- Undersea cables severed: Multiple submarine internet cables were cut in the Red Sea on Sept 6, causing slowdowns from the Middle East to South Asia [1] [2]. Microsoft warned of higher latency for Azure cloud users as traffic rerouted, and Pakistan suffered a nationwide speed drop [3] [4].
- Crackdowns intensify: Russia began enforcing draconian new internet laws that fine citizens simply for searching banned content (even via VPN) [5]. Officials outlawed VPN ads, demanded a state-run chat app on all phones, and threatened to ban WhatsApp, prompting fears the goal is to “create fear…increase self-censorship” among users [6] [7].
- Big network upgrades: SpaceX launched 28 new Starlink broadband satellites on Sept 5 – its fourth launch in a month – and landed a Falcon 9 booster for the record 500th time [8] [9]. In Africa, Kenya unveiled a 4,100 km subsea fiber cable linking to the Middle East [10], while the U.S. moved to bar high-risk vendors from new undersea links amid security fears [11].
- Telecom industry shake-ups: India’s top carrier Reliance Jio is teaming with Meta on a ₹855 crore ($100 M) joint venture to offer AI-powered services on its network [12]. In Ghana, the government is merging its loss-making operator with Telecel to form a stronger #2 carrier (about 26% market share versus MTN’s 74%) [13] [14]. Meanwhile, JetBlue announced it will use Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellites to provide in-flight Wi-Fi by 2027 [15] [16].
- Bridging the digital divide: MTN South Africa plans to sell 4G smartphones for just R99 (~$5) to over a million low-income 2G/3G users so “no one is left behind in the digital era,” its CEO vowed [17] [18]. New York City’s “Liberty Link” pilot will beam free high-speed Wi-Fi to 2,200 public-housing households by year’s end [19]. Grassroots projects – from community mesh networks in the Amazon to solar-powered Wi-Fi hubs in rural Africa – just won grants to connect remote areas [20]. Despite these efforts, one-third of humanity (≈2.6 billion people) remains offline, the UN warns, requiring trillions in investment to achieve universal access [21].
Massive Outages and Network Disruptions
On September 6, a sudden multi-cable break in the Red Sea sent shockwaves through global connectivity. Several undersea fiber-optic cables (including the SMW4 and IMEWE systems) were simultaneously cut near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia [22]. The impact was felt across continents – internet traffic between Europe/Asia and the Middle East slowed to a crawl, and countries like Pakistan and India experienced degraded service [23]. Microsoft’s Azure cloud warned users of increased latency as data was rerouted onto backup paths [24]. In the Gulf, UAE customers on du and Etisalat noticed sluggish speeds [25]. While the exact cause remains unclear, the incident raised alarms about possible sabotage amid regional conflicts. (Yemen’s Houthi rebels had previously been suspected of targeting Red Sea cables as war tactics – a charge they deny [26].) Experts noted that even an errant ship anchor can sever these vital lines in shallow seas [27]. Repairs are underway, but with multiple deep-sea cuts, full restoration could take weeks.
These cable cuts capped a troubling week of connectivity woes. In South Asia, Pakistan’s entire Balochistan province remains under a government-ordered mobile internet blackout amid military operations, a shutdown now stretching into weeks and keeping ~15 million people offline [28]. And in Iraq, authorities continued imposing nationwide internet blackouts for a few hours each morning during high school exams to prevent cheating [29] – an education-year ritual that frustrates students and businesses alike.
Even tech giants weren’t immune to outages: earlier in the week, Google’s core services went dark for about an hour across Turkey and parts of Europe [30]. Turkey’s internet watchdog demanded answers from Google after the brief YouTube/Gmail/Search outage on Sept 4 [31]. Although service was quickly restored, the episode underscored how fragile connectivity can be, whether due to technical glitches or intentional shutdowns. From undersea cables on the ocean floor to servers in the cloud, the past few days highlighted our dependence on a resilient internet – and the chaos that ensues when it falters.
Government Clampdowns and Policy Shifts
Authoritarian internet controls tightened dramatically in early September. In Russia, a suite of sweeping new internet laws took effect on Sept 1, cementing a climate of digital fear. The laws threaten fines up to 5,000 roubles (≈$65) for anyone caught searching online for banned “extremist” content – even if the person uses a VPN to do so [32]. This goes far beyond penalizing those who post or share forbidden material; merely looking for disapproved information is now punishable. The Ministry of Justice’s blacklist of “extremist” content spans 500+ pages of topics and groups, from opposition activists to LGBTQ resources [33]. Popular platforms owned by “extremist” entities are in the crosshairs too – officials have hinted that WhatsApp could be banned nationwide because its parent company Meta is blacklisted [34]. Moscow already outlawed advertising for VPN services, and all new smartphones sold in Russia must come pre-installed with a government-approved messaging app [35].
Digital rights groups warn this crackdown is engineered to chill free expression. “I think this is one of the main tasks…to create fear…to increase the level of self-censorship among the Russian internet audience,” said Sarkis Darbinyan of Roskomsvoboda, a Moscow-based digital rights NGO [36]. The intent, he told Reuters, is to make users so afraid of punishment that they voluntarily avoid any content that might draw scrutiny [37]. Even some pro-Kremlin figures have criticized the vague, broad law, which they worry could invite abuse [38] [39]. For now, Russian authorities claim the law targets only those “one step away from extremism,” but critics note it opens the door to harsher criminal charges later [40]. As one opposition politician protested outside parliament, “these amendments have caused a level of resistance in Russian society that has not been seen for a long time” [41]. Despite dissent, the Kremlin’s march toward a tightly controlled Runet (Russian internet) continues unabated.
Meanwhile in the West, a transatlantic battle over online speech is brewing. Britain’s online content regulations are facing pushback from American free speech advocates. This weekend it emerged that U.S. lawyers plan to summon the UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, for questioning in a legal case that accuses the agency of censoring Americans online [42]. At issue are new UK and European laws (like Britain’s Online Safety Act and the EU’s Digital Services Act) that seek to police internet content globally – even on U.S.-based sites like 4chan or Kiwi Farms. American plaintiffs argue these foreign regulations, enforced by Ofcom, “must not be allowed to silence Americans” on U.S. social platforms. Within weeks, Ofcom will be legally served in the U.S. to answer for its attempts to compel moderation of content accessible in the UK [43]. The unprecedented move highlights growing tension: democratic governments are increasingly regulating online content to curb harms, but those rules can have extraterritorial reach, clashing with other countries’ free speech norms. As one report noted, European efforts to scrub the web of hate speech and “disinformation” are colliding with the First Amendment and raising thorny questions of jurisdiction and sovereignty over the borderless internet.
Government policies affecting internet access weren’t all restrictive, however. Some aimed to expand connectivity or secure it against threats. In the United States, lawmakers and regulators took steps to shore up critical internet infrastructure. The U.S. House of Representatives this week passed the Undersea Cable Control Act, requiring strict oversight to prevent “foreign adversaries” like China from accessing or sabotaging undersea cable systems [44]. And the Federal Communications Commission moved to ban Chinese components in new U.S.-linked submarine cables – a national security measure amid warnings that hostile actors could tap or sever the fiber lines carrying 99% of global data [45]. “We have seen submarine cable infrastructure threatened in recent years by foreign adversaries,” FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said, stressing the need to guard the more than 400 undersea cables that form the internet’s backbone [46]. By tightening approvals to only “trusted” cable suppliers, U.S. officials aim to fortify the internet’s physical underpinnings against espionage or attack, ensuring more reliable access for the future.
Infrastructure Expansions and Connectivity Tech
Even as parts of the internet went dark, major investments in new infrastructure lit up around the globe. In the sky, satellite constellations are growing at a blistering pace. SpaceX notched another launch on September 5, lofting 28 fresh Starlink broadband satellites into orbit from Florida [47]. The Falcon 9 booster’s successful droneship landing marked SpaceX’s 500th rocket reuse milestone – a testament to rapid deployment. Thanks to near-weekly launches, Starlink now operates over 8,000 satellites and is delivering high-speed internet to remote users in 150+ countries. Rival projects are racing to catch up: Amazon’s Project Kuiper announced it will begin beta satellite internet service by late 2025 after an upcoming launch on Sept 25 [48]. Kuiper has deployed over 100 satellites to date and just landed its first airline partner – JetBlue – which will use Amazon’s low-Earth orbit network to provide free in-flight Wi-Fi on 25% of its fleet by 2027 [49] [50]. “Amazon has identified technology that will absolutely keep us ahead,” JetBlue’s president said, betting that Kuiper’s LEO satellites will offer faster, more reliable onboard internet than older geostationary services [51]. With SpaceX signing deals with airlines like Hawaiian and United as well [52], the battle for the skies is on – promising better connectivity whether you’re in a village or a jet at 35,000 feet.
Under the seas, a wave of new fiber-optic cables is coming online to boost bandwidth and resiliency. In Africa, Kenya’s largest telecom Safaricom (with backing from Meta) just launched “Daraja,” a 4,100 km submarine cable linking Mombasa to Muscat, Oman [53]. This $23 million system – Safaricom’s first owned subsea link – will dramatically increase East Africa’s international capacity and lower internet costs. “Until now Safaricom has relied on third-party undersea systems…by co-owning a cable, it secures greater independence and can expand capacity on demand,” the company noted of the strategic move [54]. Further north, Djibouti Telecom is extending its existing DARE1 cable down the African coast to add new landing points in Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar and South Africa [55]. The 3,300 km extension (construction begins 2026) will go live by 2028, creating a robust continuous link from the Horn of Africa to the continent’s southern tip [56]. And across the Atlantic, Central America is set for a connectivity leap: Costa Rica announced deployment of its first modern submarine cable, the TAM-1, to be completed in 2025 [57]. This fiber line will bolster internet capacity for Costa Rica and neighboring countries, forming part of the region’s “digital leap” in infrastructure.
Other recent innovations promise to squeeze more performance from these cables. Europe’s Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) achieved a new spectral efficiency record on the Amitié transatlantic cable this week, managing to pack unprecedented data throughput per fiber strand [58]. Such breakthroughs in optical technology could significantly increase existing cables’ capacity without laying new fiber – a key to meeting ever-growing demand. And to power future networks, engineers in Thailand are partnering with Telehouse on cutting-edge subsea connectivity solutions in Southeast Asia [59]. From Pacific islands to remote African villages, new links are closing connectivity gaps: for example, the East Micronesia Cable landed in Kosrae on Sept 5, bringing high-speed internet within reach of the Federated States of Micronesia’s small islands ahead of its November service launch [60].
On land, countries are finally rolling out next-gen wireless networks after long delays. In South Asia, Pakistan set December 2025 for its first 5G spectrum auction, ending years of hold-ups [61]. The government approved 606 MHz across mid-band frequencies (2.6 GHz, 3.5 GHz, etc.) for bidding, and the Prime Minister ordered the auction wrapped up by year’s end so that 5G services can begin soon after [62]. This push comes despite some spectrum tied up in court disputes – a sign of urgency to catch up in the 5G race. Meanwhile, Turkey announced its inaugural 5G tender will take place on Oct 16, 2025, with ambitious plans for operators to launch commercial 5G by April 1, 2026 [63]. The auction will offer 11 frequency blocks in the 700 MHz and 3.5 GHz bands, with a minimum total price tag of about $2.1 billion [64]. Until now Turkey lagged behind on “4.5G” LTE-Advanced networks; this move will finally put it on the 5G map. Officials in Ankara are optimistic that by allocating ample spectrum and setting aggressive rollout deadlines, Turkey can leapfrog into the ultrafast wireless era alongside its peers.
As new infrastructure comes online, internet access stands to improve in both core and remote markets. But these expansions also highlight the importance of securing networks. The recent Red Sea cable sabotage scare underscores why diverse routes and backup capacity are critical. Projects like Kenya’s Daraja and Djibouti’s DARE1 extension will add redundancy on the heavily-used Europe-Middle East-Asia corridor – so one cut cable can’t isolate entire regions. Governments, too, are prioritizing resilience: the U.S. FCC’s restrictions on untrusted telecom gear (from subsea cables to 5G towers) aim to prevent malicious disruptions [65]. The bottom line: the world is both building out and locking down the internet’s infrastructure, knowing it has become as essential as electricity for modern life.
Telecom Industry Moves and ISP Initiatives
It’s not just governments – telecom companies themselves are making bold moves in this rapidly evolving landscape. In India, a blockbuster partnership between mobile giant Reliance Jio and Meta (Facebook’s parent) is poised to accelerate digital transformation. The firms announced a new joint venture worth ₹855 crore (~$100 million) to develop AI-powered digital services for Jio’s network [66]. Jio, which already serves over 450 million subscribers, will hold 70% and Meta 30% in the venture, combining their strengths to bring artificial intelligence to enterprises at scale [67]. This means leveraging Meta’s advanced Llama AI models on Jio’s massive infrastructure to offer everything from smart business chatbots to automated workflows. “Through this joint venture, we’re putting Meta’s Llama models into real-world use,” Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said, highlighting how the partnership will translate cutting-edge AI research into practical tools for companies across India [68]. By marrying Jio’s connectivity and local reach with Meta’s AI expertise, the project aims to democratize AI services in emerging markets – and gives both companies a potential blueprint to export such services beyond India in the future.
In Africa, a major consolidation is underway to strengthen competition against a dominant incumbent. The Government of Ghana confirmed plans to merge AirtelTigo (rebranded as AT Ghana) with Telecel Ghana, creating a larger second-place operator in the mobile market [69]. The decision comes as AT Ghana has been bleeding money (over $10 million lost in the first 8 months of 2025 alone) and risks collapse [70]. By combining it with Telecel, officials hope to form a more viable rival to market-leader MTN. The merged entity will serve roughly 10.4 million subscribers – about 26% of Ghana’s mobile users – making it a solid #2 player, though still far behind MTN’s ~74% share (29.5 million customers) [71] [72]. To reassure stakeholders, the communications minister promised that no jobs would be cut in the merger; all 300 AT Ghana employees will be absorbed by Telecel [73] [74]. The network integration is already near completion, with millions of AT customers shifted onto Telecel’s infrastructure via national roaming [75]. Analysts say the merged operator could improve service quality and offer more competitive data plans – but caution that MTN’s dominance (nearly 3× the subscribers of #2) means price wars are unlikely [76]. Still, the merger is a bold attempt to “rebalance” Ghana’s telecom sector, relieve the government of AT’s financial burden, and ensure consumers aren’t effectively stuck with a monopoly. If successful, Ghana’s experience could serve as a case study for other African markets where one or two firms tower over the rest.
In the satellite internet arena, corporate alliances are also taking off. Just days ago, JetBlue Airways became the first airline to partner with Amazon’s Project Kuiper, the forthcoming low-Earth orbit satellite broadband network [77]. The deal will see JetBlue equip at least 25% of its aircraft with Kuiper terminals starting in 2027 to provide free, high-speed Wi-Fi to passengers [78] [79]. JetBlue has long offered free Wi-Fi via geostationary satellites; by tapping into Kuiper’s LEO constellation, it expects faster and more reliable connectivity with fewer coverage gaps. “We have a lot of competitors trying to jump on the bandwagon,” noted JetBlue President Marty St. George, emphasizing that embracing Amazon’s next-gen tech will help the airline “stay ahead” in the race for the best in-flight internet [80]. Amazon is investing $10 billion into Kuiper to launch over 3,200 satellites, directly challenging SpaceX’s Starlink which has a head start [81]. For Amazon, the JetBlue win is a high-profile proof point to attract more corporate clients (it follows SpaceX’s deals with Hawaiian and United). For travelers, the message is clear: fast, ubiquitous Wi-Fi at 30,000 feet is on the horizon, as airlines leverage the growing satellite internet boom to court customers.
Another industry trend is incumbent telcos looking inward to grow new revenue streams. In the Middle East, reports suggest Gulf telecom operators are mulling entering the satellite broadband space themselves or partnering with providers, as demand for rural and maritime connectivity surges. And across developing markets, operators are exploring ways to monetize 5G and fiber networks by layering services like cloud computing, fintech, and IoT on top of basic connectivity. The Reliance Jio-Meta venture is one example of this “Telco 2.0” strategy – using the network as a platform for digital services (in Jio’s case, possibly everything from AI-powered business solutions to metaverse applications down the line). Similarly, U.S. cable giants are bundling mobile service, and European carriers are lobbying to charge Big Tech companies for network usage. While those debates continue, it’s clear that connectivity alone is increasingly a commodity – the next battle is in services and content delivered over those connections.
Connecting the Unconnected: Digital Inclusion Efforts
Around the world, both public and private sectors are launching innovative initiatives to bridge the digital divide – ensuring that new infrastructure benefits everyone, not just urban elites. In Africa, South Africa’s second-largest mobile operator made headlines by tackling one of the biggest barriers to internet adoption: device cost. MTN South Africa announced it will offer 1.2 million of its customers 4G smartphones for just 99 rand (about $5) – an astonishing 90% subsidy off the ~$40 retail price [82] [83]. The ultra-budget Android devices (made by itel) will be sold in phases through 2026, targeted at low-income users still stuck on 2G/3G handsets [84]. It’s part of MTN’s plan to shut down legacy 2G and 3G networks by 2027; they don’t want to “leave anyone behind” when that happens [85]. “As the country transitions to technologies like 4G and 5G, it is vital that we take proactive steps to connect as many South Africans as possible,” said MTN South Africa CEO Charles Molapisi, pledging that “no one is left behind in the digital era.” [86]. By virtually giving away smartphones, MTN hopes to accelerate 4G adoption among the poorest communities, so that everyone can access modern internet services (and MTN can retain those customers in a 4G-only future). The move earned praise from digital inclusion advocates, who have long argued that affordable devices and data plans are key to narrowing the connectivity gap. MTN’s program echoes earlier schemes like Reliance Jio’s low-cost “JioPhone” in India, but at an even lower price point. If all 1.2 million subsidized phones get into users’ hands, it could significantly boost South Africa’s internet penetration, which currently lags at around 68% of adults.
In Asia, telecom providers are embracing fixed-wireless and community-based solutions to reach underserved areas. In the Philippines, for instance, Smart Communications rolled out new 5G Home WiFi kits this week (launched Sept 4) – plug-and-play wireless broadband routers bundled with unlimited prepaid data plans [87]. These $50 “modem-in-a-box” kits don’t require any fiber connection; they use 5G signals to deliver high-speed internet to homes in rural and peri-urban locales where laying cable isn’t feasible. By selling them at retail with no contracts and refillable data packages, Smart aims to connect students, remote workers and small businesses in provinces that until now lacked decent internet [88]. It’s effectively a DIY broadband option: just buy the router, load up a data voucher, and you’ve got instant Wi-Fi for the whole household. Early users in trial areas report speeds over 100 Mbps, turning previously “offline” villages into connected communities overnight. Such fixed-wireless access could be a game-changer across developing Asia and Africa, where 5G networks often extend beyond the reach of fiber lines.
Meanwhile, cities in wealthy countries are targeting connectivity gaps in their own backyards. In New York, Mayor Eric Adams in late July unveiled “Liberty Link,” a pilot program to bring free or low-cost Wi-Fi to 35 public housing developments in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan [89] [90]. Backed by $3.25 million in city and federal funds, the project will provide high-speed internet to roughly 2,200 low-income households by installing fiber hookups and building-wide Wi-Fi in 100% affordable housing buildings [91]. The service, set to roll out by the end of 2025, will be completely free for many residents (those on certain assistance programs) and very low-cost for others. “Access to reliable, high-speed internet is a fundamental necessity in today’s world,” Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer said at the launch, noting that 1 in 5 Bronx families still lack home internet [92]. “With Liberty Link, we are ensuring more New Yorkers – regardless of income or zip code – can fully participate in our economy and society.” [93] In addition to connectivity, the program includes digital literacy training (“Neighborhood Tech Help”) so residents can better use online resources [94] [95]. NYC’s effort builds on its earlier “Big Apple Connect” initiative that provided free broadband to 200+ public housing sites. Other U.S. cities are closely watching Liberty Link as a model to replicate, especially with federal broadband funds now available. The COVID-19 pandemic drove home the lesson that internet access is essential infrastructure, and municipalities are stepping up to fill coverage and affordability gaps that private ISPs have left.
Not to be outdone, non-profits and international organizations are supporting bottom-up connectivity projects. The Internet Society Foundation (the philanthropic arm of the Internet Society) just awarded grants to nine community-based networks across Latin America, Africa, and Asia [96]. These range from indigenous women in the Amazon rainforest building and maintaining their own solar-powered Wi-Fi mesh, to rural Kenyan villages training local youth to deploy wireless hotspots with support from nearby universities [97]. In one example, a project in Brazil is equipping remote Amazon communities with DIY internet kits – antennas, routers, and offline servers loaded with Wikipedia and educational content – all assembled and governed by the community itself. In West Africa, networks in Senegal and Uganda funded by the grants will connect farming regions that commercial telecoms ignore, using a mix of TV White Space spectrum and solar backhaul links [98]. These grassroots networks prove that “unconnected” populations can often connect themselves when given modest resources and training. They also tend to be more resilient and tailored to local needs, whether it’s supporting telemedicine in a rainforest village or enabling mobile banking in a remote savannah town. The Internet Society’s support, coupled with technical mentorship, will help scale these efforts and share best practices globally.
All these inclusion initiatives are vital, because a sobering new U.N. report reminds us how far we have to go. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), roughly 2.6 billion people – about 32% of the world’s population – still have no internet access at all [99]. Progress in shrinking this digital divide has slowed, and at current rates hundreds of millions will remain offline in 2030. The ITU estimates that achieving universal “meaningful connectivity” by 2030 (a global target) will require an investment of $2.6–2.8 trillion over the next five years [100]. Yet so far, governments, companies, and NGOs have pledged only about $51 billion towards connectivity projects, a tiny fraction of what’s needed [101]. The agency’s Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin urged the world to see internet access as “an investment in human potential, not just a cost”, calling it essential for education, jobs, healthcare, and economic growth [102]. She noted that every $1 invested in connectivity yields at least a $3 benefit in GDP by enabling new opportunities [103]. The report highlights that while cutting-edge tech like 5G, 6G, and satellite mega-constellations grab headlines, basic access remains out of reach for one-third of humanity – largely due to poverty, lack of infrastructure, and digital illiteracy. It’s a wake-up call that the global community must dramatically step up resources and collaboration to ensure the internet’s next chapter is inclusive.
From seafloor cables to stratospheric satellites, from government policies to grassroots projects, the past two days showcased the immense momentum – and challenges – in connecting our world. We saw the internet’s physical threads frayed by conflict and quickly mended by engineers; we saw authoritarian regimes try to constrict the flow of information, even as activists and diplomats push back across borders. New networks promise to link the remotest corners of Earth (or sky), while industry upheavals and mergers reshape who provides our access and how. And in the midst of this high-tech churn, we’re reminded that the internet ultimately is about people: the student in a Bronx housing project who’ll get Wi-Fi this year, the farmer in rural Pakistan waiting for 5G, the dissident blogger in Moscow risking a fine for a web search, the passenger over the Atlantic checking email via satellite. The promise of the internet – universal, open, empowering – is closer than ever yet still unevenly distributed. The news from September 6–7, 2025, makes one thing clear: the fight to bridge the digital divide and keep the internet free is truly a global endeavor, and it’s only gaining urgency.
Sources:
- Associated Press via Beaumont Enterprise – “Undersea cables cut in the Red Sea, disrupting internet access in Asia and the Mideast” (7 Sept 2025) [104] [105]
- Emirates News Agency (WAM) – “Network connectivity impacted as Microsoft reports multiple subsea fiber cuts in Red Sea” (7 Sept 2025) [106]
- Reuters – “NetBlocks: Red Sea subsea cable outages degrade internet in multiple countries” (7 Sept 2025) [107]
- Reuters – “Russia passes law punishing searches for ‘extremist’ content” (Alexander Marrow, 22 July 2025) [108] [109]
- Reuters – Digital rights advocate on Russian internet crackdown [110]
- The Telegraph (via Yahoo News) – “Ofcom to be summoned for grilling over censorship of Americans” (Rob Crilly, 6 Sept 2025) [111]
- Daily Sceptic – summary of Telegraph report on Ofcom and U.S. free speech case [112]
- SubTel Forum – “House Approves Undersea Cable Control Act” (Jericho Casper, 4 Sept 2025) [113]
- Reuters – Comments by FCC’s Brendan Carr on securing undersea cables (1 Sept 2025) [114]
- TS2 Space Tech Roundup – “Internet Access Chaos: Blackouts, Crackdowns & Broadband Breakthroughs (Sept 5–6, 2025)” [115] [116]
- TS2 Space – “Global Internet Access Turmoil (Sept 4–5, 2025)” [117] [118]
- Space.com – “SpaceX launches Starlink satellites, lands Falcon rocket for 500th time” (5 Sept 2025) [119] [120]
- Reuters – “JetBlue to enhance onboard Wi-Fi with Amazon’s Kuiper network by 2027” (Doyinsola Oladipo, 4 Sept 2025) [121] [122]
- TS2 Space – Infrastructure expansions (Starlink, Kuiper, Daraja cable, DARE1) [123] [124]
- Developing Telecoms – “Djibouti extends DARE1 cable to Southern Africa” (4 Sept 2025) [125]
- SubTel Forum – “Costa Rica’s Digital Leap: TAM-1 Submarine Cable for 2025” (4 Sept 2025) [126]
- SubTel Forum – “ASN Sets Spectral Efficiency Record on Amitié Cable” (5 Sept 2025) [127]
- Reuters – “Pakistan to hold 5G auction by Dec 2025” (Early Sept 2025) [128]
- Reuters – “Turkey sets 5G spectrum tender for Oct 2025” (Ebru Tuncay, 1 Sept 2025) [129]
- TechCrunch – “Reliance Jio and Meta form $100M AI venture” (Jagmeet Singh, 29 Aug 2025) [130] [131]
- MyJoyOnline (Ghana) – “AT Ghana and Telecel merger: What it means for the telecom market” (Anthony Manu, 5 Sept 2025) [132] [133]
- Reuters – “MTN South Africa to sell budget smartphones for 99 rand” (Nqobile Dludla, 5 May 2025) [134] [135]
- TS2 Space – Affordable access initiatives (MTN $5 phone, etc) [136] [137]
- Reuters – Quote from MTN South Africa CEO on digital inclusion [138]
- Backend News – “Smart Philippines launches 5G Home WiFi with prepaid unlimited plans” (4 Sept 2025) [139]
- Broadband Breakfast – “NYC Mayor Adams launches ‘Liberty Link’ free Wi-Fi for 2,200 households” (Jennifer Michel, 25 Jul 2025) [140] [141]
- TS2 Space – Bridging the digital divide (Liberty Link, community networks) [142] [143]
- Internet Society – Announcement of Community Network grants (Sept 2025) [144]
- ITU – “Global Connectivity Report 2025” (Released 1 Sept 2025) [145]
- ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin’s statement on connectivity as development priority [146]
References
1. www.beaumontenterprise.com, 2. www.beaumontenterprise.com, 3. www.beaumontenterprise.com, 4. www.beaumontenterprise.com, 5. ts2.tech, 6. ts2.tech, 7. www.reuters.com, 8. www.space.com, 9. www.space.com, 10. ts2.tech, 11. ts2.tech, 12. techcrunch.com, 13. www.myjoyonline.com, 14. www.myjoyonline.com, 15. www.reuters.com, 16. www.reuters.com, 17. www.reuters.com, 18. www.reuters.com, 19. ts2.tech, 20. ts2.tech, 21. ts2.tech, 22. www.beaumontenterprise.com, 23. www.beaumontenterprise.com, 24. www.beaumontenterprise.com, 25. www.beaumontenterprise.com, 26. www.beaumontenterprise.com, 27. www.beaumontenterprise.com, 28. ts2.tech, 29. ts2.tech, 30. ts2.tech, 31. ts2.tech, 32. ts2.tech, 33. www.reuters.com, 34. ts2.tech, 35. ts2.tech, 36. www.reuters.com, 37. www.reuters.com, 38. www.reuters.com, 39. www.reuters.com, 40. www.reuters.com, 41. www.reuters.com, 42. dailysceptic.org, 43. dailysceptic.org, 44. subtelforum.com, 45. ts2.tech, 46. ts2.tech, 47. www.space.com, 48. ts2.tech, 49. www.reuters.com, 50. www.reuters.com, 51. www.reuters.com, 52. www.reuters.com, 53. ts2.tech, 54. ts2.tech, 55. ts2.tech, 56. ts2.tech, 57. subtelforum.com, 58. subtelforum.com, 59. subtelforum.com, 60. subtelforum.com, 61. ts2.tech, 62. ts2.tech, 63. ts2.tech, 64. ts2.tech, 65. ts2.tech, 66. techcrunch.com, 67. techcrunch.com, 68. techcrunch.com, 69. www.myjoyonline.com, 70. www.myjoyonline.com, 71. www.myjoyonline.com, 72. www.myjoyonline.com, 73. www.myjoyonline.com, 74. www.myjoyonline.com, 75. www.myjoyonline.com, 76. www.myjoyonline.com, 77. www.reuters.com, 78. www.reuters.com, 79. www.reuters.com, 80. www.reuters.com, 81. www.reuters.com, 82. ts2.tech, 83. www.reuters.com, 84. www.reuters.com, 85. www.reuters.com, 86. www.reuters.com, 87. ts2.tech, 88. ts2.tech, 89. broadbandbreakfast.com, 90. broadbandbreakfast.com, 91. broadbandbreakfast.com, 92. broadbandbreakfast.com, 93. broadbandbreakfast.com, 94. broadbandbreakfast.com, 95. broadbandbreakfast.com, 96. ts2.tech, 97. ts2.tech, 98. ts2.tech, 99. ts2.tech, 100. ts2.tech, 101. ts2.tech, 102. ts2.tech, 103. ts2.tech, 104. www.beaumontenterprise.com, 105. www.beaumontenterprise.com, 106. www.wam.ae, 107. www.beaumontenterprise.com, 108. www.reuters.com, 109. www.reuters.com, 110. www.reuters.com, 111. dailysceptic.org, 112. dailysceptic.org, 113. subtelforum.com, 114. ts2.tech, 115. ts2.tech, 116. ts2.tech, 117. ts2.tech, 118. ts2.tech, 119. www.space.com, 120. www.space.com, 121. www.reuters.com, 122. www.reuters.com, 123. ts2.tech, 124. ts2.tech, 125. ts2.tech, 126. subtelforum.com, 127. subtelforum.com, 128. ts2.tech, 129. ts2.tech, 130. techcrunch.com, 131. techcrunch.com, 132. www.myjoyonline.com, 133. www.myjoyonline.com, 134. www.reuters.com, 135. www.reuters.com, 136. ts2.tech, 137. ts2.tech, 138. www.reuters.com, 139. ts2.tech, 140. broadbandbreakfast.com, 141. broadbandbreakfast.com, 142. ts2.tech, 143. ts2.tech, 144. ts2.tech, 145. ts2.tech, 146. ts2.tech
