During the period from June 20th to 30th, 2025, the following international news occurred:

1. Zain KSA begins 5G SA rollout on 600 MHz band

Saudi operator Zain KSA has initiated the deployment of 5G Standalone (5G SA) based on the 600 MHz low-frequency band. The first phase covers Riyadh and Jeddah, with commercial launch planned for the fourth quarter of 2025. This deployment will significantly enhance nationwide coverage, especially in areas where high-frequency signals are constrained, while supporting 5G-Advanced features such as Voice over New Radio (VoNR) for high-definition voice, Reduced Capability (RedCap) lightweight terminals, and network slicing. Zain KSA obtained the 600 MHz spectrum license in November 2024 and plans to invest $430 million to expand its 5G network to 122 cities nationwide, targeting coverage of 66% of population clusters. The initiative will facilitate the implementation of Saudi Arabia’s "Vision 2030" digital transformation strategy.

2. 6G Standardization Kicks Off: Intelligent Metasurface Technology Requires Industrial Collaboration to Break Through

In June 2025, the 108th 3GPP RAN Meeting officially launched 6G standardization research, with Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) emerging as a key enabling technology. Leveraging its low-cost and low-power advantages, RIS effectively addresses the coverage and energy efficiency challenges of 6G mid-high frequencies, garnering support from over 30 global institutions through 15 proposals. Currently, RIS has completed testing and verification under IMT-2030, with the technology approaching maturity, but standardization still faces challenges. The industry needs to collaboratively promote the inclusion of RIS in 6G Rel-20 research. Building on the technical accumulation of 5G-A relay technology, it should accelerate industrialization to facilitate the realization of 6G's vision of ubiquitous connectivity and green communication.

3. Nokia Bell CEO Markus Borchert: Building "Digital Bridges" to Connect Global Digital Opportunities

During MWC Shanghai 2025, Markus Borchert, CEO of Nokia Bell, proposed the "Digital Bridges" strategy to assist enterprises in global digital transformation. Relying on 160 years of technological accumulation and global localized experience, Nokia Bell provides end-to-end solutions spanning from 5G private networks, optical networks to AI analytics. These solutions not only support Chinese enterprises in compliant overseas operations but also help foreign firms innovate in China. Typical cases include resolving overseas 5G private network spectrum challenges for manufacturing enterprises and collaborating with Tencent Cloud to create high-performance cloud-network solutions. Markus Borchert emphasized that digitalization is reshaping traditional industries through the integration of technologies like 5G and AI. Nokia will continue to promote industrial collaboration to unleash the digital potential of the real economy.

4. Press Conference of 2025 Global Digital Economy Conference Convened

The 2025 Global Digital Economy Conference will open in Beijing on July 2 under the theme of "Building Digital-Friendly Cities". Adopting a "1+6+N" framework, the conference will feature 46 forums and an overseas branch venue in Europe. Highlights include the United Nations' first joint hosting, the release of the Top 10 Benchmark Applications, and the Digital Economy Experience Week. The Beijing Digital Economy Development Blue Book will be issued to showcase five years of development achievements. Multiple departments of Beijing Municipality are collaborating to ensure preparations, promoting international cooperation in the digital economy.

5. Aduna Ecosystem Continues Expansion with Seven New Strategic Partners

Aduna, the joint venture of Ericsson, has announced seven new partners including Microsoft, SoftBank, and NTT DOCOMO, further expanding its ecosystem. Microsoft will integrate AI with the Azure cloud platform to provide network API services, while Japan's three major operators—SoftBank, NTT DOCOMO, and KDDI—have joined Aduna's ecosystem for the first time. U.S.-based Syniverse, Indian firms Wipro and Tech Mahindra, and U.K.-based JT Global will also integrate Aduna's APIs into industry solutions. The collaboration strengthens Aduna's leadership in global expansion and cross-industry digital transformation, promoting standardized network APIs for applications like security verification and anti-fraud services.

6. Vodafone uses satellite-guided sensors to align mobile antennas

Vodafone will deploy a satellite-guided antenna sensor system, embedding satellite navigation sensors in antennas to monitor real-time parameters such as azimuth angles. The system automatically alarms and adjusts deviations, launching a pilot program in Albania in September before gradual expansion. This technology enhances network quality, reduces operation and maintenance costs, and plans to achieve dynamic antenna adjustment. It forms part of the "Network as a Sensor" initiative, which has leveraged 160,000 base stations for applications like microclimate prediction.

7. MWC25 Shanghai | Ericsson Experts: Acknowledge Industry Anxiety, Give 5G Time to "Flourish"

During MWC Shanghai 2025, Ericsson experts noted the "psychological gap" in 5G development within the telecom industry. Christopher Price, Asia-Pacific Technical Director, said 5G-A is being rapidly deployed in China, but ecosystem maturity needs time. Wang Haobo, Ericsson China CTO, emphasized that unlocking 5G value requires end-to-end collaboration, and the industry is in a capability-building phase. Experts view 5G-A's differentiated connectivity as a key breakthrough, with practical applications in low-altitude economy, AR glasses, etc. Through operator partnerships, Ericsson has validated the commercial value of differentiated connectivity in Singapore and other markets, urging the industry to be patient and co-nurture the 5G ecosystem.

8. Opensignal: VodafoneThree speed vow masks consistency issue

The landmark UK telecom merger between Vodafone and Three promises a 20% speed boost, but new analysis reveals network reliability as the critical issue. While Three's 4G download speeds (30.1Mbps) slightly outperform Vodafone's (28.6Mbps), its network consistency (68.6% premium experience stability) trails Vodafone's 75.4%. London and select regions will benefit first through MOCN network-sharing technology. Full integration may take up to 8 years, with 10,000 site upgrades planned by March 2026. This merger could improve UK's network quality, currently ranked 48th globally.

9. Latest Ericsson Mobile Market Report: 5G Fixed Wireless Access Monetization Potential Continues to Grow

The Ericsson Mobile Market Report shows 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is emerging as a key growth driver for operators. Currently, 80% of global operators offer FWA services, with 51% adopting speed-tiered pricing models—a year-on-year increase of 11 percentage points. The report forecasts global FWA connections will reach 350 million by 2030, accounting for 35% of new broadband connections. 5G Standalone (5G SA) and mid-band deployments are advancing, with mid-band coverage exceeding 90% in North America and reaching 50% in Europe. Ericsson notes operators are exploring new business opportunities through differentiated services, with 5G traffic share expected to rise from 35% in 2024 to 80% in 2030. The report highlights 5G SA and 5G Advanced as critical drivers for operator value monetization.

10. MWC Shanghai 2025 | 5G Commercialization Accelerates as China Telecom Plans for Next-Generation Communications

At MWC Shanghai 2025, China Telecom fully demonstrated its 5G commercialization achievements and 6G forward-looking layout. Currently, 5G has deeply empowered industries, healthcare, transportation and other fields, such as helping Baosteel achieve intelligent manufacturing (4ms latency, 99.999% reliability), and promoting the implementation of 5G-A in new scenarios like low-altitude economy, with more than 10 city-level low-altitude networks built. In terms of 6G R&D, China Telecom has made key technological breakthroughs such as "space-ground integrated transmission optimization", and carried out research on core technologies such as P-RAN and space-air integration. As the pioneer of the co-construction and sharing model, China Telecom will continue to promote cloud-network integration and accelerate the iteration and upgrading of communication technologies.

11. Verizon and Nokia to bring private 5G to Thames Freeport

Verizon Business, Thames Freeport, and Nokia are collaborating to deploy private 5G networks at key logistics and manufacturing hubs along the Thames in the UK. The project covers three major sites: DP World London Gateway Port, Port of Tilbury, and Ford Dagenham Plant, supporting applications of AI, IoT, and edge computing technologies for real-time cargo tracking, automated vehicle scheduling, and environmental monitoring. Nokia provides solutions including DAC and MX Industrial Edge Platform to ensure low-latency connectivity. Managed autonomously by the park, the network is expected to drive regional digital transformation and help Thames Freeport achieve its goal of creating 5,000 high-skilled jobs by 2030.

12. From IoT to Intelligent Connectivity: 5G-A's Full-Scenario IoT Drives Productivity Leap

At MWC Shanghai 2025, Zhao Dong, VP of Huawei's Wireless Network Product Line, noted AI-cell IoT integration is shifting the industry from "Internet of Everything" to "Intelligent Internet of Everything". China's IoT connections have tripled to 2.78B in five years, with AI bringing three transformations: new connections (e.g., smart vehicles), expanded scenarios (e.g., smart manufacturing), and boundary breakthroughs (e.g., drone inspections). Huawei identifies three key enablers for intelligent interconnection: full-scene IoT (5G lightweight modules under 100 RMB), full ultra-wide networks (5G-A's gigabit uplink), and full intelligence (industry large models). With 3GPP Rel-19 standardization nearing freeze, cellular passive IoT will unlock hundreds of billions of new connections, driving a productivity leap.

13. China 5G rush – 4.5m 5G base stations, 300 5G-A cities, 75% 5G traffic

China's 5G rollout accelerates, with 4.486 million base stations nationwide by May 2025 (35.3% of total). The "Big Three" operators have deployed 5G-A in 300 cities for AI sensing and smart infrastructure. The MIIT-led second "Sailing" Plan targets 38 5G stations per 10K people, 85% user penetration, and 75% traffic share by 2027. Shanghai aims for 90% 5G user penetration and low-altitude 5G/5G-A coverage by 2026. GSMA forecasts China's 5G penetration will hit 90% by 2030, leading global 5G development.

14. O2 Telefonica upgrades more than 1,000 sites with 5G

German telecom operator O2 Telefonica announced completing 5G upgrades at over 1,000 sites in 2025, boosting 5G population coverage to over 98% via 3,500 network optimizations—including 1,700 capacity upgrades and 200 new sites. Since launching its 5G Standalone (5G SA) service "5G Plus" in October 2023, the operator has provided 5G private network services for enterprise clients using 700MHz, 1.8GHz, and 3.6GHz bands, planning nationwide 5G SA coverage by end-2025. O2 Telefonica recently validated 5G cloud RAN technology with Ericsson and selected AWS as its 5G core network cloud service provider, deploying IMS voice services based on AWS Graviton processors.