In a significant move towards bolstering AI infrastructure in Asia, Japan’s KDDI and Sharp have initiated discussions with Super Micro Computer Inc. and Datasection to establish the region’s largest AI data centre. The ambitious project will be situated at the soon-to-be-closed Sharp Sakai Plant in Osaka, marking a strategic repurposing of the unprofitable facility slated to shut down in September.
Reports from Reuters suggest that Saudi Arabia’s STC group is contemplating a significant move in the European telecom market by considering the acquisition of United Group, a prominent player in both telecommunications and pay-TV sectors. Citing three anonymous sources familiar with the discussions, the potential takeover could mark a substantial shift in the industry landscape.
A consortium of major Japanese tech companies, including mobile operator NTT DoCoMo, has successfully conducted a trial of 5G communication in the 38 GHz band using a base station positioned 4 km above ground level. This experiment is a critical part of Japan’s initiative to establish high-altitude platform stations (HAPS) for delivering 5G services from the stratosphere.
Nokia, in collaboration with Global Fiber Peru, has successfully launched a pioneering subaquatic optical, IP, and fiber broadband network in the Amazon rainforest. This new network aims to connect approximately 400 communities within the three-border region where Peru, Colombia, and Brazil meet.
Telefónica, a leading telecommunications operator, has sealed a fresh agreement with tech giant Google Cloud aimed at turbocharging Telefónica’s journey into cloud adoption and AI-driven innovation. The deal, which extends the strategic collaboration between the two entities for another three years, is poised to usher in a wave of advancements across various fronts.
Xavier Neil, the French telecom magnate, is seeking financing to acquire the remaining 80% of Latin American telecom group Millicom through his investment vehicle, Atlas. The move was disclosed after media reports surfaced, prompting an official statement from Atlas Investissement. The statement confirmed that Atlas is exploring a cash tender offer for Millicom, aiming for a purchase price of $24 per share.
South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol revealed a historic $19 billion support package aimed at bolstering the nation’s semiconductor sector, underscoring the industry’s critical role in the economy. The substantial investment, facilitated by the state-run Korea Development Bank, will enhance infrastructure, research and development, and offer tax incentives.
Ofcom has fined BT £2.8 million after its subsidiaries, EE and Plusnet, failed to adhere to consumer protection regulations. The UK regulator’s investigation revealed that both companies neglected to provide clear contract details to numerous customers before they signed up for services.
Australian telecom giant Telstra announced plans to eliminate 2,800 jobs as part of a significant reorganisation aimed at revitalising its enterprise division. The company has been conducting a thorough review of Telstra Enterprise since February, responding to economic pressures that have impacted its corporate clientele.
The UK’s telecommunications regulator, Ofcom, is advancing plans to facilitate shared access to the highly sought-after upper 6 GHz band, proposing two primary frameworks to balance the needs of both mobile and Wi-Fi providers. The first proposed approach, known as variable spectrum split, would allow both mobile and Wi-Fi services to use portions of the spectrum not occupied by the other.
