STC Group recently deployed Nokia’s AI-powered self-organizing network (SON) during the Hajj season, enhancing VoIP performance amidst a 40% traffic surge. Utilizing MantaRay SON, the collaboration optimized network settings every 15 minutes, resulting in a 30% improvement in loaded cell utilization and a 10% increase in user throughput, showcasing the transformative potential of AI in VoIP optimization.
Xavier Niel’s Atlas Investissement has proposed a $4.1 billion buyout of Millicom, a key telecom player in Latin America under the Tigo brand. Despite a rejected offer, Atlas aims to enhance Millicom’s network and distribution. Leveraging expertise from its 29% stake, Atlas seeks to drive growth and expand 4G services in rural regions.
EE has announced the deployment of its innovative ‘cell sleep’ technology on its 4G network, aiming to significantly reduce energy consumption. This new technology allows certain 4G LTE carriers to enter a low-power mode during times of low demand.
Three UK has achieved a significant milestone in network sustainability through its collaboration with Ericsson, employing advanced AI-powered hardware and software. Over the past 18 months, the partnership has focused on modernizing Three UK’s network, significantly enhancing energy efficiency with cutting-edge technologies.
Manchester city centre and its surrounding areas are set to experience improved mobile connectivity thanks to a new partnership between Freshwave and Manchester City Council. This collaboration will see Freshwave deploying over 20 outdoor small cells on behalf of Virgin Media O2 in high-traffic locations, such as the Arndale Shopping Centre, Manchester Piccadilly Station, and Piccadilly Gardens.
Amazon’s Project Kuiper has entered into an agreement to offer low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite services across seven Latin American countries. This distribution deal with Vrio, the parent company of DirecTV Latin America and Sky Brasil, will see high-speed Internet services provided to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia.
Ericsson and Telefónica Germany have announced the extension of their core network partnership. This collaboration, involving Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core and cloud infrastructure solutions, currently supports mobile connectivity for 45 million O2 Telefónica subscribers. It spans multiple network generations including 5G Standalone (SA), 5G non-Standalone (NSA), 4G, and 2G.
Veon, a telecommunications giant, unveiled ambitious growth plans during its Capital Markets Day, sparking optimism among investors. CEO Kaan Terzioglu emphasized the promising landscape of emerging markets where Veon operates, asserting that the company’s digital transformation has positioned it for substantial growth.
A new high-capacity data backbone spanning the UK, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and Norway promises increased capacity and redundancy. XL Axiata and Ericsson team up to integrate 4G and 5G services into a cloud-based network. AppDirect introduces AppDirect AI, a secure marketplace allowing users to create AI apps without coding. Cynomi expands its vCISO services to European MSPs and MSSPs, prioritizing data localization.
Reports have surfaced indicating that Nokia is on the brink of finalizing a significant deal with Portuguese mobile network operator MEO to deploy 5G radio access network (RAN) infrastructure. The move comes as MEO currently relies on Huawei equipment for its RAN operations.


