In response to the soaring global demand for fast, secure connectivity, China Mobile International Limited (CMI) is significantly investing in four new submarine cable systems. These systems promise to robustly service the substantial growth in mobile data usage in quickly digitising regions such as Africa. However, as aging cables become outdated, the race is on for fresh investment to keep pace with customer needs and the rapid development of next-gen technologies.
As both the UK and US strive to deliver full-fibre broadband, each country grapples with its hurdles; one being persuading landlords to greenlight installation plans within their properties. In the UK, mechanisms are in place to enable operators to seek judicial access if landlord agreement is unattainable, a luxury the US lacks, suggesting the potential need for new legislative action in America. A monumental goal for both nations is eliminating the digital divide which requires a comprehensive combination of varied technology methods.
Diving into the digital frontier, the Sustainable and Interoperable Digital Identity (SIDI) Hub, an alliance of 17 open-standard organizations, is striving to create cross-border digital identities. Through harnessing insights from significant bodies such as the OECD and World Bank, they aim to establish a minimum set of interoperability requirements. However, recognizing the diverse perspectives globally, they also highlight the need for taking into account the unique social, cultural, and legal contexts of each nation.
Epsilon Telecommunications (Epsilon), a KT Corp. company and leading global interconnectivity provider, has appointed Damon (Young Seok) Lee as its Group Chief Executive Officer. Lee joins Epsilon with over 27 years of experience in the telecommunications and technology sectors, most recently serving as Vice President in KT’s Enterprise Business. He will lead Epsilon’s senior executive team with a focus on optimising the company’s business strategy and global growth.
Telxius, a leading global connectivity provider, has been recognized at the 2024 Data Center Market (DCM) Awards for its Derio Data Center. It has won the award for Excellence in Connectivity, providing a state-of-the-art facility near Bilbao, in northern Spain, designed to harness the potential of the subsea cables connected to it.
In a significant step towards enhancing global digital infrastructure, Telecom Egypt and Hungary’s 4iG have officially agreed to collaborate on constructing a pioneering subsea cable directly linking Albania and Egypt. This groundbreaking initiative, originally outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding last October, marks the first time such a direct connection will be established between the two nations.
In a significant development for Italy’s telecom landscape, WindTre has finalized an agreement to purchase OpNet, a renowned Italian Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) expert, for a deal worth €485 million. This acquisition not only enhances WindTre’s spectrum holdings but also integrates a pioneering 5G standalone network into its portfolio.
Telecom giant Telenor faces a considerable setback as the company braces itself for a $760.3 million blow from its investment in True Corp, spurred by a noticeable decline in share value in 2023. However, amidst this financial turbulence, Telenor maintains a positive outlook. The company affirms that this financial drawback is merely for book records and does not reflect changes in Telenor’s belief in the value of their True Corp asset.
Local government digital leaders across England, Scotland, and Wales continue to prioritize gigabit broadband rollout, viewing it as essential for connectivity improvements, despite differing opinions on 5G and a lagging focus on environmental sustainability. This was highlighted in a recent survey conducted by FarrPoint, a UK-based connectivity consultancy, which released its findings from a December 2023 study involving councils from various regions.
Zoom has unveiled a series of innovative upgrades aimed at enhancing user experience on its platform, emphasizing stronger connections, increased productivity, and seamless collaboration. The introduction of new AI Companion capabilities, alongside improvements in Zoom Team Chat, Zoom Whiteboard, and Zoom Meetings, positions Zoom as a frontrunner in leveraging artificial intelligence to facilitate workplace communication.
