smaller operators. Meanwhile, the ITU says 6.3 billion people are online, but two billion remain unconnected, with internet use at 32% in low-income countries versus 93% in high-income nations.

Industry Spotlight: Qatar is putting final preparations in place for MWC26 Doha, hosted with GSMA from Nov. 8–10, as it showcases national digital and AI projects. Network Transparency: Airtel Nigeria has launched an app feature showing nearby sites, coverage and planned upgrades, giving subscribers new ways to check service and report problems. Roaming Costs: East African lawmakers are seeking approval for updated regional rules aimed at lowering cross-border call and data charges. New Coverage Models: SoftBank and Sceye signed a five-year deal to deploy at least 40 high-altitude platforms over Japan, mainly for mobile broadband. SpaceX, meanwhile, has regulatory approval for up to 15,000 satellites designed to connect directly to phones, with deployment expected from 2027. Telecom Rules: India’s TRAI has set a three-year transition to IP-based interconnection, with new rules due to take effect in January 2027. Germany is also moving to exclude Chinese equipment from 5G networks.

Operator Results: SK Telecom reported a third straight quarter of operating profit above 500 billion won, with mobile service revenue up 21.6% and high-speed internet revenue up 7.4%. Regulation: India’s TRAI has notified new telecom interconnection rules, effective January 1, with the framework shifting to a regional licensing level. Network Strategy: SpaceX is exploring a Boost Mobile acquisition as it looks to build a hybrid satellite and terrestrial mobile service that could challenge US carriers. Regional Connectivity: East African regulators are considering updated roaming rules aimed at lowering cross-border call and data costs; approval is pending. Service Quality: Pakistan’s parliamentary IT committee voiced frustration over persistent poor internet, while the regulator said court stays are blocking collection of penalties imposed on operators. Consumer Protection: KT launched an AI voice-phishing detection service that analyzes calls on-device, without sending the original audio elsewhere.

Network Resilience: Vodafone Business has joined NYU WIRELESS to research stronger networks, with planned work on spectrum, UK sovereignty and communications that can withstand disasters and cyberattacks. Cybersecurity: T-Mobile says a major security overhaul cut employee phishing-related credential compromises by more than 99%; attempted intrusions rose 37% over the past year. Sierra Leone has also equipped its regulator to monitor spectrum use and service quality. Rules and Competition: Kenya is considering scrapping instalment payments for large spectrum fees, potentially raising costs for Safaricom, Airtel and smaller rivals. India’s revised telecom interconnection rules take effect Jan. 1. Broadband: T-Mobile launched a 5Gbps fiber plan for $90 a month, with a 10-year price guarantee. Michigan provider 123NET secured $86 million in federal funding to extend fiber to underserved communities.

Satellite Competition: SpaceX is in talks to buy Boost Mobile or use its network agreements, a move that could turn Starlink into a direct US mobile rival. Network Investment: MTN Nigeria spent N865 billion on network expansion in the first nine months of 2026 as data demand grew. Ownership and Regulation: Xavier Niel won approval to acquire a 16.2% stake in Vodafone, while Europe’s proposed telecom reforms drew a mixed industry response. Service Quality: Airtel Nigeria launched an open-network feature that lets subscribers check network data, as operators face pressure to prove coverage and performance. Cybersecurity: T-Mobile says it cut employee phishing-related credential compromises by more than 99% in a sweeping security overhaul. US Policy: The FCC is moving to block Chinese telecom firms from accessing US phone numbers and has proposed a mid-band spectrum auction.

Spectrum & Investment: Bangladesh’s BTRC is seeking Tk 21,250 crore to renew spectrum licences for Grameenphone, Robi and Banglalink for 20 years—62% above an earlier proposal. The licences expire on November 10. Network Demand: MTN Nigeria reported a 30.1% rise in data traffic in the first nine months of 2026, with 57.2 million active data users and higher network investment. Rules & Standards: Smart Africa and the ITU are launching training for African telecom regulators on spectrum, licensing, infrastructure sharing and service quality. Separately, ETSI and Japanese and South Korean standards bodies will explore a global AI standards partnership modelled on 3GPP. Competition: SpaceX plans to combine Starlink satellites with ground networks to compete with US mobile carriers, while Airtel Nigeria has launched an initiative inviting customers to report service issues.

Space Policy: The FCC has named Courtney Reinhard, a former Senate telecommunications counsel, to lead its Space Bureau, which oversees satellite licensing and policy. Jordan has approved incentives for satellite infrastructure projects worth more than $10 million, provided they include at least six gateway stations and local points of presence. Consumer Protection: Rogers must pay a C$15 million penalty over advertising its wireless plans as unlimited despite speed reductions after usage thresholds. US-China Tensions: The FCC plans to vote on a proposal to block Chinese telecom companies from direct access to US phone numbers, citing safeguards against scams and security risks. Network Expansion: Greece says broadband vouchers have helped accelerate fiber deployment, while Telekom plans to double or triple speeds for about 700,000 customers at no extra charge. Fiber Innovation: Chinese researchers report a transmission record of 3.2 petabits per second using a multi-core optical fiber.

Fiber Expansion: Greece says public vouchers have supported more than 370,000 high-speed connections, while Telekom will double or triple speeds for about 700,000 fiber customers at no extra cost. Türkiye’s fiber network grew 12.9% year-on-year to 720,012 kilometres. Broadband Funding: A US watchdog says the NTIA followed the law in allocating $42 billion in BEAD grants but could not fully retrace some decisions. Operator Results: MTN Ghana’s nine-month profit rose 43% to GH¢7.8 billion as service revenue climbed 33.5%. MTN Nigeria’s profit jumped 55% to N1.17 trillion, driven by data demand. Saudi operators’ combined revenue reached $22.2 billion, up 3.7%, though profits fell. Network Policy: Airtel Nigeria launched an open-network initiative to address service-quality complaints. India’s TRAI proposed AI policies and mandatory reporting of serious failures by telcos. The US FCC advanced a 25 MHz mid-band auction for 5G and direct-to-device services. Vodafone Deal: India’s CCI approved Xavier Niel’s acquisition of a 16.2% stake in Vodafone Group.

US Regulation: The FCC plans to vote Nov. 19 on a proposal to block Chinese telecom firms and internet voice providers from directly accessing US phone numbers. It also advanced a proposal to auction 25 MHz of spectrum for 5G and direct-to-device satellite services. Satellite Competition: Finland’s ReOrbit is pitching local satellite manufacturing in Australia, where carriers rely on Starlink for planned phone-to-satellite coverage. Network Expansion: Airtel Nigeria says it added more than 1,000 5G sites this year and launched an app feature for customers to check network performance and report problems. Coverage and Resilience: Only nine of Nagaland’s 17 district headquarters have fibre links, while cyclone-hit Odisha has restored telecom service in 20 blocks and continues work elsewhere. AI Oversight: India’s TRAI is proposing board-approved AI policies, risk classifications and mandatory reporting of serious incidents by telecom operators.

Service Quality: Pakistan’s PTA deadline for operators to fix coverage gaps in Islamabad and Rawalpindi has expired, with the regulator set to review performance and hold companies accountable. Rural Connectivity: India’s government acknowledged major BSNL gaps in Nagaland: only 9 of 17 district headquarters have fibre, while 287 of 346 planned 4G towers are operating. AI Regulation: India’s TRAI has proposed board-approved AI policies, risk classification and mandatory reporting of serious incidents by telecom operators. Network Transparency: Airtel Nigeria launched an app feature for customers to check local network status and report service problems, with President Tinubu urging operators to improve coverage and reliability. Cross-Border Restrictions: Hong Kong carrier HKT agreed to stop US telecom services within 30 days amid FCC national-security concerns. Business: MTN Nigeria reported a 55.3% jump in nine-month profit to N1.2 trillion, as subscriber and data-user numbers grew.

Network Recovery: Telecom services are nearing full restoration in cyclone-hit Andhra Pradesh, with availability at 99.18% in the state and emergency connectivity maintained as crews repair power and fibre disruptions. AI Oversight: India’s TRAI has proposed board-approved AI policies, risk ratings and mandatory reporting of serious incidents for telecom operators, with public comments invited by November 27. Investment and 5G: MTN Ghana plans to invest $1.1 billion over three years, including 500 new sites, and is preparing to deploy newly awarded 5G spectrum; Gabon has also launched 5G, with coverage and service-quality rules in place. US Restrictions: Washington is moving to block Chinese telecom firms from direct access to US phone numbers, while the FCC has barred Chinese labs from testing electronics for US approvals. Competition: Canada has launched a telecom roadmap aimed at improving consumer choice, while Rogers must pay a C$15 million penalty over misleading “unlimited” wireless advertising.

Satellite Spectrum: The FCC advanced proposals to make more spectrum available for direct-to-device satellite services, potentially including an auction; major US carriers are pushing back on parts of the plan. Regulation: India introduced a telecom sandbox for testing new services and issued draft rules on responsible AI use in networks. In the US, the FCC is moving to block Chinese telecom firms from direct access to phone numbers. Market and Investment: Jio reported quarterly revenue growth of 11.3%, with more than 300 million 5G subscribers and ARPU of ₹218.8. Airtel Africa’s half-year profit rose 20.5%, while MTN plans to invest $1.1 billion in network expansion over three years. Competition: Canada launched a telecom roadmap aimed at improving competition and consumer choice. Safaricom has also joined a court challenge to Kenya’s revised spectrum fees. Satellite Security: Ukraine sanctioned developers of Russia’s planned Rassvet low-orbit communications network, citing its potential military use.

U.S. Regulation: The FCC voted to bar Chinese labs from testing electronics for U.S. approval, with restrictions taking effect in 2028. It will also vote in November on blocking Chinese telecom firms from direct access to U.S. phone numbers. Regional Networks: BBIX and HTNet are expanding cloud services in Japan’s Hokuriku region, while Malaysia’s planned RM2 billion submarine cable aims to add capacity and resilience. Competition and Investment: Canada has launched a telecom roadmap to improve competition and consumer choice; MTN Ghana says it will invest $1.1 billion in network expansion over three years. Network Resilience: Fiji’s telecom chief warned that cyclones and cyberattacks could cripple the Pacific nation’s network, underscoring the need to prepare for disruptions.

Competition: Ottawa has launched a telecom roadmap to widen consumer choice, improve network access for rival providers and extend connectivity in rural, northern and Indigenous communities. Network Investment: MTN Ghana plans to invest $1.1 billion over three years, including 500 new network sites in 2026, to boost capacity and resilience. Biometric Rules: Brazil will require mobile providers to use facial recognition with liveness checks to register or keep lines active, aiming to curb fraud. Satellite Connectivity: The FCC advanced plans for a spectrum auction to support direct-to-device services; it also approved Amazon’s acquisition of Globalstar. Resilience: Pacific leaders say increasingly frequent and severe disasters are exposing the fragility of telecom infrastructure and the need for stronger networks. Regulation: Malaysia’s regulator is consulting on rules for foreign eSIMs and permanent roaming, while Nigeria’s lawmakers want a review of phone verification requirements over affordability concerns and are pressing operators over poor service.

Tower Deals: BCE will sell 49.9% of its wireless tower business to La Caisse for C$2.45 billion (US$1.7 billion), creating a Canadian tower company with more than 5,000 sites. Canada’s Telecom Market: Ottawa has launched a roadmap to boost competition and consumer choice, while Rogers was ordered to pay C$15 million over claims its “unlimited” plans slowed speeds after a data threshold. App Store Rules: South Korea fined Google and Apple a combined US$47.6 million over payment practices and delayed app reviews, and ordered changes to let developers use external payment links. India’s Telecom Shake-up: Jio Platforms shares jumped 26.6% above their IPO price on debut, lifting Reliance Group’s market value past Tata’s. Operator Results: Ooredoo’s nine-month revenue grew 4.3% to QAR19 billion as it expanded data-centre and AI infrastructure. Service Quality: Nigerian lawmakers threatened arrest warrants for telecom chiefs over poor network service.

Infrastructure: Iraq’s state telecom company signed a Huawei deal to develop network infrastructure and digital services, with talks covering 5G, AI and cybersecurity. Market moves: Jio Platforms shares jumped 26.6% above their IPO price as the Ambani family outlined ambitions in AI, cloud and space. AST SpaceMobile also secured spectrum access in Brazil. Regulation: South Korea fined Google and Apple a combined 63.7 billion won for steering developers toward their payment systems and delaying app reviews. Service quality: Nigerian lawmakers threatened arrest warrants for telecom chiefs who skip a November 4 hearing on dropped calls, slow internet and failed transactions. Broadband investment: Michigan provider 123NET won about $86 million in federal funding to expand fibre to underserved communities. Security: Malaysia’s MCMC said it had taken down more than 170,000 scam-related online items, warning that AI is making fraud harder to detect. Earnings: Etisalat reported a 6.9% rise in third-quarter revenue to AED 19.5 billion.