Global Scans · Internet Communication · Weekly Summary

• [New] By 2030, 5G connections are expected to make up 95% of all mobile connections in South Korea, Canada, and the United States. IMARC Group
• [New] There were a projected 1.9 billion fifth generation (5G) subscriptions worldwide in 2023, with the total expected to rise to 8 billion by 2028. IMARC Group
• [New] 6G networks will need up to three times the spectrum currently allocated for 5G, and was measuring up various mid-band frequencies. theregister
• [New] Rural broadband projects are expected to remain a strong source of industry growth in 2026. beBee
• [New] In what could be viewed as a precursor project, SpaceX has already lofted 10,000 Starlink broadband-beaming satellites, with each spacecraft costing US$ 2 million to build and launch. Forbes
• [New] There's no doubt the combination of satellites, rocket launches, broadband, AI, space exploration, and social media create vast revenue growth opportunities for SpaceX. Forbes
• [New] The core mobile and fixed services will account for the majority (75.2%) of the total telecoms retail revenue in 2030, driven by the growth in revenue from mobile handsets and fixed broadband. Analysys Mason
• The sprawling SpaceX business will be split into three parts: the rocket-launching unit; the Starlink satellite broadband arm; and the AI company that includes X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. The Guardian
• The rapid commercialization of 5G networks, with global 5G subscriptions expected to exceed five billion by 2030, is enabling real-time on-device AI processing at scale. Persistence Market Research
• Using 5G more widely could add $9.3 billion to the Thai economy-about 10% of its GDP - by 2035. Roza.Pace@trade.gov
• Juniper expects 6G to bring about a convergence of terrestrial and satellite communications networks, building on the progress already made with 5G. theregister
• Some analysts are downright bullish about Starlink's prospects, predicting that SpaceX's broadband satellite service could flirt with 100 million subscribers by 2034 as it bulks up on capacity. Light Reading
• Starlink could hit 100 million customers by 2034 as it continues to beef up capacity, New Street Research estimates in a report on SpaceX's broadband business. Light Reading
• Satellite broadband is projected to account for 31.8% share in 2026 due to established procurement patterns and growing demand for high-capacity aviation data transmission. Morningstar, Inc.
• American Airlines announced today that it has tapped Starlink's satellite internet service to power inflight Wi-Fi starting in Q1 2027. 9to5Mac
• Amazon will provide satellite-based Wi-Fi on flights in the future. 9to5Mac
• In the year 2026, the number of 5G base stations in the world will exceed 3 million. Custom Market Insights
• The Federal Communications Commission voted on Thursday to modernize its satellite spectrum-sharing rules, which could increase capacity for space-based broadband services by up to sevenfold. Gizmodo
• Delta has contracted Leo for in-flight Wi-Fi across 500 aircraft starting in 2028, with free access available to SkyMiles members. The Next Web
• Even 5G - despite having reached half of the world's population in under five years - will eventually slow, as the gaps that remain become harder to close. World Intellectual Property Report 2026
• Rapid global urbanization, with 68% of the world's population projected to live in urban areas by 2050 (UN DESA), combined with 5G IoT deployment, AI-driven urban analytics, and government-mandated digital infrastructure investment programs are primary growth factors. Persistence Market Research

Last updated: 14 June 2026