NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) and NTT Corporation (NTT) today announced that they have successfully conducted a first-of-its-kind transoceanic-class 7,280km transmission experiment using a coupled 12-core multicore fiber (*1), which consists of 12 optical signal transmission paths in a standard outer diameter optical fiber (0.125 mm). This achievement is expected to be a next-generation transmission infrastructure technology that will contribute to the realization of large-capacity optical networks, including future optical submarine cables.
Vodafone has announced an ambitious plan to launch 300 Business IT Hubs across the UK, aimed at empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with comprehensive IT and communication solutions. This initiative seeks franchise partners to establish these hubs, which will function as independent entities under the Vodafone brand, providing localized IT support.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has breathed new life into a stalled initiative aimed at extending 5G network coverage to America’s rural areas. The rejuvenated program, named the 5G Fund for Rural America, seeks to allocate $9 billion over the next decade to bring 5G connectivity to 14 million homes and businesses in regions currently overlooked by operators due to financial impracticalities.
In a significant development for digital infrastructure, the United Kingdom has emerged as a leader in the expansion of full fibre networks across Europe. Recent statistics have highlighted the country’s swift advancement in deploying fibre to homes, surpassing all European counterparts in the annual growth rate. Over the past year until September 2023, the UK has extended its fibre network to an additional 4.7 million households.
In a collective move, three key US security agencies issued an advisory flagging potential cyber threats from Volt Typhoon, a state-backed cyber group noted for planning possible attacks on vital American infrastructure. This group’s activities have raised concerns within vital sectors of industry, including telecommunication, energy, and transportation not only in the US, but also in Canada, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.
RDK Management (RDK) today announced that it has joined the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) and that the two organizations’ members plan to collaborate on industry-wide initiatives such as Operator Managed Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 7, and IoT. RDK and WBA share many common members across broadband operators and technology companies that are committed to deploying RDK for Broadband (RDK-B).
In an ambitious move following its planned merger with Three UK, Vodafone has announced a significant enhancement of its network capabilities across Scotland, targeting a comprehensive deployment of 5G Standalone (SA) technology. By 2034, the telecom giant aims to cover 89% of Scotland with this advanced network, promising a substantial boost in national productivity valued at approximately £9 billion by the end of the decade.
Enreach, Europe’s leading provider of converged contact solutions, announced that it has expanded its Voice for Microsoft Teams features to customers in 80 countries. The extension is the result of Enreach’s partnership with SIPPIO, which delivers Microsoft Teams services to customers around the world.
Intelsat has announced the expansion of its partnership with Eutelsat through a significant $500 million agreement over seven years, aiming to capitalize on the burgeoning opportunities in the multi-orbit space sector. This collaboration will integrate Eutelsat’s OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) network, which it has owned for six months, with Intelsat’s existing geostationary orbit (GEO) and terrestrial networks. The goal is to enhance the range of services Intelsat can offer by leveraging these combined space assets.
A cutting-edge initiative partnered with South Tyneside Council aims to transform a port into an innovation hub in the maritime sector utilizing 5G cameras and IoT sensors. This endeavor, backed by a £37 million grant from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, is set to pilot electric port operations, advanced transportation systems, live streaming, and smart farming.
