Mobile World Live brings you our top three picks of the week as Apple unveiled its device leasing programme, Orange struck a data centre JV deal and Amazon Leo plotted expansion.

Amazon Leo readies 5K satellites for D2D plan

What happened: Amazon Leo applied to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deploy up to 5,105 direct-to-device (D2D) satellites, advancing its ambition to deliver voice, messaging, data and emergency connectivity services to standard mobile devices.

Why it matters: In its FCC filing, Jeff Bezos-backed Amazon Leo explained its D2D system would communicate directly with existing mobile hardware using dedicated L-band and S-band spectrum links, potentially setting the stage to better compete against SpaceX’s Starlink service, among others.

“The newly filed application for Amazon’s next-generation LEO D2D constellation is massive,” said independent consultant Carlos Placido. “Although the system is planned to deploy 5,105 satellites beginning in 2028, the filing defines a total of 11,045 orbital positions.”

Amazon Leo readies 5K satellites for D2D plan

Apple lifts lid on US device leasing service

What happened: Apple fleshed out Apple Upgrade, a direct-to-consumer hardware leasing programme backed by Klarna Group, offering US customers monthly payment options across its iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac, and iPad product lines.

Why it matters: Apple confirmed the programme offers dual tenure options per category. iPhone and Apple Watch plans offer 12- and 24-month lease terms starting at $17.99 and $11.99 per month, respectively. CEO and marketing director of PP Foresight Paolo Pescatore stated the arrangement responds to rising device prices and longer consumer ownership cycles by shifting focus from high upfront costs to manageable monthly payments, making premium devices feel more accessible and encouraging regular upgrades.

“However, this is more than another payment option,” he said. “It marks a significant shift from owning devices to accessing them through an ongoing leasing relationship. This gives Apple another way to stimulate demand without resorting to aggressive discounting, while keeping customers within its family of products and exerting greater control over the upgrade, trade-in and return cycle.”

On the consumer front, he explained lower monthly payments will be attractive, but the apparent flexibility carries important trade-offs. Customers do not own the product during the lease, AppleCare costs extra, damaged devices can incur charges, and upgrading or leaving early could require them to pay the remaining lease payments.

“The total cost and end-of-term choices must therefore be made crystal clear,” he said. “Otherwise, consumers could find themselves locked into a perpetual cycle of monthly payments without building any ownership or resale value.”

Apple lifts lid on US device leasing service

Orange plots data centre JV with global investor

What happened: Orange agreed a deal with global infrastructure investor Morrison to create a jointly controlled data centre company in France, a move designed to meet rising demand for AI services in the country.

Why it matters: Orange said the 50:50 JV will support the development of its existing French data centre portfolio and target 400MW of capacity, almost 10 times its current level. To boost the entity, the operator said it will contribute five major data centres across four campuses in France, along with its operational expertise and commercial reach. The duo anticipate an investment of around €3 billion, utilising Orange’s existing assets, while Morrison will make an equity contribution.

“Orange Business will leverage this platform for its customers to accelerate its trusted AI and trusted cloud business ambitions,” Orange CEO Christel Heydemann explained on an investor call. “The value creation for Orange will therefore materialise through revenue upsides and dividends inflows.”

Orange plots data centre JV with global investor

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Dell’Oro Group revealed mobile operators have spent 208% more on standalone (SA) 5G than they had on 4G core functions at the same point in the technology’s lifecycle.

The company stated the long-term outlook for SA 5G technology is good, despite forecasting growth in the core network sector to moderate over the next two years.

In a report, the company stated the substantial financial commitment on SA 5G highlights the inherent architectural complexity and the broader strategic value of next-generation core networks compared with LTE deployments.

Explaining the timing behind the investments, senior director Sian Morgan noted the sequential release of 3GPP standards created an initial offset between early 5G RAN spending and deployment of SA cores.

Despite those early delays, the technical sophistication of SA 5G “is driving cumulative vendor revenues much higher” than LTE evolved packet core achieved at an equivalent point in its deployment timeline.

Morgan said SA 5G revenue is yet to reach its peak because the majority of mobile operators worldwide have yet to make commercial services widely available to customers.

Dell’Oro noted near-term headwinds as memory shortages drive server prices up, prompting operators to scrutinise project costs.

Morgan predicts a return to double-digit revenue growth in 2028.

Dell’Oro forecast growth in the next five years to be fuelled by the EMEA region. It increased its expectations for 4G core revenue after gains in 2025 and identified AI as providing opportunities to boost efficiency, though warned over potentially higher costs.

The post Core 5G revenue scaling faster than 4G appeared first on Mobile World Live.

US chip company Marvell Technology committed to invest $250 million in India over the next three years, expanding its facility in Bangalore to drive next-generation technology development.

Marvell stated the pledge coincides with its 20th anniversary in the country, during which it focused on advancing the semiconductor ecosystem and engineering talent.

It established operations in Bangalore in 2006, a site which has since become the company’s second-largest R&D organisation worldwide.

Through the $250 million outlay, Marvell stated it plans to double headcount, scaling up its site in Bangalore and expanding its presence in Hyderabad. It expects the expansion to strengthen its global innovation network, supporting the design and development of advanced semiconductors for AI, cloud and data infrastructure applications.

Navin Bishnoi, VP and India country manager, said the nation plays a critical role in helping Marvell advance infrastructure technologies which power leading global hyperscale companies and cloud providers.

“As we celebrate 20 years in India, we remain committed to expanding R&D investments, strengthening the country’s semiconductor ecosystem and developing the next-generation of technology talent.”

India has made a big push around boosting its semiconductor sector in recent years.

Earlier this month, the government committed to invest around $20 billion to boost chip and smartphone production as part of a long-term goal to become 100% self-reliant.

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