Anticipated mobile and broadband price hikes this April could resonate with a multitude of customers. Key carriers, EE, Three, and Vodafone, plan substantial increases, impacting users financially. Meanwhile, telecom regulator Ofcom has proposed banning mid-contract price rises linked to inflation.
Diving deep into Ookla’s RootMetrics’ study reveals a thorough testing of UK mobile networks, with EE claiming the Overall RootScore Award, outperforming in reliability, accessibility, and offering a network speed almost twice as fast as its nearest rival. However, when it came to 5G performance, the laurel went to Three UK in an intense rivalry.
The FCC has recently approved rule changes aimed at streamlining access to the 70 GHz, 80 GHz, and 90 GHz spectrum bands, immensely benefiting airborne and waterborne vehicles and promoting more innovative broadband service options. These updates will also impact the way backhaul service for 5G operates, enabling smaller, lower-cost antennas to be utilized, and ensuring a more efficient use of the spectrum through modifying the link registration process.
UK’s government and Vodafone settle on ‘proportionate measures’ to assuage national security concerns over UAE-based e&’s increasing ownership stakes. This agreement follows the government’s expressed apprehension about e&’s potential influence on Vodafone’s policies due to its status as the largest shareholder. In response, a ‘national security committee’ will be created within Vodafone to monitor initiatives that could affect national security.
In a significant development in the field of satellite communications, Hellas Sat has joined forces with Thales Alenia Space, a collaboration between Thales and Leonardo, under a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement marks the beginning of their joint venture on a pioneering optical communication satellite project.
As the new year unfolds, Vodafone has released a compelling report, underscoring the urgent need for regulatory reforms to bolster Europe’s telecommunications sector. The report, titled “Why Telecoms Matters,” paints a stark picture of the challenges Europe currently faces, emphasizing the pivotal role of mobile technology and digital transformation in overcoming these obstacles.
Prominent telecom operator, BT, steps into the fray of a groundbreaking class action lawsuit. At the core lies accusations of excessive pricing for traditional landline users, contrasted against fairer prices for bundle consumers. While BT robustly contests any allegations of abusing its market dominance, millions of claimants eagerly seek compensation.
Facing an economic upheaval, telecom leaders like Nokia, Ericsson, and AT&T post disappointing financial outcomes for 2023, attributed to factors like changing customer behavior and a challenging macro-economic environment. However, there are glimmers of hope, evidenced by Nokia’s significant free cash flow generation amidst a major slump in sales.
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority is investigating the proposed merger of mobile network providers, Three UK and Vodafone UK. The focus is on whether this union could diminish competition in the industry. While a smaller field of players is a concern, there is optimism as the new entity plans a hefty joint investment in infrastructure upgrades.
Etisalat by e& is setting industry standards with the introduction of groundbreaking 5G fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) plans, offering astounding speeds of 5Gbps and 10Gbps. While the pricing situates them firmly at the high-end spectrum, they represent a commitment to enhancing customer connectivity. Leveraging XGS fibre network technology, this pioneering move fortifies the UAE’s ambition to reign as a global telecom leader.
