During the period from December 2nd to 8th, 2025, the following international news occurred:
1. BSNL reaches nearly 100,000 4G sites in India
India's state-owned operator BSNL has deployed over 97,000 domestically developed 4G sites, with more than 93,500 already operational. The government stated that this equipment is technically upgradeable to 5G. Efforts are underway to improve network reliability by replacing batteries, deploying diesel generators, and installing solar systems. BSNL plans to launch 5G services in Delhi and Mumbai in December 2025.
2. Kyocera exits 5G basestation business
Japan's Kyocera has announced its exit from the 5G base station business, primarily due to rising costs and a lack of a clear path to profitability. The company began 5G base station R&D in 2023, having launched an AI-powered base station using Nvidia chips and formed an Open RAN consortium. Facing competition from giants like Ericsson and Nokia with relatively limited R&D investment, Kyocera will continue its collaboration with KDDI on 28GHz wireless relay technology.
3. du, Nokia claim first deployment of autonomous 5G slicing
UAE operator du and Nokia announced the completion of the world's first commercial deployment of autonomous 5G-Advanced network slicing. The system uses machine learning to monitor network conditions in real-time and automatically adjust radio policies to guarantee differentiated performance for enterprise applications, gaming, XR, and other scenarios. This initiative aims to lay the groundwork for 6G evolution and enhance network service consistency and reliability.
4. 6G just can't seem to get its story straight
Nokia is testing high-frequency 6G wireless technology at its R&D center in Oulu, Finland, aiming to address issues like short coverage range and weak penetration associated with high frequencies. Technologies like beamforming and Massive MIMO are used to direct signals precisely to users, much like a flashlight, to compensate for the inherent limitations of high-frequency bands. As mobile communication generations evolve, available spectrum resources are becoming increasingly scarce. 6G may need to use frequencies more than twice as high as the 5G C-band.
5. Eurobites: Telia claims breakthrough with Oslo subway project
Nordic operator Telia announced the deployment of Europe's first digital signaling system based on a commercial mobile network in the Oslo subway, using Siemens' CBTC technology for precise train positioning and efficient scheduling. Meanwhile, asset restructuring at Altice Group caused bond price volatility. Analysts raised questions about the technical challenges of Virgin Media's collaboration with Starlink on direct-to-device services. UK's Virgin Media faces a potential substantial fine over issues with its remote care services.
6. A glimpse of Nokia’s private 5G future – as staff in Europe protest
Nokia confirmed it will provide RAN equipment for Tampnet's offshore 5G project in the Gulf of Mexico, with the core network supplied by Mavenir. This collaboration sparked discussions about its private 5G strategy, coinciding with protests by European employees over the company's restructuring plan, which includes selling its Enterprise Campus Edge division. Analysts believe Nokia may shift towards a hardware-centric sales model rather than integrated services.
7. AT&T doubles down on EchoStar spectrum plan as T-Mobile objects
AT&T plans to acquire EchoStar's 3.45 GHz and 600 MHz spectrum licenses for USD 23 billion, claiming it will enhance competitiveness and benefit consumers. T-Mobile petitioned the FCC to oppose the deal or impose strict coverage conditions, arguing it is not in the public interest and accusing EchoStar of spectrum warehousing for profit. It demands AT&T achieve geographic area coverage (as opposed to conventional population coverage) within five years and verify it through drive tests.
8. Bell bumps Ontario 5G capabilities
Canada's Bell has deployed 3800 MHz mid-band spectrum in parts of Ontario, enhancing 5G network speed and capacity. Compatible smartphone users can achieve peak downlink speeds of up to 3.6 Gbps, representing an approximate 65% increase from pre-deployment levels. This deployment is part of Bell's investment in its 5G-Advanced network, aiming to improve experiences for entertainment, cloud gaming, enterprise AI, and other services.
9. Network slicing market to expand by 2030: ABI Research
ABI Research forecasts that the global 5G network slicing market will grow from USD 6.1 billion in 2025 to USD 67.5 billion in 2030, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 70%. The enterprise market will contribute 64% of revenue, with "horizontal" segments like retail and venues experiencing the fastest growth. Currently, the Asia-Pacific region dominates but its share is expected to decline as other regions catch up.
10. Before 6G, carriers need to monetize 5G Standalone (Reader Forum)
Communication Service Providers (CSPs) need to prioritize monetizing 5G Standalone before prematurely focusing on 6G. Strategies include deploying network slicing, opening APIs, and building private networks to offer differentiated services to enterprises and consumers. Achieving this requires a foundation of end-to-end network observability and data integrity to create sustainable revenue streams, thereby establishing the financial and operational groundwork for the 6G era.
11. Nvidia won't expect an AI-RAN challenge from Google
In the AI-RAN architecture, Nvidia's GPUs are replacing traditional RAN-specific chips and vRAN CPUs to enhance spectrum efficiency. This, however, raises concerns about its dominant position in the industry, comparable to Intel's influence in the CPU domain. Although Google's self-developed TPU chips are used in its cloud platform, they currently do not pose a substantial challenge to Nvidia in the AI-RAN field.