Weekly Telecom Intelligence: August 16–22, 2026 Charter closed its transaction with Cox on August 20, 2026, consolidating a larger national cable footprint and adding Cox commercial fiber and managed IT assets. The FCC granted a 30-day STA to AST SpaceMobile for 800MHz direct-to-device testing, a practical step toward commercial satellite-to-handset coverage. Zayo secured a large Corning fiber supply for roughly 15,000 route miles through 2030. Together these moves push wholesale strategy toward concentrated counterparty negotiating power, hybrid bearer options, and supply-assured network buildouts.