MEF Mobile News Weekly Wrap

After Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio's deals, Vodafone Idea eyes satellite partnerships with Starlink in India

Even Vodafone Idea is looking up—literally—as it explores satellite partnerships, including with Starlink, to expand coverage in India’s most remote areas. 

This comes after Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio made deals with Elon Musk’s company, whose “space expansion” plans seem to be landing in India quicker than you can say "Starlink." 

Vodafone Idea is targeting rural and underserved regions for fixed and mobile services, hoping to beam data where traditional towers don’t dare go. If the deal goes through, expect even more competition in the race to provide data in every corner of India—thanks to Musk’s “out of this world” vision.

EU Targets Apple and Google with Digital Markets Act, Likely to Annoy Trump 

The European Commission is cracking down on Apple and Google under the Digital Markets Act, accusing Google of unfairly promoting its own services in search results and restricting app developers on its Play Store. 

Google argues the rules harm consumers and businesses despite making changes to comply. 

Meanwhile, Apple is being pushed to improve the interoperability of iOS devices with rival products like smartwatches and VR headsets. 

The enforcement comes amid rising U.S.-EU trade tensions, with Washington viewing these actions as targeting American tech giants. Brussels insists its focus is consumer fairness, not geopolitics.

Oracle Discusses Potential Role in TikTok’s Future Amid U.S. Deadline

Oracle met with top congressional aides on Capitol Hill to discuss its potential role in TikTok’s future as the app faces an April 5 deadline to cut Chinese ties or face a U.S. ban. 

Lawmakers questioned whether Oracle—already managing TikTok’s U.S. user data—could take full control of the platform. 

A buy-in from Oracle would shake up the mobile ecosystem, positioning the cloud giant as a major force in social media. 

This could impact telecom carriers handling TikTok’s massive data traffic and disrupt mobile advertising, challenging Google and Meta’s dominance. 

But questions remain over whether China would allow TikTok’s key algorithm to change hands.

Verizon Launches Satellite Messaging, Competing with AT&T and T-Mobile

Verizon has launched a direct-to-device satellite messaging service, stepping up competition against rivals AT&T and T-Mobile US. 

Available on select Android devices, including Samsung Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 9, the service is a result of Verizon's ongoing partnership with Skylo Technologies. 

Upgrades for the service began on March 19th and will continue over the next two weeks. 

This expands on Verizon's existing satellite emergency services for iPhones. 

T-Mobile is also in the game, beta testing its own satellite messaging, covering 500,000 square miles of the US. 

Meanwhile, AST SpaceMobile is using both Verizon and AT&T’s spectrum for D2D video calls.

UK Broadband Market to See More Competition by 2031, Ofcom Plans Openreach Changes

The UK’s broadband market is on track to become more competitive in the next six years, as rival providers dilute the dominance of BT’s Openreach. 

Ofcom indicated that by 2031, certain restrictions on Openreach could be lifted, with the rise of networks like Virgin Media 02 and CityFibre.

Though the UK’s fibre-optic coverage has significantly grown, it still lags behind countries like France and Spain. 

Ofcom aims to drive further growth, but concerns remain about the viability of smaller providers. The regulator is set to release its final plans in 2026.

Dutch Parliament Passes Law Targeting Digital Espionage Amid Rising Cyber Threats

The Dutch parliament has passed a law targeting digital and diaspora espionage, focusing on foreign threats to the country's security. 

Offenders could face up to eight years in prison, or 12 for severe cases.

With mobile security on the rise, the new law comes after warnings of Chinese cyber espionage targeting Western governments. 

As mobile devices are prime targets for data theft, this law strengthens the Netherlands' defenses against growing digital threats in a mobile-connected world.

Australian Agencies Potentially Linked to Israeli Spyware Amid Global Privacy Concerns

Australian government agencies could be using military-grade spyware from Israeli firm Paragon Solutions, according to a new report. 

The spyware, known as Graphite, provides full access to encrypted messaging apps and is sold exclusively to governments worldwide. 

A report by Citizen Lab found two IP addresses in Australia linked to the software.

Paragon Solutions says it complies with all legal frameworks and ensures its tools are used within democratic systems. 

The report comes after Meta revealed that over 90 journalists and human rights’ activists were compromised by the spyware on WhatsApp earlier this year.

Among them, an Italian investigative journalist who exposed young fascists within Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s far-right party. Following the revelations, Paragon Solutions terminated its contract with Italy.