Mobile Networks Mayhem: Afghanistan Blackout, India’s DIY 4G Stack, UK’s £11bn 5G Blitz & Satellite Boom
The period saw dramatic disruptions alongside progressive policies. In Afghanistan, the Taliban’s shock shutdown of 3G/4G on Sept 30 left most citizens offline and disrupted banking, flights, and even earthquake relief reuters.com. In contrast, some governments are opening up. Ghana’s new communications minister highlighted infrastructure wins but warned that high costs and rural exclusion persist bez-kabli.pl. In Liberia, regulators held meetings with U.S. diplomats to streamline telecom laws – they granted Starlink a provisional license and are inviting new entrants to diversify service bez-kabli.pl. In Asia, Pakistan’s government finally approved a long-delayed 5G auction. The plan will free up 606 MHz across multiple bands and hold the auction by Dec 2025 bez-kabli.pl, clearing the way for operators to launch 5G
