Today’s telecom news includes announcements on Globe Telecom, Starlink, MD7, Huawei, among others.
Globe Telecom and Starlink Make History with Southeast Asia’s First Direct-to-Cell Satellite Network
Globe Telecom has sealed a strategic agreement with Starlink to roll out Southeast Asia’s first Direct-to-Cell (DTC) satellite connectivity service, marking a major advancement in regional mobile communications. The partnership will allow Globe subscribers to access text, voice, and data services directly via satellite using standard LTE smartphones, without the need for specialized devices. Designed to extend coverage beyond traditional cellular networks, the service targets remote, hard-to-reach, and underserved areas across the Philippines. With this move, Globe becomes the second telecom operator in Asia to adopt Starlink’s DTC technology, leveraging its low-Earth orbit satellite constellation to significantly expand mobile network reach.
$100M MD7–Tikehau Deal Signals Strong Push for Long-Term Telecom Infrastructure Stability
MD7 has entered into a $100 million strategic equity partnership with funds managed by Tikehau Star Infra, part of Tikehau Capital, to enhance long-term telecom infrastructure stability in North America. The investment will enable MD7 to accelerate the acquisition and long-term management of critical mobile network assets on behalf of wireless operators. This approach helps operators secure site ownership, improve network planning certainty, and reduce exposure to cost volatility linked to infrastructure ownership changes. By combining MD7’s expertise in digital infrastructure stewardship with Tikehau Star Infra’s long-term investment strategy, the partnership aims to support more resilient and predictable telecom networks at a time of increasing consolidation and evolving connectivity demands.
Huawei Scores Major Win in UK Patent Showdown with TP‑Link
Huawei has secured a key interim victory in its global licensing dispute with TP‑Link in the UK High Court. In a January 30, 2026 judgment, the Court granted an interim licence regime between the parties while they await a full FRAND (Fair, Reasonable and Non‑Discriminatory) trial scheduled for 2027. The judge set the method for calculating TP‑Link’s interim payment by striking a midpoint between the companies’ competing figures, maintaining a non‑refundable US $12 million component and applying interest on amounts covering sales back to 2008.
Shafana Fazal