Today’s telecom news includes announcements on Huawei, Cellnex, Axian Telecom, Cisco, Bouygues Telecom, Iliad’s Free, Orange, among others.

Huawei Powers Next-Gen Networks with AI WAN Upgrade
Huawei introduced an upgraded AI WAN solution with AI-centric architecture to support carrier growth. The solution includes a three-layer AI-centric structure: devices, connections, and an AI brain, enabling carriers to shift toward Net5.5G networks. It allows application-level monetization through identification and profiling of traffic and services and supports private lines, flow-level congestion control, and edge-cloud collaborative computing to meet enterprise demands and improve ARPU. Security features include fault isolation, configuration verification, and quantum-resistant encryption across devices and network layers. Operations and maintenance are enhanced through proactive network protection and automated diagnosis.
Cellnex Streamlines Operations with €391 Million French Data Center Sale
Spanish telecom tower infrastructure company Cellnex has agreed to sell its 99.99 percent stake in Towerlink France to Vauban Infra Fibre for €391 million ($458 million). The sale will be completed in cash and is part of Cellnex’s plan to divest non-core assets and strengthen its financial position. Cellnex has previously sold its Austrian operations for €803 million and its Irish unit for €971 million, Reuters reports.
€17B French Telecom Deal Could Shake Up EU Market
Bouygues Telecom, Iliad’s Free, and Orange launched a €17 billion ($19.7 billion) bid to acquire most of SFR’s assets, potentially reducing France’s telecom operators from four to three. SFR parent Altice rejected the offer, but bidders plan talks with shareholders. EU antitrust rules have limited mergers that reduce operators to maintain competition, but recent reports suggest easing restrictions to allow larger scale and compete with U.S. and Chinese firms. The European Commission would review any deal, focusing on competition and infrastructure access, with a first-stage review lasting 25 days and possible extensions. The French government, as Orange’s largest investor, may influence discussions, including on job protection. France currently has four operators; SFR has 19 million mobile and 6 million fiber customers, Reuters reports.
Shafana Fazal