The latest telecom news includes announcements on NTT DOCOMO, Ericsson, Virgin Media O2, Mitel, among others.
Indian Telcos Gear Up for ₹1 tn AI and Cloud Infrastructure Expansion
Indian telecom companies are planning to invest over ₹1 trillion in AI-ready data centres, edge computing and cloud infrastructure over the next two to three years as they move beyond traditional connectivity services. The strategy focuses on building digital platforms that support artificial intelligence, private networks and enterprise cloud solutions. By expanding data centre and edge capabilities, telcos aim to address rising customer demand for low-latency, high-performance and scalable computing across sectors such as manufacturing, BFSI and smart cities.
Ericsson Powers DOCOMO’s 5G Leap with High-Efficiency 4.5 GHz Massive MIMO
Ericsson has begun live operations of its 4.5 GHz AIR 3255 Massive MIMO radios in NTT DOCOMO’s 5G network in Japan, boosting capacity in high-traffic urban areas and reinforcing continued investment in advanced 5G infrastructure. The deployment highlights a strong customer focus, enabling DOCOMO to handle rising data demand while maintaining consistent service quality. Powered by Ericsson Silicon, the radios use advanced multi-user MIMO technology to increase throughput, improve spectrum efficiency, and enhance user experience during peak congestion.
Mitel Accelerates Global UC Growth with AI Innovations and Strategic Expansion
Mitel enters 2026 with strong financial footing and strategic momentum, positioning itself for continued growth in unified communications (UC) and hybrid work solutions. In 2025, the company refined its strategy, strengthened its balance sheet, and expanded leadership to better support global customers and partners. Mitel rolled out AI-driven innovations like its Mitel CX customer experience platform and Workflow Studio low-code automation tools, while partnering with Zoom and Genesys to enhance hybrid UC and collaboration capabilities. It also relocated IP phone production to Germany to improve supply chain resilience and delivery times.
UK Accelerates Digital Shift with 3G Shutdown and AI-Powered GOV.UK Chatbot
The UK is completing the shutdown of 3G mobile networks, with Virgin Media O2 set to retire its 3G service after competitors have already done so, urging customers to upgrade to 4G/5G for full functionality. This move reallocates spectrum to more efficient technologies, supporting faster data and better service overall while phasing out legacy tech that carries minimal traffic. Separately, the Government Digital Service plans to deploy an AI-powered chatbot on the GOV.UK platform in 2026 to simplify citizen access to public services. The system will consolidate information from multiple departments to provide clearer, conversational answers, improving user experience and efficiency.
SHAFANA FAZAL