Catherine Sbeglia Nin
Telecom saw courtroom drama reach a new milestone this week, with Qualcomm securing what it called a “full and final” legal victory over Arm. A Delaware judge dismissed Arm’s last remaining claim in a long-running licensing dispute, clearing Qualcomm to continue deploying its Oryon cores in Snapdragon processors. Arm, however, has said it will appeal — so the legal saga may not be over just yet.
In the UAE, operator e& announced the launch of RedCap services on its 5G standalone network. The first commercial use case is a smartwatch, but the operator is already positioning RedCap as a platform for secure industrial IoT deployments and a stepping stone toward 5G-Advanced.
And as always, AI continues to press deeper into industry applications, with Paris-based startup Mistral AI having signed a deal with automaker Stellantis to deliver customized AI models for manufacturing processes. Frontier models, or highly advanced, large-scale AI models, have hit a saturation point, exhausting public training data, according to Mistral co-founder and CEO Arthur Mensch. The next frontier — and monetization opportunity — is inside enterprises, where he says Mistral is now focused.
On the connectivity side, T-Mobile US has expanded its satellite service to enable basic data functions for apps, including WhatsApp, Maps, and X. The expansion aims to provide users with limited but useful connectivity in coverage dead zones, keeping devices online in areas where traditional mobile networks cannot reach.
Today’s news highlights the industry’s central tension: Operators and enterprises are at once shoring up efficiencies and supply chains, while also placing bets on next-generation tech — from RedCap to AI to satellite communication.
Catherine Sbeglia Nin
Managing Editor
RCR Wireless News
RCR Top 5
“Full and final” judgement: Qualcomm has won a “full and final” judgment in its licensing battle with Arm, securing rights to use Oryon cores in Snapdragon chips — though Arm said it plans to immediately appeal the ruling.
e& UAE activates RedCap: e& UAE has launched RedCap on its 5G SA network, debuting with a smartwatch use case and setting the stage for secure industrial IoT applications and future 5G-Advanced services.
Mistral AI at Stellantis: Mistral AI has signed a major deal with automaker Stellantis to deploy customized industrial AI models, following a €1.7 billion funding round led by ASML, with which it is also co-developing industrial LLMs.
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Beyond the Headlines
AT&T updates on strategy: Following AT&T’s acquisition of 50 megahertz of low- and mid-band spectrum, we spoke to Network CTO Yigal Elbaz to get an update on what comes next.
LoRa never stopped: Semtech’s LoRa business never slowed down through the Sierra Wireless acquisition, it says — and it showed the proof last week: a fourth-gen LoRa chip family offering multi-protocol support and double the range.
6G — evolution or revolution?: 6G talk is heating up: Spectrum, standards, and use cases must align to deliver value. The key challenge is to balance financial feasibility with solving real problems, not just chasing technological possibilities.
IoT’s golden niche: Some kind of “niche-within-a-niche” reality emerged at The Things Conference — about an IoT opportunity that is fragmented but also promising, and within reach.
Innovation isn’t free: With 6G standardization advancing, Qualcomm VP Juan Montojo-Bennassar reflects on the human side of standards — decades of work at 3GPP, ETSI, and beyond, driven by people’s commitment to global connectivity.
What We're Reading
T-Mo extends sat coverage: T-Mobile US has expanded its satellite service, enabling basic data functions for apps like WhatsApp, Maps, and X, offering limited connectivity in areas without traditional mobile coverage.
Vodafone, Telenor in supply pact: Vodafone and Telenor have agreed to a procurement partnership across 23 markets to cut costs and strengthen supply-chain resilience through coordinated purchasing.
Playing by new rules: The FCC has proposed new rules to speed wireless infrastructure buildout and clarify limits on state and local restrictions, aiming to accelerate 5G and future 6G deployment.
AI lacks the staff: Ford CEO Jim Farley has warned that the U.S. risks missing its AI ambitions due to a severe skilled labor shortage — in data centers, factories, and trades. He urges vocational investment and policy reform.
HPE adds P5G radios: HPE used the Ryder Cup to debut new private 5G radios, expanding beyond Athonet’s core technology and signaling its ambition to rival telecom giants like Ericsson and Nokia in enterprise connectivity. Iain Morris reports.
AI in the auto market: AI applications are transforming the way automotive components are produced, enabling greater operational efficiency — according to a Spain-based automotive supply-chain group.
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