Open RAN

India and the United Kingdom have launched the India–UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre to accelerate secure, AI-driven, and resilient telecom technologies over the next four years. The two governments committed an initial £24 million—roughly ₹250–₹282 crore depending on exchange rates—to fund applied research, joint testbeds, field trials, and standards contributions in emerging telecom domains. The investment concentrates on three pillars: AI in telecommunications, non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) for satellite and airborne connectivity, and telecoms cybersecurity with open, interoperable systems. The multi-year window aligns to the critical runway for 5G‑Advanced and early 6G experimentation.
India Mobile Congress 2025 in New Delhi framed a clear ambition: scale domestic innovation, shape 6G, and turn telecom into a larger engine of GDP growth. Leaders underscored a whole-of-government approach, with multiple ministries backing IMC and the Department of Telecommunications and the Cellular Operators Association of India co-hosting. India’s telecom and digital sector is estimated to contribute roughly 12–14% to GDP today. Leaders at IMC projected this could reach about 20% by the mid-2030s if India scales advanced connectivity, software-led services, and domestic manufacturing. India’s 6G push was tied to a potential GDP uplift exceeding a trillion dollars by 2035.
India’s nationwide launch of BSNL’s “Swadeshi” 4G stack moves the country from a services-first model to domestic production of core telecom equipment at national scale. India formally launched an indigenous 4G stack for state-run BSNL, alongside more than 97,500 towers announced from Jharsuguda, Odisha. Officials highlighted early reach metrics, noting that roughly 92,000 sites are active and connecting an estimated 22 million users. Telecom equipment sovereignty has become a board-level issue as operators de-risk supply chains, comply with trusted source mandates, and balance costs amid rising traffic and spectrum refarming needs.
Fresh off its merger, VodafoneThree has locked in eight-year vendor deals with Ericsson and Nokia to underpin a £11 billion UK network build that is front-loaded for rapid 5G Standalone coverage gains. VodafoneThree selected Ericsson and Nokia as primary technology partners for one of the largest privately funded mobile infrastructure programs in Europe, with contracts collectively valued at over £2 billion. In year one, close to three quarters of the population are targeted for access to its fastest 5G services, rising to about 90% population coverage on 5G Standalone by year three and reaching roughly 99.95% by 2034 under a regulated, fully funded build plan.
Tidal Wave Technologies has selected UK-based RANsemi to supply AI-enhanced Open RAN small cells for next-generation industrial private 5G networks across India. The companies will integrate RANsemi’s small cell platform into private 5G systems targeted at harsh, safety-critical environments. Initial focus areas include open-cast coal mines, large port terminals, and complex logistics hubs. The goal is to deliver resilient, low-latency connectivity for automation, remote operations, and worker safety. The partnership will be showcased at India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 with a live demonstration of integrated small cells and edge intelligence.
Boldyn Networks and Virgin Media O2 have launched the UK’s first full RAN managed 5G service at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light. Powered by JMA XRAN® and a neutral host architecture, the deployment transforms fan experience, reduces energy use by 60%, and boosts operational safety and efficiency—setting a new benchmark for smart stadiums across the UK.
SoftBank will invest $2 billion in Intel, taking roughly a 2% stake at $23 per share and becoming one of Intels largest shareholders. It is a financial vote of confidence in a company trying to reestablish process leadership, scale a foundry business, and convince marquee customers to commit to external wafer orders. SoftBank has been assembling an AI supply-chain franchise that spans IP, compute, and infrastructure. It owns Arm, agreed to acquire Arm server CPU designer Ampere Computing, injected massive capital into OpenAI, and aligned with Oracle under the Stargate hyperscale AI initiative backed by the current U.S. administration.
South Korea’s government and its three national carriers are aligning fresh capital to speed AI and semiconductor competitiveness and to anchor a private-led innovation flywheel. SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus will seed a new pool exceeding 300 billion won (about $219 million) via the Korea IT Fund (KIF) to back core and foundational AI, AI transformation (AX), and commercialization in ICT. KIF, formed in 2002 by the carriers, will receive 150 billion won in new commitments, matched by at least an equal amount from external fund managers. The platforms lifespan has been extended to 2040 to sustain long-cycle bets.
Amphenol is acquiring CommScope’s broadband and fiber connectivity business in a $10.5 billion all-cash deal, its largest acquisition to date. This move boosts Amphenol’s presence in network infrastructure, expanding its portfolio of fiber, copper, and wireless solutions. The acquisition comes as global demand rises for high-speed, low-latency networks supporting AI, 5G, IoT, and smart city deployments.
Intel is spinning off its Network and Edge (NEX) division after posting a $2.9B loss, cutting 15% of its workforce, and pivoting to an AI-first strategy. The standalone NEX business will focus on networking and edge innovation, with Intel retaining an anchor investor role. The move underscores Intel’s restructuring to prioritize x86 and AI while seeking agility to compete with NVIDIA, AMD, and Broadcom in high-performance networking and 5G infrastructure.
India’s internet subscriber base hit 969.10 million in FY25, with broadband users rising 2.17% and narrowband shrinking. TRAI data shows wireless ARPU up 16.89%, strong wireline growth, rural connectivity gains, and Jio-Airtel dominance — while DTH shrinks and OTT rises.

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