The news: T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T are in various stages of launching satellite messaging services, extending mobile connectivity into remote areas. Key takeaway: Satellite-cellular convergence opens new paths for targeted ads. As T-Mobile, Verizon, Apple, and others build out skyward networks, marketers gain access to previously unreachable users in creative ways. Marketers should prepare for a world without dead zones. With satellite connectivity becoming widespread, it could unlock new inventory, audiences, and high-intent use cases—especially for premium segments.
With device price hikes looming, carriers are betting on their service-first models but may need to fight harder to retain cost-conscious customers.
Acquiring Vistar and Blis strengthens its ad capabilities, but turning its mobile data advantage into ad dominance won’t be easy—especially in a market controlled by digital giants.
Layoffs, outages, and slowing 5G buildouts expose vulnerabilities. In 2025, the industry must pivot to sustain growth.
Cyberattacks and overloads disrupt industries: From telecom strikes to service failures, 2024’s outages underline the fragility of tech systems and the urgent need for diversification and resilience strategies.
In partnership with Starlink, T-Mobile launches a beta for text messaging, bridging coverage gaps and setting the stage for future mobile connectivity.
Vodafone and Three’s £15 billion merger forms the UK’s largest mobile operator, reflecting a telecom consolidation trend and potential regulatory leniency on major M&As.
With Meta and Google building private subsea cables, they’re bypassing telecom giants, ensuring faster services and reshaping how the internet reaches developing regions.
Over 80% of ad spending in the US for technology and electronics (87.1%), retail (82.9%), and consumer packaged goods (80.2%) is directed toward digital media, according to EMARKETER’s August 2024 forecast.
The breakdown after Hurricane Helene raises concerns about carriers’ emergency preparedness as their investment cuts and layoffs hinder crisis response.
Verizon slashes 4,800 jobs: With 5G growth slowing, Verizon is buying rivals and cutting staff, sparking fears of weakened service and higher prices in a shrinking telecom market.
Google Cloud’s $100B opportunity: Data residency and sovereignty in regions like Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Greece could be Google Cloud’s competitive advantage in its pivot to a network provider.
Cost of the tech cold war: The FCC’s list of potential security threats grows longer with ComNet and China Unicom’s inclusion. The cost to rip and replace equipment and services may adversely affect smaller telecoms.
Global eSIM adoption is inevitable: 3.4B devices will be eSIM compatible by 2025. We can expect to see an increase in 5G connectivity in smartphones, laptops, tablets, and wearables.
Amazon’s Roomba acquisition is a data privacy nightmare: Regulators are worried that Amazon, which already has eyes and ears in consumers’ homes, will now be able to map and monitor those homes.