The UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, has finalized plans to auction off mmWave spectrum for mobile services, with an eye on potential effects a pending Vodafone/Three UK merger might have. This move underscores the regulatory body’s diligent efforts to enhance 5G spectrum allocations, allocating citywide licenses to 68 major UK locations. Despite the anticipated delay due to the merger’s evaluation, Ofcom plans to award licenses on a first-come, first-served basis in less densely populated areas, promising a balanced landscape for both telecom giants and early adopters.
Snom Technology, the globally established telecommunications hardware brand, has been providing the high-end hotel industry with premium handsets for years. These devices are widely regarded as an enormous asset to the industry, since hotel rooms still need to feature a telephone in order to win stars. Despite this, not every hotel wants sophisticated business phones in its guest rooms, as only a minority of people will need to use all the device’s functions.
Cloud communications leader Sinch and one of North America’s largest and most trusted membership organizations, AAA, are partnering to expand chat capabilities for individuals requesting roadside assistance. These changes will allow those stranded in remote areas to seamlessly connect with AAA for help.
Samsung Electronics and KDDI today announced the companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to form a 5G Global Network Slicing Alliance. Through this new alliance, the companies will work together to introduce an array of commercial 5G network slicing services and assess new business models based on this innovative technology.
Unveiling a new dimension to their collaboration, Ericsson and Google aim to enhance Cloud RAN solutions leveraging Google’s Distributed Cloud. This endeavor, targeting seamless automation, orchestration, and incorporation of AI and machine learning, promises wide-ranging benefits for communications service providers. Observations from the Ericsson Open Lab revealed the power of the Google Distributed Cloud in extending network functionalities, opening exciting new possibilities in the telecoms landscape.
Amazon’s sizable investment in one AI provider shakes up AWS’ traditional neutral stance on supporting multiple AI models—a game-changer with implications for large tech players and telecommunication operators. The recent announcement to commit up to $4 billion to Anthropic, a competitive stakeholder in AI, could alter customer experiences and sway preferences towards their Claude AI model. The telecoms industry’s reaction remains crucial as operators navigate the expanding AI revolution.
Huawei recently unveiled the groundbreaking Xinghe Network large model at the prestigious HUAWEI CONNECT 2023 event. An industry first, it paves the way for advanced network digitalization and enhanced industry intelligence. Harnessing the power of large-scale data and expert knowledge, this model heralds a new era in telecommunications, introducing exceptional features like multi-dimensional awareness, predictive capabilities, and optimized decision-making assistance. Its comprehensive advantages notably include proactive anomaly detection, enhanced application experience and proactive network security strategies.
Charting the future of mobile networks, the advent of Open vRAN technology, equipped with software-defined systems on standard hardware, delivers on the ambitious goals of 5G while retaining unmatched energy efficiency. Pushing these advancements further, QCT and Intel have introduced cutting-edge servers integrating Intel’s pioneering FlexRAN architecture. This merger of CPU computing power with an accelerated system, transforming standard network structures and allowing innovative software integrations, is the driving force behind the striking efficiency improvements within mobile networks.
Vodafone’s collaboration with Salience Labs and iPronics aims to advance open radio access networks (open RAN) by harnessing the potential of silicon photonic chips. This light-based technology could promise enhanced network programmability and ultra-low latency powered by their increased speed and reduced energy consumption — elevating critical 5G capabilities. With silicon photonics making waves in data centers, the industry, poised for rapid growth, radiates intrigue on the horizon. Yet, it also questions current cost dynamics, especially around open RAN technology.
UK operator VMO2’s recent innovation eliminates network dead zones across a 126-acre farm, combining telecom and agriculture to test the impact of digital technology on rural farming. This collaboration enables real-time tracking of high-value items, prompt alerts on farm security breaches, and efficient crop health monitoring, thereby potentially boosting farm productivity and significantly reducing losses.