Italian telecom provider Wind Tre faces hurdles in selling infrastructure due to complex 5G network sharing negotiations with rivals Iliad and Fastweb. CK Hutchison delays the deal closure by three months to February 12, citing challenges with Iliad and Fastweb. Meanwhile, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison’s $6 billion merger in Indonesia with Huawei’s support achieves significant growth. France’s Orange introduces satellite broadband, while Norway’s Telenor sells its satellite operations. FCC’s new broadband rules target discrimination, raising concerns of unintended consequences. Mavenir and Nokia achieve remarkable Open RAN interoperability, overcoming past criticisms and showcasing commitment to multi-supplier systems.
Virgin Media O2’s decision to offload part of its Corneridge UK towers business to GLIL Infrastructure for £360 million marks a key shift in telecom infrastructure ownership. However, this move falls short of industry valuations, indicating price reductions in the investment market. Despite this, VMO2 retains operational and strategic control in this critical asset, striving to enhance 4G connectivity and intensify 5G rollout. This move aligns with the firm’s wider strategy, marking the start of a potentially transformative series of ambitious deals, lightening its footprint while driving growth.
The EU’s strategic push under the Digital Markets Act has resulted in mega-tech firms Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta and Microsoft being labelled ‘gatekeepers’. With this new classification, pivotal changes are expected in the realm of digital services for end-users and businesses. Crucial guidelines centering around data transparency, competitiveness, and platform interoperability must now be adhered to. On the other side of the coin, brands such as Samsung have evaded the ‘gatekeeper’ tag.
In the wake of the European Union’s decision to compel Microsoft to cease bundling Teams with Office applications across Europe, Zoom’s CEO, Eric Yuan, has proposed that the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) consider similar actions within its borders.
BT’s innovative Etc unit is poised to launch trials repurposing outdated street cabinets into electric vehicle (EV) charging points. Aiming at a smooth transition during the UK’s fiber rollout, this pioneering step initially caters to BT Group and Openreach employees in Northern Ireland, with plans for public engagement. However, the venture’s ultimate impact rests heavily on successful pilot performance.
Witness an intriguing experiment as three major European telecom leaders dive headfirst into field-testing the European Union’s digital ID scheme, dubbed ‘Potential’. An initiative that aims to streamline identity verification across 19 EU nations, it brings to our digital life convenience, efficiency, and the promise of enhanced security. However, it’s not without its challenges -potential data leaks, risks of stringent gatekeeping and concerns over invasive surveillance.
The EU’s messaging around “high-risk” vendors hints at a potential ban on Huawei and ZTE, urging members to accelerate their removal from 5G networks. As the EU Commission pushes for swift implementation, the debate on security risks and dependencies intensifies.
Liberty Global’s push to domicile in Bermuda faces potential opposition from independent shareholders, citing possible imbalance in voting power. The move aims to streamline administrative processes, align corporate law, and ease business strategies.
European lawmakers clash over a proposed network fee for content and application providers, as majority fear potential implications like stifling innovation, impacting net neutrality, and increasing consumer costs. Telecommunications operators may explore alternative income sources amid uncertain consolidation prospects.
Vodafone Expands Partnership with Currys Vodafone is expanding its partnership with Currys to offer the Vodafone Together mobile and fixed bundle to Currys’ customers in the UK. This move strengthens Vodafone’s presence in the fixed line market and complements its existing mobile contract reselling. Vodafone promotes itself as the provider of the UK’s fastest Wi-Fi technology and the largest full fibre network, utilizing Openreach and CityFibre infrastructure. In addition, Vodafone is urging businesses to donate unused devices to its Great British Tech Appeal. This Appeal aims to bridge the digital divide and promote a circular economy by refurbishing and distributing devices to those in need. Read the full article. Content Guru Integrates Jabra Engage AI Content Guru, a leading cloud contact center provider, has integrated Jabra Engage AI, an AI-powered sentiment analysis software, into its storm® platform. This integration allows organizations to analyze the tone of voice in real time, providing valuable insights to support agents and improve…