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.
Deutsche Telekom has emerged as the latest European telecommunications giant to report robust financial results for the first quarter of 2024. The German incumbent witnessed notable increases in revenue, earnings, and net profit, propelled by a surge in its European operations. The company’s performance underscores a positive growth trajectory amidst a competitive telecom landscape.
BT Group has reported a slight revenue increase to £20.8 billion, a 1% rise from last year, driven by price hikes for broadband customers, robust sales of fibre products in Openreach, and growth in the consumer division. However, the company’s pre-tax profits dropped sharply by 31%, falling to £1.18 billion, despite a 2% rise in adjusted EBITDA, which reached £8.1 billion.
Virgin Media O2 and Crown Commercial Service have inked a new Memorandum of Understanding aimed at enhancing technological and telecommunications solutions to bolster digitalisation efforts within the UK Government and the wider public sector. CCS, a government body responsible for aiding public sector procurement, has been pivotal in organizing the purchase of common goods and services across various organizations.
