As the Competition and Markets Authority gears up for an official investigation about the planned merger between Vodafone and Three, concerns such as reduced consumer choices, price hikes, and changing market dynamics are cropping up. Simultaneously, anticipation builds over potential improvements and expansive opportunities the merger might usher in for the UK’s mobile network scene.
The UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, has finalized plans to auction off mmWave spectrum for mobile services, with an eye on potential effects a pending Vodafone/Three UK merger might have. This move underscores the regulatory body’s diligent efforts to enhance 5G spectrum allocations, allocating citywide licenses to 68 major UK locations. Despite the anticipated delay due to the merger’s evaluation, Ofcom plans to award licenses on a first-come, first-served basis in less densely populated areas, promising a balanced landscape for both telecom giants and early adopters.
EXA Infrastructure, the largest dedicated digital infrastructure platform connecting Europe and North America, today announced that it was awarded three awards at the annual Antonio Meucci Global Telco Awards last night in Madrid.
With Vodafone’s pending merger with Three, concerns mount over potential access to sensitive UK government data by foreign entities, chiefly China. Unite the union has issued a report detailing alleged connections between Three’s controlling CK Group and the Chinese government, raising concerns over integrity of communications within governmental public sector clients served by Vodafone including the NHS and Ministry of Defence. Is the potential for this large scale data breach being overlooked? T
Vodafone UK is proclaiming the promise of 5G, with over 50% of UK adults agreeing that it could significantly impact their daily lives. But the telecom giant is also sparking conversation around its proposed merger with Three, a move believed to accelerate the UK’s digital future. The benefits of this merger extend to healthcare, utilities, and railways, showing strong potential to enhance these sectors through technologies enabled by 5G connectivity. However, this ambitious union faces challenges, including the controversial issue of spectrum distribution, crucial for 5G delivery. Yet, in the ever-evolving telecom landscape, it might be the willingness to navigate these challenges that determines their success.
Three UK experiences 5% revenue increase in Q1, but CEO Robert Finnegan calls for market structural change to boost returns. High 5G rollout costs challenge the industry, while a potential merger with Vodafone looms on the horizon.
Vodafone and CK Hutchison are in negotiations to merge their companies in the United Kingdom in order to establish a market-leading mobile network that may advance the roll-out of 5G services and boost Internet accessibility. Combining Vodafone UK with Hutchison’s Three, Britain’s third and fourth largest networks, would result in a company with around 27 million mobile subscribers. Vodafone stated that CK Hutchison would hold 49% of the business and Vodafone would own 51%, an arrangement that would be accomplished by altering debt ownership rather than by trading cash. Reports of a possible partnership between the two companies surfaced earlier this year. The global corporation CK Hutchison stated that no legally binding agreement for such a merger has been entered into, but the proposed acquisition is expected to require that both businesses would integrate their UK companies. CK Hutchison further said that there is no guarantee that any…
Snom Technology, the world’s leading brand for business IP telephony, is completing its D3XX and D7XX IP phone families by adding three new models – and satisfying the demands of customers who want to invest in bespoke solutions. Any business which is cost-conscious or carrying out large-scale installations will benefit from adjustments to the equipment and a brand new, entry-level IP phone with color display. What you see is what you get Normally, manufacturers with high-end devices in their product lines offer the most cutting-edge equipment at launch. However, this always results in significant differences in price between entry-level products and so called “top of the range” products. However, a recent survey of Snom partners revealed that 97 % of respondents had never used the integrated Bluetooth function since purchasing ‘‘top’’ models in the D3XX and D7XX (D385 and D785) series and couldn’t foresee any use for it…
The Ireland-based telecommunications and internet service provider Three Ireland Limited has announced that it has rolled out its nationwide 5G network, providing coverage in selected locations in each county. Covering 35% of the population from day one, the company claims to immediately become the country’s largest 5G network. The mobile operator has enabled 315 sites to use next-generation technology and plans to increase the number by adding 500 sites by the end of 2020. Three has invested about $100 million for the network’s deployment in the past year and is expected to spend the same amount for several years to come to increase their coverage. However, Three’s customers have had to wait much longer to access the 5G network than customers of other mobile operators, Eir and Vodafone, who launched their 5G technology last year. Being about a year behind their competitors, it is conceivable that Three will…
Even though fifth generation mobile communications technology is set to go mainstream, 4G, also known as LTE, isn’t going away any time soon. With this in mind, it is not surprising that manufacturers of telecom equipment continue to develop 4G-focused smartphone processors. US-based Qualcomm Technologies has launched three new Snapdragon mobile platforms aimed at 4G smartphone manufacturing companies. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G, 662 and 460 chipsets have been created to enhance user experiences across connectivity, gaming and entertainment applications. In a statement, the company said that these new mobile platforms provide high-speed 4G connectivity, deliver key Wi-Fi 6 features and integrated Bluetooth 5.1 with advanced audio via the Qualcomm FastConnect 6-series subsystems, support Dual-Frequency (L1 and L5) GNSS to improve location positioning accuracy and reliability, and are the first system-on-chip products to support Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) satellite positioning system. Qualcomm said the new Snapdragon platforms also…
