In a groundbreaking development, Rakuten Mobile, in partnership with Nokia, has successfully conducted a trial demonstrating the capability of transmitting data at a rate of 1 terabit per second (Tbps) over a single wavelength. This trial spanned an impressive distance of 820 kilometers across both subsea and terrestrial networks in Japan, setting a new benchmark in the Asia Pacific region for this level of data transmission.
In a recent analysis, Vodafone has highlighted a significant opportunity cost for UK’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) due to the sluggish deployment of standalone 5G technology. According to the telecommunications giant, UK businesses are forgoing approximately £8.6 billion annually in potential productivity gains, a situation that also threatens the country’s competitiveness in Europe.
Scotland’s pureLiFi pioneers revealed latest advancements in delivering data via light at Mobile World Congress. Their new LiFi hotspot not only provides impressive broadband connectivity, but avoids congesting WiFi networks. The LINXC Bridge™ emerged as a trailblazing solution for indoor 5G connectivity, boasting 1Gbps speeds over 5G network.
Nokia unveiled specialized, private AI models for the telecom sector to improve network operations and customer service. A coalition of 10 governments agreed on principles for secure 6G networks. IBM and the GSMA have launched a global AI training initiative to bridge the AI knowledge gap among telecom operators. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X80 modem chip introduces 5G-Advanced support with up to 10 Gbps speeds and six-carrier aggregation.
In a significant move at the Mobile World Congress this year, Orange has taken a step further in its environmental initiatives by enhancing its partnership with Cisco. This collaboration is not new, as Orange Business has been distributing Cisco solutions for over two decades. However, the addition of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) brings a fresh focus on environmental transparency and the shared goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs).
By the end of this decade, the global number of 5G connections is expected to surge to 5.5 billion, positioning 5G as the leading mobile technology by 2028. This forecast comes from the latest research released by the GSMA. Despite a significant phase of investment in the 5G network already behind us, the mobile industry is set for continuous financial commitment towards enhancing this technology in the coming years.
CELLSMART, the cellular intelligence brand of SmartCIC Technologies, has launched an initiative to capture independent and enterprise-grade cellular intelligence across 30 National Football League (NFL) cities across the US. It will use artificial intelligence (AI) to optimise testing routes to achieve maximum data density to support predictive analytics while reducing its carbon footprint. Testing kicks off in Florida in April 2024 and will run throughout the year.
In a remarkable acknowledgment of its innovative contributions to the retail sector, x-hoppers has been distinguished with two prestigious accolades at the 2024 Merit Awards for Telecom. The company clinched a Gold award in the AI Services category and a Silver in Connecting the Unconnected, solidifying its reputation as a pioneer in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to transform the retail experience for both customers and employees.
The telecommunications sector leaps forward as KDDI and SpaceX bring a game-changing satellite-to-cellular service, intertwining mobile and satellite technologies. Leveraging SpaceX’s Starlink low-earth orbit satellites and KDDI’s national wireless spectrum, the partnership aims to expand urban connectivity into rural areas. While the innovation promises swift deployment and extensive coverage, it also poses challenges, including the need for costly, satellite-enabled handsets.
At the recent MWC Barcelona 2024, industry leaders Huawei convened the Green Development Elite Club, a stage for key representatives from prominent organizations to illuminate their vision and effort for Green Target Networks. These networks aim to foster sustainable growth, using state-of-the-art computing power and AI to transform operations.


