Today’s telecom news includes announcements on Ericsson, Verizon, Eutelsat, Rohde & Schwarz, among others.
Ericsson & Verizon Take Private 5G Global: Enterprise Networks Go Borderless
Ericsson has announced that its Private 5G solution is available for Verizon Business private networks in international markets, strengthening the companies’ long-standing collaboration in enterprise connectivity. The expansion enables multinational enterprises to deploy secure, high-performance private 5G networks across sites outside the U.S., supporting industrial use cases such as automation, real-time analytics, and mission-critical communications. The offering combines Ericsson’s private network technology with Verizon’s global enterprise reach, allowing more consistent deployment across regions. It is designed to help industries like manufacturing, logistics, energy, and ports improve operational efficiency while maintaining secure, dedicated connectivity. The move reflects growing global demand for private 5G infrastructure as enterprises accelerate digital transformation and adopt advanced industrial applications powered by low-latency, high-reliability networks.
Greater Manchester Police Deploys Rohde & Schwarz Security Scanner to Reduce Strip Searches
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has installed the Rohde & Schwarz QPS201 security scanner at its Longsight Custody Suite, making it the first custody facility in England to use high-resolution millimeter wave scanning technology. The initiative aims to reduce the need for intrusive strip searches while improving safety, efficiency, and detainee dignity.
The contactless scanner is designed to detect concealed weapons, drugs, liquids, powders, and other prohibited items hidden under clothing. Using advanced millimeter wave technology and automated image analysis, the system identifies potential threats without displaying images of the individual. Instead, alerts appear on a standardized digital avatar, protecting privacy.
The QPS201 can distinguish everyday objects such as buttons and zippers from genuine threats, helping custody staff conduct faster, more accurate searches while supporting improved treatment of women and girls.
Eutelsat Secures €350 mn CENTAURE Contract to Strengthen French Military Satellite Communications
Eutelsat has secured a major defence communications contract under France’s strategic NEXUS programme, reinforcing its role in sovereign and secure satellite connectivity. Through the French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA), Eutelsat signed the CENTAURE contract, the first call-off agreement under the €1 billion NEXUS framework established with the French Ministry of the Armed Forces and Veterans in June 2025.
Valued at approximately €350 million and spanning up to eight years, the CENTAURE contract includes an initial firm commitment of €138 million over four years. The agreement covers the provision of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite capacity across key strategic regions for the French Armed Forces, alongside measures to enhance the security of Eutelsat’s OneWeb services.
The contract supports France’s efforts to strengthen resilient, sovereign military communications while preparing for the future European IRIS² constellation. Leveraging the OneWeb network, currently the only global European-operated LEO constellation available for government use, Eutelsat will provide secure, low-latency and globally available connectivity for demanding defence and operational missions.
SHAFANA FAZAL
