In a strategic move to meet the escalating demands of the 5G era and burgeoning broadband connectivity in India, Nokia has joined forces with Bharti Airtel for a significant overhaul of the optical network infrastructure. The project aims to deliver ‘massive capacity,’ enhanced reliability, and cost efficiency for enterprises, operators, and hyperscalers in the region.
The 2023 Asian Games offered a glimpse into the future of event tech, from eSports to AI-driven systems. Among the innovations, a standout was ‘RADICAL’, an intelligent digital solution by Huawei and China Mobile Zhejiang, designed to manage intense 5G traffic, ensuring an exceptional experience for attendees.
Italian telecom provider Wind Tre faces hurdles in selling infrastructure due to complex 5G network sharing negotiations with rivals Iliad and Fastweb. CK Hutchison delays the deal closure by three months to February 12, citing challenges with Iliad and Fastweb. Meanwhile, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison’s $6 billion merger in Indonesia with Huawei’s support achieves significant growth. France’s Orange introduces satellite broadband, while Norway’s Telenor sells its satellite operations. FCC’s new broadband rules target discrimination, raising concerns of unintended consequences. Mavenir and Nokia achieve remarkable Open RAN interoperability, overcoming past criticisms and showcasing commitment to multi-supplier systems.
President Biden’s administration has launched an extensive review of over 2,700 megahertz of spectrum, perceiving its significant role in the nation’s technological leap. The initiative intends to implement a well-grounded American spectrum strategy, focusing on fostering tech advances, heightening public understanding about its economic role, and fostering a cooperative national framework.
In a strategic move to bolster its mobile network, Australia’s premier telecom firm, Telstra, acquires local operations of small cell provider Dense Air. Both financial details and timelines of the transaction remain veiled. This comes after the Australia Competition Tribunal blocked Telstra’s partnership with TPG, favoring competition and avoiding regional coverage setback. While rivals speculate, Dense Air’s retreat from Trans-Tasman markets coincides with Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners’ takeover. This deal provides Telstra’s network expansion plans with crucial additional spectrum capacity.
Just under a year ago, the tech world buzzed with anticipation over a new partnership between chip mogul Qualcomm and satellite firm Iridium. The aim? Integrating satellite-to-phone services via Snapdragon Satellite and Iridium’s resources. However, a recent shift in direction caught the industry’s attention. Despite a successful demo, smartphone manufacturers didn’t opt to incorporate this feature, leading Qualcomm to end the agreement. Yet, in the face of disappointment, Iridium remains optimistic, envisaging an industry veering towards greater satellite connectivity. As earthquakes ripple across the telecoms landscape, all eyes await what’s next.
As the digital revolution persists, Communication Service Providers (CSPs) are redefining traditional revenue streams, with data monetisation being key to their success. CSPs have transitioned from solely facilitating connectivity to enabling fascinating digital technologies. They’re effectively tapping into the vast quantities of data from their networks to drive valuable insights. For instance, Vodafone Portugal, aided by Celfocus, successfully converted raw data into significant insights to improve operational effectiveness.
In a surprising shift, Cellnex decides to offload its private networks niche to Boldyn Networks, refocusing its operations back to its base business of towers. This comes despite previously earmarking the private networks sector as critical for growth and the Superlative successes recorded by Edzcom, the Finnish-based firm that designs and runs 4G and 5G networks. This transition aims to trim the company’s debt. In contrast, Boldyn Networks is ready to capitalize on the promising growth in 5G private networks, projected to hit $109.4 billion by 2030.
Marlink has teamed up with Eutelsat OneWeb to bring satellite connectivity to the luxury icebreaker cruise ship, Le Commandant Charcot. Their innovative hybrid network enhances both operationally and leisurely experiences, using layered, encrypted technology for robust security. Remarkably, it allows for separate crew and operational systems on one terminal and ensures unprecedented internet access in remote locations.
One New Zealand’s strategic acquisition of local operations from UK-small cell provider Dense Air aims to strengthen mid-band spectrum. Promising enhancements to fixed-wireless access services, this merge incorporates a significant 70 MHz of spectrum into One NZ’s 4G and 5G networks. This move aligns with the company’s efforts towards modernizing its network, hinting towards a customer-centric future with expanded 5G network and possible SpaceX collaboration.
