Today’s telecom news includes announcements on MTN Group, IHS Holding, Sterlite Technologies, data center PON market, among others.
MTN Moves Closer to $6.2 Billion IHS Acquisition Following Shareholder Approval
MTN Group has taken a major step toward acquiring IHS Holding’s operations in a transaction valued at approximately $6.2 billion after securing shareholder approval. The acquisition is expected to strengthen MTN’s infrastructure ownership strategy by expanding its control over telecom tower assets, improving operational efficiency, and reducing long-term network costs. Greater ownership of passive infrastructure is also expected to enhance service quality, accelerate network expansion, and support growing mobile and data demand across key African markets. The deal reflects MTN’s broader strategy to build resilient digital infrastructure while creating long-term value through increased operational control and network investment.
Sterlite Technologies Wins ₹960 Crore Optical Fiber Cable Supply Contract
Sterlite Technologies has secured a ₹960 crore order to supply optical fiber cables, reinforcing its position as a leading telecom network infrastructure provider. The contract supports the continued expansion of high-speed broadband and digital connectivity infrastructure, with optical fiber serving as a critical foundation for 5G deployment and future network upgrades. The order strengthens Sterlite’s domestic business pipeline while highlighting sustained investment in fiber-based telecommunications infrastructure. The project is expected to contribute to faster network rollout, increased broadband capacity, and improved connectivity, supporting India’s digital transformation and growing demand for reliable high-speed communication networks.
Dell’Oro: Data Center PON Market to Grow 52 Percent CAGR Through 2030, 2026 Revenue to Jump 844 Percent
Passive Optical Network (PON) deployments in data centers are set for rapid expansion, with Dell’Oro Group forecasting a 52 percent CAGR in the Data Center PON market between 2026 and 2030. The research firm expects 2026 data center PON equipment revenue to surge 844 percent year over year, driven by hyperscalers adopting point-to-multipoint architectures to reduce cabling complexity and power consumption in out-of-band management networks. Cumulative spending on data center PON equipment is projected to exceed $3 billion during 2026-2030, fueled by hyperscalers, neocloud providers, and colocation operators. Dell’Oro also noted growing enterprise adoption of Passive Optical LAN (POL) and continued deployment of tens of millions of FTTR ONTs by Chinese broadband operators.
SHAFANA FAZAL
