Today’s telecom news includes announcements on GCF, MSSA, NTN technologies, Qualcomm, Apple, among others.
GCF and MSSA Advance Global NTN Certification and Interoperability
The Global Certification Forum (GCF) and Mobile Satellite Services Association (MSSA) have signed a memorandum of understanding to advance certification and interoperability for Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) technologies. The collaboration covers 3GPP NTN 5G NR, direct-to-device connectivity and NTN NB-IoT, with the organizations working on certification requirements, testing frameworks and scalable certification models. The initiative also aims to support interoperability between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks and different satellite constellations. MSSA operators will contribute operational networks for validation and field testing. GCF has already supported NTN NB-IoT certification for GEO satellite systems and is expanding certification work toward LEO and NTN 5G NR technologies.
Qualcomm and Apple Extend Chip Licensing Agreement
Qualcomm and Apple have extended their chip licensing agreement, with the renewed arrangement taking effect on April 1, 2027. The agreement builds on a 2019 settlement that ended a two-year global legal dispute involving wireless patent royalties and modem-chip supply. Under the original settlement, Apple made an undisclosed payment to Qualcomm, the companies dropped litigation worldwide and agreed to a six-year global patent licensing arrangement beginning April 1, 2019. Apple also had an option to extend the license for another two years, which underpins the latest extension. Financial terms of the renewed arrangement were not disclosed. The extension maintains Qualcomm’s licensing relationship with Apple beyond the original agreement period.
Russian Attacks Disrupt Telecommunications Infrastructure in Ukraine
Russian attacks on Ukrainian telecommunications infrastructure have disrupted internet and mobile services, with around 100,000 households in Kyiv and surrounding areas experiencing degraded internet connectivity following attacks on data centers on September 23. Ukraine’s telecommunications regulator warned that further temporary disruptions could occur while damaged infrastructure is repaired. Emergency crews and network providers are working to restore equipment and stabilize services, with operators reporting gradual recovery. The incident highlights the vulnerability of telecommunications infrastructure during the ongoing conflict, particularly data centers and other critical network facilities. Authorities said internet and mobile disruptions could continue as restoration operations proceed across affected areas.
