Today’s telecom news includes announcements on Apple, iPhone Air, Vodafone Outage, Vodafone Idea, Ericsson, e&, Ericsson Nikola Tesla, IPKO and Telekom Kosovo, among others.
China’s iPhone Air Pre-orders Spark eSIM Rollout by Major Telecoms
Apple’s iPhone Air will be available for pre-order in China starting October 17, 2025, after China’s major telecom operators received approval to provide eSIM services. The device, priced from 7,999 yuan ($1,122), is the only model in China to support eSIM, a digital SIM embedded in the phone. China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom received authorization to provide trial eSIM services.
Vodafone Outage Exposes Network Challenges Across UK
On October 13, 2025, Vodafone UK experienced a network outage affecting broadband, 4G, and 5G services. Customers reported disruptions starting around 2 p.m., with services gradually restoring by 6:30 p.m. The outage also affected Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) including Lebara, Asda Mobile, VOXI, and Talkmobile. Despite the disruption, 2G voice calls and SMS messaging continued to function. Vodafone has not disclosed the cause of the outage.
Vodafone Idea AGR Dues Case Pushed to October 27 by Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of India adjourned Vodafone Idea’s (Vi) plea on AGR dues, with the next hearing set for October 27, 2025. Vi is contesting the Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT) demand of ₹5,606 crore for the 2016–17 fiscal year and seeks re-assessment under the 2020 Deduction Verification Guidelines. Vi has also requested a waiver of interest, penalties, and interest on penalties related to these dues. The government, holding nearly 50 percent equity in Vi, is involved in discussions on the operator’s financial situation.
Ericsson and e& Upgrade 5G Network to Power Next-Gen Services
UAE operator e& has partnered with Ericsson to upgrade its 5G core network using Ericsson’s cloud-native technology. The collaboration will support new services including immersive gaming and mission-critical IoT. The network combines Ericsson’s platform with e&’s cloud, enabling 5G capabilities with platform stability through automation and continuous software updates. Ericsson is integrating AI, cloud, and 5G technologies to drive telecom innovation. Its Cognitive Labs explore technologies like Graph Neural Networks and Large-Scale Language Models to improve telecom operations. Partnerships with companies such as stc Group aim to co-create solutions and enhance operational efficiency.
Kosovo Telecoms Upgrade: Ericsson Nikola Tesla Lands €8.5M Deal
Ericsson Nikola Tesla (ENT) signed contracts worth €8.5 million with Kosovo telecom providers IPKO and Telekom Kosovo. The agreements cover modernization, expansion, and maintenance of mobile networks and include digital transformation projects for public administration, hospital IT systems, national and public security, and tourism sectors. ENT will provide technology solutions to improve network coverage and efficiency.
Shafana Fazal