The latest telecom news includes announcements on Telenor, Apple, iPhone 17, 6G Standardisation, among others.
Telenor’s KNL Radios Break Satellite Dependence with €15mn Nordic Defence Orders
Telenor’s Finnish subsidiary KNL has secured more than €15 million in orders from the armed forces of Finland and Sweden for Cognitive Networked High Frequency (CNHF) encrypted manpack radios, which enable long-distance voice and data communication without reliance on satellites or external networks. The orders mark the first contracts under the Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO) framework, with deliveries scheduled by the end of 2025. KNL is also conducting pilot projects with NATO countries, including Norway, and expects further procurement as demand grows. The CNHF radios are powered by KNL’s software and operate independently of GPS or satellite systems such as Starlink, using adaptive networking to select frequencies and support multi-hop routing to maintain secure connectivity.
iPhone 17 Set to Redefine Mobile Innovation on September 9
Apple will launch the iPhone 17 series on September 9, 2025 at Apple Park, including iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The devices are expected to introduce reverse wireless charging, enabling iPhones to charge other devices. The new iOS 26 will feature a Liquid Glass interface and AI-powered tools to expand Siri’s functions and enhance user interaction. Hardware upgrades include A19 and A19 Pro chips, 120 Hz ProMotion displays, and increased RAM of up to 12 GB. Camera improvements include a 24 MP front camera and a 48 MP telephoto lens for Pro models. Apple is also expected to announce Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and AirPods Pro 3.
India Hosts 3GPP RAN Meetings on 6G Standardisation
India is hosting the first 3GPP Radio Access Network (RAN) Working Group meetings in Bengaluru from 25 to 29 August 2025, covering RAN1 to RAN5, with over 1,500 delegates from more than 50 countries. The meetings focus on finalizing 5G Advanced standards under Release 19 and initiating 6G standardisation under Release 20. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, is supporting the event, while the Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India (TSDSI), is hosting as a 3GPP organizational partner.
Shafana Fazal
