Intelsat has announced the expansion of its partnership with Eutelsat through a significant $500 million agreement over seven years, aiming to capitalize on the burgeoning opportunities in the multi-orbit space sector. This collaboration will integrate Eutelsat’s OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) network, which it has owned for six months, with Intelsat’s existing geostationary orbit (GEO) and terrestrial networks. The goal is to enhance the range of services Intelsat can offer by leveraging these combined space assets.
A cutting-edge initiative partnered with South Tyneside Council aims to transform a port into an innovation hub in the maritime sector utilizing 5G cameras and IoT sensors. This endeavor, backed by a £37 million grant from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, is set to pilot electric port operations, advanced transportation systems, live streaming, and smart farming.
In a significant stride towards eradicating mobile signal blackspots, rural Wales welcomed the activation of the first among 86 planned 4G mast upgrades. This development is part of the ambitious Shared Rural Network initiative, aimed at bolstering mobile coverage in the UK’s rural and remote locales.
In a groundbreaking move, Türk Telekom in collaboration with ZTE, has successfully completed a 50G PON trial in Turkey, marking a significant stride in the evolution of networking technology. This trial not only showcased the ability to achieve downstream speeds surpassing 50 Gbps over a single fiber but also demonstrated compatibility with existing PON generations within Türk Telekom’s infrastructure, setting a precedent in Europe.
Nvidia is setting its sights on a more significant role within the mobile networking sphere, particularly in the emerging field of 6G technology. At its annual GTC AI event, the company unveiled its ambitious 6G Research Cloud Platform, positioning itself as a key player in the next evolution of mobile technology. This initiative is designed to leverage Nvidia’s expertise in chips and AI, demonstrating its capabilities beyond the realm of 5G.
Virgin Media O2, a leading British broadband and mobile operator, in collaboration with its shareholder Liberty Global, has embarked on a pioneering venture with the introduction of its Smart Pole Trial. This innovative project sees the deployment of 4G and 5G-capable smart poles across the UK, aimed at enhancing mobile network coverage and capacity significantly.
In a significant acknowledgment of its pioneering approach to customer service, Evolve IP has been distinguished as a front-runner in the realm of secure and efficient hybrid work solutions. The company’s recent accolade as a “Leader” and “High Performer” in G2’s Winter 2024 report underlines its commitment to facilitating seamless productivity for distributed workforces.
Digital Infrastructure Minister Julia Lopez MP addresses the need for shared infrastructure to tackle excessive fibre network duplication. She spotlights rural areas, where public perception of full fibre deployment is significantly affected by perceived uncontrolled infrastructural rollout. This prompts a change in guidelines to involve communities in the roll-out process, helping operators extend their networks without hindering local approval.
Telecom leaders discussed the challenge of monetizing 5G. Vodafone’s ‘The Great British Telecoms Switch’ campaign offers BT customers savings and compensations to switch providers. A Pew Research Center survey found U.S. teens have a complex relationship with smartphones. Verizon’s report shows a 129% rise in mobile network traffic over 5 years. Iliad aims to become the fifth-largest mobile operator in Europe by 2024.
In a bold move that underscores its commitment to leading the UK’s fibre optic expansion, CityFibre has acquired Lit Fibre, a smaller but significant player in the market. This strategic acquisition is set to boost CityFibre’s reach by an additional 300,000 premises, signaling a significant step in its quest to become the nation’s third major infrastructure platform, alongside giants like Virgin Media O2 and Openreach.
