Today’s telecom news includes announcements on foldable smartphone, Apple, Huawei, Sceye and SoftBank among others.
Apple and Huawei Prepare for September Foldable Smartphone Battle
Apple and Huawei are preparing to compete directly in the premium foldable smartphone market in September, with Apple expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone on September 9 and Huawei scheduled to introduce a new device on September 7. Foldables currently account for only 1.3 percent of the global smartphone market, but Apple’s entry could significantly accelerate adoption. IDC expects Apple to capture 29.4 percent of foldable smartphone shipments in 2026 and 34.9 percent in 2027. Huawei remains an established competitor, having sold about 470,000 Mate XT units and generated more than $1.3 billion in revenue from the device. The launches could intensify competition in the ultra-premium smartphone segment.
Russia Introduces Cross-Regional Mobile Number Portability
Russia has introduced new rules allowing mobile subscribers to retain their existing phone numbers when moving to another region. Effective September 1, 2026, customers can apply to their telecom operator and keep their number while switching to a local tariff plan, including when changing operators. The measure removes a longstanding geographic restriction on mobile number portability and is intended to make communications services more flexible for consumers who relocate. The Russian government said the reform is aligned with the country’s communications development strategy through 2035. The change could also increase competition among operators by allowing customers to move between regions without losing established mobile numbers, potentially reducing switching barriers.
Sceye and SoftBank Demonstrate HAPS Mobile Broadband Across 15,000 km
Sceye and SoftBank have completed a major High-Altitude Platform System (HAPS) connectivity demonstration, advancing plans to use the stratosphere as an additional layer of telecom infrastructure. Sceye’s Service Test 1 travelled more than 15,000 km from New Mexico to Japan over 13 days, operating at around 16.5 km altitude. The platform connected through SoftBank’s core network and delivered mobile broadband to standard, unmodified devices, including text messaging, voice calls, internet access and video streaming. Tests also covered emergency communications, edge computing and connectivity with drones. Sceye says one commercial HAPS platform is designed to provide coverage equivalent to approximately 500 terrestrial towers, potentially extending mobile networks into remote or underserved areas.
SHAFANA FAZAL