The latest telecom news includes announcements from AT&T, EarthLink, Private Wireless RAN, KKR, Telecom Italia, and others.
AT&T Launches Fourth-Generation NBA and WNBA Network Using 68,000 Miles of Fiber Infrastructure
AT&T has launched the fourth generation of its High-Speed Arena Network supporting the NBA and WNBA. Announced on October 19, the upgraded communications infrastructure connects basketball arenas, production facilities and content distribution partners across the United States. The network uses AT&T’s national fiber infrastructure, which includes more than 68,000 miles of fiber supporting the service. The system transports live video, highlights, replays, statistics and operational information between venues and production facilities. AT&T also extended its multiyear connectivity partnership with the basketball leagues. The modernization is intended to support increasing video production and data requirements. The companies did not disclose the new network’s investment value, dedicated bandwidth, equipment suppliers or contract duration.
EarthLink Acquisition Closes, Bringing 500,000 Broadband Customers Under New Ownership
EarthLink has completed its acquisition by an investment consortium comprising WaveDivision Capital, The Pritzker Organization and Stephens Capital Partners, alongside EarthLink management. The October 20 closing represents a new transaction milestone following the acquisition agreement announced on October 15. EarthLink serves more than 500,000 internet and managed-services customers across the United States. Through wholesale relationships with major fiber and 5G operators, its platform can offer fiber broadband to more than 68 million homes. The new owners intend to expand EarthLink’s broadband availability and network-provider partnerships. The business operates primarily through wholesale access rather than owning a comparable nationwide last-mile network. The acquisition price and planned infrastructure investment were not disclosed.
Private Wireless RAN Growth Slows in 2026 as Five Vendors Control 95% of Market
The global private wireless radio access network market recorded mid-single-digit revenue growth in the first half of 2026, slowing from double-digit growth during 2025. Newly released industry research shows that Huawei, Nokia, Ericsson, ZTE and Samsung collectively controlled approximately 95 percent of global private wireless RAN revenue during the period. Huawei ranked first worldwide, while Nokia and Ericsson maintained leading positions outside China. Demand for campus-based private networks has been weaker than expected, prompting downward revisions to market forecasts. However, wide-area private networks serving utilities, transportation and public safety are expanding. Private wireless RAN revenue is now projected to grow at a 10–13 percent compound annual rate over the next five years.
EU Challenges KKR Over €22 Billion Telecom Italia Fiber Network Acquisition
The European Commission has issued formal objections to KKR concerning information supplied during the regulatory review of its €22 billion acquisition of Telecom Italia’s fixed-line network. The transaction was approved in 2024, but regulators subsequently investigated complaints involving wholesale network-access arrangements and pricing. The October 19 development represents a new regulatory milestone rather than a repeat of the original acquisition. The Commission is examining whether KKR provided misleading information about existing long-term agreements with competing telecommunications operators. If the allegations are established, potential penalties could reach 1 percent of KKR’s global annual revenue. KKR disputes the allegations. The proceedings do not automatically invalidate the earlier acquisition approval.
