Today’s telecom news includes announcements on NVIDIA, Nokia, T-Mobile, BTRC, Vodacom Mpumalanga, among others.
T-Mobile, Nokia and NVIDIA Complete First AI-RAN Call on Live US Commercial 5G Network
T-Mobile US, Nokia and NVIDIA have completed an AI-RAN call at a commercial mobile-network site in Bellevue, Washington. Announced on October 21, the deployment used Nokia Massive MIMO radio equipment, Nokia 5G anyRAN software and NVIDIA Aerial RAN Computer infrastructure connected to T-Mobile’s operational 5G core. The milestone moves AI-RAN validation from laboratory testing to a production network using commercial user equipment. The companies will now evaluate AI-powered radio algorithms and simultaneous AI workloads on shared accelerated computing infrastructure. Nokia is targeting a future twofold improvement in spectral efficiency, although that performance has not been demonstrated by this particular field test. Commercial deployment scale and investment value remain undisclosed.
Bangladesh Regulator Proposes Lower Spectrum Prices and Coverage Study
Bangladesh’s Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) plans to study underserved and remote areas where mobile connectivity remains inadequate or unreliable. The proposed research will identify coverage gaps, assess local connectivity requirements and explore ways to extend services to communities where network expansion may not be commercially viable. The regulator has reportedly approved the initiative in principle and plans to establish a committee to prepare a detailed research proposal within one month for submission to the BTRC chairman. BTRC is also proposing reductions in spectrum renewal prices, potentially lowering operators’ costs for renewing spectrum in the 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands. The proposals could influence network investment and rural connectivity.
Vodacom Mpumalanga Plans Network Investment of More Than ZAR 600 Million
Vodacom Mpumalanga plans to invest more than ZAR 600 million in network infrastructure and technology during the 2026/27 financial year to expand broadband coverage and strengthen network capacity. The investment will target all 17 local municipalities, including underserved rural communities, townships and urban areas. It follows ZAR 620 million invested in network infrastructure during the previous financial year. Vodacom has expanded its mobile infrastructure footprint in Mpumalanga from just over 1,300 sites to 1,408 sites and continues to accelerate 4G and 5G deployment. The company is also upgrading transmission links, backup power systems and fibre connectivity to improve network resilience and service quality amid rising digital demand.