AGP Executive Report

AI & Telecom Policy: US Sen. Maria Cantwell and Sen. Deb Fischer held Senate hearings on how AI is reshaping communications networks, with Cantwell urging federal testing of Frontier AI models to protect national security. Net Neutrality Review: India is considering changes to net neutrality rules to allow differentiated connectivity and pricing for services like gaming, healthcare, and smart factories as 5G slicing blurs current limits. 5G Infrastructure Demand: Dell’Oro forecasts continued 5G growth for two more years, lifting demand for microwave backhaul equipment, while AI back-end Ethernet switch spending could near $1T by 2030. Coverage Expansion: Malaysia will add 77 telecom towers along 50 km of highways to fix dead zones and improve mobile connectivity. Manufacturing Push (India): India signed an MoU to create its first Telecom Manufacturing Zone in Gwalior, targeting ₹10,000 crore investment and thousands of jobs. Operator/Regulator Moves: Singtel shares fell after Australia’s ACMA took Optus to court over alleged emergency call service breaches; CK Hutchison completed its VodafoneThree cash-return deal. Broadband Funding (US): Ohio approved a $20M BroadbandOhio middle-mile fiber build along Route 30 to help ISPs expand faster. Digital Government (Pakistan): NADRA won three awards at the TAF-ABL Public Sector Digital Transformation Awards for PakID, Pakistan Online Visa System, and e-Sahulat.

Highway Connectivity Push (Malaysia): Malaysia’s MCMC and the Malaysian Highway Authority signed an MoU to bring better telecom coverage to smart highways, targeting 77 new towers along about 50 km of stretches with weak service and aiming to support safer, more connected road operations. Satellite Direct-to-Cell Trial (Malaysia): Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said Starlink plans to trial direct-to-device/direct-to-cell connectivity in Malaysia, potentially reaching areas without telecom towers. Public Safety Mission-Critical AI (Motorola Solutions): Motorola is embedding its “Assist” mission-critical AI into command center and related operator software to reduce screen-hopping during emergencies and improve real-time coordination. Off-Network MCX Performance (TCCA): TCCA’s Critical Communications Broadband Group published a white paper on sidelink-based off-network MCX for public safety, outlining performance factors and optimization approaches. Optus Stake Sale Talks (Singtel): Singtel confirmed discussions on selling a minority stake in Optus as Australia’s regulator pursues court action over the 2025 Triple Zero outage. Regulatory Governance Update (Bahrain): Bahrain’s King restructured the TRA board, appointing Mona Al Sayed Ali Al Hashemi as chairperson for a four-year term. Cybersecurity & Telecom Fraud (Malaysia): Malaysian police raids highlighted how crypto mining is tied to electricity theft, underscoring broader risks around telecom-linked infrastructure misuse.

Emergency Calling Under Fire (Australia): Australia’s ACMA has commenced Federal Court proceedings against Optus over the Sept 18, 2025 “Triple Zero” outage, alleging two legal breaches on 1,005 occasions—failing to give customers access to emergency calling and failing to route calls to the right termination point—raising public-safety stakes and potential penalties. Emergency Services Reliability (Canada): A separate report highlights ongoing concern over 911 outages, including a July 22 disruption affecting calls outside Winnipeg after a construction-related fibre cut. Operator Scrutiny & Ownership Moves (Australia): Singtel confirmed it is in discussions to sell a stake in Optus, while stressing talks are not guaranteed, as the carrier faces heightened regulatory and reputational pressure after emergency-call failures. Digital Payments (Egypt): Sahl and Klivvr integrated installment payments into the Sahl mobile app, expanding BNPL-style options for recurring utility and consumer services. Cyber & Critical Infrastructure (US): The FBI’s Operation Winter SHIELD shared best-practice guidance for healthcare organizations to reduce cyber risk and improve resilience. Connectivity & Industry Events (India/Pacific): India Mobile Congress 2026 theme launch targets 100 crore 5G users by 2030 and a telecom manufacturing zone in Gwalior; in the Pacific, the Pacific Fibre Conference 2026 focuses on fibre foundations for the AI era. Mobile Use & Social Impact (UK): A Virgin Media O2 survey says many children feel parents’ phone use steals family time, adding pressure for better digital habits.

Fake BTS Scam Crackdown (Malaysia): The Malaysian regulator MCMC says it busted a syndicate in Johor Bahru using a fake base transceiver station to blast scam-link SMS messages, charging a 32-year-old under communications law. TCP Testing for Telecom/Data Centers (US): GL Communications promoted ExpertTCP, an RFC 6349-based tool to validate end-to-end TCP performance beyond typical Layer 2/3 benchmarks. Copper Theft Surge (Canada): Bell reported 993 copper theft and vandalism incidents in Jan–Jun 2026, up 78%, warning outages can hit phone, internet, TV and emergency access. AI Talent for Telecom (Azerbaijan): Azercell and ADA University launched the AI4Real Bootcamp to train students on practical AI, including telecom use cases. 6G Geopolitics (US/Global): Analysts say a US-led 6G alliance faces short-term hurdles as it tries to counter Beijing’s growing influence in next-gen standards. Starlink Enters Iraq (Iraq): Iraq’s regulator says Starlink has begun commercial service, aiming to boost connectivity in underserved areas. Consumer Scam Call Protection (US): Rep. Eric Sorensen’s QUIET Act push targets AI-generated robocalls and robotext fraud with higher penalties. Mobile Fraud Governance (Bangladesh): Bangladesh’s minister dismissed Nagad sale rumours as baseless and urged verification while highlighting a revenue-share handover. BT Office Closure Pressure (UK): Liverpool BT staff and the CWU protested planned city-centre office closures tied to redundancies and relocation plans.

Disaster-Ready Alerts: Fiji and UNDP are running a CAP workshop to strengthen Fiji’s multi-hazard early warning system, bringing telecoms, broadcasters and agencies into interoperable, standards-based alerting. Public Accountability: Kenya’s PS for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Stephen Isaboke told parliament on asset-tracking and land-management reforms to improve transparency and stewardship. Spectrum & Security: US lawmakers warned that China’s Wi‑Fi push could shape global spectrum rules at WRC‑27, urging a unified US position with allies. Emergency Comms Testing: Australia’s AusAlert cell-broadcast test showed promise but also gaps in phone reach and message consistency, highlighting what “gold standard” delivery must cover. Network Growth & Finance: Pakistan’s PTCL reported 62% YoY consolidated revenue growth on fixed broadband and enterprise gains after Ufone/Telenor amalgamation; Zimbabwe’s Econet InfraCo said it added 90 base stations and expanded AI and solar investments. Fraud & Scams: US state AGs backed stronger FCC KYC rules to curb robocalls and scam texts; Canada’s OPP flagged a Bell Canada “installation” email scam that hijacks computers. Infrastructure & Compliance: Fiji’s environment ministry declined Google’s Natadola cable landing beach-manholes/conduit plan over consultation and survey gaps, while also clarifying it’s not a hyperscale data centre. Tech & Standards: South Korea certified its first Wi‑Fi HaLow product for procurement-ready sub‑GHz IoT.

Shared Infrastructure Push (Malaysia): Melaka plans 1,000 shared fibre poles by year-end via KUM, aiming to cover 5,000+ homes and cut pole duplication and resident disruption. Operator Growth & Investment (Africa/Europe): Orange reported record H1 growth, with revenue up 3.5% and EBITDAaL up 5.0%, driven by Africa & Middle East and France. Sustainability + Network Build (Ghana): MTN Ghana targets net zero by 2040 and will invest $1.1bn over three years, including $380m in 2026, to expand coverage and resilience. Mobile Money Scale (Ghana): Mobile money hit 954m transactions worth GHS492.9bn in June, with 84.6m registered accounts and 1m agents. Subsea Connectivity (Asia): China Mobile’s SEA-H2X cable enters commercial service, while SHV-HK lands in Hong Kong, boosting cross-border cloud routing. Wholesale Voice Deal (Philippines): E& wholesale will manage Globe’s international voice traffic as Globe’s preferred partner. Fraud Defense (Canada): Bell rolls out AI to detect and flag spoofed calls, building on its suspicious-call blocking. Energy-Telecom Link (Nigeria): NCC and REA sign an MoU to expand digital infrastructure using renewable power. Digital Inclusion (Zimbabwe): POTRAZ trained 769 people with disabilities in ICT skills to bridge the digital divide. Public Safety Comms (US): MicroAutomation and Sanas partner to translate calls in real time for 911 dispatchers. Media Operations (Uganda): Taifa Group clears the way for Nation Media Group to resume operations in Uganda. AI Pricing for Telcos (Global): Tecnotree is recognized in Gartner Hype Cycle reports for CSP algorithmic pricing. Network Security (UK): Government opens an £8bn tactical comms framework to industry. Emergency Alerts (Jordan): Jordan begins testing a national mobile emergency alert system. Data Center Demand (Global): Edge data centers are projected to surge to $131.18bn by 2035 as AI and 5G drive low-latency needs.

US-China Telecom Security: The Trump administration plans $175.8m to replace ageing undersea cables in the Caribbean and Central America, aiming to block China’s influence over critical infrastructure. Rural Connectivity via Satellites: Argentina’s Enacom and Starlink will supply satellite kits for 6,000 rural schools, with service costs later covered through the Universal Service Fund. Mobile Coverage Expansion (Africa): Malawi will build more mobile towers in Balaka, Nkhata Bay, Thyolo and Chitipa using its Universal Service Fund, while Alaska’s GCI expands LTE/5G along major highways. Wholesale Fiber Growth: LiveOak Fiber selected Connectbase tools to accelerate wholesale sales and network planning across Georgia and Florida. Operator/Investor Moves: Nigeria’s AMCON begins seeking strategic investors for NTEL after restructuring, and Mexico’s Totalplay reports Q2 results tied to fiber subscriber growth. AI in Customer Service: Greece’s telecom and banking sectors are deploying generative AI assistants to handle large volumes of customer queries. Legal/Work Pay: An AT&T Illinois technician lawsuit targets unpaid pre- and post-shift work duties.

Emergency Alerts Rollout: Saudi Arabia’s NCSCM tested its National Early Warning System by sending Arabic and English mobile alert messages with an audible chime, running through Aug. 2, to check readiness for crises. Regulation & Permits: Oman’s TRA opened a public consultation on draft telecom permit rules covering everything from network construction and last-mile services to information security. Spectrum Planning: South Africa’s ICASA published its IMT Roadmap 2026 and draft implementation plans for spectrum management through 2030+ to expand broadband and cut the digital divide. Consumer Data Rules Clash: South Africa’s EFF slammed MTN and Vodacom for taking ICASA to court over regulations that protect unused data/voice/SMS via rollover. Network Resilience & Fiber Protection: Nigeria’s EdoICTA urged tighter coordination among government, operators, regulators, and communities to reduce fiber cuts and improve FTTH rollout standards. Critical Infrastructure Theft: In the US, three people were arrested for stealing about 1,200 feet of AT&T copper cable in Monroe County, causing a service interruption. Global 6G Security Push: The Trump administration reportedly plans a 24-nation 6G alliance with trusted allies to develop secure networks and counter China’s telecom influence. Critical Communications Industry: Pakistan’s Rapidev became the first Pakistani company to join TCCA, aiming to advance mission-critical communications via open standards.

Emergency Alerts Upgrade (Australia): Australia is running the first nationwide test of AusAlert, a cell-broadcast public warning system that can override silent modes and geolocate alerts down to 160 metres, with rollout planned for October 2026. Open RAN in Ukraine (Rakuten Symphony): Rakuten Symphony won a METI grant to deliver a cloud-native Open RAN environment in Ukraine, with Rakuten Mobile as a key partner for validation in 4G and expansion to 4G/5G. AI Regulation Shift (Global): Omdia says AI rules will only work if enforcement is credible, highlighting penalties and sanctions as governments move from strategy to action. AI Infrastructure to Production (Aolani & Rafay): Aolani and Rafay announced an NVIDIA DSX OS deployment on NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 to help turn AI infrastructure into production-ready platforms. FTTH Push (Japan): Furukawa Electric and Vecima Networks partnered to supply next-gen FTTH access products, including 10G-EPON and a roadmap toward 50G-PON. Africa Connectivity Policy (GSMA/ATU): GSMA backed the Abuja Ministerial Declaration on Meaningful Connectivity, while Nigeria’s NCC and REA signed an MoU to power telecom towers with renewables. Nigeria Legacy Telco Divestment (AMCON/NTEL): AMCON reiterated plans to divest NTEL/NATCOM via a structured process aimed at attracting strategic investors. Rural Internet Pressure (New Zealand): ISPs urged a formal market study over Starlink’s impact on rural connectivity economics and national resilience. Mobile Money Growth (Airtel Africa): Airtel Africa reported strong Q1 growth driven by data demand and mobile money expansion. Network Retail Reinvention (Globe & KDDI): Globe partnered with KDDI to reinvent Philippine retail experiences with recurring digital services. Digital Insurance Verification (Sri Lanka): HUTCH Enterprise launched a nationwide vehicle insurance verification service via *1338# and SMS, removing the need for physical certificates. Power for Data Centres (Thailand): Thailand approved bank guarantees and a separate tariff framework for large data centres to curb power hoarding and manage grid investment. Rural Broadband Affordability (New Mexico): New Mexico PRC is starting rulemaking for LITAP, offering monthly broadband discounts up to $30 (and $70 on Tribal lands).

Telecom Security Disruption: A telecom tower in Balochistan’s Harnai was attacked, knocking out PTCL landlines, DSL broadband and Ufone mobile service while repair timelines remain unclear. Network Pricing Pressure: South Sudan operators MTN, Zain and Digitel will raise call and data bundle tariffs from tonight under the second tariff exchange-rate adjustment, citing energy, inflation and currency pressures. Regulatory/Consumer Rights: Bangladesh’s High Court asked authorities to explain excessive mobile financial service charges and whether a separate MFS law is needed for consumer protection. AI + 5G Rollouts: Zain Bahrain, with Ericsson, says it has deployed AI capabilities in its live 5G radio network, aiming for smarter, adaptive operations. Digital Connectivity Diplomacy: Lebanon’s PM Nawaf Salam met Iraqi leaders and included Telecommunications Minister Charles Hajj, pushing regional connectivity projects across energy, telecom and transport. Africa AI for Languages: Nigeria, Kenya, Togo, Namibia and Benin launched ATLAS Umoja AI for African-language AI under the Abuja “Meaningful Connectivity” declaration. Market/Platform Moves: Cellcom will bundle HBO Max Standard with Cellcom TV+ and fiber plans in Israel, while Meta rolled out a free Facebook Verified badge via selfie verification.

TSTT Board Shake-Up: Trinidad and Tobago’s TSTT has lost a second director in three weeks, leaving just three board members after Nadira Parbhudial resigned due to frequent overseas travel, following Kyle Maloney’s July 3 departure. Red Sea Connectivity Risks: Yemen’s Houthis say they fired missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia after strikes on Hodeida, with claims targeting Aramco facilities in Yanbu and Jizan—another reminder that telecom and maritime infrastructure sit in the same high-stakes corridor. Security Vetting Under Scrutiny (Nigeria): A retired DSS official alleges Isa Pantami’s 2021 communications appointment exposed gaps in Nigeria’s security vetting, citing concerns over past statements tied to extremist groups and arguing political considerations overrode security advice. Digital Government Push (Kuwait): Kuwait’s communications ministry signed an MoU with stc’s E-Portal to expand digital government services via the Sahel unified app, aiming to streamline citizen journeys. Network Resilience Disrupted by Weather (India): Floods and landslides in Mokokchung damaged roads and telecom links, but authorities report telecom connectivity has been restored and is being monitored. Fiber Infrastructure Supply (FTTH): Carefiber promotes integrated FTTH hardware and certified fiber patch cords for global deployments, pitching reduced multi-vendor integration risk.

Middle East Escalation: Houthis fired missiles and drones at Saudi oil facilities in Yanbu and Jizan as Saudi-led coalition airstrikes hit Houthi sites in Yemen’s Hodeidah, with reports also pointing to damage to telecom facilities—raising risks for Red Sea shipping and regional connectivity. Africa Connectivity Push: ATU member states adopted the 2026 Abuja Declaration on Meaningful Connectivity, targeting cheaper internet, affordable smartphones and stronger consumer protection and cybersecurity, while electing Zambia’s Kezias Mwale as ATU Secretary-General. Bangladesh Telecom & Digital Infrastructure: Bangladesh is moving ahead with an indoor airport telecom build at HSIA Terminal 3 using Active DAS with small cells and Wi‑Fi for seamless 4G and future 5G coverage. Regulation & Fraud Controls: Bangladesh’s BTRC fined Grameenphone Tk 18.4 lakh over 184 connections tied to illegal VoIP international call termination. Enterprise Telecom Market: Econet expanded network coverage in Lesotho with new towers to boost digital inclusion. AI & Semiconductors: NVIDIA and SK Group announced a $500B+ AI and semiconductor partnership, while Bangladesh opened a semiconductor symposium positioning chips as a next growth engine.

Public Safety Networks: South Dakota’s SDLETS director Kelli Erickson was elected President of NLETS, putting a state leader at the helm of the secure exchange of criminal justice and public safety data across the US and internationally. Red Sea Connectivity Under Fire: Saudi-led strikes in Yemen’s Hodeidah followed attacks on Saudi shipping, with Houthi-aligned reports saying telecommunications facilities were hit and Kamaran Island targeted—raising fears of escalation across the region’s critical maritime routes. AI Infrastructure Push: Pakistan inaugurated the Sky47 Karakorum-01 AI-ready data centre, billed as carrier-neutral and built to boost secure computing capacity for AI and high-performance workloads. Telecom Policy & Competition: Independent carriers TekSavvy and others urged Canada’s CRTC to cut wholesale internet rates, while regulators and competition authorities continued focusing on digital-market enforcement and algorithmic pricing concerns. Mobile Access & Fraud: Pakistan’s PTA moved against illegal SIM sales and network quality issues, while separate reports highlighted ongoing scams and calls for stronger consumer protections.

Enterprise Connectivity: Verizon signed a $1B+ deal with Google for dark fiber to support Google’s expanding AI and cloud data-center network, underscoring how fiber backbones are becoming core infrastructure for AI growth. Rural Broadband Buildout: Alaska’s Matanuska Telecom Association confirmed a $108M BEAD award to extend fiber to 10,000+ homes and businesses, despite Alaska’s long distances, permitting hurdles and weather-driven construction risk. Network Reliability & Regulation: Lithuania’s telecom regulator RRT approved new rules pushing providers to warn users faster about disruptions and improve restoration readiness. Mobile Governance & Fraud Controls: Pakistan’s PTA ordered operators to fully enforce SIM sale and activation rules, with biometric checks and accountability for illegal channels. Internet Shutdowns Under Fire (India): India’s Software Freedom Law Center moved Delhi High Court to challenge mobile internet suspensions around Jantar Mantar during the NEET protest, arguing the shutdown powers are overly coercive. Security & Infrastructure Protection: Police in Pasay arrested suspects for cutting PLDT aerial copper cable, highlighting ongoing risks from cable theft and illegal tapping. AI & Sovereign Digital Tech: Cognizant and Thailand’s Gulf Edge announced a partnership to accelerate enterprise AI adoption using sovereign digital infrastructure.

Africa Connectivity Gap: Nigeria’s telecom leaders say nearly one billion Africans are still offline even where broadband exists, pointing to affordability, devices, digital skills, trust, and locally relevant services as the real blockers. Regional Telecom Resilience: India’s DoT activated intra-circle roaming in rain-hit J&K, Assam and Nagaland to keep mobile service running during network disruptions. Network Security: Singapore is tightening OT cybersecurity with a “lock down, find first, fix fast” plan after coordinated telecom operator targeting earlier this year. Regulation & Data Sovereignty: India also barred telecom infrastructure providers from sharing data outside the country, requiring network data and logs to stay in-country. Satellite & Space Tech: Taiwan eased rules for foreign telecom satellite ownership, eyeing Starlink-style connectivity, while China unveiled an in-orbit AI computing satellite network. Market & Policy Pressure: Canada’s independent ISPs asked the CRTC to fix wholesale fibre rates they say make competition impossible. Public Safety Tech: Spain’s “5G Emergencias” program will test mission-critical 5G using Crosscall’s CORE-Z5 for crisis coordination.

Network Shutdowns & Public Safety: India ordered mobile internet shutdowns in central Delhi around Jantar Mantar as student protests escalated, with connectivity patchy and calls/messages disrupted. Identity & Biometric Rules: Ghana told banks, telcos, hospitals and schools to stop using Ghana Card photocopies and move to biometric authentication by Nov. 2, 2026; Indonesia hit 10 million biometric SIM registrations. 5G Rollout: Zain KSA launched Saudi Arabia’s first commercial 5G-Advanced service in Riyadh and Jeddah using 600 MHz spectrum. Telco Security & Fraud: UNODC warned Southeast Asia scam networks have fused into transnational “service” ecosystems, with 2025 losses estimated at $88.3B–$114.1B. Industry Watch: Nokia reported higher Q2 sales and profit driven by AI and cloud demand. Quantum & Post-Quantum: DigiCert found only 7% of orgs have deployed quantum-safe or hybrid certificates, despite broad planning. Fiber Expansion: Kinetic boosted Lexington fiber by ~23% in 12 months, adding 2,800 locations for 15,000 homes.