Virgin Media O2 Plans Job Cuts
Virgin Media O2 is reportedly planning job cuts, with anywhere between 800 and 2,000 jobs at risk of elimination. The company has rescheduled an imminent pay rise for staff to avoid including it in redundancy packages. This news disappoints staff who were led to believe they would have the opportunity to transfer to different departments, but anonymous sources suggest suitable alternative roles may not be available. The job cuts are part of the ongoing integration process between O2 and Virgin Media, following their merger in 2021, and are expected due to real estate consolidation and eliminating overlapping roles, common methods in mergers.
T-Mobile and Bellevue Pilot Road Safety Tech
T-Mobile US and the city of Bellevue, Washington, are partnering to pilot Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology, aimed at enhancing road and pedestrian safety through real-time information. T-Mobile will provide 5G connectivity, hardware, IoT solutions, and testing, leveraging their 5G Hub in Bellevue. While C-V2X connectivity is not yet standard in vehicles, the partnership plans to develop a smartphone app to notify users about safety zones and intersections. The collaboration aligns with Bellevue’s Vision Zero initiative to eliminate road fatalities and showcases the potential of advanced technology in creating safer transportation systems.
OneWeb Expands VoIP Services Globally
OneWeb expands its VoIP services across Europe and large parts of the US, reaching 37 new countries and increasing coverage in the US and Canada. The low-earth orbit satellite operator aims to deliver global commercial service through a wholesale model, offering broadband solutions and business services. While facing competition from providers like Starlink, OneWeb maintains its trajectory, while legacy satellite player SES also enters the LEO market and makes progress in clearing the C-band spectrum in the US. These advancements signal a promising future for uninterrupted global connectivity.
Nokia and Red Hat Partner for Enhanced Network Integration
Nokia has announced a partnership with Red Hat, focusing on enhancing the integration between Nokia’s core network applications and Red Hat’s open-source solutions. Some Nokia employees will transition to Red Hat to facilitate collaboration. The alliance aims to improve cloud-compatibility by integrating Nokia’s core network applications with Red Hat OpenStack Platform and OpenShift. The partnership allows Nokia to offer its core network applications alongside Red Hat’s cloud infrastructure, capitalizing on the potential of 5G technology.
$42.5 Billion Allocated to Biden’s BEAD Program
The White House has allocated $42 billion to be distributed among all 50 U.S. states and territories as part of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The aim is to achieve universal access to high-speed broadband by 2030. Texas and California receive the highest funding, but less populous states like Virginia, Alabama, and Louisiana also rank high due to their lack of broadband access in rural areas. The initiative, authorized by the 2021 infrastructure law, seeks to address the connectivity gaps revealed by a Federal Communications Commission coverage map. States will submit initial plans this year to unlock the first portion of the funding.
