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I am a little pressed because of prep work for Industrial Wireless Forum (next Tuesday, November 10), plus a couple of commercial pieces, so just a few quick things to note at the top of the newsletter, today – for you to make of you what you will. SpaceX has selected Qualcomm to supply radio and baseband tech for Starlink’s terrestrial network in the US, with deployment due to start in 2027, “tens of thousands” of sites planned. The deal gives Qualcomm a significant opportunity to expand its RAN business; analysts are still raising questions about how SpaceX will build nationwide coverage and compete with established operators.
Elsewhere, Verizon and Ericsson are prepping AI-driven RAN automation for a national rollout, using Ericsson’s Intelligent Controller to deploy applications for closed-loop network optimisation. Field trials delivered throughput gains of up to 8.9% downstream and 8% upstream apparently. Meanwhile, Nokia forecasts that AI will generate 44% of global network traffic by 2035, with physical and agentic AI increasing demand for uplink capacity, low latency and processing closer to users and devices.
As well, SoftBank is moving its stratospheric connectivity plans towards commercial deployment, with a five-year deal with Sceye to manufacture, launch, and operate a HAPS fleet for mobile broadband coverage in Japan. Finally, Amdocs has a trio of deals: expanded collaboration with AT&T, a contract with Vodafone Business to drive agentic AI transformation, and a $340m acquisition of EIS, marking its entry into the insurance software market. Also, also: Industrial Wireless Forum, November 10; be there.
James Blackman
Executive Editor
RCR Wireless News
RCR Top Stories
SpaceX x Qualcomm: SpaceX has picked Qualcomm to supply radio and baseband tech for Starlink’s terrestrial 5G network, with deployment due in 2027. Analysts see an open RAN opportunity, but still question coverage and capacity.
IX follows networks: IX hubs have often followed networks, not compute, but DE-CIX expects distributed AI inference to push more interconnection towards users, while Equinix says the heaviest traffic still runs over private fiber
Telstra AN case: Ericsson and Telstra are developing intent-based AN operations, using agentic AI and a machine-readable knowledge plane for safer decision-making. They say trust, context, and collaboration remain key challenges.
Fragmented edge: Enterprises are paying more for fragmented networks as AI and other demanding workloads expose gaps in connectivity, visibility and security. Inseego argues consolidation is becoming an operational necessity.
AI reshapes True: True is combining improved network performance with AI-driven operational changes, reporting measurable gains in customer service, software development, personalization, and B2B sales as its business recovers.
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Beyond the Headlines
VMO2 halts fiber: Virgin Media O2 is targeting £800m in annual savings by 2029, including big workforce reductions, as falling revenues, subscriber losses, and tough fiber economics force a strategic reset and retreat from network upgrades.
Upper 6 GHz: The GSMA wants priority for mobile in upper 6 GHz, arguing that Wi-Fi’s capacity bottleneck is device upgrades, not spectrum. But its city-wide data leaves unanswered questions about indoor coverage and multifamily buildings.
A SpaceX-Boost? SpaceX is in talks to buy Boost Mobile from EchoStar, potentially securing an MVNO route into US wireless. Analysts question the strategy, warning of regulatory hurdles and limited prospects for wholesale access.
AI crash – what if? The AI infra boom could end in a crash like the late-90s fiber bust, writes Vish Nandlall, leaving investors nursing huge losses but potentially handing utilities and infra funds cheap assets to power the next phase of growth.
Qualcomm and Nvidia: Qualcomm’s push to bring AI to industrial IoT, robotics and other physical AI raises questions about commercial viability. With Nokia and Ericsson rethinking private 5G, Industrial Wireless Forum should be good.
What We're Reading
Verizon AN trials: Verizon will rollout Ericsson’s Intelligent Controller this year, deploying AI-native RAN apps for closed-loop optimization. Field trials delivered throughput gains of 8.9% downstream and 8% upstream.
AI traffic report: AI will account for 44% of global network traffic by 2035, says Nokia, as total volumes nearly quadruple. Physical and agentic AI will drive greater uplink demand, low-latency requirements and distributed edge infrastructure.
Amdocs, thrice: Amdocs has acquired insurance software provider EIS for $340m, marking its entry into the sector, while also signing AI transformation deals with AT&T and Vodafone to modernize ops and consolidate legacy BSS.
Japanese HAPS: Sceye and SoftBank have a five-year HAPS deal to manufacture, launch, and operate stratospheric platforms over Japan, targeting nationwide mobile broadband coverage and commercial HAPS deployment.
SGP.32 profiles: Eseye has expanded its AnyNet SGP.32 IoT proposition with local and regional SIM profiles across Brazil, the US, Africa and Europe, giving enterprises, MNOs and MVNOs greater flexibility over global device connectivity.
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Events
Industrial Wireless Forum, November 10th, Virtual
From private 5G, Wi-Fi and public cellular to edge AI, spectrum, next-generation IoT and sensing, the forum examines the infrastructure choices and practical challenges shaping the future of industrial operations. Register now
AI Infrastructure Forum, December 8th, Virtual
Join RCRTech’s AI Infrastructure Forum to explore how telcos, hyperscalers and data centres can compete or partner as AI shifts to inference, and who captures the value when every token counts. Register now
PTC’27, 17-20 January, 2027, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
PTC’27 is the premier event for digital infrastructure, telecoms and ICT. Executives, investors and researchers meet to share knowledge, build relationships and drive new business. Register now
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Rise of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN)
