Telecommunications
Telecom & Connectivity
Telecom and connectivity infrastructure -- distinct from AI compute demand -- entered a pivotal standardization year in 2026, with 3GPP advancing 6G study-phase work toward Release 21 (the first release expected to define 6G) at its June 2026 RAN Plenary in Singapore, targeting formal technical specification work beginning in 2027 and final specifications no earlier than March 2029, with commercial 6G networks not expected until around 2030; 6G is being designed from the outset to integrate satellite connectivity alongside terrestrial networks. In parallel, direct-to-cell satellite connectivity reached a major regulatory milestone as the FCC granted AST SpaceMobile commercial authorization in April 2026 for a 248-satellite constellation using AT&T and Verizon spectrum, competing with SpaceX's Starlink Direct to Cell service, following successful VoLTE, SMS, and 4G video/data demonstrations on standard unmodified smartphones.
Sources
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Evidence
2 sources · 45% avg. source confidence
- Qualcomm / RCR Wireless — 3GPP advances 6G toward Release 21 at June 2026 RAN Plenary44% source confidence
- Via Satellite — FCC grants AST SpaceMobile commercial direct-to-device authorization46% source confidence
Dependency Map
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The Story So Far (last 6 months)
Auto-generated from this entity's dated milestones, relationship updates, and sourced evidence — not AI-written, just sorted.
Telecom & Connectivity's Timeline
A sourced, dated history of Telecom & Connectivity's key moments — founding to present.
Apr 2026 · FCC authorizes AST SpaceMobile's direct-to-device satellite service
The FCC granted AST SpaceMobile commercial authorization for direct-to-device satellite service using AT&T and Verizon spectrum, approving a 248-satellite supplemental-coverage-from-space constellation -- a landmark regulatory step for satellite-cellular convergence.
Jun 2026 · 3GPP advances 6G toward Release 21 at June 2026 RAN Plenary
3GPP advanced 6G study-phase work at its June 2026 RAN Plenary in Singapore, finalizing the timeline for Release 21 -- the first release expected to formally define 6G -- with technical specification work expected to begin in 2027 and final specifications not before March 2029; 6G is being designed from the start to integrate diverse device types and satellite connectivity alongside terrestrial networks.