Ericsson has announced the sale of its US subsidiary iconectiv to Koch Equity Development for $1 billion. This transaction, anticipated to complete in early 2025, underscores Ericsson’s strategy to streamline its core offerings. Iconectiv, renowned for number portability solutions, will continue expanding under its new ownership.
LilaConnect, a leading retail ISP, has reached an impressive milestone of 15,000 connected customers, showcasing its commitment to delivering high-quality, full fibre internet. Using Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) technology, LilaConnect ensures faster and more reliable internet speeds.
Skylo’s cutting-edge NTN connectivity enhances the Google Pixel 9 series, ensuring reliable emergency communication where terrestrial networks fail. For the first time, Pixel users can connect to emergency services via satellite. This collaborative innovation between Skylo and Google marks a new era in mobile connectivity, delivering essential support in remote areas.
Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST) is set to launch its first batch of satellites, challenging SpaceX’s Starlink. This launch, part of China’s G60 Starlink Plan, aims to deploy 15,000 low Earth orbit satellites by 2030, marking a significant step in China’s strategic competition with the United States.
Millicom’s Board of Directors has rejected Atlas Luxco’s revised $25.75 per share offer, stating it still undervalues the company. The board pointed to Millicom’s improved performance and standard valuation metrics, suggesting the bid is too low. Concerns over the impact on employees were also highlighted.
Deutsche Telekom is enhancing its global IoT presence through a new agreement with the Bridge Alliance. As the first European telecom giant in this consortium, Deutsche Telekom aims to streamline IoT solutions for both Asian and European markets. Their combined expertise promises superior connectivity and simplified procurement processes.
Research by Virgin Media O2 reveals that poor internet connectivity is driving many rural UK residents, particularly young adults, to consider relocating to urban areas. Inadequate internet access hinders remote work, prompting 4.6 million people to contemplate moving within the next year.
South Korea has officially revoked the mobile license of Stage X, led by Stage Five, an affiliate of tech giant Kakao Corp. The Ministry of Science and ICT cited failure to meet financial and operational criteria as reasons. Stage X aimed to join established carriers like SK Telecom and KT but struggled to secure necessary capital.
Vodafone has outlined a strong case for equipping UK public buildings with 5G-enabled technology. The ‘Connected Spaces’ report highlights how digital twins, IoT, and smart sensors can save the public sector £580 million annually. By integrating these technologies, Vodafone promises significant energy efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions, aiding sustainability goals.
The German government’s significant boost to its fibre network funding from €12 billion to €38 billion aims to accelerate fibre infrastructure rollout and extend aid until 2028. This increased funding empowers local authorities to deploy or outsource fibre networks, addressing Germany’s lag in fibre penetration.