Today’s telecom news includes announcements on BCE, FirstLight, Comm1, Ribbon Communications, Telia, Ericsson among others.
BCE Increases Capex 49.3 Percent to C$1.33 Billion as Ziply Fiber Investment Reaches C$225 Million
BCE reported on November 5 that third-quarter 2026 capital expenditure increased 49.3 percent to C$1.33 billion, compared with C$891 million a year earlier. The increase included C$225 million invested in Ziply Fiber’s US FTTH expansion, compared with C$128 million in the previous-year quarter. BCE recorded 67,199 residential fiber broadband net additions, bringing residential FTTH subscriptions to 3.70 million, up 2.8 percent annually. Total high-speed internet subscriptions reached 4.94 million. Quarterly revenue increased 2.2 percent to C$6.18 billion. Capital intensity reached 21.5 percent, reflecting higher investment in US fiber infrastructure and Canadian data centers. BCE maintained its 2026 capital intensity guidance of approximately 20 percent.
FirstLight Wins Hyperscaler Fiber Contract, Expands 20,000-Mile Network with New Pennsylvania Route
FirstLight announced on November 5 that it had secured a high-capacity fiber connectivity agreement supporting a major hyperscaler’s expansion in Pennsylvania. The contract includes diverse wavelength transport and dedicated internet access connections. FirstLight operates more than 3,200 route miles of fiber in Pennsylvania, forming part of a 20,000-mile network across the northeastern United States. The project includes additional fiber construction in central Pennsylvania, creating a more direct southern route with new interstate and railway crossings. The infrastructure will improve route diversity and network resilience while supporting future carrier and data-center connectivity requirements. The company did not disclose contract value, additional fiber mileage, transmission speeds or the customer’s identity.
Comm1 Selects Ribbon Communications for Optical Network Modernization and Automated IP Transport
Ribbon Communications announced on November 5 that regional telecommunications operator Comm1 had selected its optical and IP transport technology for network modernization. The deployment will use Ribbon’s Neptune NPT 2100 and NPT 2300 platforms, alongside its Muse Multilayer Automation Platform. The architecture will increase network capacity and support broadband, business connectivity, mobile backhaul and cloud-related traffic. Muse will provide centralized management, alarm monitoring, maintenance capabilities and network automation. The investment extends an existing relationship between the companies and creates a more scalable transport infrastructure for future services. Comm1 has not disclosed the contract value, equipment quantities, installed transmission capacity, affected route kilometers or deployment completion schedule.
Sweden Expands 5G Military Communications Using Telia and Ericsson Network Infrastructure
The Swedish Armed Forces announced plans on November 5 to expand military communications capabilities using advanced 5G technology. The initiative will combine the nationwide network of Telia Company with infrastructure supplied by Ericsson. The architecture will support 5G coverage at military bases, temporary field installations and emergency airbases. Additional equipment could be deployed on amphibious craft, frigates and transport aircraft. The initiative supports Sweden’s participation in NATO’s next-generation military communications development program alongside Finland. The new 5G capabilities will complement existing military networks rather than immediately replace them. Investment value, spectrum allocations, radio-site quantities and deployment deadlines were not disclosed.
