Telefonica spotted an opportunity in growing industrial demand for process optimisation services which it hopes to cash in on through an investment by its domestic unit in Spanish specialist OGA.
The operator paid an undisclosed amount for a 10% stake in OGA, a so-called deep tech company specialising in using AI and operational information to optimise processes in sectors including logistics, retail, energy, health and defence.
Javier Lopez Gutierrez, director of Telefonica Espana’s Defence and Security unit, said the operator hopes to strengthen its industrial AI offer, “with a special focus on the defence sector”.
OGA employs AI, modelling and simulations to work out optimal processes for businesses providing vital services. CEO Juan Carlos Rubio hopes Telefonica’s backing will help it grow its capabilities to the benefit of Spanish and European defence and security sectors.
Telefonica explained it is adding OGA’s services to its range for businesses and public administrations, but noted it is not taking a seat on the company’s board to preserve its independence.
The operator made its investment after working with OGA for the past two years.
Business focus Telefonica separately noted B2B is proving a lucrative sector after attracting more than 800 domestic organisations to Titan Connect, a marketplace of connectivity services it launched in January for businesses and the public sector.
The set-up pools standalone 5G, fibre and satellite connectivity with a host of systems spanning cloud and edge computing, observation services using AI and power supplies.
Telefonica pitches the service on a greater ability to keep businesses and public sector organisations connected during disruptions.
UK operator Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) flagged an around 20% improvement in spectral efficiency by using AI technology in the RAN during a test with Nokia at a busy transport hub, in what it described as first of its kind in the nation.
The test used AI to predict and optimise 5G radio resources during changing network conditions and levels of demand on a site serving customers around London Paddington rail station.
VMO2 noted use of the technology meant it could carry a greater amount of data using existing spectrum resources and deliver “significant throughput gains” during periods of high demand.
It asserted the results showcase how it can use AI to support growing traffic volumes, faster downloads and higher quality streaming, while reducing buffering in busy locations.
VMO2 CTO Jeanie York said as demand for data keeps growing “we need smarter ways to make the most of the spectrum and infrastructure we already have”.
“This live trial with Nokia showed how AI can improve network efficiency and help us respond more effectively to changing customer demand. By making better use of existing network resources, we can deliver a better experience for customers while supporting future traffic growth.”
Nokia president of mobile networks Emma Falck added the test “demonstrates how AI is moving from experimentation to delivering measurable benefits in live mobile networks”.
She added the collaboration “shows the significant potential of AI-native networks to enhance customer experiences while improving operational efficiency”.
The news is the latest in what is a hot mobile industry topic of use of AI in the RAN and comes a week after a spate of partner releases involving Nokia’s work in the segment alongside Nvidia.
SpaceX is reportedly in talks with tower companies to secure access to at least 80,000 US sites, as it presses ahead with plans to build a nationwide mobile network to rival incumbents AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile US.
According to Bloomberg, major US tower operator Crown Castle is among the companies discussing leases with SpaceX, with potential deals worth billions of dollars.
On an earnings call earlier this week, Crown Castle CEO Chris Hillabrant said the company was holding talks across the satellite telecommunications sector but declined to discuss specific customers, noting: “You can assume that we’re talking to all parties.”
The tower agreements would form a key part of SpaceX’s plan to combine satellite connectivity with ground-based infrastructure to establish a nationwide mobile network.
It is targeting early 2028 for a launch for its own direct-to-device (D2D) service, following the deployment of its second generation Starlink Mobile constellation expected next year.
Earlier this month, the company agreed to acquire up to 14MHz of paired spectrum in the 800MHz band from Grain Management, in a move chief Elon Musk said was “the last critical piece of the spectrum puzzle needed for SpaceX to provide complete phone coverage in America”.
It also secured Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval to launch 15,000 next-generation satellites for D2D services.
SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell said on the company’s Q3 earnings call the spectrum deal and satellite approval “pave the way for Starlink Mobile to become a major mobile carrier in the US”.
Rivals SpaceX’s approach has drawn scepticism from some parties over whether it can match the coverage and performance of established networks.
AT&T CEO John Stankey argued earlier this week building a network capable of matching incumbent performance would take time. “I think it takes a lot of years and a huge level of investment to get to the kind of performance levels that customers have become accustomed to in scaled networks,” he said.
Stankey also highlighted AT&T’s extensive low-band spectrum holdings and existing infrastructure, arguing the operator already serves customers across established coverage areas.
Meanwhile, T-Mobile CEO Srini Gopalan told the Financial Times in August that the threat from satellite providers had been exaggerated, questioning what consumer problems a new service would solve.
Mobile World Live (MWL) brings you our top three picks of the week, as Microsoft backed out of its UK data centre deal with Nscale, four European telco heavyweights confirmed plans to explore a joint satellite spectrum bid and SpaceX targeted a launch in 2028 for its direct-to-device (D2D) service.
Microsoft pulls out of Nscale UK data centre deal
What happened: Microsoft reportedly pulled out of an agreement to lease capacity at Nscale’s planned AI data centre in Loughton, Essex, after delays to its electricity connection pushed expected supply into the 2030s.
Why it matters: The 50MW facility was announced in 2025 as part of Nscale’s £2.5 billion UK investment commitment. Microsoft planned to occupy the entire site and deploy a supercomputer containing around 23,000 Nvidia GB300 chips. According to Reuters, Nscale said it remained “committed to both the Loughton project and the UK” and was exploring alternative power sources. It added its wider relationship with Microsoft remained strong, with the companies continuing to work together in Norway, Portugal and the US.
In February, an investigation by The Guardian found the Loughton site was still operating as a scaffolding yard, exposing a widening gap between the UK’s AI investment announcements and its ability to deliver the infrastructure required. Roderick Beck, a subsea and network capacity specialist, and VP of business development at UCC Hudson Bore, said “the big and growing order backlogs in the AI data centre sector reflect not just strong demand, but the difficulty of building these data centres and equipping them”. He added: “The construction, power, and GPU supply chains are extremely stressed.” Meanwhile, David Johnson, CEO of Greater London Industrial, noted “this is not an isolated case”, pointing to research from Roadnight Taylor which found half of UK data centre developers expected grid connections within one to two years, while many faced waits of three to eight years. He concluded: “Grid capacity is now as important to growth as planning consent. We need to treat it that way.”
European operators confirm satellite spectrum move
What happened: Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefonica and Vodafone Group signed a letter of intent to explore a joint bid for spectrum earmarked for Mobile Satellite Services (MSS), as operators look to expand D2D connectivity.
Why it matters: The quartet stated a joint approach would support open, non-discriminatory access to satellite connectivity, while reducing market fragmentation and boosting consumer choice. They plan to establish ground infrastructure, coordination and monitoring functions without investing directly in a satellite constellation. A satellite partner has yet to be selected.
Counterpoint Research senior analyst Subhadip Roy noted the move comes ahead of the expiry of existing 2GHz spectrum authorisations held by Viasat and EchoStar in May 2027, with a new allocation framework being developed by the European Commission. He added the move takes D2D beyond satellite partnerships to the question of “who controls spectrum and how satellite connectivity becomes part of mobile networks”. Meanwhile, PP Foresight’s Paolo Pescatore said success depends on making satellite coverage “a seamless extension of mobile connectivity”. He added execution, device compatibility and pricing must give customers “a compelling reason to pay, along with reassurance they can stay connected in more places”.
SpaceX targets early 2028 for own D2D service launch
What happened: SpaceX revealed plans to launch its own D2D service in early 2028, following deployment of its second-generation Starlink Mobile satellites in 2027 and integration of additional spectrum.
Why it matters: On the company’s Q3 earnings call, president Gwynne Shotwell said its spectrum acquisition and the Federal Communications Commission’s approval to launch 15,000 next-generation V2 satellites would “pave the way for Starlink Mobile to become a major mobile carrier in the US”. Earlier this month, SpaceX agreed to buy up to 14MHz of paired spectrum in the 800MHz band from Grain Management. The company also plans to use ground-based femtocells to complement satellite coverage.
Ananth Theivendrapoopathy, global head of pricing, product and commercial strategy at Lycamobile Group, said SpaceX could compete “without having to replicate the entire physical infrastructure of traditional mobile operators”, adding this could provide “a significant advantage through a different network cost structure”, although urban capacity and indoor coverage challenges remain. He argued the move also raises regulatory questions over whether satellite providers competing directly with mobile operators should face comparable regulatory obligations. He noted Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefonica and Vodafone Group’s joint approach to satellite connectivity, alongside mounting calls for European sovereignty, become “important considerations”.
Separately this week, Elon Musk revealed plans to explore a potential merger between SpaceX and Tesla in a combination that could bring satellite connectivity, vehicles and AI infrastructure under one umbrella.
LG Uplus and Ericsson boosted fronthaul coverage, addressing what the operator stated is a key element in the broader AI-RAN landscape and indicating a complete overhaul of equipment may not be necessary.
The companies conducted verification tests of Ericsson fronthaul equipment and network automation systems LG Uplus stated increased the reach of base station equipment by up to three-times over current methods without compromising quality.
LG Uplus clarified the effort focused on the connection between the Radio Unit and the Data Unit.
The operator emphasised there is more at play than expanding the distance connections can be maintained over: it argued the demonstration with Ericsson shows current equipment can be configured for AI-RAN uses, a benefit with obvious implications regarding infrastructure costs.
Lee Sang-heon, head of network advanced development with LG Uplus, said the operator intends to build on the fronthaul work by exploring other fresh technologies needed for “the next-generation network era”.
LG Uplus stated the effort would explore automation technologies and focus validation work on real-world network set-ups.
The operator stated the work would feed into a push towards autonomous networks employing AI.
Middle Eastern operators Zain Group and Ooredoo Group officially launched a joint venture tower platform after closing the first phase of the transaction by combining portfolios in their home markets.
The operators stated they have brought together the assets of Zain Kuwait and Ooredoo Qatar, comprising 4,000 towers in total.
They each own a 50% stake in the platform.
Announced in 2023, the tower company was pitched as the largest of its kind in the MENA region, with a combined value of $2.2 billion.
At the time, the companies and UAE-based TASC Towers stated the entity would comprise nearly 30,000 towers in Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Tunisia, Iraq and Algeria.
In the latest statement, the companies highlighted how the transaction is expected to create significant value through greater scale, capital efficiencies and a dedicated operating model focused on passive telecoms infrastructure.
Additional towers are expected “to be integrated progressively into the platform”, subject to closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
They further pointed to opportunities for operators to access infrastructure in a more capital-efficient manner while supporting the region’s digital infrastructure.
Zain CEO Bader Al-Kharafi said the first closing of the tower platform “reflects our shared strategy of creating focused, scalable and sustainable platforms”.
Ooredoo counterpart Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo added it is “now executing across every digital infrastructure segment identified in our strategy as we continue building a leading regional portfolio”.
Bell Canada flagged cybersecurity credentials as increasingly important in consumers’ choice of businesses after research found almost 40% would shun a company if its protections were doubtful.
A survey of 1,523 adults conducted by the telecoms player’s Cyber division found nearly 60% would stop using a business if personal data was exposed and just shy of 80% reported being the target of an attack in the past 12 months.
Bell Cyber conducted its survey across seven days, beginning on 29 July. The research revealed growing public concern over the role AI is playing in cyberattacks, with 76% believing the technology is contributing to an increase in the sophistication of swindles.
Canadians believe companies are struggling to keep pace with the cyber scams AI is contributing to.
Confidence in companies’ ability to fend off attacks is low: 31% believe businesses can protect personal information from incidents involving AI.
Bell’s research highlighted worries over workplace cybersecurity training, with many staff saying they have taken the initiative by seeking information themselves.
Localisation is one confidence-boosting method the company suggests businesses adopt, with the research indicating trust is greater when information is stored on domestic servers and security overseen by Canadian companies.
The former may be a welcome statistic given Bell is investing heavily in domestic data centre capacity.
AT&T CEO John Stankey (pictured) outlined the advantages he sees over the potential threat of a direct-to-device (D2D) service by SpaceX during a Q3 earnings call, which included much more low-band spectrum, a scaled network and the ability to penetrate buildings with its mobile service.
During yesterday’s (20 October) SpaceX earnings call, president Gwynne Shotwell said the low-band spectrum her company agreed to buy earlier this month can be paired with Wi-Fi for mobile connectivity indoors, along with devices in towers and Starlink installs across businesses and consumers’ homes.
Shotwell said Wi-Fi accounts for the vast majority of mobile connectivity, estimating its share at between 85% and 93% without providing details on how portals and passwords will be used.
“There are significant loads, even with robust Wi-Fi networks, that are out there,” AT&T’s Stankey countered on the operator’s own financial call today (21 October). “I think it takes a lot of years and a huge level of investment to get to the kind of performance levels that customers have become accustomed to in scaled networks that are running on the infrastructure that most of the incumbent providers have today.”
SpaceX has touted the nationwide low-band spectrum portfolio it bought from Grain Management as the means to enable in-building penetration for its D2D service, which Musk said yesterday will generate billions of dollars in revenue on a yearly basis.
“I wouldn’t over-rotate on what I would call one carrier of low-band spectrum,” Stankey said. “Let’s put this in perspective.”
By contrast, Stankey said AT&T operates six to eight carriers of low-band spectrum, deploying it not only at macro sites but also across every indoor building system in high-rises, hospitals and stadiums.
“We’ve got the scale where the scale matters,” he said. “98% of the traffic is where we’ve already built and where we already have capabilities and customers have become accustomed to a level of service that is pretty high.”
He added: “I feel really good about where we’re at.”
Q3 metrics AT&T revenue grew 5.3% to $32.3 billion in the quarter ended 30 September, up from $30.7 billion a year ago.
Total service revenue increased 3.8%, its best consolidated growth in more than four years, reaching $26.3 billion. Wireless, fibre and the Lumen mass markets fibre business all contributed. Equipment revenue rose 12.1% year-on-year to $6 billion.
Income from continuing operations came in at $1.3 billion compared with $9.7 billion in the year-ago quarter, which benefited from the DirecTV transaction gain.
Post-paid phone net adds were 379,000, down 6.4% from 405,000 a year ago, with churn flat. The post-paid phone base now stands at 75.283 million, up 2%. Prepaid phone lost 21,000 customers.
Consumer and business internet net additions rose 25.4% to a record 769,000 from 613,000 a year earlier. Fibre net additions increased to 442,000 from 309,000, while fixed wireless access additions climbed to 327,000 from 304,000.
Total internet connections increased 29.3% to 16.2 million. Combined with phone additions, this pushed AT&T’s Advanced Connectivity net additions above 1 million for the second consecutive quarter. Advanced Connectivity service revenue reached $23.9 billion, up 6.1%.
AT&T added approximately 350,000 converged customers, with 42.8% of households using its fibre or Internet Air service also taking its mobile service.
Jio Platforms’ $3.2 billion IPO was reportedly fully subscribed within around 100 minutes of opening on Wednesday (21 October), as investors rushed to take part in India’s largest share sale.
Sources told Reuters institutional investors covered their allocated portion within 10 minutes of bidding opening, although demand from retail investors was slower. Around a third of the shares are reserved for retail buyers.
“It’s the fastest in the history of India,” a source said.
Reliance Industries’ telecoms unit is offering 270 million shares priced at between INR1,065 ($11.28) and INR1,119 apiece, with the offer closing on Friday (23 October). The IPO values the business at up to $108.3 billion and marks the first public offering from billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance conglomerate in two decades.
The company plans to use most of the IPO proceeds to repay or prepay borrowings at Reliance Jio Infocomm, its telecoms subsidiary, with the remainder earmarked for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditure.
Jio Platforms reported a profit of around $3.2 billion on revenue of $15.5 billion in the year to March.
The offering also comes despite a weak domestic equity market, after the country’s Nifty 50 benchmark index of 50 leading Indian companies slumped this year.
However, Indian wealth management firm SMIFS Limited noted “the long-term outlook for Jio Platforms Limited remains highly favourable, driven by sustained growth in India’s digital economy”.
According to the company, Jio Platforms will “benefit from rising 5G adoption, increasing smartphone penetration, accelerating broadband penetration, growing enterprise digitalisation and expanding demand for cloud and AI-enabled services”.
Jio’s telecoms business has more than 500 million subscribers, making it the world’s second largest telecoms operator in a single country after China Mobile. It disrupted India’s telecoms market after launching in 2016 with low-cost data plans, putting pressure on rivals Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea.
However, the company continues to face regulatory uncertainty and growing competition in satellite connectivity, as billionaire Elon Musk’s Starlink prepares to enter India’s market.
Veon agreed a deal to acquire Uzbekistan mobile operator Perfectum for around $207 million, in a move designed to boost its spectrum holdings and accelerate 5G deployment in the country.
The group stated it had reached an agreement to buy 100% of Rubicon Wireless, which operates under the Perfectum brand. The deal includes around $93 million in existing Perfectum debt. Completion is expected by the end of the month, with regulatory approvals already secured.
The acquisition brings fresh spectrum and network infrastructure into Veon’s regional telecoms business, Beeline Uzbekistan. Perfectum holds 115MHz of spectrum across the 850MHz and 3,800MHz bands, alongside network equipment and a standalone 5G network deployed using Nokia technology.
Veon said the acquisition would increase Beeline Uzbekistan’s spectrum holdings by around 50%, giving the operator additional resources to expand network capacity and support future 5G and fixed wireless access services.
The companies also anticipate expenditure savings and improved “efficiency of future network investment” from integrating Perfectum’s network with Beeline Uzbekistan’s existing infrastructure.
The deal adds to Veon’s investments in Uzbekistan, a market of nearly 40 million people where demand for connectivity and digital services is apparently booming. The group said the combined assets would enable broader access to broadband to support mounting demand for financial services, digital applications and sovereign AI across the country.
“Uzbekistan is one of Veon’s core growth markets, and this acquisition reflects our confidence in its digital future,” noted Veon group CEO Kaan Terzioglu, adding the company aims to turn the deal into “stronger customer experiences, more efficient network investment and sustainable growth”.
stc Group seized the initiative on AI-native networking, setting a target of employing the technology directly in its core infrastructure by 2030.
The operator believes placing the technology at the heart of its infrastructure is essential to keep pace with growing demand for AI services and the resulting changes to connectivity requirements.
stc detailed its ambitions and approach in a white paper released during the Network X event in Austria last week in which it argued AI is essential to handle the complexity of modern telecoms networks.
In a statement publicising the white paper, stc explained the evolution to 5G-Advanced is a principal driver of increased operational complexity. It also pointed to “AI-enabled calling and immersive communications” as factors necessitating the technology.
stc argued operators are set to become essential providers of connectivity as AI services take-off, stating agents and automated systems “need networks to coordinate communications and computing resources”.
It believes an AI-native network is essential in this regard because of the greater levels of automated decision making and resource allocation the technology should afford.
stc is also seeking to improve network maintenance and reliability.
Telecom Italia appointed new enterprise and technology chiefs effective today (19 October), with both executives being replaced set to depart the company at the end of the year.
The operator’s new chief enterprise and innovative solutions officer is Mirko Mischiatti. He replaces Elio Schiavo, who held the role for more than four years.
Mischiatti joins from Poste Italiane, which has a controlling stake in the operator after a shareholder buyout offer executed earlier this year. He held various positions at the postal service provider, most recently as head of the digital, technology and operations.
Telecom Italia’s new CTO is Claudio Ongaro, who was previously chief strategy, business development and wholebuy officer at the operator.
He takes over from Leonardo de Carvalho Capdeville, who spent just over two years heading the operator’s technology office and spent a decade in the equivalent role at its operation in Brazil.
Ongaro’s former responsibilities have been handed to Telecom Italia’s CEO Pietro Labriola on an interim basis.
In a short statement on the moves, the operator noted the two departing employees were leaving voluntarily to “pursue new professional challenges”, adding the company “expresses its gratitude” for “their significant professional and managerial contributions”.
Global telecom employment fell 2.1% year-on-year in Q2 2026, extending a decline dating to 2016, according to a report by MTN Consulting.
The report’s author, Matt Walker, chief analyst at MTN Consulting, said the panel of 145 operators employed about 4.2 million people, down from 4.3 million a year earlier. The 2.1% fall exceeded the decade-long annual average of 1.7%.
The job cuts did not consistently reduce labour costs or establish a direct link between AI adoption, smaller workforces and wider margins. Among 72 sizable operators, MTN Consulting found no measurable relationship between headcount changes and trailing four-quarter EBIT margins.
It also found no consistent link between AI-related news and restructuring. Telefónica cut its headcount by 19.3%, the steepest reduction in the industry, yet had no tagged AI-automation news, while SK Telecom drew the most AI coverage and reduced headcount by 6.2%.
The findings were less positive than those in other industry surveys. Nvidia’s fourth annual State of AI in Telecommunications report stated about 65% of respondents reported AI-driven revenue gains or annual cost reductions above 5%.
MTN Consulting found fewer than 20% of global operators increased revenue by more than 5% a year, while fewer than 20% cut operating expenses by over 5%. Only BSNL, Iliad and MTN Group achieved both, representing less than 2% of the global market.
MTN Consulting said the gap suggested survey responses reflected industry optimism rather than audited operating results.
Labour costs per employee across the global panel rose 6.8% year-on-year to about $62,500. Higher compensation per worker more than offset savings from job cuts, increasing the industry’s total labour bill.
Asia was the only region to add workers during the quarter, with headcount up 0.6%, largely due to hiring by operators including KDDI. Europe posted the largest decline at 3.4%, partly reflecting Telefonica’s 19.3% reduction. Employment fell 2.8% in the Middle East and Africa and 1.2% in the Americas.
Operators who cut staff were more likely to improve operating margins, but better performance was not assured. Event studies dating to 2011 found they outperformed operators which did not cut staff in about 57% to 67% of cases.
MTN Consulting advised operators, vendors and investors to assess workforce changes and automation returns using detailed financial data rather than broad technology claims.
AT&T moved to tackle customer pain points such as phone transfers and long customer wait times by refreshing its America’s Best Guarantee programme, in a bid to win subscribers from rivals Verizon and T-Mobile US.
The latest iteration of the guarantee initiative now offers a connection with a customer service expert in five minutes or less, whether they are buying a new device, seeking technical support, paying a bill or starting service. If the timeframe is not met, customers will be offered a callback time.
Should the operator fail to connect customers with an expert within that timeframe, not offer a scheduled callback or falls short of other support promises, eligible customers may receive a benefit such as a bill credit.
Subscribers who pair AT&T Fiber or AT&T Internet Air with a mobile service will now have one dedicated technical expert to help them from start to finish.
AT&T Consumer EVP and GM Jenifer Robertson stated customers expect straightforward, fast and transparent support. She added the changes were intended to reduce friction, build trust and hold the operator accountable when it falls short of its service standards.
The operator offered its AT&T Guarantee to fibre, dedicated internet and wireless business customers after it launched a year ago.
In March 2026, AT&T extended the programme to offer bill credits to small businesses using its Internet Air fixed wireless access (FWA) service in the event of network outages.
In Q2 2026, AT&T reported 432,000 post-paid phone net additions while Verizon and T-Mobile had 184,000 and 277,000, respectfully.
Verizon and Ericsson claimed the first pre-standard 6G field call in the 7GHz range, moving their testing from the laboratory to a commercial network site.
The call was conducted at a Verizon commercial site in Concord, California, using an Ericsson 6G proof-of-concept kit. The companies tested upper mid-band frequencies outdoors and measured how the signals penetrated a building.
The test used a base station installed on a site shelter and user equipment housed in a 12-by-8-foot mobile enclosure capable of supporting stationary outdoor and indoor radio configurations.
Positioned away from the site shelter housing the base station, the mobile test unit features custom power backups, varied glass and wall material configurations. The setup allows engineers to measure how a pre-standard 6G stack operating over a 400MHz carrier handles line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight paths, foliage, physical obstacles, and building entry loss.
The companies verified an outdoor call and are also testing how 6G signals travel from open-air environments into buildings. The work measures coverage, throughput, latency, stability and feature performance in real-world conditions.
Verizon CTO and SVP of technology development Yago Tenorio stated Ericsson plays a key role in the operator’s 6G Innovation Forum and its efforts to turn 6G research into practical deployments. He added the outdoor trial would provide technical insights to help shape global standards and guide the design and deployment of future networks.
Jio Platforms set the price band for shares sold in its IPO, with the company set to raise a maximum of INR302.1 billion ($3.2 billion) from the float.
In a stock market filing, parent company Reliance Industries announced shares would be priced at between INR1,065 and INR1,119 with 270 million units available. Employees are set to receive a INR54 per share discount.
The latest filing came hours after the publication of a prospectus confirming the offer is scheduled to open on Wednesday 21 October and close two days later. Anchor investors can bid from the start of the week.
Reuters reported if Jio reaches the $108.3 billion valuation the top end would equate to, the company would become India’s fourth largest by market capitalisation behind Reliance Industries, Bharti Airtel and bank HDFC.
It also noted the IPO represented a record offering in the country.
Jio stated in its prospectus the net proceeds are set to be used to pay down debt and for general corporate purposes.
The IPO has been a major media talking point for some time, especially in India. In June 2026 Reuters reported the company was aiming for around $3.8 billion from a sale, a significant drop from how much Bloomberg estimated Jio was targeting from a float during 2025.
AT&T sealed a deal worth $2 billion to sell its business in Mexico to Grupo Televisa and Fintech Holdings, ending a decade long battle to gain ground in the country that is dominated by Carlos Slim’s America Movil.
AT&T stated the sale represents another step in a wider strategy to prioritise investment in US fibre and wireless networks, an area where it continues to make “meaningful progress”.
The US operator entered Mexico in 2015 following major regulatory reform, acquiring operators Iusacell and Nextel for a total $4.4 billion, which it merged to establish the AT&T Mexico brand.
It decided to offload the business last year and a $2 billion deal was mooted by Bloomberg.
In its statement, AT&T claimed it had grown the business into one of the country’s leading providers, and it believes Grupo Televisa and Fintech Holdings are well positioned to lead it through the next phase of growth.
Both companies will take an equal share in AT&T Mexico and means Grupo Televisa will become the first provider in the country to offer mobile, internet, pay-TV and fixed line services.
America Movil owned Telcel has around a 58% market share, while AT&T Mexico has around 16% with 24.7 million wireless subscribers as of 31 December 2025.
John Stankey, AT&T chairman and CEO, said it had articulated a strong belief that the AI future will run on converged networks and dense fibre assets.
“This move positions AT&T Mexico to participate in that evolution and is consistent with our long-term strategy to focus our capital allocation on opportunities for growth in the vibrant US market,” he added.
The deal is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027 following regulatory approvals.
Telefonica also sold off its business in Mexico, striking a $450 million deal with a consortium of investors in April.
A survey by Verizon Frontline revealeddaily AI usage by US public safety agencies nearly tripled over the past year while drone and robot deployments also saw an uptick.
The sixth annual Verizon Frontline Public Safety Communications Survey, conducted by Lexipol Media Group, highlighted daily use of AI reached nearly 32%, while 56% of public safety agency users anticipate daily AI reliance within three years, signalling it as a critical decision-support tool.
Additionally, the daily use of drones and robots increased from 15% to 26% as agencies more frequently use them to navigate hazardous environments to keep human emergency responders out of harm’s way while providing real-time situational awareness.
Network resilience remains a priority as agencies adopt these technologies, with more than 77% of the responders identifying it and reliability as their main operational requirements. Network performance also shapes personal device choices, with about 49% of respondents citing resilience and reliability as the biggest factor when selecting a device plan.
Kim Mirabella, VP of Verizon Public Sector and Verizon Frontline, stated the 2026 findings show technologies including AI and robotics, once considered futuristic, are already essential tools used by first responders every day.
Verizon stated 1,035 US public safety professionals took part in the survey
Telia Company outlined plans to cut approximately 900 jobs across the group and lower its operating cost base, setting a target of achieving annual gross savings amounting to SEK1 billion ($100 million).
The company stated its moves represent the next step in becoming simpler, faster and more efficient, with an intention to localise its operations further “and strengthen the role of its country units in meeting evolving customer needs”.
As part of the shake-up, it will transfer approximately 220 positions primarily from its common Technology unit to country units. The 900-headcount reduction will hit all units, covering both employees and resource consultations.
The restructure is expected to be completed by 31 December, subject to customary union negotiations and will result in charges of SEK600 million in Q4 206, with cash flow effect mainly in 2027.
Finland will be the most impacted by the staff cuts, with 280 reductions, followed by home market Sweden with 260.
Patrik Hofbauer, CEO and president at Telia (pictured), said the plan was part of building the future Telia and further localisation “means doubling down on what we know gets results”.
“We must always become even simpler, faster and more efficient in everything we do. We want to empower our countries more, get the utmost from our common Technology unit and other Group Functions, and sharpen Telia’s edge in a very competitive market,” he added.
As of 1 October, the company had a total 14,100 employees.
Telenor Connexion appointed former Nokia president and CEO Pekka Lundmark (pictured) as its chair, part of a broader board reshuffle at the IoT player linked with an earlier move to bring equity company Verdane into the ownership mix.
Ingrid Wistrand, an executive with experience in the IoT units of Tele2 and Deutsche Telekom, and Verdane representative Morten Weicher are also joining the Telenor Connexion board, as the company moves to broaden the experience among its top brass.
CEO Mats Lundquist said the board shuffle is the “first visible step” in a move to bring Verdane in as a co-owner of Telenor Connexion.
He said the line-up is intended to give the IoT unit a “strong starting point” as it seeks to solidify a frontrunning position in global service provision.
Dan Ouchterlony, Tom Hvammen and Liv Ingeborg Blekkerud remain to oversee corporate development.
Jesper Bruksner is being brought in to handle HR matters: Telenor Connexion highlighted experience in “scaling global technology companies”, having cut his teeth with businesses including digital payments player Klarna and online health provider Kry.
Lundmark led Nokia from August 2020 until April 2025, when Justin Hotard took over.
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