Veon, a telecommunications giant, unveiled ambitious growth plans during its Capital Markets Day, sparking optimism among investors. CEO Kaan Terzioglu emphasized the promising landscape of emerging markets where Veon operates, asserting that the company’s digital transformation has positioned it for substantial growth.
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is unlikely to demand that dominant cloud service providers Microsoft and AWS break up their businesses or divest assets. However, it is considering several other market interventions to ensure fair competition.
In developed markets, copper telecom networks are rapidly being replaced by more efficient fiber optic cables. Despite this shift, the value of copper is surging in other sectors, particularly in electric vehicles and renewable energy. The metal’s worth has soared over 50% from pre-pandemic levels due to high demand and lower mining outputs, with forecasts suggesting a further 50% increase in demand by 2040.
Swisscom has revealed that its Italian subsidiary, FastWeb, has sold its 4.5% stake in FiberCop to Optics BidCo, a subsidiary of KKR, for €439 million. FiberCop, formed in 2021 by Telecom Italia (TIM), KKR, and FastWeb, manages the ‘last mile’ fibre network, connecting homes to street cabinets.
Cisco has unveiled a $1 billion fund dedicated to investing in AI startups, marking a significant move to strengthen its presence in the AI industry. CEO Chuck Robbins made the announcement at the company’s “Cisco Live” event in Las Vegas, emphasizing that the investment, though modest by AI standards, aims to foster innovative solutions and assist businesses in navigating the AI landscape.
A recent survey conducted by Ericsson sheds light on consumers’ perceptions and expectations regarding the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in their lives over the next decade. The survey, based on responses from 6,500 early adopters across 13 global cities, identifies ten key AI trends anticipated for the 2030s.
Reports from Reuters suggest that Saudi Arabia’s STC group is contemplating a significant move in the European telecom market by considering the acquisition of United Group, a prominent player in both telecommunications and pay-TV sectors. Citing three anonymous sources familiar with the discussions, the potential takeover could mark a substantial shift in the industry landscape.
A bidding war erupted over the fire sale of Casa Systems’ cable business, with CommScope emerging as the surprise victor. The final price tag of $45.1 million far outstripped initial expectations, highlighting the strategic value of Casa’s assets.
Tech giant Microsoft is supercharging Sweden’s leap into the future with a hefty $3.2 billion investment. This two-year commitment will focus on expanding the company’s cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities within the country.
A consortium comprising two Japanese banks, mobile operator NTT DOCOMO, and Space Compass Corporation has committed $100 million to HAPS developer AALTO. This substantial investment aims to support AALTO’s industrial and commercial roadmap, targeting a commercial launch of its services by 2026.
