The latest telecom news includes announcements from Eutelsat, OneWeb LEO Broadband, MTS, MegaFon, Beeline, Mafab, MTN Nigeria, and others.
Eutelsat Tests OneWeb LEO Broadband on Polish Train at 160 km/h
Eutelsat has completed a live OneWeb low-Earth-orbit satellite connectivity trial aboard a PKP Intercity passenger train in Poland, testing service while the train travelled at speeds of up to 160 km/h. The test covered the Kozłów–Warszawa–Tczew route and used a Kymeta Kestrel u5 flat-panel antenna installed on the train to maintain communication with moving LEO satellites. ACO Solutions managed the technical deployment, with Hispasat participating as a distribution partner. The trial represents an operational assessment of OneWeb connectivity on Poland’s national rail infrastructure. LEO satellite broadband could supplement terrestrial mobile coverage along rail corridors, particularly where continuous 4G/5G coverage is difficult, while also supporting operational communications and connected railway applications.
Russia Orders LTE Coverage for Settlements With More Than 2,000 Residents
Russia has introduced new mobile-coverage requirements obligating major operators including MTS, MegaFon and Beeline to provide LTE connectivity to settlements with populations above 2,000. The requirement is expected to drive additional radio-site deployments, upgrades and transmission investment in smaller population centres that remain outside strong mobile-broadband coverage. Extending LTE into lower-density settlements typically requires operators to balance tower, spectrum, backhaul and power costs against smaller subscriber populations, making regulatory coverage obligations an important driver of rural network investment. The programme will also allow operators to make greater use of existing spectrum and infrastructure as mobile usage shifts away from legacy technologies. The measure strengthens Russia’s broader effort to extend higher-speed mobile broadband beyond large cities and regional centres.
Mafab Seeks Transfer of 100 MHz 3.5 GHz Spectrum to MTN Nigeria
Mafab Communications is reportedly seeking regulatory approval to transfer its 100 MHz block of 3.5 GHz spectrum to MTN Group’s Nigerian operation. Mafab acquired the spectrum for $273.6 million in Nigeria’s 2021 5G auction and reportedly also controls 2×20 MHz in the 2.1 GHz band. If approved, the transaction could give MTN Nigeria as much as 200 MHz of 3.5 GHz spectrum, substantially strengthening its mid-band capacity for 5G expansion. Mafab launched commercial services under the Mcom brand in 2023 but has struggled to achieve significant scale. 5G accounted for less than 5 percent of Nigerian mobile connections in July 2026, leaving substantial room for network expansion.
