The latest telecom news includes announcements on iBASIS, Telstra, DoT’s Sanchar Saathi platform, spectrum auction in UK, Ericsson, among others.
iBASIS Expands Asia-Pacific Reach with Telstra Deal
iBASIS has signed an agreement with Telstra Group to acquire wholesale voice, mobile, and messaging customer contracts from Telstra International, with the deal expected to close by the end of 2025. Through this acquisition, iBASIS will expand into the Australia and New Zealand markets and strengthen its presence in the Asia-Pacific region. The agreement also grants iBASIS exclusive rights to manage international wholesale voice services for Digicel Pacific, covering Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Nauru.
Telecom Crackdown: 2 Crore Fraudulent Connections Blocked, Spoof Calls Plunge 97 percent
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has blocked more than 2 crore fraudulent mobile connections, leading to a 97 percent drop in spoof calls. The Sanchar Saathi platform played a central role in detecting and disconnecting suspicious connections, while the Digital Intelligence Platform enabled banks and financial institutions to share data on fraudulent activities. Artificial intelligence was used to disconnect 78 lakh fake mobile connections and 71,000 fraudulent points of sale. DoT also introduced the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator, developed with partners, to identify risky mobile numbers linked to scams, IANS reports.
UK Telecoms Race to Secure 5.4 GHz mmWave Spectrum for Next-Gen 5G
UK telecom operators will bid for 5.4 GHz of mmWave spectrum in an Ofcom auction scheduled for September 16–17, 2025. The auction covers 68 areas, including cities and major venues, to expand 5G network capacity. The spectrum is in the 26 GHz and 40 GHz bands. This allocation allows operators to increase mobile data speeds and network capacity, especially in areas with high user demand. The mmWave spectrum supports the deployment of 5G services and enables testing of new technologies on high-frequency bands. Adoption depends on device compatibility and network infrastructure.
Spain Pushes Mobile Operators to Prevent Blackouts with Backup Infrastructure
The Spanish government launched a public consultation to increase demands on mobile operators following a nationwide blackout on April 28, 2025, which left many users without mobile coverage. The goal is to establish security and operational requirements for operators’ networks to ensure continued connectivity during outages. Operators are exploring investments in backup infrastructure, including alternative power supplies and redundant systems, to prevent future service interruptions. Challenges include technological limits of batteries and space restrictions on antenna installations.
Drei Austria Boosts 5G and IoT with Ericsson Core Upgrade
Drei Austria has partnered with Ericsson to upgrade its core network, focusing on 5G capabilities and digital services. The project involves deploying Ericsson’s cloud-native dual-mode 5G core, which enables unified 4G and 5G operations. AI-driven automation will manage network operations, improving efficiency and scalability. The upgrade supports use cases such as network slicing and massive IoT connectivity, enabling sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics to expand digital services.
Shafana Fazal
