The latest telecom news includes announcements on Verizon, AST SpaceMobile, Telecall Colombia, Parallel Wireless, and others.
Verizon Targets 10–15 Million Additional Gigabit FWA Premises Using Millimeter-Wave 5G
Verizon outlined a new gigabit fixed wireless access strategy on October 26, using millimeter-wave spectrum to expand fiber-like broadband coverage in US metropolitan areas. Management said the operator aims to make 1 Gbps FWA available to an additional 10 million–15 million premises over the medium term, beyond its separate goal of 40 million–50 million fiber passings. The same quarterly update reported 314,000 broadband net additions, comprising 159,000 FWA and 155,000 fiber customers. Total broadband connections reached 17.4 million, and fiber passings are expected to exceed 32 million by year-end 2026. The incremental gigabit FWA coverage remains a target, not completed network construction.
AST SpaceMobile Secures 30 MHz S-Band Spectrum and Plans Four Satellite Gateways in Brazil
AST SpaceMobile reported a new Brazilian regulatory milestone on October 26, following regional operator agreements disclosed earlier. Regulator Anatel authorized 15+15 MHz of S-band spectrum, totaling 30 MHz, and approved secondary use of up to 10+10 MHz in the 700 MHz band within partners’ licensed areas. AST also detailed agreements with four regional mobile operators and plans for four ground gateways connecting BlueBird satellites to terrestrial networks. The proposed service targets conventional smartphones and could extend voice, broadband and video coverage beyond terrestrial networks. Brazil has more than 200 million mobile handset lines. The permissions do not establish a commercial launch date; gateways, satellite capacity and operator integration remain outstanding.
Telecall Colombia Selects Parallel Wireless for AI-Powered 5G Open RAN Rollout Across Thousands of Sites
Telecall Colombia and Parallel Wireless disclosed a nationwide 5G Open RAN expansion program on October 21, with additional reporting on October 26. The deployment will use Parallel Wireless’s Unity AI Open RAN architecture across thousands of prospective sites, combining coverage expansion in underserved areas with capacity upgrades in busier locations. The vendor says the software-driven platform supports adaptable radio configurations and AI-based network optimization, enabling Telecall to select equipment and deployment models for different environments. The plan could expand fixed and mobile broadband where fiber infrastructure is limited. Neither the final site count nor a contract value, specific spectrum allocation or phased completion timetable was published. The announcement describes planned deployment rather than completed nationwide coverage.
