Today’s telecom news includes announcements from Airtel Africa, Starlink, Telus, and others.
India and Sweden Forge Stronger Telecom and Digital Partnership
India and Sweden have strengthened their cooperation in telecommunications and digital transformation, following a high‑level bilateral meeting in New Delhi on 18 February 2026 between India’s Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Sweden’s Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch. The talks set shared priorities on next‑generation connectivity, secure digital infrastructure, innovation, growth and sustainability, with a focus on expanding 5G and advanced use cases across sectors like healthcare, agriculture and smart cities.
Airtel Africa Advances Starlink Satellite Connectivity Rollout
Airtel Africa is moving toward launching satellite‑based connectivity across its 14 African markets, including Kenya, by integrating SpaceX’s Starlink technology into its mobile network pending regulatory approvals. The initiative will enable compatible devices to connect directly to low‑Earth‑orbit satellites, expanding coverage beyond traditional towers and reaching underserved rural areas. Airtel’s CEO highlights this strategy as a way to boost internet access and service quality where terrestrial infrastructure is limited. If approved, this move could provide faster, more reliable connectivity for millions of users and strengthen Airtel’s position in satellite‑enabled mobile services across the continent.
Telus Supercharges Canadian 5G: New Spectrum to Power AI and Enterprise Future
Canadian telecom giant Telus has announced plans to significantly enhance its 5G capabilities following the acquisition of new 3.8 GHz spectrum licenses in British Columbia and Alberta. While the company’s 5G network already reaches 90 percent of the Canadian population, this additional mid-band spectrum is set to provide critical localized capacity and faster speeds in both urban and rural areas. In the short term, Telus intends to use the frequency to manage high-traffic events, but long-term goals focus on enterprise and AI-driven applications. The expansion will support mission-critical services, including private wireless networks, industrial automation, and public safety communications.
Ethiopia Goes Next-Gen: Ethio Telecom Drops teleStream and Zero-Touch Tech!
Ethio Telecom has officially launched two major digital platforms, teleStream and Zero-Touch Broadband, as part of its Next Horizon: Digital & Beyond 2028 strategy. teleStream is an internet-based streaming service that leverages 4G, 5G, and fiber infrastructure to provide over 60 live channels and 350 video-on-demand titles. By hosting content locally on the telecloud, the service reduces dependency on expensive foreign satellite leasing and enhances streaming quality for households across the country. Simultaneously, the Zero-Touch Digital System fully automates fixed broadband delivery, allowing users to request services, manage accounts, and report faults directly via the telebirr SuperApp. These combined innovations aim to accelerate national digital inclusion and create new economic opportunities for local content creators and businesses.
SHAFANA FAZAL