AGP Executive Report

Space Policy: The FCC named Courtney Reinhard chief of its Space Bureau, which oversees satellite communications and space policy. Jordan, meanwhile, approved incentives for satellite infrastructure projects worth more than $10 million that include at least six gateway stations. Regulation: The FCC is advancing a proposal to block Chinese telecom firms from direct access to U.S. phone numbers and plans a mid-band spectrum auction with 5G and direct-to-device allocations. Canada’s Competition Tribunal ordered Rogers to pay a $15 million penalty over “unlimited” wireless advertising. Network Investment: Greece is expanding fiber as 700,000 customers await faster service; applications to connect data centres to its grid exceed 12 GW, though only 517 MW have secured connection deals. Cybersecurity: Nigerian agencies report an average of 4,361 attempted cyberattacks a week, prompting a push for government websites to adopt DNS security protections.

Earnings: MTN Nigeria’s nine-month profit jumped 55% to N1.17 trillion as data revenue and usage climbed; MTN Ghana also reported 43% profit growth, led by data and mobile money. Fiber & Speed: Greece’s broadband voucher programs have supported more than 370,000 connections, and Telekom plans to double or triple speeds for 700,000 customers at no extra cost. Türkiye’s fiber network grew 12.9% year on year to 720,012 kilometres. Policy & Spectrum: A watchdog says U.S. broadband officials cannot fully retrace how they allocated some of the $42 billion BEAD funding. The FCC is advancing a 25 MHz mid-band auction that could support both 5G and direct-to-device services. Network Rollouts: Airtel Nigeria launched an open-network initiative to address service quality and added more than 1,000 5G sites. In India, telecom services are being restored after Cyclone Arnab, with 20 blocks back online. AI Rules: India’s TRAI proposed board-approved AI policies, risk classifications and mandatory reporting of serious failures by telecom operators.

Network Expansion: Airtel Nigeria says it added more than 1,000 5G sites this year and has launched an app feature for customers to check performance and report problems. MTN Nigeria reported nine-month revenue up 23.6% to N4.61 trillion, while Cyclone Arnab disrupted services in Odisha; telecoms were restored in 20 Ganjam blocks, with repairs continuing elsewhere. Spectrum and Satellites: The FCC advanced a proposal to auction 25 MHz of mid-band spectrum for 5G and direct-to-device satellite links. Finland’s ReOrbit is pitching locally built satellites as an Australian alternative to Starlink, while SpaceX launched 27 satellites to improve coverage in polar regions. Regulatory Moves: The FCC plans to vote on barring Chinese telecom firms and other providers from directly accessing US phone numbers. India’s TRAI has proposed board-approved AI policies, risk assessments and mandatory reporting of serious AI incidents by operators. Connectivity Gaps: India’s government says only 9 of Nagaland’s 17 district headquarters have optical-fibre links; 59 of 75 block headquarters also remain unconnected.

Service Quality: Pakistan’s PTA’s deadline for mobile operators to fix coverage gaps in Islamabad and Rawalpindi has expired, with a review and possible accountability measures to follow. Airtel Nigeria launched an app feature letting customers check nearby network sites and report problems, while adding 1,000 5G sites. Coverage and Resilience: India’s government acknowledged major BSNL gaps in Nagaland: eight of 17 district headquarters lack fibre, and 59 of 75 block headquarters remain uncovered. Cyclone Arnab also disrupted telecom services, with restoration underway. AI Oversight: India’s TRAI proposed board-approved AI policies, risk classifications and mandatory reporting of serious failures by telecom operators; public comments are due November 27. Industry: MTN Nigeria reported a 55.3% rise in nine-month profit, alongside subscriber and data-use growth. Separately, Hong Kong carrier HKT agreed to stop U.S. telecom services within 30 days amid FCC national-security pressure.

Network Recovery: India says telecom availability in cyclone-hit Andhra Pradesh has reached 99.18%, as operators restore power and fibre links across Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Emergency connectivity remains in place. Regulatory Tensions: China urged Washington to reverse the FCC’s decision to stop recognizing China-based testing and certification bodies from December 2028, warning of supply-chain disruption. AI Oversight: India’s TRAI proposed board-approved AI policies, risk classifications and mandatory reporting of serious incidents for telecom operators; public comments are due November 27. 5G Investment: MTN Ghana says its $202 million spectrum purchase will support 5G rollout and network quality. Myanmar has opened 5G trials in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and Mandalay. Network Expansion: India’s BSNL is seeking Rs 75,000 crore to expand 4G, including up to 350,000 towers, and prepare for 5G.

Spectrum & Satellite: The FCC advanced proposals to make 1675–1695 MHz, and potentially 2020–2025 MHz, available for direct-to-device satellite and other mobile services; an NTIA study is expected in early 2027. US-China Rules: The FCC voted to stop recognizing China-based labs for telecom equipment testing from December 2028 and is moving to block Chinese telecom firms’ direct access to US phone numbers. Beijing condemned the testing restrictions. India Regulation: New sandbox rules let companies trial telecom services, with possible exemptions, as draft guidelines set expectations for responsible AI use in telecom networks. Network Investment: MTN Ghana plans $1.1 billion in network expansion over three years. Airtel Africa reported half-year revenue growth of 28% and a customer base of 193.9 million. Spectrum & Competition: Malaysia assigned CelcomDigi 900 MHz and 2.6 GHz spectrum for RM381.75 million; Ottawa launched a telecom roadmap focused on competition and consumer choice. Coverage: Paratus says it is expanding mobile and fibre networks in Namibia, including 595 km of fibre laid over the past year.

US Telecom Security: The FCC plans to vote Nov. 19 on blocking Chinese telecom firms from direct access to US phone numbers, citing robocall and national-security risks. Separately, it voted to bar Chinese labs from testing electronics for US approval, with the restrictions taking effect in December 2028. Spectrum and Satellites: The FCC advanced spectrum proposals, including expanded direct-to-device services. India is set to launch its NVS-03 navigation satellite, adding an indigenous atomic clock to the NavIC system. Network Investment: Malaysia’s RM2 billion Madani submarine-cable project will add 5,582km of links and is scheduled to begin in 2027. In Japan, BBIX and HTNet expanded regional cloud infrastructure in Hokuriku, with a new service due Nov. 1. Competition and Resilience: Canada launched a telecom roadmap aimed at improving competition and consumer choice. Pacific telecom leaders warned that cyclones and cyberattacks could cripple networks, underscoring the need for stronger resilience.

Network Resilience: Pacific Islands Forum chief Henry Puna says increasingly severe natural disasters are forcing a rethink of how to protect telecom infrastructure. Biometric Rules: Brazil will require mobile providers to verify users with facial recognition and liveness checks when registering or keeping lines active, raising privacy as well as anti-fraud questions. Competition & Spectrum: Canada launched a roadmap to widen telecom competition and consumer choice; the FCC advanced a spectrum auction to support satellite-to-phone services. Network Investment: MTN Ghana plans to invest $1.1 billion over three years and deploy 500 network sites in 2026. In Michigan, 123NET won about $86 million in federal broadband funding to expand fiber access. Regulation & Access: Malaysia’s MCMC opened a consultation on foreign travel eSIMs and permanent roaming, while Nigerian lawmakers urged a review of phone verification rules over concerns they could raise handset prices.

Infrastructure Deals: BCE will sell 49.9% of its wireless tower business to La Caisse for C$2.45 billion, creating a Canadian tower operator with more than 5,000 sites. Japan Telecoms: NTT East will test using Japan Post delivery motorbikes and dashcams to monitor telecom infrastructure. Separately, Japan’s government asked carriers to block an extortion site containing data allegedly stolen from GMO customers, raising questions about limits on access restrictions; the site went offline after its domain was suspended. Competition and Consumer Rules: Canada launched a national telecom competition roadmap aimed at more choice and lower prices, while a tribunal ordered Rogers to pay C$15 million over misleading “unlimited” data claims. South Korea fined Google and Apple a combined US$47.6 million over app-store payment practices and review delays. Emergency Connectivity: GSMA secured US$1.2 million to help deploy mobile cell-broadcast alerts in nine Pacific island countries.

Operator Shake-up: Malaysia’s Maxis neither confirmed nor denied reports of a possible merger with U Mobile, saying it continues to assess strategic opportunities. A deal could create the country’s largest wireless operator by market value. Network Expansion: Iraq signed a memorandum with Huawei to develop telecom and IT infrastructure, expand digital services and deepen cooperation on 5G, AI and cybersecurity. In Michigan, 123NET won about $86 million in federal broadband funding to extend fiber to underserved communities. Service and Security: Nigeria’s lawmakers threatened arrest warrants for telecom chiefs who fail to appear on November 4 to answer complaints about poor network service. South Korea ordered urgent security reviews at 172 telecom and platform facilities amid wider concerns about cyber threats. Market Spotlight: India’s Jio Platforms surged in its stock-market debut after a record-breaking IPO.

Market Debut: Jio shares surged 21% at listing after its record $3.1 billion IPO, valuing the Indian telecom giant at about $131.5 billion. Operator Results: Etisalat’s nine-month net profit rose 45.9% to AED17.2 billion, with revenue up 10% and subscribers reaching 254.8 million. Satellite Security: Researchers say Israeli ad-tech firm Discover-Tech targeted Starlink users in more than 100 countries, raising surveillance concerns. Satellite Access: Starlink has cut off some South African users relying on overseas-registered kits amid unresolved licensing and ownership rules. Network Resilience: LS Marine Solution and SK Broadband are building an emergency repair system for the SJC2 submarine cable, which links seven Asian countries. Digital Infrastructure: Umniah’s new Amman data center has earned Tier III facility certification ahead of launch. Satellite Safety: South Korean startup Fuit is combining satellite links and AI to send emergency alerts from areas beyond cellular coverage.

Infrastructure Investment: Bell will sell 49.9% of its wireless tower business to La Caisse for $2.45 billion, while keeping control of the company’s more than 5,000 sites. Ghana’s MTN plans 500 new cell sites in a three-year, $1.1 billion investment, and Vodafone Ukraine will add solar arrays at 400 base stations to improve resilience during power outages. Spectrum & Regulation: Bangladesh’s mobile operators want lower renewal prices and payment spread over 20 years as licences expire next month. India is nearing a decision on satellite spectrum pricing, while TRAI has proposed authorisation rules for internet TV services. Network Operations: Congo-Brazzaville’s fuel shortage is disrupting mobile networks, with generators unable to compensate for unreliable grid power and depleted batteries. MTN Nigeria, meanwhile, says video streaming and automatic downloads are driving rapid data use. Technology & Expansion: O2 and Nokia have completed the UK’s first live AI-powered radio access network deployment. Ethio Telecom has extended 4G LTE coverage to 80 more towns.

Network Accountability: Mongolia is investigating whether a Mobicom convoy linked to Japan’s KDDI sparked a wildfire that burned about 530,000 hectares and damaged 80% of a protected nature reserve. Regulation: India’s TRAI proposed government authorisation for internet-based live-TV apps, including free, ad-supported services on smart TVs. Rural Coverage: New Zealand farmers report worsening mobile coverage after 3G shutdowns, with about two-thirds unable to reliably call emergency services from their farms. Malaysia plans to spend RM5 billion on rural connectivity, using Starlink and small cells where towers are impractical. Infrastructure: Ooredoo and Zain are combining about 4,000 towers in Qatar and Kuwait, while AST SpaceMobile won Brazilian spectrum approval to advance satellite connectivity. Service Disruptions: A fire at TSTT’s cable yard in Trinidad damaged telecom infrastructure; authorities are investigating suspected arson.

Rural Connectivity: Malaysia will spend RM5 billion on a mix of Starlink, small cells and towers to reach the last 1% of populated areas and improve coverage on connecting roads. Network Security: Three people have been detained after a suspected arson attack destroyed more than $20 million in TSTT cable in Trinidad and Tobago. Satellite Networks: Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica and Vodafone are exploring a joint bid for satellite spectrum to support direct-to-device services and strengthen Europe’s control of connectivity infrastructure. AI Traffic: Israeli operator Bezeq says AI-related activity on its consumer network has tripled in three months, adding pressure to upgrade infrastructure. Operator Performance: Verizon beat profit estimates and raised its outlook, citing strong postpaid phone and account growth. Spectrum Oversight: Singapore’s regulator has put Simba’s operating licence at risk over alleged unauthorised spectrum use. Regional Infrastructure: Paratus opened a Dar es Salaam point of presence to connect Tanzania to its wider network. Cable Risks: Reports of Iranian plans to target Gulf undersea internet links if conflict resumes are sharpening concerns about the security of critical communications routes.

Singapore Regulation: IMDA has ordered Simba to explain alleged intentional spectrum misuse at more than 200 sites, warning it could face fines or lose its licence. The probe also contributed to the collapse of its planned M1 acquisition. Consumer Protection: Nigeria’s NCC says 75 million subscribers received compensation for poor service in 2026, while nearly three million were refunded for failed airtime and data transactions. Market Expansion: NTEL is returning to Nigeria with a global eSIM for travellers and AirFibre broadband, aiming to grow without extensive new fibre construction. Telecom Innovation: L&T Technology Services and Nokia signed a five-year India engineering partnership covering 5G, AI-driven network operations and product development. Satellite Competition: Starlink’s expansion faces regulatory hurdles, including a licensing deadlock in South Africa and pending security and spectrum clearances in India.

Undersea Cable Risks: Iranian officials say Tehran has plans to target Gulf communications cables if US-Israeli strikes resume, raising fears of regional internet disruption. Telecom Security: A suspected arson attack at Trinidad and Tobago’s TSTT compound injured a firefighter; investigators are examining possible insider and outsider involvement. Satellite Competition: Starlink’s restrictions on Ukraine have sharpened government efforts to build independent satellite networks, while South African users face service cutoffs amid a licensing dispute. Industry Investment: India’s Jio drew more than $77 billion in bids for its record-setting IPO. Network Expansion: Globe says faster local permits could speed telecom builds and improve connectivity in underserved Philippine communities.