Apple's data center spending still MIA A new report indicates no 'meaningful ramp in activity from Apple despite the expectations of the data center industry.' That's important to some telecom companies.

A new report indicates no 'meaningful ramp in activity from Apple despite the expectations of the data center industry.' That's important to some telecom companies. www.lightreading.com/data-centers...

Echostar: FCC's Carr won't meet with Ergen According to EchoStar, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has been avoiding a meeting with the company's top executive, Charlie Ergen. The situation could spell trouble for EchoStar.

According to EchoStar, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has been avoiding a meeting with the company's top executive, Charlie Ergen. The situation could spell trouble for EchoStar. www.lightreading.com/regulatory-p...
$SATS

Senate eyes more spectrum for 5G – but not lower 3GHz Senators appear to have reached an agreement to allocate up to 800MHz of spectrum for 5G and other commercial uses. But the lower 3GHz band is not included in that allocation.

Senators appear to have reached an agreement to allocate up to 800MHz of spectrum for 5G and other commercial uses. But the lower 3GHz band is not included in that allocation. www.lightreading.com/5g/senate-ey...

OnGo Alliance to pivot CBRS from validation to commercialization With 5G network operators hoping to gain control of CBRS spectrum, a trade association built around shared-spectrum operations in the 3.5GHz band is hoping to ramp up commercial operations.

With 5G network operators hoping to gain control of CBRS spectrum, a trade association built around shared-spectrum operations in the 3.5GHz band is hoping to ramp up commercial operations. www.lightreading.com/5g/ongo-alli...

Nvidia promises 'massive increase in data' from AI Multiple reports indicate an ongoing slowdown in the growth of data traffic on telecom networks, including wireless networks. But the rise of AI might challenge – or even reverse – that trend.

Multiple reports indicate an ongoing slowdown in the growth of data traffic on telecom networks, including wireless networks. But the rise of AI might challenge – or even reverse – that trend. www.lightreading.com/ai-machine-l...

T-Mobile's MVNE could lose its flagship customer MVNO Roccstar Wireless, an early customer of T-Mobile's new Mobile Virtual Network Enabler (MVNE) offering, is now accusing T-Mobile of an 'ongoing failure to deliver on core obligations' with the pro...

MVNO Roccstar Wireless, an early customer of T-Mobile's new Mobile Virtual Network Enabler (MVNE) offering, is now accusing T-Mobile of an 'ongoing failure to deliver on core obligations' with the product. www.lightreading.com/operations/t...

NextWave: T-Mobile is an 'insurrectionist' 'This case is about T-Mobile pirating NextWave's spectrum,' NextWave wrote to the FCC of complaints that T-Mobile is illegally interfering with its 2.5GHz wireless network in New York City.

'This case is about T-Mobile pirating NextWave's spectrum,' NextWave wrote to the FCC of complaints that T-Mobile is illegally interfering with its 2.5GHz wireless network in New York City. www.lightreading.com/5g/nextwave-...

Tilson blames AT&T's Gigapower for bankruptcy AT&T's Gigapower JV with Blackrock 'unilaterally took a series of actions that ultimately led to the filing of these Chapter 11 cases,' network-construction firm Tilson wrote in its bankruptcy fil...

AT&T's Gigapower JV with Blackrock 'unilaterally took a series of actions that ultimately led to the filing of these Chapter 11 cases,' network-construction firm Tilson wrote in its bankruptcy filing. www.lightreading.com/fttx/tilson-...
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EchoStar could threaten bankruptcy over FCC inquiry EchoStar said it won't make an interest payment because of the 'uncertainty' sparked by an FCC investigation. The situation could increase pressure against FCC Chairman Brendan Carr.

EchoStar said it won't make an interest payment because of the 'uncertainty' sparked by an FCC investigation. The situation could increase pressure against FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. www.lightreading.com/open-ran/ech...

Carr's attack on Ergen looks gross Charlie Ergen, the billionaire backing EchoStar, is facing what appears to be a politically motivated investigation by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. And that's not cool.

Charlie Ergen, the billionaire backing EchoStar, is facing what appears to be a politically motivated investigation by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. And that's not cool. www.lightreading.com/regulatory-p...
@BrendanCarrFCC $SATS

Nsight's Cellcom loses voice, texting in cyberattack Cellcom, a small wireless operator covering portions of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, reported a "cyber incident executed by a third party" that disabled the company's voice and texting.

Cellcom, a small wireless operator covering portions of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, reported a "cyber incident executed by a third party" that disabled the company's voice and texting. www.lightreading.com/security/nsi...

Verizon exec on cable MVNOs: 'I think they've peaked' A top Verizon executive offered some insights into the company's MVNO agreements with Comcast and Charter. And he suggested the rise of cable in mobile has reached its zenith.

A top Verizon executive offered some insights into the company's MVNO agreements with Comcast and Charter. And he suggested the rise of cable in mobile has reached its zenith. www.lightreading.com/5g/verizon-e...
$VZ

The renaissance of prepaid wireless Prepaid customers are often viewed as far less valuable than postpaid. But the prepaid market in the US is growing after years of stagnation. The question is: why?

Prepaid customers are often viewed as far less valuable than postpaid. But the prepaid market in the US is growing after years of stagnation. The question is: why? www.lightreading.com/5g/the-renai...

Inaction on AI is 'the most significant risk' to telcos – report A new McKinsey & Company report details many of the opportunities that telecom operators could grab in AI. And it offers some warnings for operators content to sit on the sidelines.

A new McKinsey & Company report details many of the opportunities that telecom operators could grab in AI. And it offers some warnings for operators content to sit on the sidelines. www.lightreading.com/ai-machine-l...

AT&T still has the cash to grab more 3.45GHz for 5G – analysts Even after its $5.75 billion deal with Lumen, AT&T will still have the financial firepower to go after additional 3.45GHz spectrum, according to the financial analysts at New Street Research.

Even after its $5.75 billion deal with Lumen, AT&T will still have the financial firepower to go after additional 3.45GHz spectrum, according to the financial analysts at New Street Research. www.lightreading.com/5g/at-t-stil...
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AWS kills private 5G offering that competed with carriers Hyperscale giant AWS is no longer selling the private 5G offering it first announced in 2021. But the company continues to offer private wireless options from its carrier partners.

Hyperscale giant AWS is no longer selling the private 5G offering it first announced in 2021. But the company continues to offer private wireless options from its carrier partners. www.lightreading.com/private-netw...

Trump: 'I am going to free up plenty of spectrum for auction' President Trump is pushing lawmakers to pass his 'One Big, Beautiful Bill.' The legislation could release 600MHz of spectrum through auctions starting in 2026.

President Trump is pushing lawmakers to pass his 'One Big, Beautiful Bill.' The legislation could release 600MHz of spectrum through auctions starting in 2026. www.lightreading.com/5g/trump-i-a...

Verizon asks for an end to its phone unlocking requirements The FCC requires Verizon to unlock its phones after 60 days, but the operator is asking for a waiver of the rule, saying it is outdated and illogical.

The FCC requires Verizon to unlock its phones after 60 days, but the operator is asking for a waiver of the rule, saying it is outdated and illogical. www.lightreading.com/smartphones-...
$VZ

A closer look at how fiber benefits AT&T's mobile business A new investor report indicates AT&T may be gaining up to 100,000 mobile customers every quarter thanks in part to its efforts to converge fiber and wireless services into one bundle.

A new investor report indicates AT&T may be gaining up to 100,000 mobile customers every quarter thanks in part to its efforts to converge fiber and wireless services into one bundle. www.lightreading.com/fttx/a-close...

UScellular launches network slicing just ahead of market exit UScellular is preparing to be acquired by T-Mobile. But one of the company's last independent efforts involves the launch of cutting-edge network slicing technology.

UScellular is preparing to be acquired by T-Mobile. But one of the company's last independent efforts involves the launch of cutting-edge network slicing technology. www.lightreading.com/mobile-core/...

MWC Vegas 2025 ditches convention center for Fontainebleau hotel This year's big North American trade show for the wireless industry will move from the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center to the Fontainebleau hotel in Las Vegas.

This year's big North American trade show for the wireless industry, #MWCVegas25 will move from the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center to the Fontainebleau hotel in Las Vegas. www.lightreading.com/5g/mwc-vegas...

Verizon's DEI and tower changes lead to Frontier approval The FCC signed off on Verizon's purchase of Frontier after the company said it would end most of its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts and change its tower operations.

The FCC signed off on Verizon's purchase of Frontier after the company said it would end most of its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts and change its tower operations. www.lightreading.com/diversity-in...

T-Mobile: NextWave has no customers, so interference not an issue T-Mobile has debuted a new argument in its long-running dispute with NextWave: The company is just a 'spectrum speculator' with no customers, so network interference isn't a concern.

T-Mobile has debuted a new argument in its long-running dispute with NextWave: The company is just a 'spectrum speculator' with no customers, so network interference isn't a concern. www.lightreading.com/5g/t-mobile-...
$TMUS

The big takeaways from WIA's Connect (X) 2025 The Wireless Infrastructure Association's annual Connect (X) show shines a light on the US cell tower industry. Here are some of the big topics discussed during this week's get-together in Chicago.

Some cell tower executives see increased interest in new rural cell towers, not necessarily additional sites in urban and suburban areas, for coverage and densification. "We … are seeing a shift to rural," said Vertical Bridge's Bizick. www.lightreading.com/5g/the-big-t...

AT&T pursues Nsight's 3.45GHz spectrum in 5G 'catch-up' strategy AT&T is hoping to purchase 3.45GHz spectrum from Nsight, a small wireless network operator. But that would require the FCC to waive its 40MHz ownership cap on that midband spectrum.

AT&T is hoping to purchase 3.45GHz spectrum from Nsight, a small wireless network operator. But that would require the FCC to waive its 40MHz ownership cap on that midband spectrum. www.lightreading.com/5g/at-t-purs...

5G small cells are out, colocations are in – report According to a new report from the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA), interest in small cells remains depressed, but cell tower colocations are 'a major factor' in the expansion of 5G in the U...

According to a new report from the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA), interest in small cells remains depressed, but cell tower colocations are 'a major factor' in the expansion of 5G in the US.
www.lightreading.com/5g/5g-small-...

When will FWA run out of steam? The fixed wireless access (FWA) services from T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T have been enormously popular, but there's a ceiling to the sector's growth. Finding it is a challenge.

When will FWA run out of steam? www.lightreading.com/fixed-wirele...

Here's my big story for the week. If you read one thing from me this week, it should be this one.
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US government tests open RAN: It's 'rapidly advancing' toward maturity The NTIA, an agency of the White House, released a 27-page report detailing the results of two years' worth of open RAN testing. However, the report does not identify company-level specifics in its re...

The NTIA earlier this month released the results of two years' worth of open RAN testing and concluded that open RAN products are maturing despite their complexities, but they are not yet at the level of single-vendor platforms.
www.lightreading.com/open-ran/us-...

How Federated Wireless is using AI to make wireless better Federated Wireless, a relatively small player in the wireless industry, hopes to use AI to make an outsized impact with a new network-planning tool and a new approach to CBRS transmissions.

Federated Wireless is a relatively small player in the US wireless industry. But it has aspirations to make a major impact with investments into AI that the company's CEO believes might just change the game.
www.lightreading.com/ai-machine-l...

Lumen promises to bypass Equinix Lumen said its new 'fabric' port offering, built atop its digital platform business, will allow enterprise customers to cut through data center interconnect providers like Equinix.

Lumen said its new 'fabric' port offering, built atop its digital platform business, will allow enterprise customers to cut through data center interconnect providers like Equinix.
$LUMN
www.lightreading.com/cloud/lumen-...