The latest telecom news includes announcements from U Mobile, ZTE, Nepal Telecom, US Air Traffic Network Upgrade, and others.
U Mobile and ZTE Test 100% Green-Energy Portable 5G Site in Malaysia
U Mobile and ZTE have completed a proof-of-concept for a portable, fully off-grid 5G network site powered entirely by renewable energy at SK Mentu in Sebuyau, Sarawak. The system combines solar generation, satellite backhaul and portable radio equipment, allowing the site to connect directly to U Mobile’s core without relying on the national electricity grid, fiber or other terrestrial transmission. The architecture is designed to accelerate 4G and 5G deployment in remote communities where permanent infrastructure is expensive or difficult to build. The companies are also evaluating the portable configuration for emergency and disaster-response scenarios, where damaged power and transmission infrastructure can leave conventional mobile sites unavailable.
Nepal Telecom Activates 13 New Mobile Sites Across 11 Districts
Nepal Telecom has activated 13 additional 2G and 4G mobile sites across 11 districts, extending network coverage and capacity into communities with limited connectivity. The deployment adds radio infrastructure for both voice and mobile broadband services as Nepal Telecom continues expanding its national network beyond major population centres. Although modest compared with large urban 5G programmes, the rollout is significant for Nepal because mountainous geography makes tower deployment and transmission infrastructure considerably more challenging. New rural sites can require microwave or other specialised backhaul where fiber is unavailable. The expansion reflects continuing operator investment in 4G coverage as Nepal works to improve broadband availability and close connectivity gaps between major cities and geographically difficult rural areas.
US Air Traffic Network Upgrade Reaches $5.91 Billion as FAA Replaces Copper
The United States is accelerating modernisation of telecommunications infrastructure supporting the Federal Aviation Administration following a network outage caused by a severed fiber line and failed telecom switch. The disruption contributed to delays or cancellations affecting about 9,500 flights across airports including New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Washington. Congress has allocated $12.5 billion for wider air-traffic-control improvements, while the telecommunications component has increased to approximately $5.91 billion. The new architecture is designed to eliminate single and dual points of failure by providing multiple communications routes to FAA facilities. Authorities also plan to replace legacy copper telecommunications infrastructure by September 2027, creating a major fiber, routing, switching and network-resilience modernisation programme.
