NEC Corporation has obtained O-RAN Certification from Japan OTIC (Open Testing & Integration Centres) for its MB5450 5G base station radio unit (RU), certifying that the RU conforms with the O-RAN Fronthaul Interface Specifications established by the Open Radio Access Network Alliance (O-RAN ALLIANCE). This RU has been delivered to Rakuten Symphony and is being deployed globally.
TDS, UScellular’s parent company, is reportedly reviewing strategic paths for the mobile operator, with market whispers around a possible sale or welcoming new investors, guided by Citi advisor. Currently the fifth-largest mobile service provider in the U.S., UScellular’s assets, including investment in 5G and numerous mobile towers, make it an attractive prospect for big-name telecoms like T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T. However, its segmented presence may pose challenges.
Cybersecurity landscape has been rapidly changing, as hackers abandon phishing for exploiting software vulnerabilities, a trend illuminated in a study by Akamai. The study revealed a dramatic 143% increase in victims during Q1, predominantly due to surging incidents of zero-day and one-day vulnerabilities. Surprisingly, smaller organizations, particularly those within manufacturing, business services, retail, construction, and education sectors are often targeted.
Unveiling a fresh milestone, the UAE’s TDRA has concluded phase two of its 5G Advanced trials, achieving a staggering 10 Gbps speed. This development, achieved in collaboration with operators e& and du, utilized the full potential of the 400 MHz bandwidth in the 6 GHz band. This accelerates the data transfer rate, vastly enhancing capacities for IoT, smart city projects, and metaverse evolution.
Significant strides are being made in Slovakia’s telecommunications sector with O2 Slovakia and Slovak Telekom finalizing an eagerly anticipated network sharing agreement. Ultimately expected to lower costs and enhance service quality, this move notably excludes Bratislava and Košice, with both operators maintaining their separate networks in these areas.
Deutsche Telekom and MIRA dive into an ambitious project crafting the ‘shuttle service of the future’ in Bonn, using the premise of teleoperation or remote driving. Facilitated by speedy 5G data transmission, this experiment highlights the necessity of ‘network slicing’ and ‘quality on demand’ for autonomous vehicles. Yet, governmental restrictions on remote-controlled travel present a hurdle. Despite the challenges, both firms remain hopeful, envisioning a driver-free automobile future.
The UK government’s ambitious Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit (CLEO) initiative aims to propel satellite communications development, backed by a sum of £160 million. With a main focus on Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations, this programme holds potential to bridge the digital divide and boost economical growth. This initiative, however, still awaits the green light through regular approval processes.
In a groundbreaking move against the scourge of robocallers, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced a historic forfeiture of $300 million, showcasing their unwavering commitment to tackling the issue head-on. However, the question of when this record penalty will actually be paid remains an uncertainty.
ExodusClouds, a global pioneer in cloud connectivity, has partnered with Epsilon Telecommunications, a global interconnectivity provider, to boost its global connectivity offering for enterprises across multiple industry verticals. ExodusClouds will serve enterprise customers across the telecommunications, finance, healthcare, education and manufacturing sectors with a white-labelled version of Epsilon’s Network as a Service (NaaS) platform, Infiny.
Vodafone has joined the UK’s smart meter network, establishing essential 4G IoT connectivity. While Vodafone’s inclusion does not necessarily signify a replacement of current suppliers, it invites intriguing possibilities. The selection of a new provider despite existing 4G options raises questions around the decision-making process. Amid the drive to phase out 2G and 3G networks, this move potentially reflects the evolving needs of the UK’s telecoms infrastructure.
