Today’s telecom news includes announcements on 5G Service expansion from AT&T, Airtel Africa, Nokia, ZTE, XLSMART, among others.
AT&T Expands 5G Service to New York City’s G Subway Line
AT&T, in partnership with Boldyn Networks, has launched 5G cellular service in the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Crosstown G train line tunnels. Riders traveling between Court Square station in Queens and Bedford–Nostrand Avenue station in Brooklyn can now access high-speed mobile connectivity underground.
This rollout builds on the recent activation of AT&T 5G service in the Joralemon Street tunnel, which connects Manhattan’s Bowling Green station to Brooklyn’s Borough Hall station via the 4 and 5 train lines. AT&T’s leadership as the first carrier to go live in both the G line and Joralemon Street tunnel highlights the company’s ongoing collaboration with Boldyn and the MTA to provide seamless wireless coverage across New York City’s subway system.
Indian Telcos Set for 12 percent Tariff Surge to Power 5G Growth
UBS projects Indian telecom operators may increase tariffs by up to 10–12 percent next year to enhance profitability following major 5G investments. The move comes as revenue growth plateaus and companies seek to boost ARPU (average revenue per user) after earlier hikes were absorbed by consumers. The potential revision will primarily affect mid- and high-end plans, aiming to balance rising data demand with sustainable margins. While customers may face slightly higher costs, operators such as Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea are expected to gain stronger cash flows and improved network investments.
Airtel Africa and Nokia Power Next-Gen Fiber Revolution
Airtel Africa have teamed up with Nokia to deploy a high-capacity fiber-optic network via its wholesale arm Telesonic across Central and East Africa. Using Nokia’s 1830 Photonic Service Switch platform, the project delivers up to 38 Tbps capacity, linking terrestrial networks with submarine systems like 2Africa. This innovation-driven investment strengthens digital infrastructure, supports surging mobile and data traffic, and diversifies Airtel’s service portfolio.
ZTE and XLSMART Hit 10,000 Wireless Sites, Powering Indonesia’s Next-Gen Connectivity
ZTE and XLSMART have reached a significant deployment milestone in Indonesia, delivering 10,000 wireless sites under their partnership. This reflects strong investment in expanding national connectivity, improving service performance, and enhancing reliability across urban and remote regions. The collaboration demonstrates a clear customer focus, aiming to provide better experiences for users while leveraging ZTE’s capabilities in large-scale network rollouts and next-generation innovations.
Shafana Fazal