Local government digital leaders across England, Scotland, and Wales continue to prioritize gigabit broadband rollout, viewing it as essential for connectivity improvements, despite differing opinions on 5G and a lagging focus on environmental sustainability. This was highlighted in a recent survey conducted by FarrPoint, a UK-based connectivity consultancy, which released its findings from a December 2023 study involving councils from various regions.
In an exhilarating turn of events, telecommunications titan Ericsson collaborates with the renowned Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur for pioneering research in AI, Compute, and Radio technology, with a spotlight on 6G development. This theoretical partnership is set to stir groundbreaking headway in fundamental and applied study in the Radio realm, significantly marking India as a technological innovation hub.
Ofcom, the UK’s telecom regulator, wields new measures to curb fraudulent calls and misuse of Calling Line Identification data internationally. This initiative directly targets scammers exploiting loopholes to feign UK numbers. While exceptions exist for legitimate overseas use, maintaining the balance without obstructing genuine calls is an imperative yet challenging pursuit.
Stage X won South Korea’s fourth mobile operator spot with a $322 million bid for 5G spectrum. Yellow.ai and Infobip have partnered to enhance global customer support through AI-driven voice automation and conversational experiences.
Breezeline invests in a 525-mile fiber network to boost internet for 45,000 homes and businesses in New Hampshire. DARPA, in partnership with Nokia’s Bell Labs and others, aims to develop a sustainable Moon base with a robust telecom network to support future Mars expeditions.
SK Telecom, in collaboration with Intel, has made a groundbreaking advancement in core network technology, promising a significant reduction in communication delays and an enhancement in service efficiency, pivotal for the upcoming 6G networks. The innovation could slash communication latency by as much as 70% and boost service efficiency by approximately 33%, marking a significant leap forward in network performance.
Alternate network operators, the so-called ‘altnets’, are on the cusp of revolutionizing digital infrastructure with their subscriber-tailored fibre networks. Brand trust and consistency are crucial in this venture, eyeing lifelong monetization rather than mere reach. This extends beyond merely providing a network ‘highway’, enhancing user experiences. While speed and pricing have been traditional differentiators, custom in-home experiences are now taking the spotlight.
Forging a powerful alliance, Virgin Media O2 and Tesco affirm a ten-year extension of their two decade-long partnership, potentially marking a new era for Tesco Mobile, UK’s leading mobile virtual network operator. With over 5.5 million customers, and a recent 9.4% increase in sales generating £970 million in revenues, this joint venture shows no signs of slowing down.
In an effort to bridge the digital divide in south and east London, the ‘Sub-regional Digital Infrastructure Strategy’ has been proposed. Over 156,000 premises in these areas lack comprehensive digital coverage, creating what is known as a ‘not spot.’ The strategy seeks to rectify this through interactive tools, infrastructure rollouts, and increased commercial investment, in a bid to transform London’s digital landscape.
In a surprising turn of events, Vodafone has once again declined an enhanced merger proposal from Iliad for its Italian operations, despite the latter’s efforts to sweeten the deal. Iliad had revised its initial offer, made two years ago, in December, proposing a 50:50 joint venture that valued Vodafone Italia at €10.45 billion. This arrangement would have netted Vodafone €6.5 billion in cash and a €2 billion shareholder loan, with additional cash influx opportunities through a buyout option.
Singapore’s leading telecom provider Singtel, in a strategic alliance with technology powerhouse Nvidia, has unveiled a new line of data centers under the brand name Nxera. These centers are poised to revolutionize generative AI services for businesses across the region, aligning with Singapore’s National AI Strategy 2.0.
