A scan of today’s headlines reveals a flurry of activity in the satellite arena. SpaceX’s $2.6 billion spectrum deal with EchoStar strengthens its direct-to-cell ambitions, extending mobile reach beyond terrestrial limits. Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile are leading a Europe-based constellation set to connect smartphones directly to orbit by 2026, while VEON’s Beeline Kazakhstan is partnering with Starlink to deliver satellite-to-cell service to remote regions — backed by the country’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. Together, these moves show how low-Earth-orbit constellations are evolving from redundancy to integration and are no longer seen as connectivity backups, but critical layers of the mobile ecosystem.
But even as the sky fills with satellites, the ground beneath is transforming too. Verizon’s latest fiber collaboration with AWS underscores how AI is reshaping network design — from programmable, edge-ready fiber routes to low-latency infrastructure built for AI-scale data transfer.
The partnership, according to Verizon Business VP and Chief Product Officer Scott Lawrence, is “yet another sign of the exponential growth of AI.” AI workloads, he claimed, demand as much as 100 times the bandwidth of traditional cloud services, redefining how operators design, deploy, and upgrade, and even evaluate fiber — not just by reach or speed, but by control, scalability, and proximity to compute.
Where networks reach will always matter, but the parallel shifts seen in recent headlines — from satellite partnerships to fiber expansions — show that how seamlessly they connect, and the capacity they deliver, matter just as much.
Catherine Sbeglia Nin
Managing Editor
RCR Wireless News
RCR Top Stories
Verizon, AWS build fiber for the AI era: The Verizon–AWS partnership, announced earlier this week, expands long-haul fiber routes to meet AI’s surging bandwidth needs and strengthen Verizon’s AI Connect platform.
AI readiness in fiber networks: AI workloads are changing the way fiber networks are being designed, deployed, and upgraded; they are also changing how we should assess them.
Telia expands Nordic 5G SA network: Telia will deploy Nokia’s cloud-native 5G SA core across its Nordic and Baltic networks, expanding coverage, capacity, and automation while enhancing energy efficiency and supporting new services.
IBM, Airtel power AI cloud: IBM Cloud GM Alan Peacock discusses how the Bharti Airtel partnership will accelerate AI and hybrid cloud modernization across India’s regulated sectors.
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Beyond the Headlines
Five telecom trends for 2026: Juniper Research’s 2026 trends report reveals telecom’s shift from infrastructure to intelligence. We’ve identified the five biggest trends — from AI agents and eSIM convergence to terahertz 6G and more.
The future of AI cooling: LiquidStack CEO Joe Capes says power constraints, infrastructure shortages, and sustainability will shape the next phase of AI data center design, as liquid cooling moves from niche to mainstream adoption.
Turning networks into intelligence: Telcos must evolve from data carriers to intelligence platforms, monetizing AI at the edge by transforming predictable network functions into adaptive, revenue-generating ecosystems.
Edge computing for AI: We now can do anything on a wireless device that was done on wires. Why would we think that AI would develop in a different way? Analyst Joe Madden weighs in.
Improving FWA: FWA networks are scaling fast — but capacity and performance bottlenecks remain. Operators must balance spectrum, CPE quality, and backhaul upgrades to keep FWA reliable and competitive.
What We're Reading
Telcos turn to AI for a boost: Data from IDC shows that global telecom and pay-TV service spending will grow less than 2%, underscoring how digital services and infrastructure must evolve for this mature market.
SpaceX to acquire more spectrum: The satellite-internet provider is buying about $2.6 billion in spectrum licenses from EchoStar, underpinning its push into direct-to-cell mobile services and reshaping the connectivity landscape.
Europe-led satellite constellation: Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile have launched a Europe-led satellite constellation to build a mobile-satellite network for smartphones, targeting commercial and government users.
Kazakhstan to get D2C: Partnering with Starlink, VEON Ltd.’s Beeline Kazakhstan plans to bring satellite-to-mobile messaging and data to remote regions of Kazakhstan, backed by the national AI ministry.
Singtel offloads some of Airtel: Singtel has offloaded part of its stake in Bharti Airtel — The sale of 51 million shares (about 0.8 % of Airtel) is part of Singtel’s asset-restructuring strategy to fund digital infrastructure investments.
Verizon’s bolsters tower assets: Verizon and SBA Communications have announced a long-term infrastructure agreement. The deal strengthens Verizon’s tower and connectivity assets.
Nokia, LMT advance Baltic defense: Nokia and LMT have partnered to develop a 5G tactical communications solution for the Baltic defense market, combining secure, high-speed connectivity with advanced defense expertise.
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