Today’s telecom news includes announcements on Eutelsat, Orange, India’s TRAI, Vodafone Idea’s 5G service, among others.
Eutelsat Expands Satellite Connectivity in Africa with Angola LEO License
Eutelsat Group secured a 15-year license to operate OneWeb’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite services in Angola. An Earth station was established in the Luanda-Bengo Special Economic Zone to connect OneWeb’s satellites with ground networks across Angola and Central Africa. The project was developed with Paratus Group under a 2022 agreement. Eutelsat is also testing 5G over satellite using standard mobile devices and is training local telecom partners to install terminals. Angola joins other African countries with OneWeb ground stations. Eutelsat’s use of both geostationary and LEO satellites supports hybrid connectivity, and partnerships with telecom operators help expand backhaul and enterprise services.
France’s Orange Launches Defence Division
France’s Orange has launched a defence division under its business services arm to support European security. The division will offer secure communications, cyberdefence, and infrastructure support. The move aligns with increased defence investment across Europe and aims to meet growing demand from governments and defence companies. Orange Cyberdefense will play a central role in delivering services. The company is developing quantum-safe networks using quantum key distribution and post-quantum cryptography. Orange partners with satellite operators to ensure connectivity in remote or emergency areas and works on securing undersea cables critical to communications.
TRAI Introduces Real-Time Consent System to Combat Spam in Telecom
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) proposed a system to reduce spam by improving how user consent is managed for commercial communications. This system enables telecom companies and banks to verify user consent in real time before sending calls or messages. The proposal aligns with India’s data protection laws by ensuring consent is obtained through authorized channels, limiting unauthorized data sharing. The telecom industry is innovating by creating real-time consent verification systems, allowing messages and calls only to users who have agreed to receive them.
Vodafone Idea Expands 5G to 23 Cities, Launches New Data Plans and Network Upgrades
Vodafone Idea (Vi) has expanded 5G services to 23 cities, including Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Pune, and Visakhapatnam. The rollout covers 17 circles where Vi holds 5G spectrum rights. Users with 5G devices can access the network as it goes live. Vi offers unlimited 5G data starting at ₹299. Family postpaid plans now allow up to eight members at ₹299 each, with 40GB data per member monthly. Vi is deploying network equipment from Ericsson, Nokia, and Samsung to improve spectrum efficiency, reduce energy use, and optimize network performance. The company is trialing Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and plans to launch a 5G Standalone (SA) network by the end of 2025. Vi is exploring partnerships with enterprises for private networks and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
TelecomLead.com News Desk
