Today’s telecom news includes announcements on Huawei facing federal charges, India on satellite spectrum pricing, Brookfield’s stake in Oman Tower, SK Telecom, among others.
Huawei Faces Federal Charges as It Shifts Focus to Semiconductor Innovation
A U.S. judge ruled that Huawei Technologies must face a 16-count federal indictment, rejecting the company’s attempt to dismiss the charges. The indictment includes racketeering, wire and bank fraud, and theft of trade secrets. The U.S. accuses Huawei and its subsidiaries of conducting business with Iran and North Korea, violating U.S. sanctions, and helping Iran with surveillance during 2009 protests. Huawei disputes the charges. In response to U.S. sanctions limiting access to critical components, Huawei is developing its own semiconductor technology and expanding into sectors like healthcare and manufacturing, ABC News reports.
TRAI to Decide Satellite Spectrum Pricing Amid Telecom Industry Concerns
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) will decide on satellite spectrum allocation within months. The government plans to allocate satellite spectrum administratively, not through auctions, as satellite spectrum is shared and different from terrestrial spectrum. Pricing for satellite spectrum will be set by TRAI. Telecom companies Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, through the Cellular Operators Association of India, have raised concerns about low satellite spectrum fees. They argue that the fees favor satellite internet providers like Starlink and call for pricing parity between satellite and terrestrial spectrum when serving the same customers. The final decision on satellite spectrum pricing and allocation is expected from TRAI in the coming months, CNBC TV18 reports.
Brookfield Acquires Major Stake in Oman Tower Company
Brookfield Asset Management acquired a majority stake in Oman Tower Company (OTC), a telecom tower operator in Oman. OTC manages over 2,400 telecom sites across the country, supporting network coverage and Oman’s national telecom ecosystem. Brookfield’s investment brings expertise and innovation, positioning OTC as a key player in digital infrastructure in the region. The deal is part of Brookfield’s strategy to expand its presence in the Middle East, aligning with Oman’s economic diversification and digital transformation efforts.
SK Telecom Accelerates AI & 5G Growth with Bold Investments and Global Partnerships
Allspring Global Investments Holdings increased its stake in SK Telecom by 1.7 percent in Q1 2025, holding 1,062,667 shares valued at $22.52 million. SK Telecom is advancing AI and telecom by partnering with Perplexity AI to offer a generative AI-based search engine, providing an alternative to Google and Naver. The company increased its 5G subscriber base by 10.5 percent year-over-year, reaching 16.57 million subscribers, with 73 percent of total handset subscribers using 5G. SK Telecom is developing ‘Aster (A*)’, an AI-driven personal assistant aimed at global users. It is implementing an AI Pyramid Strategy with a two-track approach to strengthen AI capabilities and collaborate with global partners to become a global AI company.
TelecomLead.com News Desk
