Free joins more that 60 partners using the platform, Nokia noted, which supports a “growing number of use cases spanning several industries, including banking, healthcare, automotive and entertainment”.

The platform provides a single interface for developers and enterprises to access capabilities across a number of operators. The vendor added it drew “inspiration from industry initiatives like GSMA Open Gateway and the Linux Foundation’s CAMARA project”.

Free CEO Nicolas Thomas said the partnership with Nokia “helps us foster an environment where new APIs and services are being created to benefit our partners, customers and society at large”.

Supporting applications by providing access to network APIs has been a major industry drive in recent years, with the GSMA’s initiative drawing broad industry support since being launched at MWC23 Barcelona.

In 2024, a group of leading mobile operators joined forces with Nokia rival Ericsson to form Aduna, a company tasked with coordinating API efforts led by the Swedish vendor.

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UPC Slovakia is one of the country’s largest providers of TV, broadband and fixed services, reaching more than 600,000 households in 80 cities. Its fibre network supports broadband speeds of up to 2.5Gbps.

The price equates to around seven times UPC Slovakia’s estimated 2025 adjusted EBITDA, Liberty Global noted in a statement on the sale.

O2 Slovakia is part of e& PPF Telecom Group. GSMA Intelligence estimated mobile connection numbers for Q3 place it as the second largest mobile operator in the market, behind Orange’s local operation.

The deal is subject to regulatory approval.

For Liberty Global, the move comes as it continues to review its assets. In August, CEO Mike Fries signalled the company was exploring deals, following the spin-off of Swiss operator Sunrise last year.

The post Liberty Global offloads UPC Slovakia in €95M deal appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Azcue takes the title of chief financial and corporate development officer. The company’s group controller and planning director Ernesto Gardelliano will assume the role of chief strategy and control officer.

Telefonica explained combining finance leadership with corporate development would enable it to face “upcoming challenges with a more global and cohesive vision”.

Azcue was credited with extensive experience in M&A and has been on the operator’s executive committee since the start of 2025.

Abasolo is set to leave after more than 20 years with the company: she was appointed CFO in 2017.

The move is the latest in a shake-up at the operator group driven by CEO Marc Murtra during his first year at the helm.

Telefonica noted the latest changes reinforce a “commitment to excellence and innovation, evolving its operating model” to ensure the success of a strategic plan presented last month.

Listings
In a separate announcement also made yesterday (17 December), Telefonica detailed its intention to delist American depositary shares from both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Lima Stock Exchange in Peru.

The move to quit the NYSE listing came after an analysis “taking into account the administrative burden” and associated costs. It noted it is consistent with the new strategic plan to simplify its operating model.

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Osborne stated on LinkedIn he is now managing director and chief of its “OpenAI for Countries” project which includes the expansion of Stargate while ensuring AI systems are built on democratic values.

Osborne’s remit also includes supporting local innovation ecosystems, education and infrastructure. He starts his new job next month and will be based in London.

He served as the UK’s chancellor of the exchequer from 2010 to 2016.

Osborne’s appointment follows OpenAI rival Anthropic hiring former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as a paid senior advisor in October.

OpenAI also hired former Google executive Albert Lee as its VP of corporate development as part of a plan to expand its AI efforts.

AI companies OpenAI, Microsoft, Meta Platforms and Google have engaged in an AI hiring spree this year, which has including attracting employees from each other.

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The government-led Women in Tech Taskforce was established to develop ways to encourage women into the sector, but also to stay once there.

Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, said the group was established to “break down the barriers that still hold too many people back”.

She said the taskforce would work with industry to conceive “practical solutions”.

“When women are inspired to take on a role in tech and have a seat at the table, the sector can make more representative decisions”.

The government stated the taskforce is targeting an imbalance which sees men outnumber women by four-to-one in terms of having computer science degrees.

It stated “systemic barriers” restrict women and it would take 283 years to achieve equality without action.

The taskforce is to have the government’s ear regarding methods to boost diversity in the tech industry by removing barriers to education, training and career progression. The work is expected to complement an AI and digital skills curriculum the country is deploying in schools.

Kendall said promoting women in the tech sector can “unlock the innovation and growth our economy needs”.

The government highlighted recruitment company Ivee, Starling Bank, and childcare service Koru Kids as examples of successful businesses run by women.

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The transaction between Orange and Lorca, which is backed by investment companies Cinven, KKR and Equity Partners, is subject to regulatory approval and other closing conditions being met. It is expected to be completed in the first half of 2026.

Orange positioned the deal as accelerating a group-wide strategic plan while bolstering its position in its second largest market in Europe.

It added the move “confirms its long-term industrial commitment in Spain and its confidence in MasOrange and its management to create value for all stakeholders”.

MasOrange was formed from the combination of Masmovil and Orange’s operation in Spain in 2024.

Masmovil had been bought out by Lorca in 2020.

GSMA Intelligence data from Q3 places the operator as the largest in Spain by mobile connections with 26.2 million, ahead of Telefonica on 16.4 million and Zegona Communications-owned Vodafone Spain with 12.8 million.

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In its latest Online Nation 2025 report, the regulator found that visits to ChatGPT increased by 156 per cent year-on-year in August, contributing to 1.8 billion UK visits in the first eight months of 2025, up from 368 million in same period of 2024.

Rival AI chatbots also saw traction, though from smaller bases.

Google’s Gemini saw UK visits rise 146 per cent, while Anthropic’s Claude grew 138 per cent and Perplexity increased 100 per cent in the year to August 2025. Ofcom did not break out how many visits these figures equated to.

Ofcom said search practices are moving away from conventional link-based pages toward AI-powered, chat-style interactions, finding early evidence that users who see AI summaries are less likely to click through to original content, reducing publisher traffic.

In addition, the adoption of AI summaries from services such as Google’s AI Overviews has become embedded into mainstream search use. Ofcom noted that 30 per cent of keyword searches now deliver AI-supported responses, encouraging passive user adoption.

Looking ahead, the regulator predicted genAI “will continue to become an increasingly important component of search” as “rapidly evolving AI-tools, fast user adoption and unprecedented levels of investment” spur growth and innovation.

Online activity
Overall online engagement also continues to rise as UK adults spent an average of four and a half hours online each day in 2025, up 10 minutes from last year. More than half of that time was spent within services owned by Alphabet and Meta Platforms.

Yet, Meta edged ahead of Alphabet in total time spent, with online adults averaging 1 hour 10 minutes per day on Meta-owned apps. Facebook and Messenger were used by 93 per cent of online adults and WhatsApp by 90 per cent, while Instagram continued to grow in reach and engagement.

However, Alphabet-owned YouTube remains the dominant individual platform across the country. Users accessed the video platform for an average of 51 minutes per day on smartphones, tablets and PCs, with Ofcom noting YouTube overtook Google Search in reach.

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SandGrain stated Netherlands-based Innovation Industries led the funding round. Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij and Invest-NL participated, as did existing backer DeepTech XL.

The IoT specialist argued cybersecurity needs are soaring because billions of devices are now being connected. Other factors include European Union legislation and emerging quantum threats.

SandGrain CEO Joeri Voets said the company is removing IoT security bottlenecks involving cost and complexity. The Series-A investment “enables us to scale faster”, he explained.

The company stated CyberRock is configured for future security challenges, using a specific authentication approach employing hard-coded device IDs and a secure cloud platform with real-time identity traits.

It highlighted compatibility with European digital protection laws.

SandGrain explained the set-up is already in use in various industrial settings, along with critical infrastructure, and aerospace and defence fields.

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The two aim to develop “AI experiences” they describe as simple and personal, comprising communication and everyday productivity applications for consumers and enterprises. Pilots are expected to begin in Q1 2026.

In its statement on the multi-year deal, Deutsche Telkom explained it aimed to “bring privacy-first AI” to millions on the continent.

As part of the pact the operator will be among the first to gain access to an OpenAI alpha-phase model.

The operator’s board member for product and technology Abdurazak Mudesir emphasised this was “not a typical vendor relationship” but a “strategic collaboration helping shape the future of AI in Europe”.

“We are focused on making AI intuitive, secure, and meaningful in everyday life for our customers, employees, and our networks,” he added. 

In its statement, OpenAI explained the partnership would “help make AI more helpful, secure, and accessible” in the region.

As well as collaborating on products for third parties, Deutsche Telekom is set to make OpenAI’s ChatGPT Enterprise available across the business.

It noted this would help “teams work more effectively, improve customer service, and spend more time on innovation”. The operator also plans to up use of AI in its networks as it works towards a goal of increased autonomy.

Medical tests
The move is the operator’s latest related to the highly-hyped technology, with the company contributing to a number of initiatives on infrastructure and showcasing advanced use cases for AI in Germany and beyond.

Earlier today (9 December) Deutsche Telekom released details on a partnership with research organisation Fraunhofer IAIS and heath care provider Kliniken der Stadt Koln to develop AI agents designed to support accident and emergency departments.

The trio are currently developing a prototype based on information from a simulated medical facility. There, the agent is assessing medical information being verbally communicated by healthcare professionals.

It then analyses and enriches the information before presenting in a structured graphical format for use later in the treatment journey.

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After a series of consultations, it published decisions on a handful of technical points today (9 December) and finalised detail on updating operator licences. These are in addition to conditions it outlined in September.

Ofcom’s decisions published today include rules intended to avoid interference with air traffic control systems and mobile networks outside of the UK.  

To launch the services, operators are required to get a change to their current licences. Regulations cover the provision of calls, messages and data services using infrastructure in space.

The regulator branded D2D “new space-age services”, stating they would help eliminate mobile blackspots.

It noted the only country in Europe to have the service widely available is Ukraine, with Ofcom group director for spectrum David Willis stating “mobile operators are already pressing ahead to the make UK the first nation in Western Europe to have widespread access to this technology”.

Although the regulator was keen to emphasise the UK would be the first in the region to have widespread access, latest information from VirginMedia O2 points to a launch in H1 2026 while rival VodafoneThree is yet to give a solid timeline on commercial availability.

Meanwhile, last month Orange outlined plans to launch for some customers in France on 11 December.

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The study warned that spectrum costs have tripled over the past decade, now accounting for 8 per cent of operators’ recurring revenues.

This creates a “vicious cycle” that constrains network investment at a time when Europe is already lagging behind global peers including North America, the Gulf states and Greater China on next-generation connectivity. Only 2 per cent of Europeans currently use standalone (SA) 5G services, compared with 77 per cent in China and roughly a quarter in the US.

More than 500 spectrum licences are due for renewal in Europe over the next ten years. These licences underpin existing 3G and 4G networks that serve much of the continent’s 470 million mobile internet users and will be central to future coverage and capacity.

Under existing policies, operators are on track to pay about €105 billion in spectrum costs through 2035. The GSMA argued that high spectrum fees are constraining investment, with the European Union’s (EU) upcoming Digital Networks Act (DNA) offering a “timely opportunity” to act.

Operators are struggling
The industry association estimated that reforming renewal frameworks could cut costs by up to €30 billion, while even moderate changes could unlock around €20 billion.

The report said those savings could be redirected towards upgrading all existing 5G networks to SA 5G, delivering speed increases of up to 23 per cent and potentially adding as much as €75 billion to Europe’s GDP over the next decade.

“Providing high-quality connectivity to Europe’s citizens and improving the continent’s competitiveness requires a lot of investment that many operators are struggling to source or justify,” said John Giusti, chief regulatory officer at the GSMA.

“Rather than continuing to use spectrum as a windfall opportunity, policymakers should be more ambitious with their approach to renewals and allow these funds to be directed to support Europe’s ongoing digital goals,” he added.

Looking ahead, the report also highlighted that spectrum decisions today will shape the road to 6G, warning Europe will need at least 2GHz of mid-band spectrum by 2030 to avoid network congestion.

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Under the plan Meta will give users a choice between consenting to share all of their data to enable personalised advertising, or opting to share less and limit the volume of targeted advertising.

“The European Commission acknowledges Meta’s undertaking to offer users in the EU an alternative choice of Facebook and Instagram services that would show them less personalised ads, to comply with the Digital Markets Act,” the EC stated.

The two options will be available to users in the European Union from January 2026. After implementation, the EC will collect feedback and evidence from Meta and other stakeholders to assess the impact and adoption of the new model.

In April 2025 Meta came under fire for its consent-or-pay model rolled out in November 2023 across Facebook and Instagram, which forced users to choose between consenting to personal data usage or paying for an ad-free experience.

The set-up failed to offer an alternative that used less personal data, a measure required by the DMA. As a result, the EC slapped a €228 million fine on the social media giant.

Reuters reported the DMA violation applied to Facebook and Instagram from November 2023 to November 2024.

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Selma Avdagic Tisljar, General Manager, outlines the role of the alliance and success so far.

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The newspaper asserted multiple sources flagged the discussions on the so-called AI Gigafactory, with investment company Brookfield potentially coming in as a financial backer alongside the European Union funding.

Schwarz, which owns retailer Lidl among other businesses, and Deutsche Telekom have been linked with moves to build the EU-backed infrastructure a number of times during 2025, alongside various other companies.

The operator’s CEO Timotheus Hoettges has also been a vocal backer of the need for Europe to control its own digital infrastructure and last month unveiled plans for a €1 billion data centre project in Munich in partnership with Nvidia.

In its statement announcing the deal with Nvidia, Deutsche Telekom noted the Munich project was independent of “the EU project for the promotion of the construction of several AI Gigafactories throughout Europe”.

Cash for the AI Gigafactories form part of a €200 billion investment plan unveiled by the European Commission in February 2025 to support technology development and independence across the region.

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In the TIM Research Centre’s smart infrastructure report, it highlighted the potential for predictive maintenance of water and energy networks, and benefits from real-time monitoring of roads among its examples.

It argued AI, IoT and related technology would be able to transform infrastructure to make it more efficient, cut waste and deliver greater resilience.

In a statement accompanying the report, Telecom Italia noted the importance of 5G and advanced cybersecurity in supporting these digital technologies.

It predicted the use of smart monitoring systems in the road network could prevent up to 27 per cent of issues with the “oldest structures” and cut overall operating costs of tunnels, bridges, roads and related civil works by up to 31 per cent.

For electricity grids, IoT sensors and management platforms were positioned as having the potential to optimise distribution, up reliability and cut costs by almost €700 million per year.

It also noted “the transformation of electricity grids from the centralised to the smart grid model would increasingly allow the integration of energy from renewable sources”.

The water segment was tipped to generate savings to the tune of €2.6 billion by 2030 from consumption monitoring and detecting hidden faults in real time using smart meters and advanced monitoring systems.

TIM chief enterprise and innovative solutions officer Elio Schiavo stated the “digital challenge of Italian infrastructure can no longer be postponed”, adding “investing in its digitalisation guarantees security, efficiency and sustainability, allowing us to transform our country into a smart land, an essential step for the development of Italy”.

The report was put together in collaboration with Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center, Osservatori Digital Innovation of Politecnico di Milano and Comtel Innovation.

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Nokia targets AI-ready US networks with $4B outlay

What happened: Nokia agreed a $4 billion, multi-year investment plan with US President Donald Trump’s administration to expand its R&D and manufacturing footprint and accelerate the rollout of AI-ready network infrastructure.

Why it matters: The investment directly supports the domestic production of mobile, fixed, IP, optical and defence solutions, while deepening R&D in automation, quantum-safe networks and semiconductors. It builds on Nokia’s earlier $2.3 billion US commitment linked to its Infinera acquisition, alongside $456 million in manufacturing investments by the optical specialist. US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick said the deal marked “another Trump administration win for America”, adding that the spending means “the most innovative technologies that power AI, data centres, and critical national security applications will be developed and built here in the US”. The hefty outlay puts financial weight behind Nokia’s recent strategy revamp under CEO Justin Hotard centred around AI-native networks, as the vendor streamlines into two core infrastructure units and targets higher profits by 2028 to cash in on what Hotard calls the “AI supercycle”.

Samsung, SKT start joint research on AI, 6G

What happened: Samsung Electronics and SK Telecom launched joint research into AI-supported RAN technology in a bid to lay the groundwork for 6G commercialisation.

Why it matters: The work will focus on AI-based channel estimation, distributed MIMO transmission and reception, and AI-RAN-based scheduler and core network technologies that determine when, where and how data is sent. Samsung said the field-focused work with SKT will allow it to verify AI-powered wireless technologies in real-world environments and secure critical AI-RAN technologies at an early stage. Meanwhile, SKT added the convergence of AI and wireless would be “crucial to 6G competitiveness”. Both companies are members of the AI-RAN Alliance, positioning them to impact future 6G standards and roadmaps. Athul Prasad, Samsung’s senior manager of emerging technologies & corporate development, said the pair’s joint proposal on AI-based channel estimation is already an approved official work item at the alliance, underscoring their potential influence on future standards.

Kyivstar activates Starlink D2D in Europe first

What happened: Kyivstar became the first mobile operator in Europe to switch on Starlink D2D connectivity following successful tests earlier this year, enabling SMS services for customers with standard 4G smartphones when terrestrial networks are damaged, unavailable or out of reach.

Why it matters: Ukraine’s digital transformation minister Mykhailo Fedorov called the service “an important step in developing infrastructure that will ensure connectivity even in areas without traditional networks”, citing “constant Russian attacks on infrastructure, blackouts and network damage” amid an ongoing war. Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov said the service enhances national resilience and provides “a vital functionality that is critical for our people”. This week, Kyivstar’s head of cloud & satellite business Ilya Polshakov told MWL at MWC25 Doha that around 400,000 users have registered on Kyivstar’s Starlink network, with around 90,000 to 100,000 SMS messages sent in the first 24 hours since launch. He pointed to successful real-world tests, including banking payment terminals, where reliable connectivity is critical. Voice and expanded data services are planned for 2026, with the operator also set to introduce extended IoT capabilities for future satellite generations. In addition, the project is strategically significant for Kyivstar parent Veon Group, which plans to roll out the service in Kazakhstan from 2026.

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The company stated the European Union (EU) AI Cloud is a full-stack set-up offering multiple levels of sovereignty and data centre options. SAP emphasised partnerships as a key element, helping to design and deploy approaches compatible with European data residency regulations.

Deployments of the EU AI Cloud are handled by SAP’s existing Sovereign Cloud product, allowing elements including the infrastructure, platform and software to be tailored.

The company highlighted a collaboration that provides access to Cohere’s turnkey AI platform. The arrangement was made to enable companies to access deeper insights without breaching data residency rules, in turn unlocking opportunities around intelligent automation and updating core business processes.

SAP stated it also works closely with companies including Mistral AI and OpenAI to integrate the technology into its cloud service. It expects European enterprises and public sector organisations to benefit by gaining access to “the latest AI innovations securely”.

The service is being launched at a time of greater scrutiny on data sovereignty in the EU and beyond.

Last week, Orange and Deutsche Telekom called for the development of common rules for cloud services in the region.

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The service is available to residential and business customers across the cities and towns of Norwich, Great Yarmouth, Kings Lynn, and Thetford.

With a population of around 940,000 across the county, the deployment will provide faster speeds, improved coverage and reduced latency.

The operator’s transformation plan also includes expanding 4G and 5G coverage, deploying small cells in urban areas and addressing network challenges in high-traffic locations.

Professor Robert Joyce, director of mobile access engineering at VMO2, stated the operator is “investing £2m every single day to improve our mobile network and provide a more reliable experience for our customers”.

The operator stated the upgrade prepares Norfolk for future technologies like smart transport, connected healthcare and advanced manufacturing

The SA 5G network expansion is part of the operator’s £700 million Mobile Transformation Plan.

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Under the agreement, Nokia will use its Cloud RAN and AI-ready technologies to upgrade the operator’s network in a bid to support rapid 5G rollout, improve performance and achieve more sustainable network operations.

The Finnish vendor will supply its energy-efficient AirScale RAN portfolio, including Habrok Massive MIMO radios and small-cell solutions, to enhance Telefonica’s coverage and boost indoor connectivity. New baseband solutions will also be deployed to strengthen network performance and reliability.

Nokia’s Interleaved Passive Active Antenna technology will be used to simplify site design and speed up 5G deployment. The contract also includes ongoing maintenance and network optimisation services.

Telefonica will continue to use Nokia’s AI-powered network management platform MantaRay NM to monitor and optimise performance across radio, core and transport networks. The pair stated the tool underpins the operator’s ambition to achieve greater AI-powered network automation in the future.

Nokia CEO Justin Hotard said the deal extension will help strengthen Telefonica’s “performance, efficiency and customer experience across their 5G network”, adding that with Nokia’s technology, the operator will be “positioned for long-term competitiveness as the AI supercycle takes hold”.

Hotard has repeatedly referenced the AI supercycle since taking on the role as Nokia boss earlier this year and this month announced a strategic revamp focussed on AI, cloud and next-generation connectivity.

Matthias Sauder, director networks at Telefonica Germany’s consumer brand O2 Telefonica, noted the deal reflects a “shared commitment to advancing 5G technology and creating a more connected and sustainable Germany”.

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During MWC25 Doha, Ilya Polshakov (pictured), said the Starlink service provides a crucial point of differentiation for Kyivstar, though emphasised the resilience the satellite connectivity brings is the more important element for a war-torn country where power cuts are frequent.

“If you don’t have connectivity, now you have the possibility to get it”, Polshakov said.

“This is a very big milestone achieved for Ukraine”.

Veon is gearing up to add enhanced data to Kyivstar’s Starlink service, which is initially providing SMS. Polshakov said the plan is to do so in 2026, though highlighted this involves collaboration with OTT app providers to tweak their wares for satellite networks.

The group company also plans to expand availability in 2026, beginning with its operation in Kazakhstan.

Polshakov said Veon opted for Starlink because it already has 650 satellites in orbit, though indicated other service providers could be added in future as they achieve the scale required.

The deployment shows mobile operators should not fear satellite connectivity.

“Satellite connectivity is not [a] separate story, you are combining terrestrial with non-terrestrial” and extending the range of ground-based infrastructure.

Click here to view the full interview, in which Polshakov also discussed the potential to create new business opportunities and the edge terrestrial networks still hold over satellite alternatives.

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Aramco Ventures aims to deepen collaboration with local founders, institutions and investors. The company stated its Paris office will provide access to France and Europe’s innovation ecosystem.

It added France is rapidly becoming a leading European Union hub for AI and quantum innovation, backed by government initiatives, and an ecosystem of start-ups and universities.

Notable institutions include Paris-Saclay University, which the company stated has a reputation for mathematics, physics and engineering. It also highlighted Station F, a large start-up campus.

Ahmad O. Al Khowaiter, EVP of technology and innovation with Aramco and the venture arm’s chair, said the company plays a key role “by funding start-ups and high-growth companies at the forefront of innovation, in areas from sustainability to industrial AI”.

Aramco operates a fuel research centre in Paris and has invested in several French start-ups.

With more than $7 billion in allocated capital, Aramco Ventures invests in start-ups and technology services across various sectors.

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Reuters reported while discussions with unions UGT and CCOO are ongoing, with the proposed job cuts potentially impacting 41 per cent of the employees in the Telefonica de Espana unit, 31 per cent at Telefonica Moviles and 24 per cent at Telefonica Soluciones.

The news agency noted the layoffs represent a 20 per cent reduction of about 25,000 employees across the operator’s staff in Spain.

According to Reuters, UGT stated Telefonica also proposed a 32 per cent reduction at subscription TV service Movistar+.

Bloomberg added a representative for the UGT union stated Telefonica will hold additional meetings with three other subsidiaries.

Earlier in November, Telefonica revealed its five-year strategic plan under CEO Marc Murtra which includes cutting its dividend payouts next year to prioritise investment in core technology.

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Kyivstar customers with standard 4G smartphones will now be able to stay connected in areas where terrestrial networks are down, damaged or out of reach. The initial phase enables SMS services, with voice and data set to follow in 2026.

The operator highlighted the importance of the technology amid the country’s ongoing war with Russia, stating it will be crucial in regions facing prolonged blackouts, recently de-occupied territories undergoing network restoration and areas used for rescue and humanitarian missions. Businesses operating in hard-to-access areas will also benefit.

Ukraine’s minister of digital transformation Mykhailo Fedorov hailed the launch as “an important step in developing infrastructure that will ensure connectivity even in areas without traditional networks”. He also highlighted the pressures of wartime conditions, pointing to “constant Russian attacks on infrastructure, blackouts and network damage”.

Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov said it marks an upgrade to national resilience, noting the operator’s existing system of batteries and generators already provide up to ten hours of backup coverage during grid failures. With D2D satellite connectivity, he said Kyivstar is “enhancing this resilience significantly” with “a vital functionality that is critical for our people.”

The service is available at no extra cost to subscribers with a 4G smartphone across Ukraine, excluding occupied areas, border regions and active combat zones.

The commercial debut comes ten months after the pair struck a deal to introduce space-based connectivity in the country. In August, the partners conducted a pilot in Ukraine’s Zhytomyr region, where Komarov and Fedorov used standard 4G smartphones to exchange messages through Starlink’s D2D technology.

Following the pilot, Kyivstar said that Starlink’s D2D data service, which will support video communication through messaging apps, remains under development.

The post Kyivstar activates Starlink D2D in Europe first appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Google boss sounds alarm on AI bubble risk

What happened: Google CEO Sundar Pichai warned the AI sector is showing signs of “irrationality” as valuations surge, telling BBC News the industry is entering an investment phase that could “overshoot”.

Why it matters: Pichai’s remarks come as Google parent Alphabet’s valuation crossed $3 trillion earlier this year, while Nvidia hit a record $5 trillion last month. While stressing AI’s long-term potential is “profound”, he cautioned that no company, including Google parent Alphabet, would be immune if the current momentum reverses. He also acknowledged that AI is driving energy demand “in a way that the current systems can’t fully cope”, slowing Google’s path to its 2030 net-zero goal. In addition, the boss warned that AI systems remain “prone to some errors”, urging users to utilise the technology alongside other tools. AvidThink Analyst Roy Chua told MWL that “even Sam Altman has opined that we might be in a bubble”, adding that while AI’s ability to boost productivity and accelerate breakthroughs is clear, “how much we’ve overhyped it in the short term remains to be seen”.

EU delays AI rules after big tech pressure

What happened: The European Commission (EC) moved to ease pressure on tech players by proposing a delay to some of the watchdog’s toughest AI rules, dialling back high-risk requirements in the AI Act by as much as 16 months.

Why it matters: The shift forms part of a new Digital Omnibus package aimed at cutting red tape to boost innovation and competitiveness across Europe’s digital sector. EU tech policy chief Henna Virkkunen warned that start-ups and SMEs are being weighed down by “layers of rigid rules”, stating the move is “giving space for innovation to happen and to be marketed in Europe”. The rethink follows mounting pushback from big tech players including Meta, alongside political pressure from US President Donald Trump. In addition, a potential General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) update allowing personal data to be used for AI model training would mark one of the regulator’s most consequential policy pivots to date. The package also includes simplified cookie-consent rules, a unified reporting interface for AI-related obligations, and a new European Business Wallet designed to allow companies to scale easily across all member states. The EC estimated the measures could strip out up to €5 billion in admin costs by 2029.

Nokia sets out strategy to cash-in on AI boom

What happened: Nokia used its Capital Markets Day to unveil a long-anticipated strategy overhaul under CEO Justin Hotard, outlining a tighter organisational structure, fresh financial targets and a sharper push into AI-driven growth.

Why it matters: Effective 1 January 2026, the vendor will consolidate its four existing divisions into two main segments: Network Infrastructure and Mobile Infrastructure. The former builds on Nokia’s recent $1 billion AI infrastructure deal with Nvidia, and brings together Optical, IP and Fixed Networks. The Mobile Infrastructure segment will house Core Networks, Radio and Technology Standards, with a long-term emphasis on AI-native networks and 6G. Leadership updates include the departure of Mobile Networks president Tommi Uitto from the group leadership team, while Patrik Hammaren takes charge of Technology Standards. Nokia shares fell as much as 6 per cent following the announcement. PP Foresight CEO Paolo Pescatore said the overhaul is not notably different from Nokia’s existing direction, warning that escalating AI investment comes with uncertain returns.

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Unveiled as part of a broad Digital Omnibus package, the proposal would delay the enforcement of stricter AI Act rules by as much as 16 months.

The AI Act, introduced in 2023, classifies AI technologies by risk level and bans systems deemed unsafe or harmful to fundamental rights. The watchdog framed its latest package as a move to slash digital red tape for a regulatory system widely viewed as slowing Europe’s ability to compete with the US and China.

“Our companies, especially our start-ups and small businesses, are often held back by layers of rigid rules,” stated European Union (EU) tech policy lead Henna Virkkunen, adding the move is “giving space for innovation to happen and to be marketed in Europe”.

The overhaul lands amid mounting backlash to the AI Act from European and US tech giants including Meta Platforms, as well as pushback from US President Donald Trump.

Easier than ever
Under the package, cybersecurity reporting processes and data-protection requirements for training AI models would also be simplified under a single reporting interface. In addition, the regulator proposed streamlined consent rules for website cookies.

The Digital Omnibus also proposed a European Business Wallet to give companies a unified digital identity to sign, store and exchange verified documents across all 27 member states, making cross-border scaling “easier than ever before.”

Changes across multiple frameworks including the Data Act and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) were also proposed. Among the most significant shifts is a possible GDPR tweak that would allow Google, Meta, OpenAI and other tech companies to use EU citizens’ personal data to train AI systems.

The EC estimated the package could trim up to €5 billion in admin costs by 2029, while the Business Wallet alone could unlock €150 billion a year.

The proposals now head to the European Parliament and Council for adoption, while a new Digital Fitness Check consultation running until March 2026 will determine whether the watchdog’s wider digital rulebook still delivers on its competitiveness goals.

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Nexperia is majority owned by Chinese company Wingtech Technology.

It was slapped with an order under the Netherlands’ Goods Availability Act due to concerns related to the transfer of product assets, funds, technology and knowledge to a “foreign entity”.

Under the measure authorities were able to reverse or block company decisions if they were deemed harmful to the interests of the company or its future as a Dutch or European enterprise.

It was intended to prevent a situation where Nexperia’s production capabilities would be unavailable to Europe in an emergency. It was first time since 1952 authorities in the Netherlands had used the law.  

In its statement today (19 November) the Netherlands’ government noted initial concerns stemmed from actions attributed to the company’s now-suspended CEO.

It also explained there had been diplomatic progress since the order was issued on the company.

“The Dutch government is positive about the measures already taken by the Chinese authorities to ensure the supply of chips to Europe and the rest of the world. This is seen as a show of goodwill.”

“In light of these developments, The Netherlands has considered it the right moment to take a constructive step by suspending the order”.

Nexperia makes chips and components used across a number of sectors including consumer electronics and the automotive industry.

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In a joint statement, Deutsche Telekom CEO Timotheus Hoettges and Orange chief Christel Heydemann said digital sovereignty has become a “top EU strategic priority” which must be built on four principles: control over secure digital infrastructure; greater choice through interoperable European alternatives and technology ecosystems; competency via stronger digital skills; and achieving scale to fuel innovation and competitiveness.

The pair stressed these ambitions will require “massive investments, bold political decisions, and active engagement of all stakeholders”.

To achieve these goals, the bosses called for a more investment-friendly regulatory environment and urged the EU to adopt a “bold Digital Networks Act”, a proposed reform designed to modernise the region’s telecom rules and create a more integrated single market.

On AI, Hoettges and Heydemann said the EU must become “a true AI continent and not a mere consumer”. While telcos already use AI to create “more efficient, smart and agile networks”, they stressed that operators also have a duty to enable access to AI tools and computing resources for industry, academia and the public sector.

Additionally, the companies pushed for common EU sovereignty rules in cloud services, alongside a stronger commitment to favour European providers in public procurement. “This will enable the necessary scale for a more competitive and resilient European cloud ecosystem,” they noted.

“As leading European telecom operators, we are committed to strengthening Europe’s digital sovereignty and enhancing its global competitiveness,” the pair concluded, calling for “ambitious and effective reforms”.

Their comments come after Europe’s top operators warned the European Commission last month that slow progress on the Digital Networks Act risks leaving the region behind the US and Asia.

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Prioritising mobile industry spectrum requirements highlights a recognition of the sector’s future needs along with an understanding current approaches are insufficient, the GSMA stated in a response to RSPG guidance issued earlier this month.

The RSPG guides EC radio spectrum policy decisions through opinions and reports. The group comprises representatives of European Union member states along with those of European Economic Area and European Free Trade Association.

In the RSPG’s opinion, either 665MHz or 700MHz of spectrum in the 6.425GHz to 7.250GHz range will ultimately be allocated to mobile use. The GSMA stated this would be sufficient for 6G launches because it would meet the 200MHz minimum operators require.

The GSMA also highlighted RSPG moves to boost the amount of priority spectrum open to mobile operators from 540MHz in the 6.585GHz to 7.125GHz range currently by making provision to add 160MHz in the 6.425GHz to 6.585GHz range or 125MHz in 7.125GHz to 7.25GHz after the World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 (WRC-27), scheduled to run from October to November of the same year.

It argued the current priority allocation would “have fallen short of what is required” to deliver advanced mobile networks.

The GSMA noted other regions have allocated the entire upper-6GHz band to mobile services “allowing for at least 700MHz of capacity even before WRC-27” and maintained pressure on European authorities over accessing the frequencies.

It stated Europe “needs to strengthen its position in quality, speed and resilience of mobile networks” to remain competitive with other regions, explaining access “to sufficient spectrum is vital for connectivity goals” and growth.

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The company revealed emerging European messaging players BirdyChat and Haiket will be the first to plug into WhatsApp under the new regulatory framework, which aims to curb the market dominance of big tech players.

WhatsApp’s third-party chats follow “successful small scale tests” and will go live in the coming months on iOS and Android devices across Europe. Users in the region will see an opt-in prompt in the app’s settings menu. If enabled, they will be able to share messages, images, voice notes, videos and files with users on the two partner apps, with group chat support slated to follow.

Meta stressed the rollout follows a “privacy first approach”, explaining that the third-party messaging platforms “must use the same level of end-to-end encryption as WhatsApp” and that the feature can be switched off at any time.

The Facebook-owner said the update reflects “more than three years” of work with European messaging services and the European Commission (EC) to develop a compliant technical framework without compromising user protections.

Meta hailed the launch as a “significant milestone” in meeting DMA obligations and said it expects to expand interoperability to more partners over time.

In April, the EC fined Meta €200 million for breaching provisions of the DMA related to its consent or pay advertising model.

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In its results release the company flagged plans for what it labelled a record-high dividend payment for its current financial year, and increased guidance for adjusted EBITDA AL for the third time this year.

It expects the latter figure to be around €45.3 billion, nudged up from an estimate of “more than €45 billion” declared in its Q2 results.

In short statement, the operator’s CEO Timotheus Hoettges enthused “we reliably deliver strong figures in spite of all the challenges in our markets”.

Amid the positivity Deutsche Telekom’s reported figures continued to be blunted by weakness in the US dollar.   

Its Q3 revenue increased 1.5 per cent year-on-year to €28.9 billion, though it noted stripping out exchange rates and other special factors this would have been up by 3.3 per cent.

Net profit was down 17.9 per cent to €2.4 billion, though in Q3 2024 its bottom line had been significantly bolstered by one-off items. Its adjusted figures recorded a 14.3 increase year-on-year.

Outside of the US and Germany, the group pointed to steady growth in its segment covering the rest of its European operations and increased earnings from enterprise focused unit T-Systems.

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