- India’s 5G policy showdown: The GSMA urged India to keep 5G spectrum in carriers’ hands rather than give it directly to enterprises, warning that private spectrum set-asides show “no measurable benefit” and could undermine public networks [1].
- Bangladesh joins the 5G era: Bangladesh’s top two mobile operators launched the country’s first 5G services in major cities, promising ultra-fast internet and IoT-ready connectivity in a limited rollout [2].
- Pakistan fast-tracks 5G auction: Pakistan’s Prime Minister approved a long-delayed 5G spectrum auction to be completed by December 2025, freeing 606 MHz for new networks despite litigation over some bands [3] [4].
- New 5G player in Iraq: Iraq launched a national 5G telecom company in partnership with Vodafone to deploy 5G across the country in 2025, a state-backed venture aimed at boosting digital services and competition [5] [6].
- U.S. spectrum shake-up: A U.S. “Big Beautiful Bill” restored the FCC’s auction authority but sidelined hoped-for 5G/6G frequencies (3.1–3.45 GHz, 7.4–8.4 GHz), opting to study other bands and auction 100 MHz around 4 GHz [7] [8]. Industry forecasts call the impact a mixed bag – more hardware deployed, but potentially fewer cell sites [9] [10].
- Europe’s 5G tech leaps: Vodafone Germany rolled out the country’s first commercial 5G network slicing service for businesses, offering dedicated network “slices” up to 80 Mb/s on its standalone 5G network [11] [12]. In rail tech, Austria’s Kontron teamed with Qualcomm to develop a 5G FRMCS modem for Europe’s next-gen train communications, using Snapdragon X72 chips to set a new benchmark for high-speed, secure railway connectivity [13] [14].
- African network milestones: Vodacom South Africa deployed Africa’s first dual-band massive MIMO 5G radio, combining 3.5 GHz and 2.6 GHz in one unit to boost capacity while cutting energy and rollout costs [15] [16]. Rival MTN, with ZTE, even tested the world’s first 5-band 5G radio unit in the country [17]. India’s Indus Towers announced an expansion into Nigeria, Uganda, and Zambia to fuel Africa’s mobile growth, with its CEO saying the company is “well-positioned to differentiate ourselves in Africa’s fast-growing [telecom] market” [18].
- Global industry deals: U.S.-based iBASIS struck a deal with Australia’s Telstra to acquire its wholesale mobile, voice and messaging contracts, marking iBASIS’s entry into Australia/New Zealand and expanding its Asia-Pacific footprint [19] [20]. The acquisition, closing by late 2025, also gives iBASIS exclusive rights to handle international voice for Digicel Pacific, boosting connectivity across Pacific Island nations [21].
Asia-Pacific: 5G Rollouts and Policy Shifts
India – Keeping 5G carrier-led: A policy debate in India reached a climax as the GSMA (mobile operators’ alliance) weighed in on private 5G networks. In a letter to India’s telecom department dated August 29, GSMA’s APAC public policy head Jeanette Whyte cautioned against carving out mid-band 5G spectrum for enterprises. India’s public mobile networks are “fully capable” of serving industry needs, she argued, and “spectrum set-asides in prime IMT bands offer no measurable benefit to enterprises, while significantly undermining public mobile network performance, affordability and consumer outcomes” [22]. The GSMA cited global evidence that countries which reserved 5G airwaves for private use saw little advantage, and urged India to stick with a carrier-led model for private 5G to avoid harming wider network rollout [23] [24]. India’s operators and their lobby (COAI) echoed this stance, warning that letting individual firms run their own 5G networks would be costlier and less efficient in India’s context [25] [26]. The government had tested demand for enterprise 5G spectrum, but reportedly got scant response, and is now under pressure to keep 5G spectrum with the licensed telecom carriers [27] [28]. This debate will shape how Industry 4.0 and private wireless initiatives unfold in one of the world’s largest mobile markets.
Bangladesh – First 5G services launch: Bangladesh officially entered the 5G era on September 1, as its two largest operators flipped the switch on limited 5G networks. Robi Axiata, the second-largest carrier, was first to launch, activating 5G in seven zones across Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet [29]. Within hours, market leader Grameenphone followed suit, announcing 5G coverage in all divisional cities via a Facebook post [30]. The initial rollout is modest – early users found the signal only in select areas – but it represents a leap to ultra-fast wireless internet with lower latency and support for IoT and smart services [31] [32]. Operators plan to gradually expand coverage (Robi aims to connect 200 towers by November) as device ecosystems and infrastructure readiness improve [33] [34]. Bangladesh’s telecom regulator had auctioned 5G spectrum back in 2022, but rollout was delayed by cost and preparedness concerns [35] [36]. With the launch, Bangladesh joins its neighbors in embracing 5G, hoping to spur innovations from smart cities to digital healthcare. At the launch, officials urged carriers to extend 5G to rural areas to avoid a digital divide and emphasized that 5G “is about solving real-life problems, not just the technology itself” [37].
Pakistan – 5G auction back on track: In Pakistan, authorities moved to jump-start the country’s lagging 5G progress. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif gave the go-ahead for a 5G spectrum auction to be held by December 2025, aiming to end delays caused by industry mergers, legal disputes, and economic hurdles [38]. At a Senate committee briefing on September 2, officials confirmed that 606 MHz of spectrum will be up for bidding, including some mid-band frequencies (e.g. 2600 MHz, 3500 MHz) ideal for 5G coverage and capacity [39] [40]. Notably, 154 MHz of that is still tied up in litigation – a reminder of the disputes (such as an operator challenging spectrum caps) that had stalled Pakistan’s 5G plans [41]. Regulators and consultants are finalizing the auction details, and the government is pushing for transparency (even suggesting oversight by a national accountability bureau) to ensure a smooth process [42] [43]. Lawmakers warned that any further delay would hurt Pakistan’s digital economy ambitions [44]. With one major operator (Telenor Pakistan) considering an exit amid tough market conditions [45] [46], Pakistan views a successful 5G launch as critical. The auction approval is a significant step to catch up with regional peers, expand advanced mobile broadband, and attract telecom investment after years of slow 5G progress.
Asia-Pacific industry move – iBASIS-Telstra deal: A notable cross-border deal is set to reshape Asia-Pacific wholesale services. iBASIS, a U.S.-based communications solutions provider, signed an agreement with Telstra to acquire the Australian group’s international wholesale contracts for voice, mobile, and messaging [47]. Announced September 3, the deal will give iBASIS a direct presence in Australia and New Zealand for the first time, expanding its footprint across Asia-Pacific via Telstra’s global business unit [48]. As part of the transaction, iBASIS will also gain exclusive rights to handle international wholesale voice services for Digicel Pacific, which serves markets like Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Samoa [49]. This effectively ropes a swath of Oceania into iBASIS’s network. Telstra, Australia’s incumbent telco, did not disclose the sale price [50], but the move fits its strategy to refocus on core operations while leveraging partners for international reach. For iBASIS, the acquisition (expected to close by end of 2025) is a strategic bet on growing demand for mobile and IoT connectivity across the Asia-Pacific region. By taking over Telstra’s wholesale traffic and clients, iBASIS strengthens its role in connecting mobile networks globally – a sign of ongoing industry consolidation in the international carrier market.
Europe: Spectrum Policy and 5G Innovation
Spectrum shifts impact 5G/6G outlook (USA/Europe): In the United States, a new federal telecom bill made waves with its spectrum provisions, indirectly influencing global 5G/6G roadmaps. The legislation (nicknamed the “Big Beautiful Bill”) was signed in late August and, as industry analysts assessed by early September, it delivered a mixed bag for future networks [51] [52]. On the positive side, it restored the FCC’s auction authority – an essential power that had briefly lapsed – allowing the U.S. to license more spectrum for commercial 5G/6G use [53]. However, the law unexpectedly omitted two prime 5G/6G frequency ranges (the 3.1–3.45 GHz mid-band and 7.4–8.4 GHz high-band), which many in the industry hoped would be opened up for wide channels [54]. Instead, Congress authorized studies of smaller segments (e.g. 2.7–2.9, 4.4–4.9, 7.25–7.4 GHz) and directed the FCC to auction 100 MHz in the 3.98–4.2 GHz range [55]. This realignment means U.S. carriers might not get the huge contiguous blocks they wanted for 6G, tempering some ambitions. “The impact on our forecast is pretty complex,” remarked Joe Madden, principal analyst at Mobile Experts, noting his firm had to tweak projections: more 5G/6G radio units will be needed in the U.S. (to cover multiple narrower bands), but “the number of sites deployed could be lower” in the long run [56]. European telecom leaders are watching closely, as spectrum availability is a key factor in the 6G race – a point underscored back in May when 12 major European operators warned that without sufficient mid-band spectrum (like the upper 6 GHz), Europe could fall behind the U.S. in 6G deployment [57] [58]. While that was a separate debate, the U.S. policy pivot in September hints at how governments are juggling incumbent users and mobile broadband needs, setting the stage for the next generation (6G) spectrum battles.
Germany – Vodafone’s network slicing first: European operators continue to push 5G capabilities forward. Vodafone Germany just became the first in the country to offer commercial 5G network slicing on its public network [59]. Launched on September 2 under the brand “Campus Flex,” the new service lets enterprise customers buy a dedicated slice of Vodafone’s 5G Standalone network with guaranteed bandwidth and performance. Two slice tiers debuted: Campus Flex Exclusive offers up to 80 Mb/s downlink and 20 Mb/s uplink over a private slice – enough for demanding industrial applications – while a lower-tier Starter slice provides around 1 Mb/s for simpler needs like wireless payment kiosks or critical communications at events [60]. Unlike bespoke private networks, these slices run on Vodafone’s common network but act like isolated virtual networks for each client, ensuring security and steady speeds. Pricing is customized per customer and sold as an add-on to business mobile plans [61]. Vodafone Germany touts this as the first standardized slicing tariff in its market [62], beating rivals to a new revenue stream. It aligns with a broader trend: network slicing is a marquee feature of 5G Standalone, and analysts predict it will eventually grow into a multi-billion dollar market as industries adopt it for mission-critical apps [63]. In fact, just weeks prior, T-Mobile US rolled out a similar enterprise slicing offering, highlighting a global race to monetize 5G’s advanced capabilities [64]. By enabling slices on smartphones and tablets in the future, Vodafone hopes to unlock low-latency AR/VR and other advanced use cases on the factory floor [65]. For now, Germany’s early move underscores how 5G-Advanced features are transitioning from tests to real-world services.
Pan-Europe – 5G on track, 6G on the horizon: Europe saw steady progress in 5G deployment and planning. In the rail sector, a notable collaboration is bringing 5G to trains: Kontron AG (Austria) announced a partnership with Qualcomm to develop a cutting-edge 5G modem for FRMCS (Future Railway Mobile Communication System) [66]. FRMCS is the planned successor to the aging GSM-R standard used in European railways, and it will leverage 5G technology for vastly improved train-to-ground communications. Kontron’s new PC3 modem will be built on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X72 5G platform, ruggedized for rail environments and supporting special railroad frequency bands like n100 (900 MHz) and n101 (1900 MHz) reserved for FRMCS [67]. “We are excited to bring the power of 5G to the railway sector,” said Kontron CEO Hannes Niederhauser, calling the project “a new benchmark for railway communications” in terms of speed, security and reliability [68]. Qualcomm’s Europe president Enrico Salvatori noted that this modem will help transform European rail systems with enhanced connectivity [69]. The first deployments will be for the MORANE 2 initiative – a pan-European effort to implement FRMCS – and it marks a milestone in GSM-based 5G innovation beyond traditional consumer networks. Meanwhile, Europe’s existing 5G build-out continues: the region has largely completed initial mid-band 5G auctions (3.4–3.8 GHz) and is now eyeing new spectrum. Regulators are debating the fate of the 6 GHz band – with telecom groups lobbying for the entire upper 6 GHz (6425–7125 MHz) to be allocated for 5G/6G mobile use to ensure Europe’s competitiveness [70] [71]. The EU’s spectrum policy group is due to issue recommendations on that in late 2025 [72]. These policy moves, alongside technical collaborations like Kontron-Qualcomm, show Europe preparing its next-generation infrastructure – from smart cities to smart railways – on the road to 6G in the 2030s.
Middle East & Africa: Next-Gen Networks and Expansion
Middle East – Iraq’s 5G leap with Vodafone: In a bid to modernize its telecom landscape, Iraq has established a new national mobile operator specifically to roll out 5G services. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani approved the creation of this state-backed company (provisionally dubbed “Vodafone Iraq” by officials) with cabinet sign-off earlier in the year [73] [74]. On September 2, the government announced the venture’s launch in partnership with the UK’s Vodafone, which will manage operations under a license agreement [75]. The company is jointly owned by Iraq’s Ministry of Communications, the state pension fund, and the Trade Bank of Iraq [76] – signaling strong government support and local investment. Al-Sudani emphasized the urgency of bringing advanced connectivity to Iraq’s 47 million citizens, calling the 5G project a “qualitative step in enhancing telecommunications services” that will also offer shares to the public [77] [78]. Communications Minister Hiyam Al-Yasiri confirmed Vodafone’s selection as the operator and noted the first 5G networks are slated to go live in 2025 as part of the government’s digital transformation program [79]. The entry of this new player (alongside Iraq’s existing private carriers like Zain and Asiacell) is expected to accelerate internet access and fuel competition. It comes amid broader moves to boost infrastructure – for example, earlier this year Iraq even discussed collaborations with SpaceX’s Starlink to expand rural broadband [80]. By embracing 5G with Vodafone’s expertise, Iraq hopes to leapfrog into high-speed mobile internet and stimulate its economy, bridging a connectivity gap in a country rebuilding its tech sector after years of conflict.
Africa – 5G hardware breakthroughs in South Africa: South Africa, already a 5G pioneer on the continent, notched two significant firsts in mobile technology in early September. Vodacom South Africa revealed it has successfully deployed a Dual-Band Massive MIMO 5G radio unit in Cape Town – “a first on African soil,” the company noted [81]. This advanced base station, supplied by Nokia, integrates two frequency bands (3.5 GHz and 2.6 GHz) into a single massive MIMO antenna, allowing Vodacom to broadcast all its new TDD spectrum through one unit [82] [83]. For consumers, it means ultra-fast 5G speeds with improved coverage and capacity, while for Vodacom it simplifies network rollouts (one box instead of two), reduces energy consumption, and lowers costs. “The ability to deploy all our TDD spectrum on a single radio is something we’ve been working towards… This will make a big difference in how we roll out our high-capacity and sustainable network,” said Vodacom South Africa’s Technology Director Beverly Ngwenya [84] [85]. Hot on Vodacom’s heels, rival MTN and partner ZTE announced a world first: testing a 5-band Radio Remote Unit (RRU) that can handle five different frequency bands in one ultra-compact design [86]. The 5-in-1 RRU, deployed as a trial on MTN’s network, further pushes the envelope in reducing site hardware and power usage. Such innovations position South Africa as a leader in network efficiency – crucial as operators extend 5G to more areas and prepare for future 6G demands. These multi-band radios also help mobile companies in Africa address practical challenges like tower space and electricity costs while expanding coverage.
Pan-Africa expansion – Indus Towers & Airtel Africa: Africa’s booming mobile market is attracting investment from abroad. Indus Towers, one of the world’s largest telecom tower companies (majority-owned by India’s Bharti Airtel), approved a bold expansion beyond its home base into Africa [87]. On September 3, Indus’s board green-lit plans to build and acquire cellular towers in Nigeria, Uganda, and Zambia initially, with potential moves into more of Airtel’s 14 African markets down the line [88]. “The company is well-positioned to differentiate ourselves in Africa’s fast-growing telecoms market and emerge as the preferred tower company,” said Indus Towers CEO Prachur Sah in a filing [89]. The targeted countries offer high demand for better mobile coverage and data services, aligning with Indus’s aim for revenue diversification and scale [90]. This move comes as Airtel’s African subsidiary has been expanding 4G/5G networks and could benefit from an in-house tower provider to speed up rollouts. It also follows a trend of tower infrastructure deals in Africa – for instance, Airtel Africa recently extended a partnership with American Tower for thousands of sites [91]. By bringing its massive scale (over 251,000 towers in India [92]) and operational expertise, Indus Towers entering Africa could lower costs and improve connectivity for millions of users. It underscores the globalization of telecom infrastructure: emerging markets are attracting external capital and know-how to meet surging mobile internet demand, ensuring that the GSM evolution (from 2G voice to 4G/5G broadband) continues apace across the developing world.
Sub-Saharan spectrum and security updates: Elsewhere in Africa, regulators are laying groundwork for next-gen networks. Nigeria’s government, for example, prepared a new cybersecurity framework for the telecom sector (as of Sept 2) to support the integrity of 5G and future networks [93]. And in East Africa, countries like Kenya and Uganda are benefiting from partnerships – Kenya is leveraging fresh spectrum to expand 4G/5G, while Uganda welcomed new investment in 5G trials. These regional developments, though less high-profile, contribute to a broader narrative: from policy to infrastructure, Africa and the Middle East are gearing up for the GSM-based internet revolution. With major operators, governments, and international partners all involved, the first week of September 2025 showcased how global the momentum behind 5G (and beyond) has become – every region is staking its claim in the mobile internet future.
Sources
- RCR Wireless News – GSMA urges India to keep 5G spectrum with carriers [94] [95]
- The Daily Star (Bangladesh) – Launch of 5G services by Robi and Grameenphone [96] [97]
- Business Recorder (Pakistan) – Govt sets December 2025 deadline for 5G auction [98] [99]
- MEA Tech Watch – Iraq’s new 5G operator partnership with Vodafone [100] [101]
- PR Newswire – Mobile Experts on U.S. spectrum law impact on 5G/6G [102] [103]
- SDxCentral – Vodafone Germany’s 5G network slicing for enterprises [104] [105]
- Kontron AG announcement – 5G FRMCS rail modem collaboration (Qualcomm) [106] [107]
- Extensia/TechAfrica News – Vodacom’s dual-band 5G MIMO deployment [108] [109]
- Extensia – MTN/ZTE world-first 5-band RRU test in South Africa [110]
- Mobile World Live – Indus Towers to expand in Africa (CEO quote) [111] [112]
- Reuters – iBASIS to acquire Telstra International’s wholesale contracts [113] [114]
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