BT launched NB-IoT network covering 97% of the UK to boost IoT use in sectors like utilities and construction. Elisa and Nokia showcased 5G Advanced’s L4S technology, demonstrating its potential to improve connectivity. Nokia’s Virtual Power Plant Controller Software enables mobile operators to lower energy costs, earn revenue, and reduce carbon emissions. LeapXpert and ASC collaborate to offer a compliance recording solution for Microsoft Teams, enabling regulated external communications.
Telefonica, a leading international mobile operator, has made a strategic investment in Mitiga Solution, a pioneering firm dedicated to the management of climate-related risks. This move signifies a major step in combining advanced climate science with artificial intelligence to offer innovative solutions for assessing environmental risks.
Local government digital leaders across England, Scotland, and Wales continue to prioritize gigabit broadband rollout, viewing it as essential for connectivity improvements, despite differing opinions on 5G and a lagging focus on environmental sustainability. This was highlighted in a recent survey conducted by FarrPoint, a UK-based connectivity consultancy, which released its findings from a December 2023 study involving councils from various regions.
Singapore’s leading telecom provider Singtel, in a strategic alliance with technology powerhouse Nvidia, has unveiled a new line of data centers under the brand name Nxera. These centers are poised to revolutionize generative AI services for businesses across the region, aligning with Singapore’s National AI Strategy 2.0.
In 2024, the telecom industry is witnessing a transformative shift driven by evolving customer needs, technological advancements, and environmental concerns. Key trends include the rise of self-service platforms, the migration to VoIP as PSTN becomes obsolete, standalone 5G networks taking center stage, AI integration for enhanced connectivity, and a strong commitment to sustainability. These trends are reshaping how telecom carriers operate and innovate, promising new opportunities in a rapidly changing landscape.
Tech giant Google is set to pour $1 billion into the development of a new data centre in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, signaling a robust commitment to expanding its technical infrastructure in the United Kingdom.
Ofcom’s proposal to supply backup batteries for mobile sites to improve network resilience has brought forth divergent viewpoints. Vodafone – a prominent voice in the debate – highlights operational complexities and massive costs associated with the backup plan, stressing that mobile operators should not carry the full financial burden.
A first-of-its-kind system in the UK is being trialled in Edinburgh to see if waste heat from a large computing facility can be stored in disused mine workings and used to warm homes. The large amounts of energy needed to power the University of Edinburgh’s Advanced Computing Facility (ACF) could be recycled to heat at least 5,000 households in Scotland’s capital.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), established to provide subsidized internet service to millions of US households, faces an uncertain future due to budget constraints. It’s a dilemma that could potentially disconnect current beneficiaries and limit future enrollments. However, support from influential leaders and a requested funding boost could create hope for the program’s extension.
Wildanet, a Cornwall-based fibre network builder, marks a milestone in corporate sustainability by becoming the UK’s first altnet to earn B-Corp Certification. This accolade spotlights the broader ramifications for the telecom industry as it grapples with its own global responsibility measures. While celebrating the achievement, it ignites the debate over whether the sector is doing enough to address burgeoning demands for a sustainable, equitable world.
