AGP Executive Report

Rural Connectivity: Malaysia will spend RM5 billion on alternative ways to reach its last 1% of uncovered populated areas, including Starlink and small cells, and improve coverage on connecting roads. Network Demand: Bezeq says AI-related traffic on its network has tripled in three months, adding pressure to infrastructure that already carries fiber links for tens of thousands of homes. Infrastructure Security: Three people have been held after a suspected arson attack destroyed more than $20 million in TSTT cables in Trinidad and Tobago. Satellite Strategy: Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica and Vodafone are exploring a joint bid for satellite spectrum to bring direct-to-device services into mobile networks and strengthen Europe’s control of connectivity infrastructure. Regulation: India’s TRAI is proposing a light-touch authorisation framework for internet-based TV services, while Singapore’s Simba faces possible fines or licence suspension over alleged spectrum misuse.

Regulatory Pressure: Singapore’s IMDA has ordered Simba to explain alleged intentional, management-approved spectrum misuse. The regulator could fine the telco or suspend or cancel its licence; Simba has until Nov. 16 to respond. Service Quality: Nigeria’s NCC says 75 million subscribers received airtime compensation for poor service in 2026, while nearly three million were refunded for failed transactions. The regulator also recorded more than 6,500 network interventions. Infrastructure: A suspected arson attack destroyed TSTT cables in Trinidad, with preliminary damage estimates topping $20 million; police say three people are assisting with inquiries. Network Investment: Nigerian operators, ISPs and data centres will meet Oct. 28–29 to discuss improving local internet traffic exchange, which could cut latency and reliance on international routing. New Services: Nigeria’s NTEL is back with a travel eSIM and wireless AirFibre broadband, while South Africa’s TPC Africa Mobile has launched an MTN-powered MVNO targeting affordable connectivity. Satellite Competition: Starlink’s expansion faces licensing hurdles in South Africa and India, as governments weigh market access against regulatory and security requirements.

Infrastructure Security: Iran says it has plans to strike Gulf undersea cables if US-Israeli attacks resume and could impede repairs. The Strait of Hormuz carries less than 1% of global international bandwidth, but damage could still disrupt regional internet and cloud services. Trinidad and Tobago: Firefighters’ association condemned an apparent arson attack at TSTT’s Laventille compound; one firefighter was hospitalised, and officials are investigating possible involvement by insiders and outsiders. Satellite Competition: Starlink’s restrictions on Ukraine’s military use have renewed efforts by governments to build independent satellite networks, highlighting the risks of relying on a single provider for critical communications. Telecoms Finance: TSTT is seeking to raise up to $1.156 billion locally as part of a US$500 million bond offering to refinance debt and ease liquidity pressure. India’s Market: Jio Platforms’ IPO drew bids worth more than $77 billion, setting a record for an Indian share sale and underscoring investor appetite for the country’s telecom sector.

Consumer Services: Egypt plans to double its basic fixed-broadband allowance to 100GB without raising prices, though it has not set a start date. Nigeria’s NCC says its device checker is intended to protect customers and improve service quality. Network Resilience: Reports that Iran has plans to strike Gulf undersea cables put cable security in focus; the UK is proposing tougher protections, emergency powers and prison terms for sabotage. Satellite Competition: SpaceX is targeting 80,000 cell sites, intensifying pressure on mobile operators, while Starlink has tightened roaming access for South African users amid licensing uncertainty. Nigeria’s Telecoms: Lawmakers gave MTN, Airtel, Glo and other operators seven days to explain poor network service. NTEL is also seeking to re-enter the market with a global eSIM and trial wireless broadband. Industry Deals: Reliance Jio’s IPO drew record demand, with more than 13 million applications, putting India’s telecom giant in the global spotlight.

Satellite Competition: SpaceX is seeking access to 80,000 US cell sites to build a nationwide wireless carrier, a costly challenge to Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile. Starlink, meanwhile, has tightened roaming rules, cutting off some South African users asked to register their travel as uncertainty over its local launch continues. Network Resilience: Iran says it has plans to target Gulf undersea cables if conflict resumes and could hinder repairs. The UK is also proposing tougher cable protections and penalties for sabotage. African Connectivity: Nigeria’s returning operator NTEL has launched a global eSIM and is trialling AirFibre broadband in Lagos and Abuja. Nigeria’s regulator is also engaging Airtel and tower firm IHS to improve service and expand connectivity. Industry Finance: Reliance Jio’s IPO drew a record 1.39 crore applications and was subscribed more than 22 times.

Cable Security: Iran has reportedly drawn up plans to target Gulf undersea internet cables if war resumes. The UK is proposing tougher protections and penalties for sabotage; satellite links can provide backup, but cannot replace cable capacity. Wireless Competition: SpaceX is reportedly seeking access to 80,000 US cell sites, adding ground coverage to its satellite-to-phone push. Tower shares rose as AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile fell. Rural Coverage: Scottish farmers are weighing exits from mobile mast deals as rents fall, raising concerns about infrastructure in areas where 9% of Scotland has no 4G coverage. Sovereign Connectivity: Ukraine is working with Nokia and ICEYE to explore a satellite communications system under its own control. Investment: Jio Platforms’ IPO drew a record 1.39 crore applications and bids worth more than Rs 7.4 lakh crore.

Digital Corridors: NEQSOL Holding has launched the first fiber-optic cable across the Caspian Sea, linking Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. The 380-kilometre connection has capacity exceeding 400 Tbps and is part of a planned Europe–Asia digital route. Cable Security: The UK proposes mandatory resilience rules for subsea cable operators, fines of up to £10 million or 10% of global revenue, and prison terms of up to 14 years for deliberate damage. Iranian officials say Tehran has plans to target Gulf internet cables if attacked. Network Expansion: Pakistan says it has deployed 1,782 5G sites across 24 cities, while Malaysia’s U Mobile reports 90% coverage of populated areas. Industry Deals: Zain and Ooredoo have launched a regional tower platform, combining 4,000 sites in Qatar and Kuwait. India’s Telecom Rules: From January 2027, messaging apps including WhatsApp and Telegram are set to face SIM-binding requirements, linking access to a user’s registered SIM. China’s Digital Plan: Beijing aims to raise 5G base-station density by 2030 and says commercial 6G services will launch when appropriate.

Rescue Connectivity: Vodafone Romania and mountain-rescue service Salvamont are testing a tethered drone that can bring mobile radio and internet coverage to remote areas. India’s SIM Rules: Messaging apps including WhatsApp and Telegram must implement SIM binding by Dec. 31, 2026, under rules aimed at curbing fraud; users may need the registered SIM active in their device to keep access. Tower Deal: Ooredoo and Zain have launched a regional tower platform, combining 4,000 sites in Qatar and Kuwait. Service Quality: Nigeria’s House of Representatives gave MTN, Airtel, Glo and Mafab seven days to explain poor network performance. Network Resilience: Ukraine is working with Nokia and ICEYE on a sovereign satellite communications system, reducing reliance on Starlink. Industry Results: Nokia reported a 9% rise in third-quarter sales, with AI and cloud revenue up 123%.

Service Quality: Nigeria’s House of Representatives has given MTN, Airtel, Glo and other operators seven days to explain poor network performance, raising pressure for service improvements. Tower Sharing: Ooredoo and Zain have launched a regional platform after completing the first stage of a deal covering 4,000 towers in Qatar and Kuwait. Undersea Security: The UK plans tougher penalties, including prison terms of up to 14 years, for damaging subsea telecom cables and new resilience rules for operators. Satellite Competition: The FCC has granted SpaceX more spectrum for Starlink mobile, as satellite-to-phone services gain ground. Industry Results: Nokia’s third-quarter sales rose 9%, with AI and cloud demand lifting network infrastructure revenue. Network Transition: Orange has switched off its 2G network across France, marking another step in the shift to newer mobile technologies.

Network Quality: Nigeria’s House of Representatives gave MTN, Airtel, Glo and other operators seven days to explain poor service, as the regulator faces calls to hold providers accountable. Earnings: UAE operator du reported nine-month revenue up 6.2% to AED12.3bn and profit up 10.8% to AED2.4bn. AT&T raised its 2026 outlook after record internet additions and strong fibre growth. AI Networks: Nokia reported Q3 sales growth of 9% and advanced its AI-RAN work with NVIDIA toward commercial deployment, with European operators testing AI workloads on live networks. Big Deals: Jio Platforms’ $3.2bn IPO, India’s biggest share sale, was fully subscribed within hours; proceeds will help repay debt at its telecom subsidiary and fund growth. US Rules: A federal appeals court ruled the FCC lacked authority to create USAC and vacated the Q4 2025 Universal Service Fund contribution factor, clouding the fund’s collection framework. Rural Connectivity: Bauchi State waived broadband right-of-way charges to attract telecom investment, while Nigerian industry stakeholders called for affordable service and actual usage—not coverage alone.

Network Quality: Nigeria’s House committee gave MTN, Airtel, Globacom and other operators seven days to explain poor service. The NCC says operators made more than 6,500 network improvements this year and pledged stronger consumer protection. Operator Investment: UAE carrier du reported nine-month revenue up 6.2% to Dh12.3 billion and profit up 10.8%. In Cyprus, Cablenet is upgrading its broadband platform to support gigabit speeds. Satellite and Resilience: Starlink reported 13.6 million subscribers, while Digicel is adding satellite backup to business connectivity in Trinidad and Tobago. Jio IPO: Reliance’s record-breaking Jio Platforms share sale is set to reduce debt at its telecom subsidiary and help fund network and digital-service investment. Subsea Links: Icelandic operator Korda has chosen landing sites for a new cable to Scotland, planned to enter service around 2029–30 and add another route for data traffic between Iceland and Europe.

India’s Jio IPO: The public offering opened today, aiming to raise about $3.2 billion at a price of ₹1,065–₹1,119 per share. The listing could value the telecom giant at $108.3 billion. AI and 6G: China Telecom Global and HKUST have launched a joint lab to develop AI for telecommunications, while UAE partners unveiled a 6G engineering framework, with deployment targeted for 2030. Satellite Competition: Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica and Vodafone are exploring a joint bid for European satellite spectrum, seeking an alternative to Starlink. Service Accountability: Singapore fined Singtel S$1 million over preventable March outages that affected about 720,000 subscribers. Device Regulation: Nigeria’s NCC warned that non-compliant SIM-enabled devices could be barred from local networks, tightening approval rules for manufacturers and importers.

5G Rollout: Malaysia’s DNB and MRT Corp will bring indoor 5G to the Johor Bahru RTS Link immigration complex, with Singapore roaming arrangements planned for seamless cross-border service. Network Resilience: Vodafone Ukraine plans solar power at 400 more cell sites, expanding its programme to 500 locations. Iran’s threat to cut seven undersea cables in the Strait of Hormuz highlights the risks to global connectivity, while suspected arson attacks on Starlink infrastructure raise fresh concerns about satellite network security in Europe. Outages & Accountability: A Google Cloud power incident disrupted UK banking and public services for nearly eight hours. Singapore fined Singtel S$1 million over outages that affected 720,000 subscribers. Investment & Access: A GSMA report urges Canada to reset telecom policy around predictable spectrum costs and investment in 5G and AI infrastructure. In New Zealand, farmers say mobile coverage worsened after the 3G shutdown, exposing gaps in rural service. Fraud Prevention: Nigeria’s NCC plans to extend phone-number verification across sectors to help detect recycled numbers and reduce digital identity fraud.

Cable Resilience: A Dutch security assessment warns that sabotage of Curaçao’s submarine cable landings, combined with a power outage, could disrupt communications across the Caribbean. Separately, Iran has reportedly threatened seven undersea cables in the Strait of Hormuz. International Capacity: Ooredoo’s OFN will buy dark fibre from Iraq’s iQ Networks to carry data toward Türkiye and Europe, adding a land route to its planned Gulf subsea cable. Vodafone Business says its new Express Capacity service can deliver 100G or 400G links within 15 days on key European routes. Network Investment: Telecel Group and Huawei signed a three-year, $200 million deal to expand networks and mobile broadband across Telecel’s markets, with Ghana a key focus. Azerbaijan’s Aztelekom has laid 334 kilometres of fibre in Aghdara, connecting hundreds of households and businesses. Coverage and Rules: Australia passed a mandate for outdoor mobile coverage, while Nigeria commissioned the first tower in a project targeting connectivity for 20 million people. The FCC has proposed an overhaul of its international Section 214 framework.

Satellite Competition: SpaceX has agreed to acquire a US low-band spectrum portfolio of up to 14 MHz, aiming to turn Starlink into a mobile carrier and challenge established operators. In Europe, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica and Vodafone are exploring a joint bid for satellite spectrum, with a satellite partner yet to be chosen. Rural Connectivity: Nigeria has commissioned the first tower in a project targeting 3,700 sites and connectivity for 20 million people. Service Standards: Malaysia’s MCMC recorded 5,333 quality-of-service violations across 2,697 locations through September and warned operators to meet coverage standards. Universal Coverage: Australia passed a law requiring major carriers to provide baseline outdoor voice and SMS nationwide, with the obligation due to take effect in 2027.

Satellite Challenge: SpaceX’s deal for up to 14 MHz of US low-band spectrum could help Starlink launch mobile broadband against AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon; telecom shares fell after the announcement. Malaysia’s 5G Funding: Digital Nasional completed a RM5.2 billion Islamic financing facility to refinance debt and support its next phase under the country’s dual-network framework. Gulf Co-operation: GCC ministers called for closer co-ordination on telecom regulation, infrastructure and emerging technologies, including AI, as they seek stronger regional integration. India’s Satellite Push: Starlink says it is ready to launch high-speed services, while Indian authorities are tightening spectrum and security safeguards for satellite operators. Next-Generation Networks: India’s Signaltron and Signalchip agreed with Indonesia’s BRIN research agency to develop connectivity technology, with potential pilots spanning 4G, 5G and 6G.