Financial Times (FT) reported the talks were halted last week by the US over the two countries’ “technology prosperity deal” announced in September when Trump made a state visit to the UK.

The news agency noted the deal is designed to increase cooperation between the two countries in areas such as AI, quantum computing and nuclear energy.

A UK official told FT on 15 December the Trump administration is lobbying the UK for concessions across areas which are not part of the technology partnership.

“Our special relationship with the US remains strong and the UK is firmly committed to ensuring the Tech Prosperity Deal delivers opportunity for hardworking people in both countries,” a UK government representative told CNBC.

Government officials countries began discussing terms for Trump’s tariffs in April before reaching an agreement a month later, according to FT.

The post US halts technology trade talks with UK appeared first on Mobile World Live.

The laboratory is due to open next year and forms part of a broader agreement between Google and the UK government, with the company adapting several of its AI models including Gemini for use by public employees, scientists and teachers.

DeepMind’s laboratory will help “turbocharge scientific discovery”, with a team of researchers overseeing work at the facility which will be fully integrated with Gemini, Google DeepMind stated.

“By directing world-class robotics to synthesise and characterise hundreds of materials per day, the team intends to significantly shorten the timeline for identifying transformative new materials.”

It added discovering new materials is one of the most important pursuits in science, offering the potential to reduce costs and enable entirely new technologies.

Examples cited include semiconductors operating at ambient temperatures and pressure, allowing for low-cost medical imaging and reducing power loss in electrical grids. Another potential from its work could help tackle critical energy challenges by unlocking advanced batteries, next-generation solar cells and more efficient computer chips.

The company did not provide any details on the investment it would make in the facility or staff numbers.

Separately, Google DeepMind stated it would begin sharing proprietary models and data with the UK AI Security Institute as part of a push to ensure cyber risks are “better understood and mitigated”.

In September, Google pledged to invest £5 billion in its UK operations, focusing on AI research for science and healthcare sectors.

The post Google DeepMind plots UK science lab appeared first on Mobile World Live.

The research, “The Great Connectivity Convergence: NTN in Consumer Mobile,” surveyed over 12,000 mobile users across 12 countries and reveals substantial demand for satellite services. The message from consumers is clear: they are well aware of existing coverage gaps, are willing to pay to close them, and prepared to switch providers to access better coverage.

The Coverage Gap: Home and Away

The study reveals 14% of users (globally) struggle with inconsistent or no coverage at home. The problem intensifies when they are on the move, with 21% reporting that they only get good coverage some of the time domestically. This isn’t a minor inconvenience, on average, more than a third of consumers globally lose access to basic mobile services at least twice a month.

This issue is not confined to remote or developing regions. France and the US record the highest share of users unable to use SMS services at least five times in a single month — 26% and 23%, respectively. This frustration explains why the vast majority consider reliable coverage non-negotiable — 91% say it matters at home, 89% while on the go domestically, and 70% when travelling abroad.

The Technological Tipping Point

For decades, satellite and cellular connectivity operated in separate spheres. Today, that is changing. The “Great Connectivity Convergence” is powered by the emergence of non-terrestrial networks (NTN), as defined by 3GPP’s Release 17 standards. This critical development means everyday smartphones can now be adapted to connect directly to satellites using the same global standards they use for cellular networks, without the need for additional hardware.

Direct-to-Device (D2D) and Direct-to-Handset (D2H) technology is no longer a prohibitively expensive or futuristic concept. It represents a commercially viable path to eliminating dead zones, enabling everything from satellite-supported SOS and messaging to more data-rich services in the future.

The consumer response to this technological shift is overwhelmingly positive: nearly 80% of people surveyed are interested in satellite-enabled services for traditional cellular dead zones. However, the nature of this demand varies significantly from market to market, requiring a nuanced strategy from MNOs.

The willingness to Pay Represents a Global Revenue Opportunity

The study provides compelling evidence of new revenue streams. Globally, over 60% of consumers surveyed are willing to pay extra each month for satellite connectivity, with enthusiasm peaking in high-growth regions. In India, for example, 89% of respondents are willing to pay more, followed by 82% in Indonesia. This contrasts with more developed economies like the US (56%) and France (48%).

On average, consumers surveyed were willing to pay would accept a 5-7% increase in their monthly bill. India stands out again, with an average willingness-to-pay of 9% more. This is particularly significant given the country’s lower Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) of $2.35, compared to the US’s $45.57. This demonstrates that in high-population, lower-ARPU markets, the aggregate revenue opportunity is substantial when commercial strategies are effectively tailored.

Consumer expectations for these services also differ. In less economically developed markets, enthusiasm is disproportionately stronger for higher-data-rate applications like web browsing and video calls via satellite. In more developed economies, interest currently focuses more on foundational services like messaging and SOS.

This divergence presents a “marketing gap” for MNOs. The challenge being to harness the excitement in emerging markets without over-promising on services that are not yet widely available. For the foreseeable future, satellite connectivity on smartphones will focus largely on lower-bandwidth services. MNOs must therefore manage expectations carefully, especially in regions where demand for data-rich services is highest.

The Churn Threat and Loyalty Opportunity

Perhaps the most powerful finding for MNOs is the direct link between satellite services and customer loyalty: nearly half (47%) of all mobile users stated they would switch to a different provider if it offered smartphone connectivity in areas currently without coverage.

This willingness to churn has increased over the past year, when looking at data included in a 2024 GSMA Intelligence survey that used the same parameters, solidifying D2H as a powerful competitive differentiator.

With network quality consistently ranking as the number one purchase criterion for consumers, MNOs that can offer a “coverage certainty guarantee” through a hybrid satellite-cellular network will hold a significant advantage. Those who delay risk not only missing a new revenue stream but also facing erosion of their market share. To capture this opportunity, MNOs need a partner that can navigate the complex ecosystem of satellite connectivity.

Viasat is uniquely positioned to enable this transition through an open, standards-based approach. By working within 3GPP Release 17 standards and GSMA international roaming frameworks, Viasat simplifies the integration of native satellite-cellular connectivity for MNOs and OEMs. A key enabler is the use of Viasat’s authorized L-band spectrum for the connectivity link, which allows MNOs to avoid complex spectrum sharing agreements and retain their valuable terrestrial spectrum.

This ecosystem approach is already delivering real-world benefits. Today, over seven million devices already benefit from D2H-enabled SOS services thanks to Viasat’s capabilities, demonstrating the scalable, practical application of this converging technology.

A Fundamental Connectivity Shift

The data from the Viasat and GSMA Intelligence study clearly points to strong demand for reliable and ubiquitous connectivity — and demonstrates that consumers are ready, willing to pay, and prepared to switch providers.

For MNOs, embracing the “Great Connectivity Convergence” is a strategic imperative for growth, customer retention, and competitive leadership. By partnering to deliver these services, MNOs can do more than close coverage gaps. They can bridge the digital divide, ensure access to critical services like telehealth and emergency response, and deliver on the promise that a phone should connect wherever life takes you.

The post The Great Connectivity Convergence: How MNOs Can Capture Rising Demand for Satellite Services appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Bloomberg reported Meta Platforms executives are mulling a 30 per cent budget cut for the metaverse sector in 2026 across Meta Horizon Worlds and its Quest VR division.

The news site noted those reductions will most likely include layoffs as early as next month, although a final decision is still pending.

During Meta Platforms’ annual budget meeting last month, Zuckerberg tasked executives to make 10 per cent reductions across the company, but Bloomberg reported it is a similar ask from previous budget cycles the last few years.

The news site’s sources stated the company is making deeper cuts to the metaverse sector because Meta Platforms has not faced the level of competition it previously expected.

Bloomberg reported the bulk of the proposed cuts are mostly likely to take place across its VR group, which accounts for most of the metaverse related expenditures.

Zuckerberg has been a big proponent of creating the metaverse, which is why he changed the company’s name from Facebook to Meta Platforms in 2021.

The company’s Reality Labs is home to its AR and VR technologies, but it has continued to lose billions of dollars.

A representative for Meta Platforms told Mobile World Live the company is shifting some of its investment from the metaverse toward AI glasses and wearables “given the momentum there”.

“We aren’t planning any broader changes than that,” the representative stated.

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A managed LEO service is now attainable for private enterprises, governments, mobile network operators (MNOs), and emergency services, for both primary and secondary services.

We, GSMA Advisory Services Ltd., will be the controller of your personal data. We will use your data to provide access to the whitepaper you have requested. We will share your data with our partners, Hughes, in connection with this whitepaper, including for related communications and to send you invitations to stay in touch with the partner. Please read our Privacy Policy

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Various outlets report Minister for Communications Anika Wells told Parliament the government is unwavering in its plan to implement the ban despite the High Court action by a pair of teenagers.

Sky News reported the politician said the government is steadfast in its support of parents and Reuters detailed a reference to resisting attempts at intimidation.

Each news outlet explained the DFP is led by John Ruddick, a politician in the New South Wales state Parliament, and the plaintiffs in the court action are 15-year-olds Noah Jones and Macy Neyland.

The latter reportedly drew parallels between Australia’s planned ban and the dystopian world envisaged in the novel 1984, written by George Orwell.

Neyland expressed concerns over a loss of outlets and society for younger users and the DFP branded the planned legislation as “excessive”.

Sky News emphasised the landmark nature of the legislation, noting many other governments and technology companies are waiting to see how the ban pans out.

The government recently added Twitch to a list of affected services, which include various Meta Platforms offerings, TikTok, X and YouTube.

The post Australia resists social media ban challenge appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Hasan Khan, Country Director – Qatar, outlines how Cisco is supporting Qatar’s digital transformation agenda and positioning itself to enable future growth areas such as AI, cybersecurity, digital services and sustainable infrastructure.

The post Partner Interview: Cisco appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Senior leaders have reportedly ramped up succession planning in recent weeks, with hardware engineering chief John Ternus emerging as the leading internal contender. Cook, who turned 65 this month, has been at the helm for nearly 15 years.

Apple is not expected to confirm any transition until after it reports quarterly earnings in late January, though no final decision has been made and the timeline could shift.

The succession follows notable leadership reshuffles in 2025, following the departures of long-time CFO Luca Maestri and COO Jeff Williams earlier this year. Sources told FT that Cook’s transition is unrelated to Apple’s business performance as the company heads into what is projected to be a strong end-of-year iPhone sales cycle.

Richard Windsor, founder of Radio Free Mobile, highlighted Cook’s financial track record, noting the iPhone-maker’s valuation jump from $350 billion at the start of his tenure to around $4 trillion today. “Whether one loves or loathes Mr Cook, he has done a first-class job at taking what Steve Jobs invented and maximising value creation from it,” he noted.

But he warned the next CEO will face tougher strategic decisions as Apple contends with two potentially “existential” challenges: AI and the rise of metaverse-era devices. “There are two challenges that could completely upend the company,” he said, arguing Apple is “really struggling” in AI while rivals push ahead with LLM-powered assistants.

Windsor also pointed to emerging smart glasses momentum led by Meta and RayBan, arguing that if users prioritise glasses over smartphones, “the iPhone would have effectively become obsolete”, he said.

With this backdrop, Windsor argued Apple may need a new approach. “I think the company would be best served with a fresh pair of eyes,” he said, warning an internal appointment risks “more of the same, which is not what I think this company needs”.

The post Apple ramps up CEO succession planning process appeared first on Mobile World Live.

This year the company set an even higher sales target and over the first three quarters is ahead of the plan, said CEO Leighton Carroll.

During a four-year strategic reset, the antenna maker upgraded its product line-up and moved into rapidly growing high-density indoor and outdoor environments, covering stadiums, arenas, convention centres and concert halls.

When looking at stadium deployments, he acknowledged there was really only one game in town, MatSing. Its lens-based antennas use giant globes, offer full dedicated beam stability and are deployed all over the world in many major stadiums.

“But they are extremely heavy and very expensive. It’s a fantastic product. It works very well but is large. Three people could fit inside the shell.”

Galtronics spotted an opening and developed its first comparative version, a panel-based, multibeam unit with full-beam stability, which weighed only half as much and was substantially lower in price compared with the legacy globe-like gear.

In fact, a major catalyst behind Galtronics’ growth over the past two years has been rising adoption of its multibeam antennas for large-scale events. The company now offers 36 models with more coming.

Proof in Germany
In September, Deutsche Telekom (DT) ran a live network trial using its gear at the Glücksgefühle Music Festival in Germany, with some 250,000 attendees consuming 40TB of data over four days, a traffic record for multibeam technology for an event.

The previous record using multibeam was 30TB, registered at Rogers Centre in Toronto during the Taylor Swift tour in Canada.

The test, the first using dual band, multibeam antennas in Germany, demonstrated the “superior performance in large-scale live events”, with DT covering both 4G and 5G frequencies with “multibeam outperforming the legacy 4G and massive MIMO 5G antennas”, a joint release with the operator declared.

The successful trial with DT and endorsement from a tier-1 European carrier is huge, Carroll said, since the operator is a “gold standard” for networks. He highlighted the trial and feedback “validate all the work that we put into making this technology right. You have to have something that works insanely well at a reasonable price point for that type of delivery.”

The company expects to replicate this success with other carriers across the continent and globe, he added.

The use-case
The CEO shared an example of a US third-party operator (3PO), upgrading an NBA arena, achieving capital savings of $750,000 on the project while also eliminating structural challenges that had arisen from the original plan to deploy much larger and heavier globe antennas.

The operator opted to switch to Galtronics’ multibeam antennas. The product engineer on the project told them after the launch: “You guys made me look like a hero due to excellent performance, enormous cost savings and eliminating structural issues for the arena owner.”

The company is working with many wireless carriers in North America and is also expanding into Europe. “You don’t break into Europe unless you have something that really works and something that is competitive” because there are so many alternatives, he noted.

Customers in Europe include Telecom Italia, and it is working with some of the Vodafone properties.

Carroll said a tower company has got “multibeam fever” and is upgrading a major US stadium using all multibeam, while some unnamed US operators have deployed the technology at a couple of college football venues.

In April, it was awarded a $132,000 contract to install its multibeams at Estadio Azteca stadium in Mexico, the largest in Latin America with a seating capacity of 87,523.

How it works
Its dual-band, multibeam antennas divide a sector into multiple independent directional sectors, or beams. They can cover different frequency ranges in the same antenna supported with additional radio capacity per beam. Using its technology, significantly more people can surf and stream at the same time with stable high-speed data rates, even when thousands of people are posting, chatting or live streaming concurrently.

He insisted its multibeam category has been “a game changer” for the company because customers say the products are amazing and will then ask what else does Galtronics offer. “We’re growing across multiple products categories.”

The company also has a broad small cell portfolio, working with all three tier-one carriers in the US and Canada. It is AT&T’s number one small cell provider, and works with Verizon, T-Mobile, Rogers and others.

Carroll said over the years it has encountered a couple of surprises: wireless carriers will take you to places you didn’t anticipate you’d go, and you’ll also identify opportunities from talking to your customers to develop new technologies.

He gave the example of cell sector saturation.

A cell tower typically has three or four sectors, with each pointing in a specific direction by design. One of those sectors in a high-traffic area can get saturated, meaning the amount of spectrum that’s been deployed can’t keep up with growth in data usage, he explained.

Carriers are starting to look at some sites and instead of just adding more antennas, they are decommissioning legacy products, including massive MIMO deployments, and replacing them with its multibeam units with additional radios to solve the cell sector saturation issue, he explained.

Carroll clarified massive MIMO is “a wonderful technology”, but it’s really a 5G technology and has limitations under significant load.

He added it is finding operators now are switching equipment on cell towers in this cell sector saturation scenario because the amount of dedicated spectrum and radio processing power behind it leads to a much better experience and saves them from having to spend more money on other alternatives. Given multibeam antennas can cover 4G and 5G in single antenna, it provides a simple upgrade path while allowing carriers to better manage their spectrum portfolio in a given location.

Galtronics, owned by Baylin Technologies, was founded in 1978 in Israel and moved its headquarters to Toronto in 2011.

Watch the video here

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• Implications of 5G NTN on infrastructure and business models
• Key technical challenges and considerations
• Interoperability and the road to seamless integration with terrestrial 5G
• The evolving role of the ground segment in NTN architecture

This is your opportunity to hear directly from those building the foundations of NTN — and those preparing to deliver services across it.

Also joining the session:

The post UNWRAPPED WEBINAR: 5G NTN Reality Check – What Operators Need to Know About Bridging Space and Terrestrial Networks appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Hear first-hand from industry experts as they discuss infrastructure, spectrum strategies, and the latest standards driving this sector forward. Discover what it will take to enable true global mobility, the integration challenges ahead, and how collaborations between the space and telecoms industries are shaping the future.

Key topics will include:

• The integration of satellites into the 5G ecosystem and the prospects for universal 5G coverage from space
• Monetisation strategies: who pays for what, and how value is created across consumers, enterprises, and governments
• The real-world capabilities of 5G satellite services, spectrum and bandwidth considerations, and the user experience of tomorrow

The post UNWRAPPED TOPIC PANEL: 5G from space – Satellite & NTN appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Semtech Corporation and Skylo have changed that. Together, we deliver the industry’s first single-vendor device-to-cloud IoT solution that unifies terrestrial and satellite connectivity through one SIM, one module and one platform.

Discover how Semtech’s combined solution of Smart Connectivity Premium SIM and HL78 LPWA modules seamlessly transitions between 600+ terrestrial networks and Skylo’s NTN coverage, eliminating blind spots without manual intervention or additional hardware – backed by a single IoT expert partner.

Ideal for IoT solution providers in asset tracking and remote infrastructure monitoring, this session reveals how to achieve true global coverage, simplify fleet management and accelerate deployment—validated by real-world LPWA-to-NTN testing and early adopter experiences.

The post UNWRAPPED WEBINAR: Simplifying Satellite IoT: How One SIM, One Module and One Platform Delivers True Global Coverage appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Join our panel of industry experts as we explore the strategic imperatives for telcos in the 5G NTN era. We will discuss the benefits of a hybrid integration strategy, which leverages existing satcom infrastructure investments with 5G Core access while paving the way for future innovation, highlighting how advanced ground systems like Intuition are critical enablers. Discover how the full convergence of 3GPP TN and NTN and non-3GPP networks creates a unified ecosystem for seamless global roaming and new enterprise services. This session will provide actionable insights and a clear pathway for leveraging 5G NTN to gain a decisive competitive advantage, demonstrating the transformative power of a robust ground segment.

The post UNWRAPPED WEBINAR: 5G NTN Integration – How Hybrid Networks Unlock New Growth Opportunities appeared first on Mobile World Live.

By constructing the data centres, Meta stated it aims to advance AI technology, create jobs, support local economies, and reinforce the US’ technological leadership.

Since 2010, the Facebook-parent’s data centre projects have supported over 30,000 skilled trade jobs and 5,000 operational jobs. Meta also stated it is a large customer for US contractors and manufacturers, bringing $20 billion in business to subcontractors while supporting various skilled trades.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has put AI at the front of the company’s agenda this year as it hired new employees and raised its capex guidance.

On last month’s Q3 earnings call CFO Susan Li said capital spending “will be notably larger” in 2026 than 2025, as it looks to build out more computing infrastructure for AI.

Superintelligence
Zuckerberg is a big proponent of developing superintelligence, a theoretical form of AI which would not just match but vastly exceed human intelligence across every domain of cognitive ability. 

Zuckerberg stated on the Q3 call Meta is building up its compute capabilities because “it’s the right strategy to aggressively front-load building capacity so that way we’re prepared for the most optimistic cases”.

“That way, if superintelligence arrives sooner, we will be ideally positioned for a generational paradigm shift and many large opportunities.”

In September, Meta Platforms struck a deal worth up to $14.2 billion with technology company Coreweave to bolster its computing power resources.

Zuckerberg stated in July the company planned to invest hundreds of billions of dollars on AI compute infrastructure, which includes building colossal data centre clusters.

The post Meta to throw $600B at US data centres, AI infrastructure appeared first on Mobile World Live.

According to Bloomberg, the agreement would give Apple access to Google’s 1.2 trillion parameter Gemini system to run key Siri capabilities such as summarisation and task planning. The custom Gemini model would mark a significant upgrade from Apple’s current 150-billion-parameter system.

Apple plans to host the Gemini model on its Private Cloud Compute servers, keeping user data isolated from Google’s systems. The company has already set aside dedicated AI server hardware to support the new model.

The iPhone-maker tested several AI systems including OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude before opting for Google’s Gemini as an interim solution while it develops its own 1 trillion parameter cloud-based model. The in-house system could be ready for consumers next year.

Apple and Google reportedly declined to comment.

Unlike earlier talks to plug Gemini into Siri as a chatbot, the current deal does not extend to integrating Google’s AI search or chatbot directly into Siri.

The move is part of a broader effort to overhaul Siri’s foundations and integrate it with the company’s wider AI-powered Apple Intelligence platform.

In an August staff call, CEO Tim Cook told employees that Apple had to lead the AI revolution, adding that a more personalised version of Siri is slated to launch next year. The enhanced voice assistant is tipped to debut with iOS 26.4 next spring, Bloomberg reported.

Apple’s Siri overhaul has faced persistent setbacks since it first teased the upgrade last year. In March, Siri chief Robby Walker reportedly lamented the delays to new AI features, stating the company was still unsure when the revamped voice assistant would launch.

The post Apple nears $1B Google AI deal to power revamped Siri appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Download this analyst report from Transforma Insights to see how global IoT connectivity is finally being achieved through the convergence of 4G/5G cellular, IoT satellite networks and LoRaWAN. Learn how enterprises can simplify IoT deployments, reduce costs, and expand reach with unified IoT management platforms.

The post UNWRAPPED HOSTED CONTENT: Truly Global IoT Connectivity Is Becoming a Reality appeared first on Mobile World Live.

While the financial terms were not available, Reuters previously reported app developer Bending Spoons was paying $1.4 billon to buy the early internet pioneer.

Bending Spoons stated yesterday (29 October) it secured a $2.9 billion debt financing package to close the deal, as well as to support investments in research and development and future M&A activity.

Bending Spoons CEO and co-founder Luca Ferrari describes AOL as a healthy, iconic brand with “unexpressed potential”.

He noted AOL is still among the top ten global email providers, serving about 8 million daily and 30 million monthly active users.

“We intend to invest significantly to help the product and the business flourish,” he stated. “Bending Spoons has never sold an acquired business. We’re confident we’re the right long-term steward for AOL, and look forward to serving its large, loyal customer base for many years to come.”

The deal is expected to close by year end, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

AOL was previously owned by Time Warner from 2001 to 2009 and by Verizon Communications from 2015 to 2021.

AOL will join other global brands in Bending Spoons’ portfolio, including recent acquisition agreements for Vimeo which is expected to close in Q4.

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The Amsterdam Court of Appeal accepted Meta’s argument that the ordered algorithmic overhaul involves “complex interventions” at the heart of its systems, requiring approvals from third parties including Apple and Google.

Earlier this month, the District Court of Amsterdam found some of Meta’s policies went against the principles of the European Union’s Digital Services Act.

It ordered the company to provide users with a “direct and easily accessible” way to opt out of algorithmic timelines on Facebook and Instagram, with the choice to access chronological or other non-personalised feeds.

The court initially gave Meta just two weeks to rework its algorithmic timelines.

Although Meta appealed the initial verdict, it remains obligated to make the changes while the appeal proceeds. A full appeal hearing is set for 26 January 2026, when judges will assess whether Meta’s updated design meets the DSA’s strict transparency and user control standards.

The post Dutch court extends Meta algorithm deadline appeared first on Mobile World Live.

In a notice distributed to employees today (28 October), Amazon SVP people experience and technology Beth Galetti said the move is part of a drive to strengthen the company by cutting bureaucracy and shifting resources to support its “biggest bets”.

She did not explain which parts of its corporate workforce would be impacted or how the cuts would be distributed across its global footprint.

Explaining the rationale for the move despite the company “performing well” and “producing strong business results”, the executive said “the world is changing quickly”.

“This generation of AI is the most transformative technology we’ve seen since the internet and it’s enabling companies to innovate much faster than ever before,” Galetti said, pointing to this being the case in new and current market segments.

“We’re convicted [sic] that we need to be organised more leanly, with fewer layers and more ownership, to move as quickly as possible for our customers and business”.

Amazon stated the reductions are linked to an ambition to be “the world’s largest start-up”.

The post Amazon delivers corporate jobs blow appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Bloomberg reported AI chief Alexandr Wang notified employees yesterday about the job cuts in an internal memo. Axios noted Meta will continue to hire new employees for its TBD Lab team which is under the umbrella of Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL).

The cuts are across the social media giant’s Fundamental AI Research (FAIR) team and product-related AI and AI infrastructure units, added Axios.

Wang stated in his memo reducing the team’s size will allow for faster decision-making and give remaining employees greater responsibility and influence, according to both news agencies.

Bloomberg explained the TBD Lab team is home to recently hired, highly-paid AI staff members, some of whom Meta poached from rival companies such as OpenAI.

Meta is encouraging those laid off to apply for other roles within the company and has indicated that hiring for its AI teams will continue, according to Bloomberg.

In August, the company carved up its MSL division into four separate teams as part of a plan to leverage recent hires from competing players. The move marked Meta’s fourth AI restructuring over the past six months.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated in July the company planned to invest hundreds of billions of dollars on AI compute infrastructure, which includes building colossal data centre clusters.

In April, Meta increased its projected capital expenditure for 2025 to $64 billion to $72 billion after previously stating in January it planned capex of $60 billion to $65 billion.

The post Meta slashes about 600 jobs from AI division appeared first on Mobile World Live.

14:00 GMT

Our keynote interviews will explore how space and telecom players are converging to deliver seamless global connectivity. We have some of the biggest names in this fast-growing sector covering the most innovative developments:

Luke Ibbetson, Head of Group R&D, Vodafone Group: Hear from one of the world’s biggest mobile operators on its satellite and D2D plans, fresh from a high-profile deal with AST SpaceMobile.

Thierry Klein, President – Bell Labs Solutions Research, Nokia: Learn how Nokia is on a mission to provide lunar connectivity from the moon and beyond!

Tarun Gupta, Co-Founder, Skylo Technologies: Following big name deals with Verizon and Deutsche Telekom, find out what’s next for this D2D startup making huge waves in the market.

Speakers:

See the full Unwrapped agenda here

The post UNWRAPPED: Keynote interviews – 5G from space: Satellite & NTN appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Reuters reported the US Justice Department had contacted Apple to remove the ICEBlock app, claiming it increased the risk of attacks on its agents, and the company has complied with the request.

ICE is a federal enforcement agency and its agents are tasked with enforcing Trump’s hard-line immigration laws. The app is designed to alert users if ICE agents are in their area.

In an statement seen by the news outlet, Apple stated: “Based on the information we’ve received from law enforcement about the safety risks associated with ICEBlock, we have removed it and similar apps from the App Store.”

ICEBlock launched in April and shot up to the top of Apple’s App Store rankings in July. It then faced heat from the White House, with the administration claiming agents were facing a 500 per cent increase in assaults.

Following Apple’s removal, US attorney general Pam Bondi welcomed the decision, telling CNN “ICEBlock is designed to put ICE agents at risk just for doing their jobs, and violence against law enforcement is an intolerable red line that cannot be crossed”.

Apple and other technology companies have sought to improve relations with Trump during his second term. The iPhone maker has pledged to invest $600 billion in the US over the next four years.

The post Apple pulls location tracking tool from App Store appeared first on Mobile World Live.

According to Reuters, the court ruled Meta Platforms must offer simpler options on user timelines that do not focus on making profit for the company, mainly ensuring the platforms’ do not rely on algorithms.

It further argued that the design of both platforms go against the principles of the European Union Digital Services Act (DSA), and it has been given two weeks to offer users a direct and simple way to opt out of timelines that offer recommended content.

A chronological based timeline must be offered, added the court.

In its decision, the court explained “people in the Netherlands are not sufficiently able to make free and autonomous choices about the use of profiled recommendation systems”.

The case was launched by digital rights group Bits of Freedom. Spokesperson for the group Maartje Knaap said it was “unacceptable a few American tech billionaires can determine how we view the world”.

Meta Platforms, which has stated it will appeal the decision, faces a fine of up to $5.8 million if it does not comply.

The case in the Netherlands is the company’s latest row in Europe. It is also facing heat from the European Commission over failing to remove illegal content on Facebook and Instagram.

The post Meta Platforms faces Dutch algorithm crackdown appeared first on Mobile World Live.

To make it highly compatible with existing terrestrial networks, the new network will adopt MEF 3.0 Carrier Ethernet standards, so that it operates as a Carrier Ethernet network in space.

This report describes potential use cases in the enterprise, government and public agency sectors and outlines how Telesat’s new constellation can be integrated with telcos’ existing network and enterprise offerings.

We, GSMA Advisory Services Ltd., will be the controller of your personal data. We will use your data to provide access to the whitepaper you have requested. We will share your data with our partner Telesat in connection with this whitepaper, including for related communications and to send you invitations to stay in touch with the partner.

For more information on how we handle your data, please see our privacy notice .

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Llama’s availability will be extended to France, Germany, Italy, Japan and South Korea as well as key institutions NATO and the European Union, building on existing access for the US and its existing intelligence-sharing partners Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

In a blog post, the company revealed partnerships with a slew of technology and defence players including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Google Cloud, IBM, Oracle, Palantir, Accenture and Anduril to support deployments in the selected countries.

The Facebook owner emphasised that the open-source nature of Llama, its proprietary large language model (LLM), allows governments to deploy models locally in secure environments, fine-tuned with sensitive data, and without routing information through third-party AI providers.

Meta Platforms positioned the move as part of a broader strategy to maintain US and allied nations’ AI leadership in support of US President Donald Trump’s AI Action Plan. “In a world where geopolitical power and national security are deeply intertwined with economic output, innovation, and growth, the widespread adoption of open-source models like Llama will be essential,” noted Joel Kaplan, Meta Platforms’ chief global affairs officer.

The move comes a day after the US General Services Administration added Llama to its list of approved AI tools for federal agencies. The LLM is already being used within the US government and military for national security and defence applications.

Meta Platforms indicated that additional allies may be granted access to the model, pending consultation with the US government.

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The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) targeted ByteDance over posts on its Toutiao news platform and Alibaba for content from browser division UCWeb a day after announcing a two-month campaign to clean up the online sector.

Toutiao drew the regulator’s eye for failing to fulfil information content management duties, CAC stated. The site presented “negative information” on its main search list and prominently featured related topics which the regulator believes damaged the “network ecology”.

UCWeb is being targeted for breaches involving frequent display of information from unauthorised sources on its main search function. CAC stated issues spanned areas including “online violence” and child privacy, ordering investigation and suitable penalties.

In each case, CAC explained a “clear and healthy cyberspace is in the interests of the people” and it would maintain a focus on “prominent violations of laws and regulations”.

CAC pledged to employ the “power of cyber law enforcement”, though called on websites and platforms to self-police by ensuring they meet “their primary social responsibilities”.

Scrutiny of ByteDance and Alibaba comes a few days after CAC targeted social media site Weibo and short video outfit Kuaishou over the same concerns.

Crackdown
The two-month cleansing campaign announced yesterday (22 September) targets social media, short video and livestreaming platforms.

CAC explained it is concerned over the potential for online services to provoke extreme group conflict by using specific topics to stigmatise, or push intergroup disputes.

TV and film are other areas CAC is targeting, explaining these could also be used maliciously, for example producing false reports of “disasters, dangers, police incidents and other emergencies that could affect public safety” and cause anxiety.

Authorities previously spent two years cleaning up the broader tech sector in China, with other actions spanning the app sector and restricting the time children spend gaming.

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“I just completed a very productive call with President Xi of China,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “We made progress on many very important issues including Trade, Fentanyl, the need to bring the War between Russia and Ukraine to an end, and the approval of the TikTok Deal.”

Trump also posted he plans to meet with Xi at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit (APEC), which takes place next month in South Korea.

“The call was a very good one, we will be speaking again by phone, appreciate the TikTok approval, and both look forward to meeting at APEC!,” Trump added.

Bloomberg reported a readout of the call by Chinese officials stated Xi told Trump his government respects the wishes of businesses on ByteDance-owned TikTok and he would like to see the parties find a resolution for the sale of its US assets.

Due to national security concerns, TikTok’s US prospects have been up in the air since legislation passed in 2024 to ban the service unless a domestic buyer was found.

China officials have long opposed losing control of the algorithm behind TikTok to foreign entities. Today’s meeting between Trump and Xi didn’t say who will own the algorithm or what US companies are in the running to take over its US operations.

On Saturday (20 September) various news sites reported the US will have control of the algorithm and six of the seven board seats of the US entity.

CNN reported yesterday (21 September) tech and media leaders such as Oracle co-founder and Trump ally Larry Ellison, Dell CEO and chairman Michael Dell and Lachlan and Rupert Murdoch are part of the group which will take over the the algorithm.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported a group of new TikTok investors and existing backers will own roughly 80 per cent of the entity, with ByteDance’s ownership dropping below 20 per cent.

During a UK visit on Thursday with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump stated TikTok helped get him elected to his second term due to the turnout of young voters, after opposing it in his first term, according to WSJ.

The news site stated Oracle co-founder and Trump ally Larry Ellison could be involved in the revamped TikTok while his company could handle its US-based user data.

Earlier this week (15 September) Trump and members of his administration announced a framework was in place to split off TikTok’s US operations.

The Trump administration has repeatedly delayed its deadline for ByteDance to divest its US operations or face a nationwide ban. Since January, the deadline has been extended four times, with the latest Trump executive order issued on Tuesday.  

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Trump posted on his Truth Social network that trade talks between the countries “went very well”, adding that a deal was reached involving “a ‘certain’ company that young people in our country very much wanted to save”. He added that he would speak with Xi on Friday and described the US-China relationship as “very strong.”

According to the Financial Times (FT), treasury secretary Scott Bessent, who led the US delegation in Madrid, told reporters that a framework deal with TikTok had been reached. He reportedly confirmed the plan involves transferring TikTok to US-controlled ownership, adding” “I’m not going to get ahead of the leaders’ call on Friday. We have a framework. They’ll have to confirm the deal.”

Moving to US ownership would address the Trump administration’s long-standing national security concerns while allowing the short-video app to continue operating in the country. The update comes after US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick issued a warning in July that TikTok could be blocked across the country unless China agreed to transfer control, including the platform’s algorithm, to a US owner.

The US government has repeatedly delayed its deadline for ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to divest its US operations or face a nationwide ban. Since January, the deadline has been postponed three times, with the latest set for Wednesday. US trade representative Jamieson Greer said a further extension might be required to finalise Monday’s agreement but indicated that no additional extensions are planned, FT reported.

Since Trump’s renewed agenda to save TikTok, a host of tech players including Perplexity AI, Amazon and Microsoft have reportedly proposed bids to acquire its US operations.

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Sky News reported OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, private equity company Blackstone Group CEO Steven Schwarzman and asset management company BlackRock CEO Larry Fink will also accompany President Trump on his second state visit to the UK.

The news outlet reported the tech and industry giants are due to attend a state banquet.

Apple CEO Tim Cook is also on the invite list.

Huang was unable to attend a dinner held by President Trump on 4 September which included Cook, Altman and Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Sky News reported.

Last month, Nvidia and AMD reached an agreement with the US government to restart sales of their AI chips to China.

Chinese authorities are pushing tech companies to avoid US chips and buy local alternatives, which led to Nvidia ordering some of its suppliers to halt production work related to its H20 chip.

CNBC reported Huang met with President Trump twice over the past several months to iron out export waivers for its H20 chip in China.

The news outlet reported in August Nvidia noted details about the agreement for the Trump administration to take a 15 per cent cut from chip sales in China were not final.

President Trump is awaiting a Supreme Court decision on a lower court’s ruling most of his wide-ranging trade tariffs are illegal.

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Amazon’s Project Kuiper will enhance JetBlue’s free in-flight Wi-Fi service on select planes starting in 2027.

The collaboration aims to improve passengers’ ability to stream and use bandwidth-intensive applications during flights.

Project Kuiper will use its aviation-specific customer terminal which includes a full-duplex, Ka-band phased array antenna to support download speeds of up to 1 Gb/s on a single device.

JetBlue has offered free access to in-flight Wi-Fi since 2013, which includes a partnership with Viasat using its geostationary birds.

In addition to JetBlue, Amazon signed an agreement with Airbus earlier this year to integrate Kuiper connectivity into its fleet.

Amazon has launched 102 Kuiper birds over the past four months for its broadband constellation. It operates a $140 million facility at the Kennedy Space Center in the US state of Florida to support satellite deployment.

It plans to begin service delivery later this year. Project Kuiper initially targeted launch of commercial services by the end of 2024.

Project Kuiper needs to meet a Federal Communications Commission deadline for launching half of its planned 3,236 birds by July 2026.

T-Mobile US announced yesterday (4 September) it will provision a free Wi-Fi service to Southwest Airline customers starting 24 October after previously unveiling similar arrangement with Alaska Airlines last month using Starlink’s birds.

Project Kuiper is competing against Elon Musk-owned Starlink to provide satellite-based Wi-Fi connectivity to airlines.

In addition to Starlink, rivals include EchoStar, Eutelsat, direct-to-device specialists AST SpaceMobile and Lynk Global.

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