In response to the unprecedented outage of the UK’s emergency calling service last summer, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has put forward new measures aimed at bolstering the system’s reliability. These steps are in addition to enhancements already made by BT to its emergency call handling protocols, following a significant disruption that saw 9,641 callers unable to reach emergency services due to a software bug on 25 June.
In a significant move, the US government has initiated a comprehensive legal battle against Apple Inc., accusing the tech behemoth of monopolistic practices within the smartphone industry that purportedly suppress competition and inflate costs for consumers. The Department of Justice, in collaboration with 16 state and district attorneys general, has filed a civil antitrust lawsuit charging Apple with monopolization or attempts at monopolization of the smartphone market.
Nokia has enhanced its WaveSuite optical network platform. Companies across various industries are increasing their investment in artificial intelligence. Ericsson launched EFTG to drive 5G advancements in U.S. federal agencies for national digital transformation. NVIDIA’s launch of the GB200 Grace Blackwell Superchip promises to revolutionize generative AI’s efficiency and performance.
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.
