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.
In an exciting partnership, DZS and Andorix are commanding a digital transformation by converting landmark buildings across North America into fiber-based smart-buildings. By integrating DZS’s FiberLAN technology and Andorix’s PON service, they’ve not only availed historical sites to meet today’s digital demands but also brought considerable operational and capital savings.
In a strategic move that could redefine the trajectory of Vodafone’s future, the telecom giant has entered into a comprehensive 10-year partnership with Microsoft. Covering all Vodafone markets in Europe and Africa, this collaboration aims to reach a staggering 300 million people.
The new partnership between BT and Basrah Gas Company (BGC) sets an intriguing course for the digital transformation of the latter’s operations in Iraq. This collaboration will securely link BGC’s offices, processing units, and gas fields while enhancing their access to cloud-based applications.
Malaysia’s 5G space sees major collaborative efforts as five mobile network operators (MNOs) each nets a 14% equity stake in Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), forming a total 70% share. The remaining 30% will rest with the government. This bolstering of DNB’s finances aims to facilitate the evolution from the current Single Wholesale Network model to a more efficient Dual Network one.
In a groundbreaking move set to reshape the landscape of business communication in the UK, Sangoma Technologies, a leading global provider of business IT and communication solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with UK-based Sol Distribution. The collaboration is poised to offer a lifeline to thousands of businesses grappling with the impending end of traditional analogue telephony, providing them with a seamless transition to a digital-first future.
An ambitious €1 billion initiative is underway in Spain to narrow down the digital divide in rural areas, spearheaded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation. The project focuses on escalating the presence of 5G technology, committing an impressive €544 million towards standalone deployments. Aimed at areas unlikely to be targeted by private sector network deployments, it accentuates the government’s determination to extend tech revolutions to the unserved regions. With potential applications to various sectors, Spain’s pathway to complete 5G integration could serve as an inspirational model for others in this era of digital transformation.
The EU’s first annual State of the Digital Decade report highlights an urgent call to action for increased investment to meet its 2030 technology targets. The report underlines the significance of collective efforts by member states to successfully navigate the prevalent digital transformation. The document illuminates areas such as 5G deployment, which has been slower than expected, and inadequate fiber network coverage, among others. Simultaneously, it draws attention to other essential aspects, like digital sovereignty and the digitalization of businesses, suggesting an additional investment of at least €200 billion may be necessary. Issues such as these could hamper the bloc’s ambition to double its share in the semiconductor sector by 2030.
Cellnex, an esteemed telecom infrastructure supplier, is collaborating with Forever Manchester to foster digital inclusion, introducing two funds focused on nurturing related projects across Manchester. Reflecting the principles of the Greater Manchester Digital Inclusion Strategy, these funds could support various efforts such as improving online access for job seekers or distributing recycled computers.
Four powerhouse telecom companies have forged an alliance to harness the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI), revolutionizing customer experiences and uncovering potential business opportunities. This alliance, brought to life in Seoul, South Korea, promises to co-develop a Telco AI Platform, pioneering new AI services, like digital assistants and super apps. The initiative has been seen as a forward-thinking response to the escalating global interest in AI within the telecommunications industry. Imminent discussions at the Total Telecom Congress will shed more light on this transformational feat.
