Taking bold steps towards combatting climate change, Japan’s leading telecom firm, NTT DoCoMo, unveils ambitious initiatives looking to drastically cut its scope 3 emissions. These indirect emissions derive largely from the supply chain, making up approximately four-fifths of the company’s total greenhouse gas output. Taking the bull by the horns, DoCoMo is charting an eco-conscious path, pledging to fully utilize renewable energy sources and implement energy-saving measures across its network. With an eye on the future, the telecom titan plans to transform its supply chain to become environmentally friendly by 2040, all while leveraging technology to help suppliers and customers visualize their carbon footprint. As the telecommunications industry continues to battle climate change, stay tuned for further updates.
A recent survey found that 85% of broadband and mobile consumers find annual price hikes unjust, adding the frustration that 87% believe they should be able to switch providers without penalty if such increases occur mid-contract. However, the reality presented by providers paints a different picture. These unexpected cost changes and fear of penalties for ending contracts prematurely have driven 62% of surveyed participants to consider switching providers immediately after unexpected price increases. This trend prompted a response from Ofcom for clearer pricing transparency, a call further championed by Uswitch and Which?. This has led to new guidelines by the UK’s Committees of Advertising Practice, aiming to ensure providers fully disclose potential cost changes to customers.
After the whopping $6.2 billion acquisition by Inmarsat, Viasat is readying for a major reorganization, with a planned 10% workforce reduction. The move, affecting approximately 800 roles, aims for a substantial year-on-year cost-saving starting from 2025. Despite the promising financial outlook, the firm accepts the substantial costs linked with these transitions, yet considers them a vital investment for the future.
In a groundbreaking revelation, Telus, Canada’s foremost operator, announced the successful two-way communication between smartphones and IoT devices, using Echostar T1, a geostationary Earth orbit satellite. Partnering with TerreStar and Skylo, Telus accomplished this feat using a specially-designed connectivity platform, highlighting the potential for remarkable connectivity throughout Canada, even in remote areas. As this technology differs significantly from regular D2D communication, Telus’s breakthrough is set to redefine the future of connectivity in previously unreachable corners of the country.
Networking the future with simple text or voice commands? That’s what Nokia’s Bell Labs envisions with their new AI-centric technology – Natural-Language Networking. This breakthrough could revolutionize how network resources are managed by learning user needs over time, resulting in a self-regulating and adaptive system. As a pivotal part of the ambitious UNEXT programme, this technology simplifies network management, aiming for a seamless yet independent functioning of all network elements. An interactive OS that learns and anticipates need – the future of telecoms is unfolding right now.
UK’s communication authority, Ofcom, makes strategic updates to its net neutrality rules ensuring egalitarian treatment of internet traffic. Embracing increased clarity and efficient network design, these changes invite innovation. Yet, it also initiates debates on fair pricing, innovation, and ISP autonomy versus user control.
Ofcom’s revised net neutrality rules in the UK now allow broadband providers to offer tiered services based on latency, not just throughput. Furthermore, these new regulations also permit the creation of specialized services, paving the way for network slicing and multi-access edge computing in the future. On the somewhat contentious front, zero-rating, or providing unrestricted access to specific online services, gets a green light, albeit with a few conditions.
In a surprising twist, T-Mobile has withdrawn its plan to move select subscribers to more expensive mobile plans, a decision triggered due to substantial backlash from customers and the media. While emphasizing the necessity for small-scale tests as part of enhancing customer experience, T-Mobile’s CEO has hinted at the likelihood of similar attempts in future.
Nokia’s 25G PON solutions are boosting Google Fiber’s bold venture into establishing a 20-Gbps service, though the full potential of such capacity remains untapped. However, Google Fiber, focusing on the future, views this as a crucial step towards achieving 100-Gbps services and beyond. Yet, does the necessity of such impressive speeds linger in doubt, or are these advancements setting a thrilling precedent in the field of telecommunications?
The recent partnership between Plume, the cloud wifi platform provider, and one of India’s telecom titans, Reliance Jio, aims to deliver smart home services to almost 200 million properties. Subscribers will gain access to AI powered services offering a range of benefits, from adaptive wifi and performance optimization to enhanced cyber protections. Yet, with great expansion comes potential challenges, such as customer service and quality control.
