In a bold move to reshape the UK’s broadband landscape, VMO2, backed by shareholders Liberty Global and Telefónica, has announced the launch of a new fixed network company, ambitiously positioned as a direct competitor to BT’s Openreach. Dubbed NetCo for now, this venture aims to accelerate the adoption of full fibre broadband, offering a fresh financing framework and a potential platform for the consolidation of alternative network providers (altnets).
In an ambitious move to enhance mobile connectivity across Japan, Rakuten Mobile has announced its plan to offer satellite-to-mobile services by 2026, partnering with AST SpaceMobile. This initiative aims to leverage AST SpaceMobile’s space-based cellular broadband network, enabling direct access to smartphones for text messaging, voice, and data services.
In an ambitious move to enhance the United States’ emergency services network, AT&T, in partnership with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority), has announced plans for a significant upgrade and expansion of FirstNet. This initiative, which could see an investment exceeding $8 billion over the coming decade, aims to build upon the network’s already extensive coverage and capabilities.
A significant increase in Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks has been reported by Zayo, with the telecommunications sector suffering the most. According to the company’s annual DDoS Insights Report, the past year saw a dramatic rise in both the frequency and severity of these cyber assaults. Businesses found themselves paying an average of £4,700 for every minute under attack, culminating in an average total cost of £325,000.
In a significant boost to rural connectivity, Virgin Media O2 has recently achieved a landmark in the Shared Rural Network (SRN) initiative by completing upgrades or constructing 100 sites under its management. This development is set to offer unprecedented mobile coverage quality to rural communities, benefiting not just its own customers but also those of Three and Vodafone, thanks to a collaborative effort to enhance infrastructure.
In a comprehensive analysis conducted by MedUX, a connectivity testing firm, Berlin emerged as the front-runner in providing the best 5G experience across major European cities. The study, which encompassed extensive testing in cities such as Barcelona, Paris, Lisbon, Milan, Porto, Rome, Madrid, Munich, and London, highlighted Berlin’s superior performance in data and over-the-top (OTT) experiences, alongside its impressive overall score of 4.69 out of 5.
In a pivotal move, CELLSMART, Abundant IoT and TMR embark on an IoT convergence mission through Fixed Wireless Access (FWA). CELLSMART, with its unmatched cellular knowledge, brings speed and on-the-ground engineering support, transforming IoT rollouts.
SIPPIO, the global leader in voice enablement, has today unveiled SIPPIO Mobile, powered by Tango Networks. This launch kicks off a series of partnerships and product expansions designed to enhance the Microsoft Teams Phone experience; improving customer value, boosting channel partner revenue, and strengthening customer retention.
In a significant development within the tech industry, Deutsche Telekom has taken a pioneering step by becoming the first corporate partner of the Fetch.ai Foundation. This collaboration marks a notable endeavor to merge artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and Web3 technologies, aiming to revolutionize the way autonomous systems interact and operate within the digital world.
Airtel Africa is redefining its enterprise, anticipating to leverage Africa’s burgeoning digital sector with the advent of its novel fibre wholesaler, Telesonic. The subsidiary will harness the power of Airtel’s vast terrestrial fibre network, bolstered by the firm’s stake in the pan-African submarine cable, 2Africa.


