In a landmark move, Zain Group, Ooredoo, and TASC Towers Holding have officially inked a definitive agreement to merge their tower assets, forming a colossal entity valued at $2.2 billion. This strategic collaboration, originating from talks initiated in July, consolidates a combined total of 30,000 towers spanning Qatar, Kuwait, Algeria, Tunisia, Iraq, and Jordan, establishing the largest tower company in the Middle East and North Africa.
In the third quarter of 2023, the North American Optical Transport equipment market experienced a 4 percent year-over-year contraction, according to a recent report by Dell’Oro Group, a leading source for market information in telecommunications, security, networks, and data centers. This stands in stark contrast to the global market, which saw a positive trend for the third consecutive quarter, growing by 6 percent year-over-year outside the North American region.
In a groundbreaking move, AT&T has selected Ericsson as the primary supplier for its Open RAN equipment, set to handle 70% of its wireless traffic by the close of 2026. The five-year agreement, valued at an impressive $14 billion, signals a significant shift in the North American telecommunications landscape. Under the deal, Ericsson will replace some of Nokia’s equipment in specific areas of AT&T’s network.
Malaysia’s 5G space sees major collaborative efforts as five mobile network operators (MNOs) each nets a 14% equity stake in Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), forming a total 70% share. The remaining 30% will rest with the government. This bolstering of DNB’s finances aims to facilitate the evolution from the current Single Wholesale Network model to a more efficient Dual Network one.
In a significant development, Malaysian telecommunications giant Axiata Group Berhad has officially confirmed its exit from the Nepalese market. The decision follows the announcement of an unconditional sale and purchase agreement with Spectrlite UK Limited for the divestment of Reynolds Holding Limited, the entity holding an approximately 80 percent equity stake in Ncell Axiata Limited.
Last Friday experienced a network issue affecting many Three customers, drawing nearly 18,000 complaints. Meanwhile, Three is discussing a merger with Vodafone, a move subject to scrutiny by the Competition and Markets Authority which is currently conducting a formal Phase 1 investigation.
Huawei’s new Paris Innovation Centre reflects its pledge to advance the tech landscape in Europe through collaboration. This £2 million-per-year initiative aims to cement positive relations between corporations and small-medium enterprises (SMEs). SMEs, the bedrock of Europe’s economy, often grapple with the complexities of digital transformation, an issue the Innovation Centre seeks to address.
In a groundbreaking move set to reshape the landscape of business communication in the UK, Sangoma Technologies, a leading global provider of business IT and communication solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with UK-based Sol Distribution. The collaboration is poised to offer a lifeline to thousands of businesses grappling with the impending end of traditional analogue telephony, providing them with a seamless transition to a digital-first future.
Kansas has taken a significant stride towards improving statewide internet connectivity by allocating $28.5 million in grants through the Lasting Infrastructure and Network Connectivity (LINC) program. Aimed at bolstering broadband infrastructure, the LINC funding prioritizes achieving minimum speeds of 100/20 Mbps, enhancing internet exchange point facilities, and fortifying middle-mile infrastructure.
In a significant move towards advancing 5G network capabilities, Telenor and Ericsson have officially entered a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The collaboration aims to pioneer research, development, and testing of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) solutions, with a primary focus on enhancing energy performance without compromising network quality.
