The latest telecom news includes announcements on AT&T, Gigs, China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom, Apple’s iPhone Air, among others.
AT&T and Gigs Redefine Mobile Services Through Embedded Connectivity
Gigs and AT&T announced a collaboration to expand how mobile services are delivered in the United States. Gigs’ OS for mobile enables technology brands to integrate phone plans directly into apps, allowing activation within seconds, in-app management, and AI-based customer support. Klarna is the first company to launch a phone plan through Gigs’ OS on the AT&T network. The partnership allows telecom services to be distributed through apps used for finance, shopping, and work. Instead of traditional marketing channels, phone plans will be offered as part of digital platforms, creating new subscriber growth models for telecom operators and additional revenue options for technology companies.
China’s Telecom Giants Bring eSIM to iPhone Air
China’s three major telecom operators — China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom — will support eSIM functionality on Apple’s iPhone Air. The operators are preparing their networks to allow iPhone users to activate mobile service without a physical SIM card. The availability of eSIM services is pending regulatory approval. Once approved, users will be able to activate multiple mobile plans on a single device and switch operators without changing physical SIM cards, Reuters reports.
Telco Towers Get New Rules: AMC Moves to Streamline Mobile Infrastructure
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has not collected ₹17 crore in rent from mobile phone companies operating 2,200 towers. A standing committee discussed the implementation of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, but officials could not provide clarity on outstanding rent for underground cables or the exact dues owed, including taxes and revenue from mobile towers. AMC plans to implement regulations under the new Act. Permission will be granted to set up mobile towers at designated locations, replacing the previous practice of laying underground cables. A proposal was approved to allow construction of mobile tower foundations and superstructures across municipal limits. Previously, AMC charged 40 percent of the jantri value for 20 years; under the new framework, rent will be levied annually at 15 percent of the jantri rate.
Shafana Fazal
