Global Mobile Internet Upheaval: 5G Innovations, Network Disruptions and Big Telecom Moves (Sept 28

Key Facts:

Major Network Outages: Australia’s Optus suffered a nine‐hour service collapse (Sep 28–29) that blocked 000 calls and left ~4,500 customers without emergency access ^[1]. The government demanded answers and opened an inquiry, warning “This can’t happen again” ^[2] ^[3]. (Optus said a faulty tower caused the outage and service has since been restored ^[4].)
Satellite vs. 5G: Qualcomm’s CFO Akash Palkhiwala reaffirmed that 5G is the primary network for consumers, with satellite connectivity serving as a backup. He said “for phones, the first network is 5G, with satellite as a backup where coverage isn’t available” ^[5], and added that “satellite will remain a backup network” for regular mobile services ^[6]. India is pushing hard on 6G development, and carriers like SpaceX’s Starlink have cleared regulatory hurdles to enter the market ^[7] ^[8].
Broadcast & Infrastructure Upgrades: Malaysia announced trials of 5G Broadcast technology to deliver TV/radio directly to devices without SIM cards or mobile data ^[9]. According to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, 5G Broadcast could transform live-event streaming and emergency alerts (with broad rollout expected by 2027–2030 as compatible chipsets arrive) ^[10] ^[11]. In India, state-owned BSNL and partners rolled out an indigenous 4G network stack, covering ~26,700 villages and 22 million people ^[12] ^[13]. This “Made in Bharat” 4G core (upgradable to 5G) marks India as only the fifth country to build its own 4G/5G telecom stack ^[14] ^[15].
Industry Deals & Spectrum Moves: Telecom operators are collaborating to expand capacity. In Nigeria, MTN won approval to lease spectrum from T2 Mobile (formerly 9mobile) to support a national roaming deal. CEO Karl Toriola said the move aligns with MTN’s “Ambition 2025” strategy: “By leveraging additional spectrum resources, we are enhancing network capacity in a cost-efficient and environmentally sustainable way” ^[16]. In Europe, Vodafone and Digi Romania agreed to split the assets of Telekom Romania Mobile: Vodafone will buy its post-paid business and Digi the pre-paid segment (together acquiring subscribers, spectrum and towers) ^[17]. Vodafone’s CEO noted the deal “strengthens our position in Romania” and fits a strategy of building scale in growing markets ^[18].
Policy & Regulation: Governments and regulators are taking action. In Nigeria, the federal government revoked a controversial 5% excise tax on mobile voice and data ^[19] ^[20], a move expected to “bring relief to over 171 million active telecom users” facing higher tariffs ^[21]. In Asia, regulators are also pushing legacy network sunsets: the Philippines is finalizing the shutdown of all 3G by Sept 30, 2025, and Qatar has ordered 3G switched off by end-2025 to free spectrum for 4G/5G (these represent a broader trend in phasing out old GSM networks). The UK’s communications authority Ofcom fined Vonage £700k for emergency-call failures (Sep 25) and is preparing millimeter-wave 5G auctions ^[22] ^[23]. In the US, the FCC recently closed its long-running probe of Dish/EchoStar after spectrum deals with AT&T and SpaceX, noting the moves will “free up new spectrum and bring new sources of competition” ^[24] ^[25].
User Adoption & Forecasts: Subscriber numbers continue to grow. Nigeria reported 171.3 million active mobile subscriptions in August 2025 (up from July), driven by gains at MTN and Airtel ^[26]. Globally, analysts predict explosive 5G and IoT growth: one industry report forecasts ~9 billion 5G connections by 2030 and 5 billion IoT devices by 2030 ^[27] ^[28]. Omdia’s Kristin Paulin noted “with penetration climbing…5G is entering a new phase as the backbone for IoT and digital transformation” ^[29] ^[30]. These trends suggest mobile networks will carry ever more traffic (in North America alone, 5G users consumed on average 111 GB/month in Q2) and underpin future services from telemedicine to smart factories ^[31] ^[32].

Network Outages and Service Disruptions

In late September 2025, network outages made headlines. Australia’s Optus suffered a major outage on Sept 28–29 that knocked out emergency calling (000) for thousands of people. Optus confirmed a “faulty mobile phone tower site” caused the nine‑hour interruption, which affected roughly 4,500 people ^[33]. Police reported that all people who tried to call emergency services during the outage were reached after services were restored. Still, federal ministers expressed outrage; Australia’s Communications Minister said the failure was “absolutely shocking” and demanded a full investigation ^[34]. Singtel (Optus’s parent) has pledged full cooperation. (This outage came just days after a Verizon network glitch in the US — caused by a fiber cable cut in California — briefly disrupted service for many customers on Sept 25–26.)

Beyond one-off outages, recurring vandalism and fiber cuts remain a concern in some regions. In Nigeria, for example, operators have reported hundreds of base station and cable sabotage incidents since mid-2025. Authorities there are stepping up protection of telecom infrastructure, reflecting a realization that network resilience is now a national priority.

5G & Next-Gen Innovations

On the tech front, operators and governments are pushing new network technologies. Malaysia announced it is testing 5G Broadcast: unlike normal streaming, this delivers TV and radio programs directly to devices without requiring SIM cards, mobile data plans or WiFi ^[35]. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said trials cover live sports “venue casting,” emergency alerts and other broadcasts, enabling “congestion-free streaming” even in crowded events or remote areas ^[36]. He noted the technology is still early (trials are underway in Europe too) and mass-market phones with 5G Broadcast chipsets are expected around 2027–2030 ^[37]. By then, Malaysians could get free broadcast content on their 5G phones – an innovative model for reaching audiences without cellular data.

India is moving rapidly on next-gen networks as well. Over the weekend, BSNL and Indian tech partners unveiled the “Bharat Telecom Stack,” a fully indigenous 4G network core built in two years. The cloud-based system – spearheaded by Tata Consultancy Services with C-DoT’s core tech and Tejas’s radio equipment – has already been deployed on ~97,500 towers (including by Reliance Jio and Airtel) to connect 26,700 previously unserved villages ^[38]. This brings affordable 4G to over 22 million new users, bridging the rural digital divide. Importantly, all those sites are 5G-upgradable. Officials said this “Made-in-India” 4G core makes India only the fifth country worldwide with its own complete telecom stack (joining Finland, Sweden, South Korea and China) ^[39]. BSNL’s chairman celebrated that the innovation “secures our digital future” and can now underpin the carrier’s first full 4G launch (Delhi rolled out soft 4G access in August as a service).

Meanwhile, chipmakers are focusing on the satellite-terrestrial interplay. Qualcomm’s CFO Akash Palkhiwala stressed in an interview that satellites will augment but not replace 5G. He said smartphones will still “use 5G networks first,” with satellites filling in gaps where coverage is absent ^[40]. “For phones, the first network is 5G, with satellite as a backup where coverage isn’t available,” he told Moneycontrol ^[41]. He added that consumer calls will remain on terrestrial networks (“satellite will remain a backup network” ^[42]) — even as carriers like Starlink and OneWeb prepare to offer backup broadband and emergency services. Qualcomm is also eyeing India’s role in 6G R&D, saying India has a “tremendous opportunity” to influence standards and spectrum for the next generation ^[43] ^[44].

On the device side, manufacturers are taking note. (For example, recent iPhone models gained the ability to send emergency text messages via satellite. In the US, Apple began offering this in late 2024, and other makers like Samsung have launched similar satellite SOS features.) These moves reflect a broader push toward universal connectivity: European operators are planning to embed satellite IoT links in cellular networks, and partnerships like Space42/Viasat in the UAE are pooling spectrum to let standard smartphones connect by satellite outside cities ^[45] ^[46].

Industry Transactions and Strategic Moves

Telecom companies continued to make strategic deals and partnerships. In emerging markets, spectrum sharing and leasing is a hot trend. In Nigeria, MTN closed a spectrum lease deal with T2 Mobile (the rebranded 9mobile). Starting Oct 1, 2025 MTN will lease 5 MHz in the 900 MHz band and 15 MHz in 1800 MHz band from T2 for three years ^[47]. This secures capacity for MTN’s national roaming agreement with T2, meaning MTN can carry T2’s traffic on its infrastructure. MTN emphasized that the arrangement is sustainable: CEO Karl Toriola said it aligns with MTN’s expansion plans and environmental goals. “By leveraging additional spectrum resources, we are enhancing network capacity in a cost-efficient and environmentally sustainable way,” he said ^[48]. (MTN also signaled it will wind down a separate one-year spectrum lease with Natcom that expires in Nov 2025.)

In Europe, consolidation picked up. The Greek operator OTE agreed to sell off the mobile business of Telekom Romania. Vodafone Romania will acquire the post-paid customer base (and related spectrum/towers) for €30 million, while Digi Romania will acquire the pre-paid business ^[49]. Vodafone’s group CEO Margherita Della Valle said the deal “strengthens our position in Romania” and supports Vodafone’s strategy to build scale in growing markets ^[50]. The Romanian deal (closure expected in October) follows last year’s MoU with Digi, and will widen the mobile networks of both buyers.

In Pakistan, one major merger still hung in the balance: regulators voiced concerns about the planned sale of Telenor Pakistan to PTCL. Pakistani authorities have raised issues about competition and compliance, slowing the $500 million deal (originally announced in Dec 2023). Reports say PTCL missed key filings (like a $1bn investment plan) and faces a CCP probe into its market power. For now the deal’s timing is uncertain. (If approved, it would reshape Pakistan’s mobile market, creating a giant telecom entity, but officials are in no rush to rubber-stamp it ^[51] ^[52].)

Policy Decisions and Regulatory Developments

Governments worldwide took steps that impact mobile and internet services. Tax and finance policy: Nigeria’s Federal Government revoked a 5% excise duty on telecom voice and data that had been imposed in 2022 ^[53] ^[54]. The Nigerian NCC’s boss said President Tinubu ordered the tax removal to ease financial burdens on users. This “brings relief to over 171 million active telecom users” who had faced sharply higher tariffs ^[55]. Operators and consumer groups had been strongly lobbying against the levy, which ALTON noted made Nigeria’s mobile sector among the most heavily taxed in Africa. The tax rollback is expected to lower costs for millions and support the country’s digital economy.

Legacy network sunsets: In line with many countries, regulators are forcing old networks offline. The Philippines, for example, announced that all 3G services must shut down by Sept 30, 2025 (completing a phase-out begun with 2G) to free spectrum for modern networks. Qatar has similarly mandated a 3G shutdown by end-2025. These moves accelerate the global shift to 4G/5G: as operators retire 2G/3G, governments must manage spectrum reassignments and ensure underserved users aren’t cut off. (India’s TRAI and telecom ministry have also been studying spectrum licensing for satellite services, reflecting that country’s balancing act between 5G and incoming non-terrestrial networks ^[56] ^[57].)

Regulatory actions: In the U.S., the FCC has been active. It recently agreed to close its inquiry into Dish/EchoStar’s 5G buildout obligations after EchoStar struck massive spectrum sales with AT&T ($23bn) and SpaceX ($17bn) ^[58]. FCC Chair Brendan Carr called the outcome a “potential game changer” that will free up spectrum and boost competition ^[59]. Meanwhile, in the UK Ofcom fined Vonage £700,000 (Sep 25) for failing to route some emergency calls, underscoring regulators’ enforcement focus ^[60]. Ofcom is also proceeding with auctions of new bands (e.g. 26GHz and 40GHz) to expand 5G bandwidth. ^[61]. In the Philippines, the government is studying licensing of Starlink and other satellite broadband, responding to Musk’s pressure to allocate spectrum for low-earth-orbit services.

Future Outlook and Analyses

The experts and analysts we surveyed offered cautiously optimistic forecasts. Satellite/mobile convergence is a big theme: Qualcomm’s executive team and others argue that while satellites will extend coverage, they won’t replace terrestrial networks anytime soon ^[62] ^[63]. Instead, the industry is banking on 5G as a foundation for future growth. One recent global report (from 5G Americas/Omdia) projects roughly 9 billion 5G connections by 2030, reflecting massive buildouts and falling handset costs. It also noted that connected devices for the IoT have reached ~3.8 billion by mid-2025 and could hit 5 billion by 2030 ^[64].

Broadband traffic per user is exploding: in Q2 2025 North American 5G networks carried an average of 111 GB per user per month – nearly double that of any other region ^[65]. Analysts say as 5G penetration climbs, it will underpin “mission-critical applications” in manufacturing, logistics, energy and healthcare ^[66] ^[67]. Providers are already trialing 5G‑Advanced features (e.g. Rogers in Canada rolling out 5G RedCap for IoT) to support these services ^[68].

However, experts caution that emerging 6G is still far off. A recent Chinese 6G trial hit 280 Gbps (breaking theoretical 5G speed limits) – a headline-grabbing milestone – but industry veterans emphasize that 6G won’t be commercial before the 2030s and will evolve slowly based on AI-driven use cases ^[69]. As one telecom chief said, we lack a clear “killer application” for 6G yet. In the meantime, expansion and optimization of 5G (and remaining 4G networks) are taking priority.

In summary, late September 2025’s telecom news was a mixture of crises and advances. Service disruptions drew government ire, while carriers and regulators laid groundwork for faster, more ubiquitous mobile internet. The concurrent push into satellite-backed connectivity, homegrown network technology, and spectrum-sharing deals suggests an industry in flux – betting on 5G/6G innovations to drive the next wave of growth, even as it manages the legacy networks still serving billions.

Sources: News reports and analyses from Reuters, Moneycontrol, Punch (Nigeria), DevelopingTelecoms, Telecoms.com and other industry publications ^[70] ^[71] ^[72] ^[73] ^[74] ^[75] ^[76] ^[77]. All dates refer to late Sept 2025 coverage unless noted.

References

Global Mobile Internet Upheaval: 5G Innovations, Network Disruptions and Big Telecom Moves (Sept 28–29, 2025)

Network Outages and Service Disruptions

5G & Next-Gen Innovations

Industry Transactions and Strategic Moves

Policy Decisions and Regulatory Developments

Future Outlook and Analyses

References

Mateusz Brzeziński

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