Global Scans · Telecoms · Weekly Summary

• [New] The telecommunications sector is the primary growth engine for waveguide components through 2035, driven by the dense deployment of 5G networks and the early groundwork for 6G. IndexBox Inc.
• [New] Strengthening the American drone industrial base will require a highly-skilled workforce to support development, manufacturing, and operation of drones, including in the fields of telecommunications and electrical engineering. Federal Register
• [New] Global telecom capital expenditure is expected to decline in 2026 as operators adopt a more cautious investment approach, even as long-term demand linked to artificial intelligence continues to build. RCR Wireless
• [New] Capex set to decline - Global telecom capex is expected to fall 2% in 2026, reflecting a more cautious near-term investment environment. RCR Wireless
• [New] Nearly half of the telecom industry is expected to transition to a cloud-based model within the next three to five years. Avenga
• [New] Investment surge - 89% of telecom operators plan to increase AI spending in 2026, with network automation as a major driver. RCR Wireless
• [New] As blueprints take shape, the official requirements for 6G performance will be set by the United Nations International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R), which will be called International Mobile Telecommunications-2030, or IMT-2030. Wired
• [New] By 2034, ignoring fintech will be like ignoring telecommunications or energy. TechBullion
• [New] Large number of telecom operators joined the race to net zero, working on 2040 and 2050 targets. Yahoo Finance
• [New] Total telecom service revenue in Jordan will grow at a CAGR of 6.9% over 2025-2030, primarily driven by revenue growth in mobile data, fixed voice, and fixed broadband segments. GlobeNewswire
• [New] Namibian telecom operators are expected to begin a gradual shutdown of 2G and 3G networks starting this year. Ecofin Agency
• [New] Latest Developments Observed The threat actor is suspected of conducting a long-term espionage campaign by infiltrating telecom networks, primarily across the Middle East and Asia. CYFIRMA
• [New] On the infrastructure side, Microsoft will build out Azure GPU-based AI services in partnership with Sakura Internet and SoftBank's telecom arm, with all data remaining in Japan. Explore with me! -> Come and explore with me
• [New] The world's largest software maker said it will develop cloud and AI infrastructure alongside Sakura Internet and telecom operator SoftBank, with the two Japanese entities supplying graphics processing units and other computing resources. ST
• [New] Dell'Oro forecasts a 2% decline in global telecom capex in 2026, followed by modest growth at a compound annual rate of around 1% through 2030. RCR Wireless
• [New] The OCC will unite UK policing, the UK Intelligence Community (including GCHQ, the National Cyber Security Centre and the National Cyber Force) alongside private sector partners from the financial, telecommunications, technology, and cyber industries. The Cipher Brief
• [New] Note that rival telecoms groups Bouygues and SFR will turn off their own 2G networks by the end of 2026, and that all three will close their 3G networks by 2028. connexionfrance
• The Trump administration has threatened to withhold BEAD funding entirely from states that attempt to stand up to telecom monopolies or insist that taxpayer-funded broadband is affordable. Techdirt
• The protection of Australian consumers in the digital sphere remains a priority for regulators and government, with businesses in the telecommunications and financial services sectors coming under particular pressure to respond to risks associated with emerging technologies. Ashurst

Last updated: 20 April 2026