Allegations were made last week against Vivacom, a Bulgarian telecommunications company owned by United Group, by A1 Group and PPF Group. The Bulgarian Commission on Protection of Competition (CPC) had granted Vivacom permission to acquire Networks-Bulgaria and several other smaller Bulgarian telecoms, sparking concerns within the industry.
In the quest for digital transformation, Huawei, at MWC Shanghai 2023, introduced groundbreaking ICT and software innovations. Bruce Xun, Huawei’s Vice President, emphasized the company’s intention to construct robust networks with global carriers while focusing on creating intelligent digital talent. Embracing the dual-E concept, Huawei is striving for a green, efficient integration looking to reduce carbon emissions and enhance user experience.
At the recent “5G Business Dialogue” during MWC Shanghai 2023, industry champions pondered on the positive impact of 5G adoption four years after its commercial introduction. Notably, it now makes up 10% of total revenue for China’s three providers. Furthermore, Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) services are noting considerable success due to swift user migration and industrial digitization. Innovation strides such as the Naked-eye 3D and 5G New Calling reflect the telecom sector’s future. However, with increasing Pan-Asian 5G uptake, the dialogue also ventured into the idea of “5.5G”, envisioned as a natural progression from its precursor. It’s intriguing to anticipate further transformative innovations within this industry.
Telefonica and Entel are poised to merge their fiber infrastructure in Peru, with KKR being the expected majority stakeholder, following Telefonica’s previous success in other Latin American markets. This move anticipates significant expansion of Peru’s high-speed connectivity by leveraging KKR’s successful fiber ventures in Chile and Colombia, amidst the industry’s race to a digitally-empowered future. Details of the deal remain discreet as it awaits regulatory approval.
Ningbo, a vibrant economic hub in China, is transforming into a smart manufacturing center, committing itself to superior digital infrastructure. The heart of this strategy encompasses a six-layered approach focused on efficient information transmission that fosters industry digitization. With established leadership in 5G industrial internet, and over 600 private networks already deployed, the city provides a gateway to the digital future. Innovation extends beyond large corporations, with solutions ranging from on-premise to lightweight 5G private networks, thus catering to businesses of all sizes. The impact is far-reaching and the future, promising, as China Mobile Ningbo aims to address industry-specific challenges with targeted 5G solutions.
Instagram’s new Threads app has garnered over 30 million sign-ups within 24 hours of its launch, along with a staggering 95 million posts and 190 million likes. While some features are missing, such as DMs and integration with ActivityPub, the impressive numbers indicate a promising start for Meta’s Twitter competitor.
Italy’s telecommunications tycoon, Retelit, ushers in a new era of growth under the leadership of newcomer CEO, Jorge Álvarez. With the recent Retelit-Irideos merger, Álvarez is set to navigate the future of this B2B market leader, backed by a solid 20-year career in the global telecom industry.
Samsung, the South Korean tech giant, has reported its lowest operating profit in 14 years for the April to June quarter. The decline is attributed to the ongoing downturn in the memory chip market. While the precise details are yet to be disclosed, analysts expect the chip division’s poor performance to be the primary cause.
Ericsson plans a €155 million investment for a smart manufacturing hub in Tallinn, Estonia. BT will reduce its workforce by 1,100 at Adastral Park while investing in modernization. Cellnex acquires full control of OnTower Poland, expanding its tower portfolio. Unicon launches an enhanced partner program for resellers in end-user computing. NEC introduces a generative AI service to drive business transformation.
A recent survey unveils how, despite potential risks, most industries, particularly telecommunication firms are embracing generative AI’s benefits. Interestingly, even traditionally cautious sectors, like aerospace and defence show a strong inclination towards AI’s adoption. Yet, as AI integration requires extensive investment in staff skill development, emerging corporate roles like AI auditors or ethicists are anticipated.
