Top 5 Telco Stories This Week That Might Have Been Missed…

5 | Cisco, Intel and Rice University Drive 6G Signal Precision

Rice University, with support from Cisco, Intel, and several US national laboratories, has developed a method that increases the precision and speed of wireless connections in future 6G networks. The research, published in Nature Communications Engineering, explores how “engineered randomness” can enable almost instantaneous alignment between transmitters and receivers, improving the efficiency of line-of-sight communications in higher-frequency bands.

The next generation of wireless systems will operate at frequencies far beyond those of today’s 5G networks, capable of carrying large volumes of data at significantly higher speeds. Read more...

4 | British Airways & Starlink: The End of In-Flight Dead Zones?

British Airways has said it will introduce high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity through Starlink across its entire fleet, giving all customers free internet access during flights. 

The move marks a further step in the airline’s £7bn (US$9.2bn) transformation plan and will make British Airways the first UK airline to roll out Starlink on both its long and short-haul aircraft.

Powered by low-orbit satellites, Starlink delivers faster and more reliable internet connections, even in remote regions or over oceans. Read more...

3 | Germany Prepares Quantum-Secure ID Cards

Since 2010, Germany’s national ID card has included an integrated online identification function that supports secure authentication for citizens. Each card remains valid for ten years, which creates a long-term requirement for resistance to emerging cyber risks. As quantum computing advances, Germany must equip its next-generation ID cards to withstand quantum-computer attacks on both hardware and software.

Bundesdruckerei GmbH and Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) have completed the preparatory stage of the transition. Together with the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) and Infineon Technologies, the partners have developed a demonstrator that integrates post-quantum cryptography (PQC) into ID chips. Read more...

2 | Nokia Bell Labs and KDDI Research Expand 6G Collaboration

Nokia Bell Labs and KDDI Research have signed a new joint research agreement to develop approaches for energy-efficient and resilient 6G networks. The agreement, finalised on November 5, 2025, deepens their existing collaboration in advanced communications research and extends years of cooperation between the two companies.

The new phase of work will bring together KDDI’s operational data and network experience with Nokia Bell Labs’ expertise in programmable architectures and energy consumption models. Read more...

1 | Cellnex Beats the Clock: VodafoneThree Site Upgraded Early

Cellnex, the European telecoms infrastructure operator, completes its first consolidated mobile mast site for VodafoneThree, five months ahead of schedule.

The upgraded site, located in Burnley in the UK, delivers faster and more reliable 4G and 5G connectivity to customers of both network providers.

Marking a key step in the rollout of shared infrastructure following the VodafoneThree merger, reflects the commitment to building what it calls the best mobile network in the UK. Read more...