The latest telecom news includes announcements on Nokia, ICEYE, VEON, Starlink, Ting Fiber, Sterlite Technologies, and others.
Nokia and ICEYE Sign Ukraine Agreement to Explore Sovereign LEO Satellite Communications
Nokia and ICEYE have signed a letter of intent with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence to explore the development of sovereign satellite communications infrastructure. Announced on October 22, the agreement follows the companies’ earlier partnership to develop government-controlled low-Earth-orbit broadband systems. The proposed architecture would give participating governments control over satellites, ground infrastructure and communications terminals. Nokia and ICEYE are targeting the first communications satellite launches in 2028 under their wider development program. The Ukrainian initiative could strengthen communications resilience where terrestrial infrastructure is disrupted. However, the letter does not constitute a procurement contract. Investment value, satellite quantities, bandwidth, ground-station locations and Ukraine-specific deployment dates have not been disclosed.
VEON Reports 11 Million Starlink Direct-to-Device Users Across Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Bangladesh
VEON has reported that more than 11 million unique customers connected to Starlink Mobile satellite services across Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Bangladesh within the first year of deployment. The October 19 disclosure represents a new adoption milestone rather than another announcement of the original satellite partnership. Kyivstar launched the service in Ukraine in November 2025, followed by Beeline Kazakhstan in September 2026 and Banglalink in October. The three operations collectively represent an addressable population exceeding 40 million potential users. Satellite connectivity supports messaging, location sharing and selected applications on compatible LTE smartphones outside terrestrial coverage. The 11 million figure counts customers who connected at least once, not recurring paying satellite subscribers. VEON has not disclosed satellite-service revenue.
Ting Fiber Agrees to Transfer Colorado Springs Dark Fiber Network Lease by March 2027
Tucows has announced an agreement for its Ting Fiber subsidiary to transfer its dark fiber network lease in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The transaction was disclosed on October 22, with closing expected on March 31, 2027, subject to customary conditions. Ting will continue serving existing broadband customers during the transition, which is scheduled for completion by June 30, 2027. Tucows expects its related parent guarantee to terminate by the end of April 2027 after the required obligations are satisfied. The transaction represents a restructuring of existing fiber-network access rather than a new broadband construction project. Financial terms, transferred fiber-route mileage, customer numbers and the identity of the receiving party were not disclosed in the announcement.
Sterlite Technologies Plans ₹1,000 Crore Annual Capex and 50% Optical Manufacturing Capacity Expansion
Sterlite Technologies has outlined plans to invest approximately ₹1,000 crore annually through FY2029 while expanding optical fiber, preform and cable manufacturing capacity by approximately 50 percent. During its October 23 earnings discussion, the company also disclosed multiyear optical connectivity supply agreements with international telecom operators and an optical cable order from a major Indian operator. Sterlite reported approximately ₹32,000 crore in orders secured during the first half of FY2027. That figure includes a previously announced potential $1.2 billion hyperscaler supply agreement and must not be treated entirely as telecom-network orders. The manufacturing expansion is intended to support demand from 5G networks, FTTH construction and high-capacity optical infrastructure. Customer-specific telecom contract values were not disclosed.
