Weekly News: UK Opens Licensed mmWave Spectrum for High-Capacity 5G Growth
Dec 19, 2025
1. UK Opens Licensed mmWave Spectrum for High-Capacity 5G Growth
2. India’s 5G Subscriber Base Tops 1.2 Billion with Nearly 400 Million on 5G
3. Indian Telcos Commit Over ₹1 Lakh Crore to AI-Ready Data Centers and Edge Infrastructure
4. Telecom Operators Push for Rationalized Spectrum Valuation in India
5. Hardware Solutions Advance 5G Small Cell and Fixed Wireless Access Deployments
UK Opens Licensed mmWave Spectrum for High-Capacity 5G Growth
The UK communications regulator Ofcom has made significant licensed mmWave spectrum in the 26 GHz and 40 GHz bands available for mobile services, enabling operators to support very high capacity, low-latency broadband in densely populated urban areas. This spectrum pool unlocks large contiguous blocks for 5G and fixed wireless access (FWA) deployments that can handle data-intensive applications and future-proof network capacity. By enabling access to these high-frequency bands, UK operators are positioned to accelerate next-generation services that complement traditional mid-band 5G and fiber infrastructure, supporting both consumer broadband and enterprise connectivity growth.
India’s 5G Subscriber Base Tops 1.2 Billion with Nearly 400 Million on 5G
India’s telecom sector continues to expand rapidly, with total subscribers reaching 1.2 billion, and nearly 400 million users on 5G networks by late 2025, according to the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). This milestone reflects one of the fastest 5G adoption rates globally and underscores the market’s role in driving large-scale wireless broadband growth. Network expansion efforts have led to the deployment of over 515,000 5G base stations, while Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) subscribers continue to grow across urban and rural regions. Strong 5G adoption supports higher mobile data usage and enhances the platform for digital services across sectors, reinforcing India’s strategic importance in the global wireless ecosystem.
Indian Telcos Commit Over ₹1 Lakh Crore to AI-Ready Data Centers and Edge Infrastructure
Leading Indian telecom operators have unveiled plans to invest more than ₹1 lakh crore (over USD 12 billion) in AI-ready data centers, edge computing infrastructure, and cloud capabilities over the next 2–3 years. This strategic pivot reflects the industry’s evolution from pure network expansion to building compute-intensive digital infrastructure, aimed at growing enterprise and cloud revenue contributions. By integrating advanced data center platforms with connectivity, operators are equipping themselves to support latency-sensitive AI applications, host enterprise workloads, and participate more deeply in the growing digital ecosystem. This shift is expected to broaden service portfolios and foster innovation in hybrid network-compute solutions.
Telecom Operators Push for Rationalized Spectrum Valuation in India
Telecom carriers in India have formally proposed that the government rationalize spectrum valuation and reserve pricing policies, advocating for lower base prices (around 50% rather than 70–80% of estimated valuation). This initiative seeks to encourage broader participation in future spectrum auctions and reduce long-term capital intensity for operators. By aligning spectrum reserve prices with market realities, the industry aims to sustain healthy investment cycles for network upgrades, including 5G and future 6G readiness, while ensuring that spectrum remains accessible for innovative wireless deployments. Thoughtful spectrum policy can strengthen competition and spur continued infrastructure investment.
Hardware Solutions Advance 5G Small Cell and Fixed Wireless Access Deployments
The ecosystem for 5G infrastructure hardware continues to advance, exemplified by the launch of RF-transparent micro-enclosure products designed to accelerate small cell rollouts and improve network densification. These hardware innovations help operators deploy 5G base stations more rapidly in urban and suburban environments, lowering barriers to scale and enhancing overall network reach. Improved small cell enclosures and related equipment support the broader strategy of complementing macro-cell coverage with dense, localized capacity — a key step toward realizing the full potential of 5G services, including enhanced mobile broadband and fixed wireless access in underserved areas.