The latest telecom news includes announcements from Nex-Tech Wireless, Ericsson, Elveo Mobile, Apex, ST Engineering iDirect, Datacom, and others.
Nex-Tech Wireless Selects Ericsson for Four-Year 5G Standalone Network Upgrade
Ericsson and Nex-Tech Wireless have signed a four-year network-modernisation agreement covering rural Kansas. The project will upgrade approximately 85 percent of Nex-Tech Wireless’ RAN footprint and expand its cloud-native core to launch 5G Standalone. Ericsson will supply AI-capable RAN Processor 6655 equipment, 4G and 5G SA software and its dual-mode 5G Core running on Cloud Native Infrastructure Solution. The deployment also adds Ericsson’s Telco DataOps Platform for billing and revenue management. Nex-Tech expects higher throughput, lower latency, improved spectral efficiency and new hosting capabilities for other mobile operators, potentially creating additional wholesale revenue opportunities while expanding advanced 5G services beyond major metropolitan markets.
Elveo Mobile and Apex Plan US Satellite Factory for Global 5G D2D Network
Elveo Mobile has partnered with spacecraft manufacturer Apex to establish a dedicated US production facility for satellites supporting Elveo’s planned global direct-to-device network. Apex will use its Factory X manufacturing model to accelerate production of the Elveo-designed constellation and help the operator develop capabilities for future manufacturing at global scale. Elveo’s satellites will comply with 3GPP non-terrestrial network standards, allowing connectivity directly to smartphones, IoT devices and machines. The payload incorporates onboard processing and networking intended to adapt to evolving mobile-operator requirements. Elveo says dedicated manufacturing could bring its constellation to market years ahead of conventional satellite-bus procurement timelines, potentially strengthening competition in the emerging satellite-to-mobile connectivity market.
ST Engineering iDirect and Datacom Target Double-Digit Satellite Network Cost Reduction
ST Engineering iDirect is deploying its Intuition cloud-native ground system for Datacom to modernise satellite services across Asia-Pacific. The architecture supports multi-orbit operations, software-defined ground infrastructure and bring-your-own-hardware deployments, moving operators away from traditional five- to ten-year hardware migration cycles. Datacom expects the platform’s bandwidth management, Mx-DMA MRC waveform and automated resource orchestration to deliver double-digit reductions in total cost of ownership. Initial deployment will span multiple gateways serving a large installed base of maritime terminals. Intuition also provides a migration path toward 5G NTN, edge computing and AI-assisted network operations, while allowing terminals to roam between existing Datacom infrastructure and the new Intuition network.
