Today’s telecom news includes announcements on NTT, Cailabs, Iridium, Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Idea, among others.
NTT and Cailabs Develop Optical Links Between Satellites and Terrestrial Networks
NTT and Cailabs have signed an agreement to develop direct optical communications between satellite networks and terrestrial data infrastructure. The companies will examine integration of NTT’s digital-coherent transmission and network-control technologies with Cailabs optical ground stations. Selected stations could connect directly to nearby NTT data centers through the operator’s All-Photonics Network, part of the IOWN architecture. The approach is intended to move satellite traffic through optical rather than conventional radio-frequency links, potentially enabling multi-gigabit capacity with lower latency and reducing RF bandwidth constraints. The partners will also address atmospheric turbulence, a key challenge for laser-based space-to-ground communications. The project illustrates how future satellite networks could become more tightly integrated with terrestrial optical backbones and data-center infrastructure.
Iridium and Deutsche Telekom IoT Demonstrate Standards-Based NB-IoT Voice via Satellite
Iridium Communications has reported what it describes as the first standards-based NB-IoT voice messaging demonstration over its satellite network, working with Deutsche Telekom IoT. The project integrates terrestrial cellular and non-terrestrial satellite connectivity so IoT devices can maintain communications beyond conventional mobile coverage. Toyota is also participating, highlighting potential applications in connected vehicles, logistics fleets and remote industrial equipment. The demonstration uses Iridium NTN Direct and advances efforts to make satellite connectivity operate within standards already familiar to mobile operators and device manufacturers. Standards-based NTN integration could reduce the requirement for specialised satellite hardware and allow operators to extend existing IoT services into areas where terrestrial towers cannot provide economical coverage.
Vi Signs 25-Year Deal for 4G and 5G Across Mumbai Metro Line 3
Vodafone Idea has signed a 25-year agreement with ACES India to provide 4G and 5G connectivity throughout Mumbai Metro Aqua Line 3. The underground corridor extends approximately 33.5 km, includes 27 stations between Aarey JVLR and Cuffe Parade and is designed for eventual annual capacity exceeding 625 million passenger journeys. Vi will use ACES India’s shared neutral-host infrastructure to provide coverage across stations, concourses, platforms and tunnels rather than constructing a separate network. Vi holds mid-band 5G spectrum in 17 Indian circles and millimetre-wave spectrum in 16. Shared metro infrastructure allows multiple operators to improve underground coverage while reducing duplicated equipment and deployment costs in one of India’s largest subterranean transport networks.
