Today’s telecom news includes announcements on SBBS, Nokia, Connexas, Opengear, among others.
Switzerland Railways Achieve Global First with GSM-R Voice Services over Public 4G Network
Switzerland’s rail sector has achieved a global first by enabling GSM-R railway voice services to operate securely over a public 4G network using VoLTE. Implemented by Swiss Federal Railways in partnership with Ericsson, the solution addresses the shutdown of 3G services and ensures uninterrupted mission-critical communications. The new IMS-based platform seamlessly connects legacy GSM-R with 4G, preserving essential functions such as emergency and group calls. Around 1,000 trains and 10,000 user devices are being upgraded, strengthening reliability today while laying the groundwork for future 5G-based railway communications.
Nokia to Manage Connexas’ Nationwide Tower Operations
Nokia has been appointed to manage Connexas’ nationwide telecom tower operations, providing end-to-end services including network optimization, remote monitoring, and predictive maintenance. This partnership leverages Nokia’s expertise in digital infrastructure, automation, and network management to improve operational efficiency and reduce downtime. Strategically, the collaboration enables Connexas to scale its tower network while maintaining high service reliability. For customers and mobile operators, this means enhanced connectivity, faster network deployment, and improved quality of service across urban and rural areas. The move underscores the growing trend of outsourcing tower operations to technology specialists, ensuring sustainable growth, cost optimization, and improved performance in India’s expanding telecom ecosystem.
Saudi Arabia and UAE: 2026 Telecommunications Regulatory Developments
Saudi Arabia and the UAE are implementing key regulatory updates in 2026 to enhance competition, digital infrastructure, and service quality in the telecom sector. In Saudi Arabia, regulators are focusing on spectrum allocation, licensing reforms, and promoting 5G adoption, while the UAE is emphasizing consumer protection, network security, and innovation incentives. Strategically, these reforms aim to attract investment, accelerate the rollout of next-generation networks, and foster a more competitive environment. For consumers, the updates are expected to improve connectivity, service reliability, and affordability. The regulatory outlook underscores both countries’ commitment to digital transformation, supporting smart cities, IoT adoption, and resilient telecom ecosystems that can meet growing economic and societal connectivity demands.
Opengear Launches CM8000 and OM1300 to Enhance Network Resilience
Opengear has introduced the CM8000 and OM1300, two new solutions aimed at improving network resilience amid rising outages and connectivity challenges. The CM8000 is a high-capacity console management platform, while the OM1300 provides out-of-band management for critical network devices, ensuring continuous monitoring and rapid recovery during disruptions. Both solutions leverage advanced automation and secure remote access to reduce downtime and operational risks. Strategically, Opengear strengthens its position in enterprise network management by addressing growing demand for reliable, resilient infrastructure. For customers, these innovations enhance operational continuity, reduce maintenance costs, and safeguard business-critical services, supporting long-term IT reliability and efficiency in increasingly complex network environments.
SHAFANA FAZAL