What you need to know about telecoms today, in a couple of minutes…
AI and network infrastructure – Lumen is rolling out new ‘AI corridors’ across its US fiber network to accelerate performant connectivity for AI workloads. Similarly, Nokia will deploy AI-ready solutions in Telefónica’s edge data centers in Spain, enhancing local processing for 5G and AI. Some coverage from Metro Connect highlights rising fiber deployments, plus data-center strain as operators balance sustainability and cost pressures. Equinix and CPP are acquiring Nordic data center operator atNorth for $4 billion, targeting AI and hyperscale workloads. Also: Rakuten Mobile is expanding Japan’s 5G network with 3,000 open mMIMO radios; oh, and T-Mobile and Verizon are still at loggerheads about their marketing claims.
Enterprise IoT and private 5G – The longest running sale in IoT history has reached a conclusion: IoT MVNO KORE is to be acquired by Searchlight Capital Partners and Abry Partners, taking it private and reflecting ongoing consolidation in IoT connectivity. There are private 5G stories everywhere, right now, but, of some note, NTT Data is now working with Ericsson, and Anterix is working with Qualcomm to accelerate private LTE/5G for utility grids. Eight utilities are engaged, highlighting telecom’s role in critical infrastructure modernization.
In sum, telecoms is racing to embed AI, serve AI, and get AI into the hands of enterprises. Networks are critical, everyone says – like it is a revelation. Maybe catch you next week in sunny Barcelona.
James Blackman
Executive Editor
RCR Wireless News
RCR Top Stories
Lumen lights up: Once in defensive mode and fighting decline, Lumen Technologies has re-emerged with a radically simplified strategy, a repaired balance sheet, and a claim to be critical infrastructure for the AI economy.
T-Mo vs Verizon: In a 43-page filing, T-Mobile has pushed back against Verizon’s claims, arguing the lawsuit seeks to suppress “literally truthful” advertising despite a lack of evidence showing consumer deception or competitive harm.
AI fiber rules: At Metro Connect USA, Andrew Lipman of Morgan Lewis highlighted the top trends that will define the broadband roadmap in 2026. Unsurprisingly, AI and fiber was the resourding theme of the session.
O-RAN at scale: Rakuten Mobile will deploy around 3,000 open massive MIMO radios in the first phase of a broader rollout, targeting a 7% throughput gain in dense urban areas through wider coverage and antenna enhancements.
Unified 5G core: MasOrange has awarded Ericsson a six-year contract to unify its 5G standalone core and fixed voice platform, consolidating legacy systems and positioning the operator for advanced 5G services and enterprise applications.
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Beyond the Headlines
Malaysian deal: U Mobile has secured a three-year 5G wholesale deal with Telekom Malaysia, providing MOCN services as it expands coverage toward 80% of the population under Malaysia’s dual network 5G framework.
No more Tier-2? Acquisitions of UScellular and Cox Communications mark the end of medium‑sized wireless carriers and cable companies in the U.S., leaving mostly large operators and smaller regional players.
A federated edge: Europe’s biggest carriers – DT, Orange, Telefónica, TIM, and Vodafone Group – are building a pan-European “federated edge”. But what is that, exactly – and is this a differentiated play, or just telcos chasing hyperscaler turf?
PTC for MWC: As the industry gears up for its big annual show at MWC, it is worth looking back at another major 2026 telco gathering: PTC in January. PTC has evolved into a global forum for AI infrastructure. Here are the talking points.
Anthropic standoff: The Pentagon has demanded unfettered military access to Anthropic’s Claude model, going against the AI firm’s stand on autonomous weapons and surveillance or threatening contract loss and legal action.
What We're Reading
KORE agrees sale: IoT MVNO KORE Group has agreed to be acquired by Searchlight Capital Partners and Abry Partners in an all‑cash deal worth about $726 million, valuing shares at $9.25 each and taking the IoT company private.
Nokia at the edge: Nokia will deploy AI‑ready networking solutions across Telefónica’s 17 new edge data centers in Spain under a multi‑year exclusive deal, boosting distributed low‑latency AI, cloud and enterprise services nationwide.
Equinix buys atNorth: CPP Investments and Equinix have agreed to acquire Nordic data‑center operator atNorth from Partners Group in a roughly $4 billion deal, expanding capacity across Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
AI-RAN members: The AI‑RAN Alliance has grown to 132 global members and will showcase 33 AI‑driven network innovations and four industry blueprints at MWC 2026, underlining accelerated momentum for AI‑native RAN technology.
Qualcomm P5G: Anterix has deepened its collaboration with Qualcomm to accelerate next‑gen utility grid connectivity by developing industrial‑grade IoT chipsets delivering 4G/5G on Anterix’s 900 MHz private wireless platform.
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