A busy week in 5G was dominated by two currents: the rapid emergence of AI-native radio access network platforms and a fresh wave of spectrum activity spanning three continents. Nokia’s launch of a commercial AI-RAN platform, backed by Nvidia silicon and ambitious spectral-efficiency claims, drew both excitement and scepticism from analysts. Meanwhile Ghana upended its wholesale 5G model, Lithuania confirmed auction winners, and Japan advanced its regional mmWave framework. On the deployment front, operators from Spain to Armenia and Alaska continued to push 5G into previously unserved communities.
Ghana’s National Communications Authority revoked Next Gen InfraCo’s (NGIC) exclusive rights to operate as the country’s sole wholesale 5G infrastructure provider, ending a monopoly arrangement originally designed to kick-start the market. The NCA simultaneously opened a competitive spectrum licensing process covering three lots of 2×10 MHz in the 700 MHz band and five 20 MHz blocks in the 2.3 GHz band, setting a minimum value of USD 230 million. To broaden access, operators already holding 2.6 GHz rights are barred from bidding on the 2.3 GHz allocation.
Lithuania’s telecoms regulator RRT confirmed the winners of its auction of the 700 MHz, 1,500 MHz and 2,100 MHz bands. Telia Lithuania, Tele2 Lithuania and Bite Lithuania will pay a combined EUR 29.03 million, up from a starting price of EUR 21.9 million. Bite said it plans to activate its newly acquired 700 MHz frequencies by October, targeting coverage improvements in regions and border areas.
In Japan, JTower received approval from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications for a 26.8-27 GHz regional spectrum allocation following the country’s 26 GHz auction in June. The licence covers 13 regional areas including Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka and Nagoya under a new framework for frequencies above 6 GHz that combines nationwide blocks with municipality-based assignments.
Paraguay’s second 5G spectrum tender attracted bids from Tigo (Millicom) and Personal (Telecom Argentina) for licences in the 2.3 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands. Separately, Spain opened a public consultation on the European Commission’s proposal to harmonise the 2 GHz band for satellite direct-to-device services by mid-2027, with Madrid expressing strong support for reserving part of the spectrum for European companies. SpaceX, meanwhile, pressed the FCC for more flexibility in the rules governing the upcoming upper C-band auction.
Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space and Technology Commission launched a public awareness campaign called “Spectrum Surrounds Us”, aimed at educating citizens on the role of radio spectrum as a finite natural resource that underpins the digital economy.
Nokia announced the industry’s first commercial AI-RAN platform, promising spectral-efficiency gains of over 100 per cent within two years through software-driven upgrades built on Nvidia acceleration hardware. Pilot deployments are expected before the end of 2026, with commercial availability in 2027. Analysts, however, urged caution: several noted the technology may optimise existing networks rather than fundamentally reshape economics, and questioned whether operators would commit to the Nvidia dependency the platform implies. Nokia separately signed an agreement with Taiwan Mobile to deploy its latest AirScale portfolio alongside the AI software capabilities.
The US National Telecommunications and Information Administration earmarked up to USD 53 million to accelerate the development, testing and commercialisation of AI-enabled RAN architecture, reinforcing Washington’s push to maintain American leadership in open and intelligent network technology.
In South Korea, SK Telecom was selected to lead a two-year national project to build an AI-RAN test network and validate physical AI services, including robotics and industrial automation in shipyards and manufacturing facilities. The project will deploy multi-vendor equipment from Samsung, HFR, Ericsson and Nokia. Red Hat, speaking at RCR Wireless News’ Telco AI Forum, outlined its own AI-RAN roadmap, noting that operators are initially drawn to AI for RAN because it delivers measurable operational benefits without requiring major architectural overhaul.
Cohere Technologies announced plans to package its Universal Spectrum Multiplier software as an Open RAN dApp through the proposed E3 interface, which would allow tighter integration between software plug-ins and radio access components. The approach is expected to push innovation in AI-RAN use cases by enabling distributed applications to work directly with central and distributed units.
Virgin Media O2 switched on its 5G+ standalone network across Oxfordshire, including Oxford, Bicester, Witney and Henley-on-Thames. The rollout brings benefits to nearly 450,000 people across 495 towns and villages and forms part of the group’s GBP 700 million Mobile Transformation Plan. O2 now covers more than 85 per cent of the UK population with 5G+. Separately, BT deployed a dedicated 5G network slice at the Royal Welsh Show to support payment processing and livestreaming at the agricultural fair, ensuring performance would not be affected by public network congestion.
Spain’s MasOrange activated 235 5G nodes across 182 localities with fewer than 100 inhabitants under the EU-backed “5G Redes Activas” investment plan, reaching communities as small as Hortecillas (Cuenca) with 51 residents. Orange Poland reported that its 5G network now covers almost 89 per cent of the population following the deployment of 94 new base stations in Q2.
Viva Armenia launched 5G+ services in Yerevan and six regions using Nokia equipment in the capital and Ericsson in the regions, with plans to cover all cities and towns by year-end. In Alaska, GCI expanded its 5G coverage to approximately 83 per cent of the state’s population across more than 125 communities. Pakistan’s Zong deployed a 5G-ready indoor building solution at Islamabad International Airport to eliminate signal dead zones caused by heavy concrete and glass construction.
Ericsson secured a place on the UK’s Tactical Communication Systems procurement framework as part of an GBP 8 billion defence communications overhaul, underscoring the growing role of private 5G, AI and drone technology in military operations. The win positions Ericsson alongside established defence contractors in supplying next-generation battlefield connectivity.
Deutsche Telekom and Ericsson deployed a private 5G network covering one square kilometre at the Port of Hamburg to support critical logistics processes and real-time applications. New forecasts from the Small Cell Forum project global small cell shipments reaching 9.8 million units by 2031, growing at a 9.1 per cent compound annual rate, while separate analysis pegs the private 5G market growing at 34 per cent annually to pass USD 6.6 billion by 2030.
AT&T and Ericsson demonstrated 5G-powered integrated sensing and communications (ISAC) technology to detect and track drones near AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, using existing massive MIMO radios. The trial is an early step towards 6G’s anticipated convergence of sensing and connectivity.
India’s Jio Platforms reported first-quarter operating revenue of INR 459.6 billion, up 11.8 per cent year-on-year, driven by subscriber gains, organic ARPU growth and digital services expansion. The operator now counts more than 285 million 5G subscribers, and its EBITDA margin widened to 53.3 per cent from 50.8 per cent a year earlier.
Ericsson’s Q2 results saw outgoing CEO Borje Ekholm warn that rising component costs would weigh on its Networks business profitability. The vendor reported declines across its top line, reflecting the persistent investment lull that has characterised the RAN market since 2023.
US mobile speeds surged in the first half of 2026 according to Ookla’s RootMetrics, with combined nationwide download speeds across the three major carriers climbing to 334 Mbit/s. Verizon led the national RootScore Awards with 321 state awards and 756 metro area awards, while AT&T and T-Mobile both posted strong 5G speed improvements.
The European Space Agency selected Keysight Technologies to lead a three-year programme developing a blockchain-enabled framework for anomaly detection in 5G non-terrestrial networks. Spanish satellite operator Sateliot will provide technical development and mission integration support. Separately, Viavi Solutions secured USD 1.1 million in EU funding for the Shield-6G research project, where it will create digital twin models for AI-driven cyber threat intelligence in future 6G networks.
Viasat and BMW Group demonstrated what they described as the first satellite-enabled voice call integrated into a vehicle infotainment system, using Viasat’s satellite-to-automotive technology with an AI voice codec from Fraunhofer IIS and Qualcomm’s second-generation Snapdragon Auto 5G modem. Boldyn Networks deployed a private network linking two campuses of Barcelona’s UPC university via 32 km of fibre to support a new 6G LabNet research platform.
Ghana abandons exclusive 5G deal, opens competitive spectrum auction
A significant regulatory pivot that could reshape West Africa’s 5G landscape, with lessons for other markets weighing wholesale network models against open competition.
https://www.telecompaper.com/news/ghana-ends-ngics-5g-monopoly–1577327
Nokia’s AI-RAN platform promises 100% spectral gain, but analysts urge caution
A deep look at the gap between Nokia’s ambitious claims for its Nvidia-powered AI-native RAN and the practical hurdles operators face in adopting it.
https://www.rcrwireless.com/20260715/network-infrastructure/nokia-preps-ai-ran-2027
AT&T and Ericsson demo 5G sensing for drone detection
An early but compelling demonstration of ISAC technology repurposing existing cellular infrastructure for airspace awareness, pointing towards 6G capabilities.
https://www.lightreading.com/5g/att-and-ericsson-demo-5g-sensing-for-drone-detection
Fast-growing private 5G offers blueprint for AI-era telecoms
Analysis of how the private 5G sector’s projected 34 per cent annual growth is becoming a proving ground for the broader industry’s AI ambitions.
https://www.rcrwireless.com/20260716/internet-of-things/private-5g-ai-era-telecoms
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