NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) and NTT Corporation (NTT) today announced that they have successfully conducted a first-of-its-kind transoceanic-class 7,280km transmission experiment using a coupled 12-core multicore fiber (*1), which consists of 12 optical signal transmission paths in a standard outer diameter optical fiber (0.125 mm). This achievement is expected to be a next-generation transmission infrastructure technology that will contribute to the realization of large-capacity optical networks, including future optical submarine cables.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has breathed new life into a stalled initiative aimed at extending 5G network coverage to America’s rural areas. The rejuvenated program, named the 5G Fund for Rural America, seeks to allocate $9 billion over the next decade to bring 5G connectivity to 14 million homes and businesses in regions currently overlooked by operators due to financial impracticalities.
In a significant development for digital infrastructure, the United Kingdom has emerged as a leader in the expansion of full fibre networks across Europe. Recent statistics have highlighted the country’s swift advancement in deploying fibre to homes, surpassing all European counterparts in the annual growth rate. Over the past year until September 2023, the UK has extended its fibre network to an additional 4.7 million households.
In an ambitious move following its planned merger with Three UK, Vodafone has announced a significant enhancement of its network capabilities across Scotland, targeting a comprehensive deployment of 5G Standalone (SA) technology. By 2034, the telecom giant aims to cover 89% of Scotland with this advanced network, promising a substantial boost in national productivity valued at approximately £9 billion by the end of the decade.
Enreach, Europe’s leading provider of converged contact solutions, announced that it has expanded its Voice for Microsoft Teams features to customers in 80 countries. The extension is the result of Enreach’s partnership with SIPPIO, which delivers Microsoft Teams services to customers around the world.
A recent study by Ericsson and Juniper Research reveals significant growth prospects for the mobile financial services (MFS) sector, forecasting a surge in user engagement and transaction values by 2028. The analysis suggests a shift towards a more diverse offering in mobile money services, predicting that 40% of mobile subscribers will utilize these services by 2028, a notable increase from the current 29%.
In a significant stride towards eradicating mobile signal blackspots, rural Wales welcomed the activation of the first among 86 planned 4G mast upgrades. This development is part of the ambitious Shared Rural Network initiative, aimed at bolstering mobile coverage in the UK’s rural and remote locales.
In a significant move aimed at reducing its hefty debt, Altice has decided to offload its French media operations to the maritime giant CMA CGM for €1.55 billion. The deal, structured as a cash transaction, sees CMA CGM acquiring an 80% share, while the remaining 20% goes to Merit France, a holding company related to the shipping group. This strategic sale encompasses Altice Media, the parent company of the well-regarded news channel BFM and RMC, a radio broadcaster.
In a recent unveiling, Qualcomm announced the introduction of the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, poised to revolutionize a range of smartphones from brands such as Honor, iQOO, realme, Redmi, and Xiaomi in the upcoming months. This cutting-edge chip is designed to democratize premium features for a broader audience, previously exclusive to high-end models, by incorporating select advanced capabilities directly from its flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 series.
Nvidia is setting its sights on a more significant role within the mobile networking sphere, particularly in the emerging field of 6G technology. At its annual GTC AI event, the company unveiled its ambitious 6G Research Cloud Platform, positioning itself as a key player in the next evolution of mobile technology. This initiative is designed to leverage Nvidia’s expertise in chips and AI, demonstrating its capabilities beyond the realm of 5G.


