Global Scans · Internet Communication · Weekly Summary

• [New] LEO broadband will enter a new phase of scaled roll-out as more constellations come online, including Amazon Kuiper and China's Qianfan (Thousand Sails). Access Partnership
• [New] MathWorks, a developer of mathematical computing software has projected a significant shift in the global connectivity landscape, with 2026 expected to mark the point at which satellite and 5G networks begin operating as a unified system rather than as parallel infrastructures. VND
• [New] Hybrid satellite-5G networks are expected to move from pilots to deployment in 2026, driven by 3GPP Release 17 and 18, enabling closer integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. VND
• [New] By spring 2026, free wi-fi will be available on nearly every American Airlines flight. The Independent
• [New] The wi-fi, delivered via telecom firm AT&T, will be accessed through an upgraded aainflight.com portal, where flyers can log in using their AAdvantage number and select free wi-fi to start browsing. The Independent
• [New] The first aircraft equipped with free and high-speed Wi-Fi will enter the Lufthansa Group fleet in the course of 2026. Brussels Airlines
• [New] ASUS Networking plans to release its first lineup of Wi-Fi 8 home routers and mesh systems in 2026. RCR Wireless News
• [New] The MediaTek Filogic 8000 series of products will cater to premium and flagship devices leveraging Wi-Fi 8 technology, with the first chipset expected to reach customers later in 2026. RCR Wireless News
• [New] Half a trillion dollars - that's the potential annual savings when smart cities fully embrace 5G and IoT by 2030. PatentPC
• [New] In just a year or two, over half of all IoT devices in smart cities will be powered by 5G. PatentPC
• [New] 5G Broadcast is expected to move from trials to deployment in the US in 2026, with early momentum building around experimental licensing and network expansion plans. CSI
• [New] Once 3G becomes defunct, individuals who have not migrated to a contemporary handset featuring 4G or 5G capabilities will discover they can no longer browse the internet or utilise applications such as WhatsApp whilst away from Wi-Fi coverage. Chronicle Live
• [New] Drives demand is bolstered by setting high standards (Korean consumers expect top-notch connectivity and devices - recall Korea's early 5G rollout, which pushed telecom firms and device makers to innovate). GeoIntelligence
• [New] The Shanghai state-backed project aims to mass produce and launch over 15,000 satellites by 2030 to provide global broadband coverage. Yahoo News
• [New] Delays in infrastructure deployment could cost the UK tens of billions in lost productivity, while successful adoption of 5G and full fiber could deliver economic gains worth £200 billion by 2035. UKAuthority
• [New] Bill Gates has issued a stark warning: the most immediate threats from artificial intelligence are not distant sci-fi scenarios, but risks that could materialize sooner than society is ready for. Ainvest
• [New] One of the telecoms industry's challenges in 2026 will be rebuilding the labour capacity needed for standalone 5G rollouts after a prolonged pause caused by uncertainty around the VodafoneThree merger, resolved only at the end of 2025. Mobile Industry Review
• 2026 will see a multitude of airlines, including British Airways and United, adopt in-flight Wi-Fi solutions supported by LEO satellite constellations for the first time. The National Law Review
• Annual shipments of Wi-Fi mesh equipment are projected to grow from 41.7 million units in 2024 to 63.6 million units in 2026. TelecomLead
• Global fiber broadband subscriptions are projected to reach 808.7 million by 2026-end, up from 776.3 million in 2025. TelecomLead
• In 2026, multiple airlines, including British Airways and United, are expected to deploy LEO-based in-flight Wi-Fi, with several carriers offering free connectivity to all passengers regardless of travel class. TelecomLead
• As the cellular ecosystem begins early preparations for 6G, greater clarity is expected in 2026 on how Wi-Fi and 6G will work together. TelecomLead

Last updated: 18 January 2026