Light Reading
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Telecom news and views. https://www.lightreading.com
SpaceX told the FCC that Starlink has made billions a year in rural broadband subsidies pointless. Rural telcos and electric co-ops say the argument doesn't hold up.
SpaceX to FCC: Starlink makes rural subsidies obsolete
Broadband groups want the FCC to protect High-Cost programs and raise speed standards, while SpaceX says the programs have 'outlived their purpose.'
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AI and cloud propel SoftBank's earnings to grow 3%, as the Japanese telco announces $634 million investment in 7-Eleven partnership to build "next-gen lifestyle infrastructure."
SoftBank boosts earnings with help from AI and cloud services
AI and cloud drive SoftBank earnings growth as it announces $634 million investment in 7-Eleven partnership to build 'next-gen lifestyle infrastructure.'
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Samsung warns memory shortage will last until at least 2028 as its mobile unit reports losses despite overall $63 billion profit in Q2.
Samsung reports $63B profit but mobile unit sinks to loss
Samsung warns memory shortage will last until at least 2028 as its mobile unit reports losses despite overall $63 billion profit in Q2.
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Tata Communications has restructured its workforce, joining a broader industry trend as operators increasingly 'realign talent' in the face of AI.
Tata Communications latest to restructure as AI reshapes networks
Tata Communications has restructured its workforce, joining a broader industry trend as operators increasingly 'realign talent' in the face of AI.
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The FCC cleared AT&T to retire copper voice service at 184,000 California locations – a move the state is fighting to undo. But on the facts, and on what Californians say they want, the FCC is right and California is wrong.
Making AT&T keep its copper protects nothing
The FCC in June cleared AT&T to retire copper voice service at 184,000 California locations. The state is fighting the decision. Here's why that's wrong.
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The FCC's proposal to bring D2D connectivity to unlicensed wireless devices initially keys on three spectrum bands that are already being used for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other unlicensed use cases.
FCC IDs three bands for unlicensed D2D
FCC's proposal to bring D2D connectivity to unlicensed wireless devices keys on three spectrum bands that are already support unlicensed spectrum.
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In a move that could lead to a bigger wave of broadcaster consolidation, the FCC set an August 6 vote to repeal its 39% broadcast ownership cap and replace it with case-by-case reviews.
FCC sets vote to repeal and replace broadcast ownership cap
The FCC set an August 6 vote to repeal its 39% broadcast ownership cap and replace it with case-by-case reviews.
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CWA, Public Knowledge, Benton, NDIA and others are the latest to push NTIA's Arielle Roth to release BEAD performance results, stating they are "deeply concerned about some providers' ability to carry out their commitments." www.lightreading.com/broadband/cw...
CWA pushes NTIA for BEAD performance reports
We are 'deeply concerned about some providers' ability to carry out their commitments,' said CWA in a letter urging NTIA to release BEAD performance tests.
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Ericsson outlined plans to mitigate rising, AI-driven component costs, which include price increases for telco customers, as it reported Q2 earnings.
Ericsson warns of price rises to counter high component costs
Ericsson outlined plans to mitigate rising, AI-driven component costs, which include price increases for telco customers, as it reported Q2 earnings.
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AT&T and Ericsson showed how 5G network sensing can detect and track drones flying near AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, paving the way for 6G's ISAC.
AT&T and Ericsson demo 5G sensing for drone detection
AT&T and Ericsson showed how 5G network sensing can detect and track drones flying near AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, paving the way for 6G's ISAC.
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While some view the Amazon-Globalstar deal as a boon for D2D competition, the transaction is getting static from Yippy, a company that is partially owned by Globalstar.
Amazon-Globalstar deal draws concern and support
While some see positives in the Amazon-Globalstar deal, the transaction is getting static from Yippy, a company that is partially owned by Globalstar.
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Telcos want a smooth path to 6G and to avoid the mistakes of 5G, but it's early days for the industry's preferred migration architecture.
Can the telecom industry pave a smoother path to 6G?
Telcos want a smooth path to 6G and avoid the mistakes of 5G, but it's early days for the industry's preferred migration architecture.
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As sustainability talk within 6G standard setting gets serious, AI can be a 'gamechanger,' Ericsson's Bhushan Joshi argued in an interview with Light Reading.
AI, modernization amid key RAN sustainability levers – Ericsson
As sustainability focus in 6G formulation gets serious, AI can be a 'gamechanger,' Ericsson's Bhushan Joshi argued in an interview with Light Reading.
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House Democrats pressed NTIA's Arielle Roth on ongoing delays with the $42 billion BEAD program, including guidance on $21 billion in 'non-deployment' funds which Roth now says are expected 'this summer.'
Dems probe NTIA's Roth on BEAD delays at House hearing
House Dems pressed NTIA's Arielle Roth on ongoing BEAD delays, including guidance on non-deployment funds which Roth now says are expected 'this summer.'
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The FCC granted Verizon and Arcadyan expedited waivers that provide some relief from the agency's ban on new, foreign-made routers. NTCA, ACA, USTelecom and Askey also want one.
Verizon, Arcadyan net router waivers; NTCA and ACA want one, too
The FCC has granted Verizon and Arcadyan expedited waivers for the agency's ban on new, foreign-made routers. Several organizations also want a waiver.
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Comcast's decision to separate its cable/connectivity unit from NBCU and Sky is already fueling speculation about potential M&A involving both sides of the business. Comcast's Brian Roberts downplayed that possibility.
Comcast-NBCU/Sky split not a step toward strategic M&A – Roberts
Comcast's Brian Roberts downplayed the possibility of strategic M&A amid a decision to separate Comcast from NBCU and Sky.
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SpaceConnect, an organization focused on the policies and interests of the LEO satellite sector, has formed with support from Amazon, Iridium, Telesat and Globalstar. Analysts aren't surprised that SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile aren't participating.
LEO satellite trade org forms, without SpaceX and AST
SpaceConnect has formed with support from Amazon, Iridium, Telesat and Globalstar. Analysts aren't surprised that SpaceX and AST aren't participating.
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When surveyed about AI, fear barely varies by age or income. The real split is hope and the hardening among Americans who have never tried AI.
Most Americans fear AI, but hope is splitting the country
When surveyed about AI, fear barely varies by age or income. The real split is hope and the hardening among Americans who have never tried AI.
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The FCC's AWS-3 auction passes $2.9B threshold for EchoStar to avoid paying penalty, and one analyst expects bidding to wrap up soon.
AWS-3 auction hits $3.1B as bidding winds down
The FCC's AWS-3 auction passes $2.9B threshold for EchoStar to avoid paying penalty, and one analyst expects bidding to wrap up soon.
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Ericsson CEO Börje Ekholm to retire and hand the baton to its head of networks, Per Narvinger, who will take over as president and CEO on October 1.
Ericsson appoints Per Narvinger as CEO to replace Ekholm
Ericsson CEO Börje Ekholm to retire and hand the baton to its head of networks, Per Narvinger, who will take over as president and CEO on October 1.
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Fox Corp. is poised to become a more central player in the streaming arena after striking a $22 billion deal to acquire Roku.
Fox to acquire Roku for $22B
Fox Corp. is poised to become a more central player in the streaming arena after striking a $22 billion deal to acquire Roku.
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Telefónica celebrates the arrival of a GSMA standard for application-aware 5G network slicing that could enable new services for telcos.
Telefónica touts new standard for app-aware 5G slicing
Telefónica celebrates the arrival of a GSMA standard for application-aware 5G network slicing that could enable new services for telcos.
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The FCC approved extensions for four more service providers that have fallen behind on their 'rip-and-replace' obligations. Providers blamed the delays on severe weather, supply chain issues and migratory birds.
Weather, supply, birds blamed for rip-and-replace delays
The FCC granted extensions for four more providers to meet 'rip-and-replace' obligations. Providers blamed delays on weather, supplies and migratory birds.
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Elon Musk insists that 'there's not some magic that's necessary' for SpaceX's ambitious plan to build orbital data centers given that much of the tech required has already been developed for Starlink.
Musk: 'Magic' not needed for SpaceX's orbital AI data center plan
Elon Musk insists that SpaceX's ambitious plan to build orbital data centers will tap into tech already developed for Starlink.
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More service providers participating in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) have backed out of commitments, with the latest defaults hitting Kansas, Maryland and Texas. Texas, meanwhile, has also shed some BEAD winners.
Three more providers default on RDOF awards
More ISPs backed out of their RDOF commitments, with the latest defaults hitting Kansas, Maryland and Texas. Texas, meanwhile, has also shed BEAD winners.
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AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon and the cable guys compete tooth-and-nail in the market, but they have formed a unified front when it comes to fighting copper theft, fiber cuts and other forms of network vandalism.
AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon join cable's 'STRIKE' force
AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon have formed a unified front with the cable industry when it comes to fighting copper theft and other forms of network vandalism.
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Rampant demand for AI has led to component shortages and driven up chip costs for network equipment vendors. Customers may eventually pay.
AI is making telecom more expensive, warn Ericsson and Nokia
Rampant demand for AI has led to component shortages and driven up chip costs for network equipment vendors. Customers may eventually pay.
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New Recon Analytics data shows where Starlink actually wins with business customers.
Starlink in business connectivity: where real opportunities are
The strongest direct sales case for Starlink in business markets is the coverage gap.
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In a big setback for Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, its heavy-duty New Glenn rocket exploded during a prelaunch test Thursday. 'We experienced an anomaly during today's hotfire test,' Blue Origin said.
Blue Origin's 'New Glenn' rocket explodes during prelaunch test
In a big setback for Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, its heavy-duty New Glenn rocket exploded during a prelaunch test Thursday.
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