Today’s telecom news includes announcements on Telecom Egypt, 6G standards in India, spectrum auction in Slovakia, 5G in South Korea, Mobily and Ericsson, among others.
Fire at Ramses Central Disrupts Telecom Egypt Services, Restoration Underway
Telecom Egypt restored services after a fire at the Ramses Central building in Cairo, which disrupted fixed broadband and mobile services due to circuit failures. Operations were moved to alternative exchanges to maintain service. Emergency teams followed a crisis management plan to restore services gradually. The fire started in one equipment room of the Ramses switchboard, causing authorities to cut power to the building. Phone calls and internet connectivity dropped to 62 percent of normal levels. The National Telecom Regulatory Authority said services would be restored within hours. The fire was contained before spreading further and is believed to have been caused by an electrical short circuit. The incident injured at least 14 people, Reuters reports.
India Leads Global Push in 6G Telecom Standards and Innovation
India is playing a key role in setting global telecom standards, focusing on 6G technology. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated that India aims to contribute 10% of global 6G patents by 2030. The country is among the top six in filing 6G patents. The World Radiocommunication Conference in 2027 will define 6G protocols, with India proposing issues such as ubiquitous connectivity and equity of access for discussion. To support development, India has set up 100 5G test labs and plans to establish 6G test beds. The Bharat 6G Alliance, with seven working groups, is driving innovation. The government is also emphasizing cybersecurity and aims to make telecom services accessible to all citizens, The Hindu reports.
Slovak Telecom Operators Invest €506M in Key Spectrum Auction to Boost 5G Deployment
Slovakian telecom operators invested €506 million in a spectrum auction covering the 700 MHz, 900 MHz, and 1800 MHz bands. The 700 MHz licenses, key for 5G deployment, are valid until 2040, while the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz licenses expire at the end of 2025. Orange Slovakia, O2 Slovakia, and Slovak Telekom each acquired 2×10 MHz in the 700 MHz band, investing €33.63 million, €32 million, and €32.106 million respectively. The fourth operator, 4ka (SWAN), did not participate in the 700 MHz auction but secured 2×3 MHz in the 1800 MHz band. Operators must cover 95 percent of the population in county towns by 2025, 90 percent outside county towns by 2027, and 70 percent of the overall population by 2027.
Mobily and Ericsson Use AI to Boost Hajj Connectivity in 2025
Mobily partnered with Ericsson to improve connectivity for pilgrims during the 2025 Hajj season in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. This supports Saudi Arabia’s Pilgrim Experience Program to enhance digital services. Mobily uses AI agents to detect network anomalies, propose solutions, and enable automated actions. Ericsson’s Uplink Interference Optimization, tested last year, is a key solution. The AI system includes Explainable AI, allowing review of actions and decisions through reports. The Uplink Interference Optimization module operates autonomously without human intervention based on network and customer data.
South Korea Accelerates 5G Expansion and AI Integration in Telecom Industry
South Korea’s telecom industry is expanding 5G networks with a $2.1 billion investment by SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus under the Korean New Deal. By early 2025, 5G coverage is nearly nationwide, supporting smart cities and IoT applications. The Ministry of Science and ICT allocated KRW 710.2 billion (USD 527 million) to integrate AI across 69 sectors, including telecom. Samsung established seven AI hubs for machine learning and AI chips. SK Telecom invested in AI firm Anthropic and upgraded its AI service. KT promotes AIoT by combining AI with shared kickboard and taxi digital advertising. The IoT market grows by $1.45 billion annually, with LG Uplus securing 2 million remote metering circuits from KEPCO. South Korea aims to commercialize 6G by 2028 under the K-Network 2030 plan, Korea Times reports.
TelecomLead.com News Desk
