Whether it’s silicon, spectrum, or services, the future of connectivity is being defined by those who can execute — scaling innovation in a tough macro climate while laying the groundwork for what comes next.
At Intel’s recent Technology Tour, the company didn’t just unveil a new node; it showcased its roadmap to reclaim leadership in advanced manufacturing. The launch of the 18A process — part of a larger push to regain footing against TSMC and Samsung — signals more than a technical milestone. It’s a bet that leading-edge silicon, built with new transistor architectures and advanced packaging, will underpin everything from AI workloads to next-gen networks.
On the network side, Ericsson’s third-quarter results tell a story of resilience amid headwinds. Revenue fell 9% year-over-year, but the company’s profit tripled, fueled by cost discipline, operational efficiency, and a capital gain from the sale of iconectiv. With new deals in Japan and momentum around programmable networks, Ericsson is positioning itself squarely in the center of the 5G standalone and eventual 6G build-out.
Not everyone in the 5G ecosystem is accelerating, though. Celona, a private 5G startup, cut roughly 20% of its workforce as industrial deployments prove slower than anticipated. The move reflects broader caution in the enterprise connectivity market — where enthusiasm remains high, but ROI timelines are stretching.
Catherine Sbeglia Nin
Managing Editor
RCR Wireless News
RCR Top Stories
Intel’s process, progress: The recent Intel Technology Tour was much more than a product launch. The event showed the company’s progress in leading-edge manufacturing.
Celona trims workforce: Private 5G firm Celona has cut its global workforce — possibly by about 20%, mainly in sales — as it adjusts to slower industrial deployments and macroeconomic uncertainty.
Ericsson Q3 earnings: Despite a 9% revenue drop, Ericsson’s profit and margins surged on cost cuts, divestment gains, and growing demand for next-generation 5G and future 6G networks — a quick summary, but there’s more to read.
Vodafone tests 6 GHz: Vodafone’s 6 GHz spectrum test in Germany achieved record speeds and energy efficiency, positioning Europe to lead in 5G and 6G — as regulators near a pivotal spectrum allocation decision.
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Beyond the Headlines
Qualcomm’s edge AI story: Through a series of acquisitions, Qualcomm has gradually developed an approach to edge AI that spans devices, data, and developers.
MOCN vs MORAN: Major U.S. carriers are rethinking neutral host networks. MOCN and MORAN both promise multi-operator coverage on shared CBRS spectrum. But operators are not supportive.
Four P5G scaling challenges: Scaling private 5G continues to face steep challenges: security across sites, varying use cases, backhaul constraints, and fragmented infrastructure.
Connecting network edges: Telcos are weighing private, hybrid, and multi-cloud strategies to strike the right balance among control, cost, scalability, and orchestration as they build cloud-native, edge-integrated networks.
Hidden hurdles: Fixed Wireless Access offers major growth potential, delivering broadband from carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon — but inconsistent performance and reliability issues remain hurdles.
What We're Reading
Private wireless booms: A new Dell’Oro Group report shows private wireless RAN revenues surged in 1H25, outpacing the flat public market, with full-year growth projected around 20% as enterprise adoption accelerates.
Nokia boosts Vodafone tie-up: Nokia has extended its RAN partnership with Vodafone and Vodacom across Europe and Africa — deploying AirScale gear and AI management to boost network performance, energy efficiency and 5G evolution.
Vodafone picks Ericsson: Ericsson and Vodafone have signed a five-year “programmable networks” deal, expanding RAN collaboration across Europe and beyond to accelerate AI-driven, automated 5G deployment.
Samsung profits surge: Samsung has reported its Q3 operating profit at a three-year high as revenue jumps 8.7% year-on-year to 86 trillion won — beating expectations and signaling strong momentum ahead.
Port Authority upgrades connectivity: Port Authority has inked a long-term agreement with Boingo Wireless to overhaul 5G cellular and Wi-Fi networks across airports, tunnels, terminals, and transit hub.
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