Key Highlights
- US fast-tracks 5G (and eyes 6G): The FCC moved to preempt local roadblocks and expedite wireless tower builds, ensuring states/cities “cannot unlawfully block 5G or future 6G deployments” [1] as part of a new push to “supercharge” network rollouts.
- Spectrum auctions surge worldwide: India’s regulator outlined a mega-auction across 10 bands – including the upper 6 GHz band for the first time [2]. Sri Lanka issued the final notice to launch its long-awaited 5G spectrum auction [3], while Turkey set an October 16 date for its 5G tender (with services due April 2026) [4]. In Europe, the UK is kicking off an auction of high-band mmWave frequencies (26 GHz & 40 GHz) in major cities in October [5].
- Big telecoms bet on 5G expansion:BT (UK) announced an ambitious plan to cover 99% of the population with standalone 5G by 2030 – four years ahead of rivals’ goals [6] – deploying new Ericsson radios that boost uplink capacity 4× and over 1,500 small cells nationwide [7] [8]. Verizon (US), meanwhile, partnered with GE Vernova to add an industrial wireless platform for utility companies, aiming to modernize energy grids with secure, reliable LTE/5G connectivity [9].
- Market shake-ups & mergers:Vodafone bolstered its Eastern Europe footprint by agreeing to acquire Telekom Romania Mobile (post-paid business plus spectrum/towers) from OTE, as part of a joint deal with Digi taking the prepaid users [10]. Industry leaders like Telefonica are urging regulators to allow more consolidation – noting Europe has 41 telecom operators with >500k users (vs just 5 in the US) [11] – arguing that “lifting the brake” on M&A would create stronger, more innovative carriers [12]. (EU authorities are indeed considering easing merger rules amid these calls [13].)
- 4G/5G up, 2G/3G down: The global phase-out of legacy networks is accelerating. In the U.S., 3G was shut off in 2022 and major carriers plan to retire 2G by 2025 [14]. Across Europe, 3G networks are largely being dismantled now, and most countries aim to completely switch off 2G by 2030 [15] (e.g. Germany ended 3G in 2021 and will stop 2G by 2028; France will keep 2G until end-2026 and 3G till 2029 [16]). Even late adopters are scheduling shutdowns: Turkey, which will launch 5G in 2026, plans to sunset its 2G and 3G services by 2029 [17].
- 5G’s new frontiers – RedCap & more: A new industry analysis predicts 2025 will be a breakthrough year for pure 5G Standalone networks and for adoption of Reduced Capability (RedCap) IoT devices [18]. Omdia researchers note that for the first time device makers and networks are aligned on RedCap – evidenced by RedCap support in Apple’s latest smartwatch – and early commercial RedCap gadgets (T-Mobile US launched one in late 2024) are hitting the market [19]. They expect Asia-Pacific to lead this IoT boom, and foresee 5G network slicing finally entering live commercial use (with operators like T-Mobile and Verizon offering slices) to help enterprises – 33% of whom see private 5G as vital for security – customize connectivity [20].
- 5G powers new feats: Advanced mobile networks are enabling innovations once thought impossible. Case in point: Kuwait’s operator Zain just facilitated a world-record remote surgery – a doctor in Kuwait successfully performed a robotic procedure on a patient 12,000 km away in Brazil, thanks to Zain’s high-speed link (80 Mb/s with mere 199 ms latency) providing near-instant, reliable connectivity [21]. The milestone showcases how ultra-low-latency 4G/5G infrastructure can support mission-critical applications from telemedicine to smart industry, shrinking distances like never before [22] [23].
Spectrum & Regulatory Updates
United States – Clearing the way for 5G: U.S. regulators are taking aggressive steps to accelerate next-gen wireless deployment. On September 30, the Federal Communications Commission adopted new proposals to streamline infrastructure builds nationwide. The FCC plans to override unwarranted state and local delays, effectively ensuring local authorities “cannot unlawfully block 5G or future 6G deployments” [24]. By cutting red tape on permits and clarifying rules (including a potential “rocket docket” for disputes), officials aim to “supercharge” 5G network densification and upgrades [25] [26]. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr noted this “Build America” agenda will free up spectrum and remove barriers to meet surging wireless demand [27]. In parallel, U.S. policy-makers are mapping out future spectrum auctions. The FCC’s latest plans for 2026 include auctioning remaining AWS-3 mid-band airwaves by June 2026, with other bands (e.g. upper 4 GHz C-band and even some 600 MHz licenses) under consideration for bidding thereafter [28] [29]. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) likewise identified new frequencies to study for auction – from 1675 MHz up to 7.4 GHz – as America hunts more bandwidth for 5G/6G in coming years [30].
Asia – Big 5G spectrum auctions: Several Asian governments moved to allocate critical spectrum for mobile broadband. India’s Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI) has initiated a massive spectrum sale spanning nearly 10 different bands [31]. For the first time, this next auction would include the upper 6 GHz frequencies (6425–6725 MHz and 7025–7125 MHz) earmarked for new 5G/6G services [32]. The auction plan also covers a wide swath of bands from low (600 MHz, 800/900 MHz) and mid (1.8, 2.1, 2.3, 2.5, 3.3 GHz) to high (26 GHz) ranges [33]. After lackluster interest in recent auctions, TRAI is consulting on pricing and rules – including possibly letting non-telco enterprises bid – to maximize competition and spectrum uptake [34] [35]. Meanwhile Sri Lanka is on the cusp of launching 5G services after years of preparation. On October 3, officials in Colombo announced the formal Notice of Assignment for the country’s first 5G spectrum auction [36]. Over a 40-day process (with all documents now public on the regulator’s website), Sri Lanka will allocate frequencies and expects to complete the auction within two months, clearing the way for operators to finally offer 5G to the public [37] [38]. Leaders touted this as a transformative step to boost the digital economy – envisioning smart agriculture, tele-health, and Industry 4.0 applications once 5G networks go live [39] [40].
Mid-East & Turkey – 5G on the horizon: In Turkey, authorities confirmed plans to hold a long-awaited 5G spectrum tender on October 16, 2025, with commercial 5G service expected to start by April 1, 2026 [41] [42]. The auction will offer 11 frequency packages (totaling 400 MHz of spectrum in the 700 MHz and 3.5 GHz bands) and aims to raise at least $2.1 billion [43] [44]. Turkey’s main mobile players – Turkcell, Turk Telekom, and Vodafone Turkey – are all eligible to bid under their existing GSM/4.5G licenses [45]. This 5G launch comes after years of delays; officials noted existing 2G/3G concessions will run until 2029, after which a new licensing regime (with revenue-sharing requirements) will take effect for all operators [46] [47]. Elsewhere in the Middle East, countries are also reallocating airwaves for 5G. For instance, Israel announced it will shut down 2G and 3G networks by end of 2025 to free spectrum, just as 5G coverage expands (a trend mirrored in Gulf states retiring legacy networks to focus on 4G/5G). These spectrum moves underscore a broader regional acceleration toward next-generation mobile internet.
Europe – High-band 5G and beyond: European regulators continued advancing 5G and future 6G spectrum strategies. In the UK, Ofcom is beginning the principal stage of its first mmWave 5G spectrum auction in October 2025 [48]. Licenses in the 26 GHz and 40 GHz bands – a whopping 6.25 GHz of millimeter-wave spectrum in total – will be awarded, focused on major cities where ultra-fast 5G capacity is most needed [49] [50]. (Ofcom accepted auction applications in mid-September and has cleared older fixed links from the band to make room [51] [52].) This high-frequency spectrum can deliver multi-gigabit speeds and low latency, which regulators say could unlock new 5G applications for UK consumers and businesses [53]. Continental Europe also saw 5G spectrum developments: France moved forward on allocating the 3.5 GHz band to industry players for private networks, Spain prepared a 26 GHz auction, and Poland finally resumed its stalled C-band auction, among other updates. And looking to the next generation, the European Commission and CEPT have begun early studies on terahertz frequencies that might underpin 6G in the 2030s, ensuring Europe stays competitive in the long run.
Telecom Operator Initiatives & Investments
BT’s 5G leap in the UK: British telecom group BT (EE) unveiled a bold network roadmap designed to leapfrog its competitors in the 5G era. The company set a target of achieving 99% population coverage with Standalone 5G by the end of FY2030, which is four years ahead of the timelines publicly stated by its UK rivals [54]. To reach this goal, BT is already deploying advanced 5G equipment. Its mobile arm EE became the first in Europe to activate Ericsson’s new AIR 3284 radios – units with built-in massive MIMO antennas that greatly improve network performance [55]. Only two sites (in Leeds) are live so far, but hundreds more are planned; these high-capacity radios can provide up to 4× more uplink capacity and 100× the overall network capacity of 4G, which will help handle heavy data traffic in crowded areas and big events [56]. Alongside macro cells, BT has ramped up its urban small cell rollout to fill coverage gaps and boost speed – over 1,500 small cells are now on air (500 added in the past year alone across cities like Belfast, Bristol and Oxford) [57]. It also launched an Advanced RAN Coordination (ARC) system in late September that lets clusters of cell sites share load and minimize interference, a world-first feature to enhance user experience [58]. BT’s network head Howard Watson emphasized that hitting 99% 5G coverage is a major milestone but not the endgame – further targeted solutions (like along rail lines and in buildings) will be needed to tackle the last coverage challenges [59]. Notably, BT called on the UK government to support this push by easing planning permits, improving spectrum access, and reconsidering high spectrum fees that can hinder rollout [60]. The operator cited studies that better mobile connectivity could unlock £230 billion in economic value for Britain, underscoring the stake in fast, ubiquitous 5G [61].
Verizon’s power play in utilities: In the United States, Verizon is extending its enterprise 5G reach into the energy sector. Verizon Business announced a new partnership with GE Vernova (GE’s energy division) to incorporate GE’s MDS Orbit platform – an industrial wireless solution – into Verizon’s lineup for utility companies [62]. This platform will allow electric grid operators and other utilities to leverage Verizon’s wireless networks for mission-critical tasks like grid automation, remote monitoring, and workforce connectivity. The GE Vernova system supports a mix of communications (industrial LTE, licensed narrowband, unlicensed Wi-Fi) on one rugged device [63], and is built to stringent standards (with strong cybersecurity and electromagnetic pulse protection) for reliability. By adding it, Verizon aims to provide a secure, flexible backbone for modernizing aging utility networks [64]. Verizon’s enterprise VP Jim Kilmer noted that energy companies are undergoing a “massive transformation” of grids and need reliable, flexible communications to manage it [65]. With this tie-up, Verizon can deliver private network solutions that link sensors, control systems (SCADA), and field crews in real time over 4G/5G – enabling smarter power distribution and faster response to outages. GE Vernova’s Mitesh Parikh added that Verizon’s wireless expertise, combined with GE’s industrial tech, will help utilities “modernize their grid operations”, marking an evolution in how critical infrastructure is digitized [66]. The partnership builds on an existing relationship between the companies and highlights how telcos are moving beyond consumer services to provide specialized connectivity for the Internet of Things (IoT) across industries.
Trailblazing 5G use case – Remote surgery: The real-world impact of advanced mobile networks was dramatically illustrated in Kuwait this week. Operator Zain Kuwait revealed it powered a Guinness World Record for the longest-distance remote robotic surgery ever completed [67]. In this telemedicine feat, a surgeon located at Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital in Kuwait City performed a precise hernia repair surgery on a patient all the way in São Paulo, Brazil – a distance of over 12,000 km [68]. The procedure relied on Zain’s international MPLS network delivering near real-time connectivity between the surgeon’s console and the robotic surgical system abroad. Despite the vast distance, latency was kept to an impressively low ~199 milliseconds with a dedicated 80 Mbps link, ensuring the surgeon’s commands and the robot’s feedback were almost instantaneous [69]. Zain stated that ultra-low latency and high reliability were critical to the operation’s success – any significant delay or data loss could be life-threatening in surgery [70]. The company’s CEO, Nawaf Al-Gharabally, said Zain’s “digital infrastructure and advanced network” provided a “stable, instant connection” that enabled surgeons to operate with confidence across continents [71]. Kuwait’s Ministry of Health, which collaborated on the trial, lauded it as something out of science fiction made real [72]. Officials noted it showcases how 5G-era connectivity can shrink the global healthcare divide – a specialist can treat a patient remotely in areas lacking that expertise. The achievement underscores the broader promise of 5G networks in powering mission-critical applications: from remote surgery and autonomous vehicles to smart factories, where split-second responsiveness and absolute reliability are paramount. Zain’s record-breaking surgery is a landmark not just for Kuwait but for telemedicine globally, highlighting a future where distance is no barrier to cutting-edge care [73] [74].
Market Moves & Industry Consolidation
Mergers reshaping markets: The past week saw significant movement on the telecom merger & acquisition front, continuing a 2025 trend of market consolidation. In Romania, Vodafone and local carrier Digi completed a long-anticipated deal to take over Telekom Romania Mobile, the country’s third-largest mobile operator. Under the transaction (just approved by regulators), Vodafone Romania – part of the UK-based Vodafone Group – will acquire Telekom’s contract (post-paid) customer base, along with a hefty package of spectrum licenses and mobile towers, strengthening its position nationally [75] [76]. Meanwhile, Digi (Romania’s rapidly growing challenger operator) will take on Telekom’s pre-paid user business [77]. The carve-up allows the two buyers to absorb Telekom’s 4 million+ subscribers and network assets, effectively removing a competitor. This deal also marks the exit of Greece’s OTE from the Romanian mobile market (OTE, partly owned by Deutsche Telekom, was Telekom Romania’s shareholder). With Orange already #1 in Romania, the market now becomes a three-player arena led by Orange, Vodafone, and Digi. Telecom analysts note that by splitting assets, Vodafone and Digi each bolster their strengths – Vodafone gains infrastructure and higher-value customers to push its 5G services, while Digi (known for low-cost plans) expands its subscriber base significantly. The Romanian merger exemplifies a broader pattern of European telco consolidation, as companies seek scale to support heavy 5G investments.
Telefonica’s call for a bigger vision: On a continental level, the CEO of Spain’s Telefónica, Marc Murtra, has been outspoken about the need for more telecom M&A – and his message is resonating in policy circles. Murtra points out that Europe’s telecom market is overly fragmented, with 41 operators serving populations over 500k each, compared to just 5 such operators in the United States [78]. This dilution, he argues, hampers the ability to compete with global giants. In recent interviews and an upcoming strategic plan, Telefónica’s chief has urged European regulators to relax their longstanding opposition to big telecom mergers [79]. He suggests a sort of “social contract” where authorities allow telcos to consolidate and achieve greater scale, in return for operators investing more in critical sectors like cybersecurity, AI, and data centers [80]. “If Europe wants strategic autonomy in technology, we’re going to have to have large… titanic European [telecom] operators,” Murtra told Reuters [81], warning that otherwise key tech infrastructure could end up controlled solely by non-European “tech bros” [82]. He believes “all it needs is to lift the brake pedal a little and allow the market to… consolidate” [83] for the industry to reconfigure itself. This perspective comes as financial pressures mount on legacy carriers – Telefónica itself is trimming operations (selling units in Latin America to free up capital for deals) and exploring partnerships. Notably, Europe’s stance may be softening: EU regulators recently signaled they might ease merger rules for telecoms [84], given the intense investment requirements for 5G/6G and geopolitical desires for EU network sovereignty. Banking analysts predict a pickup in in-country mergers over the next couple of years, possibly followed by cross-border mega-deals [85]. We’re already seeing hints: in France, there are reports that Orange, Bouygues Telecom and Iliad have discussed a joint bid to carve up rival SFR (Altice Group’s carrier) – though Altice stated no formal offer has been received yet [86]. And in UK/Italy, Vodafone is merging its UK arm with Three, and talking to CK Hutchison about Italy, respectively. While not all mooted deals will happen, the overall momentum is clear: Europe’s telcos are seeking strength in numbers. As one industry veteran commented, if consolidation is green-lit, “other incumbents like Orange, Deutsche Telekom and BT may follow Telefónica’s lead” in pursuing mergers [87] – potentially reshaping the landscape of mobile internet provision across the continent.
Network Upgrades & 2G/3G Shutdowns
As 5G and fiber deployments accelerate, operators worldwide are gradually retiring the older 2G and 3G networks that have been workhorses of mobile communication for decades. The shift is necessary to repurpose spectrum for more efficient 4G and 5G technologies, but it’s being managed carefully to minimize disruption.
North America: The United States has been ahead of the curve. All major U.S. carriers fully shut down their 3G networks by 2022, ending the era of UMTS/CDMA services. Now they have turned to the final legacies – 2G (GSM/EDGE) networks – which are slated to be deactivated by the end of 2025 in most cases [88]. This will free up valuable low-band frequencies for LTE and 5G. Canada is on a similar path: its operators have already largely switched off 2G and plan to close 3G by late 2025 [89]. The main impact is ensuring any remaining older devices (like alarm systems or flip phones) are upgraded; both U.S. and Canadian regulators have issued public reminders about the impending 2G/3G sunsets. In parallel, carriers are bolstering 4G coverage in rural areas and deploying low-band 5G (600 MHz, 850 MHz) to ensure that when 2G/3G go dark, customers still have a signal for voice and basic data.
Europe: Europe’s approach to sunsetting varies by country but the trend is toward winding down 3G first, then 2G. Several European markets – Germany being a prime example – ended 3G service a while ago (Germany did so in 2021) but are keeping 2G alive a bit longer for legacy M2M devices and voice fallback, in Germany’s case until 2028 [90]. The rationale is that 2G (GSM) is a simpler, low-power network useful for things like smart meters, whereas 3G has been rendered redundant by 4G. France is taking the opposite timing: French operators plan to shut off 2G by end of 2026 but will maintain 3G until 2029 to ensure nationwide coverage as 5G rolls out [91]. Other countries like Switzerland and Norway have already completely turned off 2G, focusing on 4G/5G only, while Italy and Spain have switched off most 3G signals and are looking to 2028–2030 for 2G termination. Across the EU, almost all nations have target dates by 2030 to retire 2G at the latest [92]. The UK has a uniquely long-range plan: British networks (EE, Vodafone, O2, Three) agreed with the government to phase out both 2G and 3G by 2033 [93]. This extended timeline gives ample buffer, though in practice 3G in the UK will likely disappear much sooner (as 3G use is under 1% of traffic now). In fact, starting October 2025, some UK operators (like Virgin Media O2) already stopped offering 2G/3G service to inbound roamers [94] [95] – a sign those networks are becoming dormant. Overall, European regulators are coordinating to ensure cross-border roaming isn’t impacted by these shutdowns, and that special users (like eCall emergency systems in cars or older folks with 2G-only phones) have solutions in place when the networks go off.
Asia-Pacific and beyond: In advanced Asian markets, 2G/3G sunsets are largely done. Japan famously ended 2G service back in 2012 (being an early 3G adopter) and its operators are now in the process of turning off the last 3G networks by end of 2026 [96]. South Korea has also shut 2G, and 3G usage is below 1% as 5G adoption there tops 50% of users. China, with the world’s largest mobile base, has been more gradual due to sheer scale – but even China now reports that 2G and 3G users make up under 1% of its 1.6 billion subscriptions [97]. Chinese providers are re-farming huge swathes of 2G/3G spectrum to expand 5G capacity, especially for its standalone 5G networks and IoT services. In developing markets, operators are balancing expansion with legacy support: many countries in Africa and South Asia still have a notable 2G user base (for basic voice/SMS and mobile money services on simple handsets). They are likely to keep 2G running a while (some African regulators talk of 2030+), even as 3G gives way to 4G. Notably, India – which leapfrogged to widespread 4G – is now pushing toward 5G while planning a phased 2G phaseout (the government has hinted at “sunsetting 2G” in the coming years to support its Digital India goals). Turkey, as mentioned, has a clear timetable: having extended its 2G and 3G licenses to April 2029, it will retire them at that point as part of the 5G rollout plan [98]. And Australia just ended 3G in most areas in 2024, with 2G long gone since 2017. The bottom line is that by the late-2020s, almost the entire world will be 4G/5G-only, with GSM and 3G networks finally consigned to history – marking the end of an era, even as a new one (5G Advanced and 6G) begins.
5G Standalone, IoT & Future Trends
With global 5G adoption now past the early phase, attention is turning to the next waves of mobile innovation – namely fully independent 5G networks, new IoT devices, and laying groundwork for 6G. Industry experts and recent reports provide insight into what’s coming:
Standalone 5G’s breakout year: Research firm Omdia released an analysis highlighting 2025 as a tipping point for Standalone 5G (SA) – the pure 5G networks no longer anchored to 4G cores. After a slower-than-expected 2024 (some deployments were delayed), operators around the world are accelerating SA rollouts, and Omdia is “confident [2025] will deliver breakthroughs” for the technology [99]. Why does SA 5G matter? It enables advanced features like network slicing, ultra-low latency, and massive device connectivity – key for Industry 4.0, advanced IoT and eventually 6G. To date, only about 40+ operators have live SA 5G, but many more are poised to launch in the next year (including big players in India, Europe, and Latin America). The report notes that in sectors like manufacturing and automation, enterprises are already leveraging trial SA networks, and the benefits (e.g. guaranteed latency under 5 ms, or connecting thousands of sensors seamlessly) are finally being realized at scale [100]. One challenge has been device support – which leads to the second part of Omdia’s forecast.
RedCap devices ready to scale:RedCap (Reduced Capability) is a variant of 5G NR designed for simpler, lower-cost devices (think wearables, industrial sensors, etc.) that don’t need full 5G speeds. The Omdia report flags 2025 as “the first time hardware and network ecosystems are aligned on RedCap” [101]. In other words, networks are live and the devices are finally coming. A notable milestone was Apple’s inclusion of RedCap support in its latest Apple Watch, showing top-tier vendors are on board [102]. T-Mobile US even launched the first commercial 5G RedCap device in North America in late 2024 (a hotspot for IoT) [103], marking a “significant milestone” in bringing this tech out of labs [104]. RedCap fills an important gap: it offers much better performance than 4G LTE-M/NB-IoT, but with lower complexity (and hopefully cost) than full 5G modems – ideal for the burgeoning IoT landscape. At first, RedCap gadgets (like smartwatches, AR glasses, and industrial monitors) are pricey, but Omdia expects prices to fall as adoption rises [105]. China is predicted to be a key driver, potentially subsidizing RedCap for mass IoT deployments, which would scale up volume and push down costs [106]. By Omdia’s forecast, the Asia-Pacific region (especially China, Korea, Japan) will dominate RedCap connection growth through 2030, though Europe and North America will also see their IoT connections steadily climb (see chart) [107] [108]. In essence, the stage is set for an explosion of 5G-connected devices – not just phones, but everything from health wearables to smart factory equipment – as Standalone networks and RedCap devices mutually reinforce each other’s progress.
Network slicing and private 5G go commercial: Another long-promised 5G feature – network slicing – is now becoming reality. Slicing allows operators to carve out virtual bespoke networks on the same physical infrastructure, with tailored performance for specific users (for example, a low-latency slice for an autonomous vehicle fleet, or a high-reliability slice for an industrial sensor network). According to Omdia, 2025 will see slicing “entering a commercial phase” after years of demos [109]. Telecom giants in the US like T-Mobile and Verizon have been early movers, offering initial slice-based services to enterprise clients [110]. In Europe, Vodafone and Ericsson demonstrated automated end-to-end slicing for a connected car application this year, and Asia’s telcos (NTT Docomo, SK Telecom, etc.) are launching slice managers for corporate customers. The emergence of Standalone 5G is a prerequisite for true slicing, so as SA cores go live in more networks, slicing can scale up. Analysts are optimistic that by late 2025, many multinational companies will be using either operator slices or private 5G networks for secure, dedicated connectivity. A recent industry survey found 33% of enterprises deploying IoT consider private 5G essential to address security or performance concerns in their operations [111]. This aligns with the slicing trend – some businesses will rent a slice from a carrier, others might build their own 5G network on premises (with local spectrum). In both cases, the ability to finely tune wireless networks to application needs is a game-changer. It enables new revenue streams for operators (selling premium slices or managing private networks) and gives enterprises confidence to run critical applications wirelessly (something rarely done on best-effort Wi-Fi or shared public networks before).
Toward 6G and beyond: While 5G rollout still has a long way to go, the industry hasn’t stopped looking ahead. Early discussions on 6G – which is not expected until 2030 or so – are underway internationally. Just this week, the ITU held meetings on framing 6G’s vision, emphasizing goals like integrating AI natively into networks, sub-millisecond latency, and new spectrum above 100 GHz. The FCC in the U.S. referenced “future 6G” in its infrastructure order [112], signaling that policies being set now (like streamlined permits) will also benefit whatever next-gen wireless comes next. Europe’s Hexa-X 6G research program is already prototyping terahertz radio links and network intelligence that could form the basis of 6G standards by 2028. And companies from Nokia and Ericsson to Samsung and Huawei are publishing 6G white papers on technologies like reconfigurable smart surfaces, quantum-secure comms, and AI-driven air interfaces. For consumers, all this is distant – but the 5G Advanced evolution (3GPP Release 18 and 19 specs) arriving in 2025–2026 will start to introduce some 6G flavors (e.g. even lower latency, better machine communication, sensing capabilities using wireless signals, etc.). In short, the mobile internet landscape is in a period of rapid change: legacy networks are sunsetting, 5G is maturing and branching into new frontiers, and the groundwork for 6G is quietly being laid. The developments from October 3–4, 2025 – from auctions and policies to tech breakthroughs – highlight a global industry gearing up for the next chapter of connectivity.
Sources: Reuters; GSMA; Mobile World Live; Fierce Wireless; Telecoms.com; operator press releases; regulators (FCC, Ofcom, TRAI, etc.) [113] [114] [115] [116] [117] [118] [119] [120] [121] [122] [123] [124].
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