We take a weekly look at mobile and tech stories from around the world. Headlines include… Verizon’s $20B Fiber Bet Raises Investor Concerns, Apple’s iPhone Launch Critical as Sales Slump, Huawei Targets Apple with ‘Disruptive’ Tri-Fold Smartphone Launching Day, and more… Alternatively listen On MEF Radio.

Verizon’s $20B Fiber Bet Raises Investor Concerns, FT Lex Says
FT
Verizon’s $20 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications signals the company’s expensive shift toward fiber, a move unlikely to thrill telco investors, the Financial Times Lex Column read on Thursday. The deal, which offers a 30% premium on Frontier’s equity, adds 2 million fiber subscribers to Verizon’s existing 7 million. Verizon, like others in the industry, is betting on the convergence of mobile, internet, and TV services to reignite growth, as its core mobile business has stagnated. However, this high-cost strategy may not appeal to investors who have seen telecoms spend heavily on infrastructure without consistent returns, the FT article say. Frontier, a legacy telecom provider, previously went bankrupt due to unsustainable debt, partly from its earlier acquisition of Verizon’s regional wireline assets.
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Apple’s iPhone Launch Critical as Sales Slump, WSJ Warns
Macrumours
Apple’s upcoming iPhone launch is critical for the company, which relies heavily on the product for over half its revenue. Despite efforts to diversify, the iPhone business alone rivals major companies like Chevron and GM, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis. iPhone sales have slowed, with revenue down 2% last fiscal year and a slight decline expected this year. High hopes rest on the new phone, which will be launched on September 9 and incorporates Apple’s AI technology, though analysts are divided on its immediate impact, with some AI features delayed until later in the year.
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Huawei Targets Apple with ‘Disruptive’ Tri-Fold Smartphone Launching Day
Bloomberg
And Huawhei has announced plans to launch a premium smartphone on September 10, just a day after Apple’s highly anticipated event where it will unveil its new devices, Bloomberg reported. Huawei’s consumer group chief, Richard Yu, described the upcoming product as the company’s “most leading, innovative, and disruptive” offering, which has been in development for five years. While details are scarce, a Bloomberg report suggests that Huawei might be launching the “world’s first” tri-fold smartphone, combining a tablet-sized display within a regular smartphone’s dimensions. Additionally, Huawei is rumored to be preparing the launch of its Aito electric vehicle. This launch intensifies Huawei’s competition with Apple in the premium device market.
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EE Debuts Standalone 5G and Wi-Fi 7, Boosts AI and Connectivity
EE
UK mobile operator EE has launched its standalone 5G network and a new Wi-Fi 7 service, which CEO Marc Allera claims will enhance AI use cases and integrate mobile and fixed technologies. The 5G network is now live in 15 major UK cities, with new monthly plans, unlimited data options, and access to Google Gemini AI tools.
In collaboration with Qualcomm, EE’s Wi-Fi 7 offering aims to meet growing demands for cloud gaming, AR/VR, and 4K/8K streaming, delivering high speeds with its new routers. Allera emphasized the importance of viewing mobile and broadband as one for EE’s future success. EE’s standalone 5G network, touted as the first in the UK with uninterrupted outdoor coverage, promises improved call quality, gaming, and video performance. The network also uses AI for automation and machine learning to optimize efficiency. Allera expects this AI compatibility to drive a wave of device upgrades.
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Starlink Bows to Brazil’s Court: Blocks X After Financial Threats
Reuters
Elon Musk’s satellite internet provider, Starlink, has eventually agreed, Wednesday, to block his social media platform X in Brazil, reversing its earlier stance in a dispute with the country’s Supreme Court. The move follows a court order from Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who mandated the ban after X failed to appoint a legal representative in Brazil. Starlink had previously resisted the ban, deeming it “illegal,” but faced significant pressure after Moraes froze its Brazilian bank accounts, accusing it of being linked to X. The freezing of Starlink’s accounts was intended to enforce fines against X for not complying with court orders. Initially, Starlink faced the risk of losing its operating license in Brazil. After legal proceedings and under the threat of further financial restrictions, Starlink decided to adhere to the ban on X.
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Bluesky Surges by 2M Users as Brazilians Abandon X After Ban
Yahoo
Uber has been fined €290 million by the Dutch data protection authority for illegally transferring sensitive data on European drivers to its U.S. servers, violating GDPR regulations. This marks the highest fine ever imposed by the authority and the steepest penalty faced by the ride-hailing giant. The fine stems from Uber’s failure to adequately protect personal data during its transfer outside the EU. Aleid Wolfsen, president of the Dutch authority, emphasized that while GDPR safeguards fundamental rights in Europe, companies like Uber must take extra precautions when handling European citizens’ data abroad. Uber’s failure to comply with these requirements led to the significant penalty.
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25% of Advertisers to Slash X Spending, Kantar Says
Kantar
Over a quarter of advertisers are planning to cut their spending on Elon Musk’s X due to concerns about content and trust, according to global research by Kantar. Since Musk’s $44 billion acquisition of the platform in October 2022, advertising revenue has plummeted, exacerbated by Musk’s controversial behavior. Kantar’s study, involving 18,000 consumers and 1,000 senior marketers, found that 26% of marketers plan to reduce ad spend on X in 2025, up from 14% this year. This reflects a broader trend of declining trust in X, with only 12% of marketers believing in ad safety on the platform. Revenue for X has halved since Musk’s takeover, with annual global revenue expected to fall to $1.9 billion by year-end, down from a peak of $4.46 billion in 2021.
The Kantar study highlights a significant loss of advertiser confidence, which seems unlikely to reverse soon.
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Chinese Firms Undercut U.S. on Nvidia AI Chips Despite Export Ban
FT
Chinese cloud providers offer Nvidia’s AI chips at lower rates than in the U.S., despite U.S. export restrictions, The Financial Times reported on Friday citing companies and customers. While the A100 and H100 chips are banned from direct sales to China, smaller vendors circumvent the ban, charging $6 an hour compared to $10 in the U.S. These chips, essential for AI development, are widely available through resellers and smuggling. Large operators like Alibaba charge more due to compliance concerns, while smaller firms exploit cheaper labor and power to offset smuggling costs, challenging U.S. efforts to restrict China’s AI access