BT has announced a two-year delay in the shutdown of the UK’s copper-based phone lines, now scheduled for 2027 instead of the original 2025 target. The decision was subtly revealed in the company’s 2023 financial results and later confirmed through a press release.
Telefónica Tech has entered into a collaboration with Microsoft to enhance its cybersecurity services by incorporating Microsoft’s AI tools. This partnership aims to provide customers with proactive, integrated, and automated real-time security management.
AI and Machine Learning (ML) are transforming VoIP, enhancing communication efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This integration offers features like real-time call quality optimization, personalized user experiences, and advanced IVR systems. AI-powered analytics unlock valuable insights and improve security. The future holds seamless IoT connectivity and a redefined way we connect through VoIP.
A recent study conducted by Germany’s Verband für Telekommunikation und Mehrwertdienste (VATM) has illuminated the rapid advancements within Germany’s fiber market. The study highlights a steady stride in the country’s fiber rollout, projecting that nearly 19 million households, approximately half of the German population, will have access to fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) connectivity by mid-year, marking a rise of 2 million households since the close of 2023.
On May 15, the US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to reauthorize the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for the first time since 1992. The legislation, passed with a vote of 374-36, aims to update the mission and functions of the NTIA in response to significant changes in the telecommunications landscape.
Google Fiber (GFiber) is expanding its Nevada network to include the City of Las Vegas, following its initial foray into the state earlier this year. In February, Clark County approved a franchise agreement, facilitating GFiber’s network deployment in the region.
Sparkle, the subsea cable subsidiary of TIM, has announced the successful completion of its first international VPN test secured with quantum encryption. This milestone was achieved in collaboration with Arqit Quantum, a leader in quantum-safe encryption, and Telsy, TIM’s cybersecurity-focused company. The proof of concept (PoC) involved establishing a secure Internet Protocol (IPsec) tunnel between Italy and Germany using Arqit’s Symmetric Key Agreement (SKA) Platform.
EchoStar Corporation has landed a substantial contract to supply mobile devices and services to the US Navy, valued at up to $2.7 billion over the next decade. This deal, though not a complete solution to the company’s financial woes, is a significant positive development amid ongoing challenges.
Verizon launches AI-driven apps to improve customer service by streamlining interactions. The European Commission designates Booking.com as a ‘gatekeeper’ and plans antitrust charges against Microsoft for bundling Teams with Office. Telstra establishes a regional network hub in Guam at GNC iX data center. GlobalData underscores US telcos’ struggle to stand out in the B2B channel.
AT&T takes a significant leap forward in its plans to offer satellite direct-to-phone services following the finalization of commercial terms with low Earth orbit (LEO) operator AST SpaceMobile. The agreement sets the stage for AT&T to provide non-terrestrial network (NTN) coverage through SpaceMobile’s constellation until 2030. Although a firm launch date for SpaceMobile’s network is yet to be confirmed, AT&T anticipates the delivery of the first commercial satellites to Cape Canaveral this summer.
