Today’s telecom news includes announcements on Fraudulent SIM in India, Lightera, AT&T Stadium Network, Gwalior Telecom Manufacturing Zone, and others.
DoT Warns Against Fraudulent SIM Issuance
India’s Department of Telecommunications has warned citizens against fraudulent SIM issuance, misuse of telecom identifiers and IMEI tampering. Violations under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 can attract imprisonment of up to three years and fines of up to ₹50 lakh. The advisory follows an investigation into a Point of Sale agent who allegedly activated 25 mobile connections using citizens’ identification documents without their knowledge. The DoT and telecom operators blacklisted the agent and deactivated connections that failed re-verification. Citizens have been advised to avoid transferring SIM cards registered in their names and regularly check connections through the Sanchar Saathi platform.
Gwalior Telecom Manufacturing Zone Attracts ₹5,500 Crore Investment
India’s proposed Telecom Manufacturing Zone in Gwalior has attracted investment commitments totaling ₹5,500 crore from 24 companies. The project is being positioned as Asia’s first telecom manufacturing zone and will cover telecom equipment, optical fibre, mobile devices, research and development, and 5G and 6G technologies. The initiative is expected to create substantial employment while strengthening domestic telecom manufacturing and supply chains. The government is also holding investor meetings, including in Bengaluru, to attract additional companies and investment. Phase I has received ₹493 crore in central funding support, while Madhya Pradesh has allocated about 170 acres for the development.
Lightera to Nearly Triple Submarine Optical Fiber Capacity by 2029
Lightera has announced a major capital investment to expand submarine optical-fiber manufacturing in Denmark and the United States, responding to rising demand from hyperscalers, cloud infrastructure and global communications networks. The expansion will nearly triple Lightera’s submarine fiber manufacturing capacity by 2029 at facilities in Brøndby, Denmark, and Norcross, Georgia. Lightera is also preparing to commercialise multicore fiber, with initial submarine deployments expected during 2029–2030. The technology is designed to significantly increase transmission capacity of future subsea networks. Lightera said submarine fiber is typically purchased about one year before cable deployment, giving the company visibility into future network demand from cable manufacturers and hyperscale customers.
AT&T Stadium Network Uses 261 Miles of Fiber and Nearly 1,000 Antennas for 100,000+ Fans
AT&T and the Dallas Cowboys have extended their technology partnership, with AT&T continuing to operate the connectivity infrastructure at AT&T Stadium. The venue uses more than 261 miles of fiber and nearly 1,000 antennas, supporting connectivity when more than 100,000 people gather for major events. New 2026 capabilities include AI-powered fan applications, augmented and mixed-reality experiences, connected video and smarter stadium navigation. AT&T is also introducing Turbo Live, providing reserved high-priority network access inside the stadium, including for customers of other mobile operators. The deployment demonstrates the increasing density of fiber and radio infrastructure required to support mobile traffic, operational systems and real-time digital services at large venues.