T-Mobile dominates US wireless with aggressive pricing and 5G rollout; latest news spans Starlink, satellite connectivity, and device financing shifts
SpaceX is moving to build a terrestrial mobile network alongside its Starlink satellites, aiming to compete with AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. Gwynne Shotwell says the company intends to launch next-gen Starlink Mobile satellites in 2027 and deploy a dense network of small base stations using Starlink dishes. EchoStar spectrum licenses are being repurposed for terrestrial and satellite use, with SpaceX forecasting significant expansion by year-end 2027.
The Supreme Court has upheld the FCC’s in-house penalty system, ruling 8-1 that carriers AT&T and Verizon have not been deprived of their right to a jury trial. The decision centers on whether forfeiture orders require a jury, with a majority led by Chief Justice Roberts arguing that the agency’s findings do not bar court challenges over collection of penalties.
Trump has granted a full, unconditional pardon to Stephen Buyer, a former Indiana congressman and Gulf War veteran, who served 22 months in prison for insider trading in 2023. The pardon dates to June 4 and is being released amid ongoing Republican-led rhetoric on corruption and a broader wave of clemency. Buyer maintains innocence and says the decision corrects a politically motivated prosecution; several Republican figures have supported the pardon.
Google has filed a civil lawsuit to dismantle Outsider Enterprise, a Chinese-led cybercrime network accused of using Gemini AI to power phishing campaigns that impersonate Google and other brands. The operation allegedly created thousands of fake sites and millions of scam texts, stealing credentials and payment data from hundreds of thousands of victims.
Rocket Lab has announced plans to acquire Iridium in an $8 billion deal, aiming to merge launch, manufacturing and a global satellite network to broaden its space-services footprint. The transaction values Iridium at $54 per share and signals ongoing consolidation in the satellite industry as SpaceX broadens its own services.
The engagement between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce has culminated in a planned wedding at Madison Square Garden over the Fourth of July weekend. Reports indicate a multi-day event with up to thousands of guests, strict privacy measures, and potential performances by major artists. NYC authorities and event planners are coordinating permits and security as preparations accelerate.
Comcast has announced a tax-free spin-off that will separate NBCUniversal and Sky into a standalone, publicly traded media company while leaving Comcast focused on broadband, wireless and business services. The company has said the separation will complete in about a year, executives told investors, and Comcast will initially keep up to 19.9% of the new media group.
OnePlus has announced it will stop launching new phones in Europe and North America and will focus new device rollouts on India and China. The parent company Oppo has begun a corporate restructuring as memory-chip shortages and rising component costs have cut demand for budget phones and pushed manufacturers to prioritise AI-oriented high-bandwidth memory.
HSBC and Bank of America analysts say Q2 earnings expectations remain elevated, led by energy and tech. Stocks facing mixed guidance, with Netflix and T-Mobile among notable names under watch ahead of results.
Trump Media & Technology has unveiled Truth API, a paid low‑latency feed that will deliver real‑time posts from the platform’s top 10 accounts from Aug. 1. Executives discussed charging institutional customers up to $100,000 a month (or $60,000 on three‑year deals). Lawmakers, regulators and market participants have warned it will let traders profit from presidential posts and raise conflict‑of‑interest and market‑manipulation concerns.
Preorder promotions for Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Z Flip 8 are flooding the market. Deals include trade-ins, carrier credits, and Amazon gift cards, with official release set for August 7, 2026 and deliveries starting mid-August as stock rolls out.
Amazon has filed with the FCC to launch a Direct-to-Device satellite network intended to provide global mobile connectivity, competing with SpaceX's Starlink. The plan leverages Globalstar’s spectrum and envisions service for unserved regions and emergency operations, with initial service slated for later this year and full deployment by 2028. Several partnerships and regulatory waivers accompany the filing.
Apple has launched Apple Upgrade, a lease-to-own program through Klarna, allowing customers to lease iPhones, Watches, Macs, and iPads for 12–36 months with upgrade, return, or purchase options at term end. The move aligns with rising device prices and longer replacement cycles, aiming to keep customers in Apple’s ecosystem. Pricing starts at $17.99/month for iPhone and scales by device and term.
Recent surveys show many Americans struggle to spend time with friends due to busy schedules and finances, even as they crave in-person connection. Experts urge planned social activities and low-cost options to counter loneliness amid higher living costs.