Today’s telecom news includes announcements on Bangladesh Mobile Networks, MTS, MegaFon, Beeline, Mafab Communications, MTN Nigeria, among others.
Telecom Equipment Theft Disrupts Bangladesh Mobile Networks
Bangladesh’s mobile operators are facing growing theft of telecom infrastructure, disrupting services and increasing network replacement costs. Industry data shows that around 16,000 meters of power cables, more than 2,000 batteries, over 500 remote radio units and hundreds of BTS cards have been stolen from mobile tower sites during the past 20 months. Between January and August 2026 alone, operators reported 7,964 meters of stolen power cables, 194 RRUs, 170 BTS cards and 756 batteries. The Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh has sought stronger action from the regulator and law-enforcement agencies. Operators say stolen equipment can cause prolonged outages because specialized components are not always immediately available for replacement, affecting customer connectivity and emergency communications.
Russia Orders LTE Coverage for Settlements with More Than 2,000 Residents
Russia has introduced requirements for mobile operators to provide LTE connectivity across settlements with populations exceeding 2,000 residents. The measure applies to major operators including MTS, MegaFon and Beeline and is intended to expand high-speed mobile coverage beyond larger urban centers. The requirement places greater emphasis on extending modern mobile infrastructure to populated areas that may still have limited LTE access. Operators will need to address coverage gaps and deploy or upgrade network infrastructure to meet the new connectivity requirements. The move could increase demand for radio equipment, transmission infrastructure and supporting network investments as operators work to expand LTE availability across smaller Russian settlements and improve access to mobile broadband services.
Mafab Reportedly Seeks to Transfer 5G Spectrum to MTN Nigeria
Mafab Communications is reportedly seeking to transfer its 5G spectrum holdings to MTN Nigeria, potentially reshaping spectrum ownership in Nigeria’s mobile market. The reported transaction involves Mafab’s 100 MHz block in the 3.5 GHz band, which it acquired for $273.6 million in the 2021 5G auction, along with a reported 2×20 MHz holding in the 2.1 GHz band. Neither Mafab nor MTN has confirmed the transaction, while approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission would be required. If completed, MTN could hold 200 MHz in the 3.5 GHz band. Mafab launched its Mcom service in 2023 but has not achieved significant market scale, while 5G accounted for less than five percent of Nigerian mobile connections in July.
