The mobile operator, Vodafone Ukraine, intends to launch their 4G network for the 1800 MHz band on 1 July, 2018. The expansion of the 1800 MHz band network will allow Vodafone to cover a wider territory, enabling access for millions of Ukrainians to 4G mobile Internet. This fourth generation service will be available in 50 settlements across 10 main regions of Ukraine: Kiev, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Odessa, Mikolayiv, Poltava, Sumi, Kirovograd and Kherson. Besides the advantage of wider coverage, Vodafone is excited about the higher speed, improved connection stability and faster network response times for their mobile users. The other two major Ukrainian operators, LifeCell and Kyivstar, who won the 1800 MHz 4G LTE mobile license along with Vodafone at an auction held this March, will also be introducing similar services in early July.
5G will be available for trial in seven cities across the UK. Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, and London were selected to run the tests on the upcoming network. Those new infrastructures will be running the new 5G at the end of 2018 between October and December. Earlier this year, Vodafone paid £378 million, to get 50Mhz of the 3.4GHz spectrum. Nick Jeffery, Vodafone’s chief executive stated, “We want to make 5G and new fibre broadband services available to consumers and business throughout the UK, delivering a Gigabit society for all. We will also be bringing ultra-fast 4G to several hundred sites in hard to reach rural areas this year, building on our position as the network that offers the best voice coverage in the UK.” Vodafone’s goal is to launch a full 5G service in the UK by 2020, when 5G devices will be available on the market.
MasOrange, Spain’s top mobile provider, has secured an impressive 11 billion euros financing for a bold fiber optic venture with Vodafone Spain. This positions MasOrange to become a leading player in Spain’s fiber network landscape. These strategic funds will enhance MasOrange’s telecom initiatives, including leveraging advanced 5G technology.
TPG Telecom has accused Telstra of exaggerating its mobile coverage by nearly one million square kilometres, calling the claims misleading and unfair. The dispute centers on Telstra counting areas where coverage requires extra equipment. TPG is urging regulators to act and may pursue legal action.
Charter plans to acquire Cox for $34.5 billion, forming the largest cable and broadband provider in the United States. The merger aims to enhance innovation, improve customer service, and strengthen competition amid a shifting market. Leadership will combine executives from both companies, with operations based in Stamford, Connecticut.
MasOrange has launched Spain’s first 5G Advanced network, setting a new benchmark in telecoms. Deployed in Seville, the network uses mid and low bands, the 26 GHz spectrum, and a 3.5 GHz band, offering innovative services like 5G New Calling, enhancing connectivity and customer experience.
Zen Internet’s launch of The Fibre Hub marks a pivotal moment in the UK broadband sector. This innovative platform consolidates various altnet networks, streamlining access for Internet Service Providers to Business and Residential FTTP services.
Taara has teamed up with Digicomm International to accelerate deployment of its Lightbridge technology, which delivers fiber-grade internet through the air. With speeds up to 20 Gbps over long distances, this solution targets hard-to-wire areas, enhancing digital access for communities and businesses while expanding Taara’s reach.
BT has secured a five-year partnership with DEFRA to connect 34,000 workers and devices across the UK. Using EE’s mobile network and the Shared Rural Network, the project enhances safety, monitors the environment, and supports carbon reduction, helping DEFRA predict weather events and prevent critical incidents in rural areas.
Octopus Group is set to disrupt the UK mobile market by launching a MVNO through its telecom investment branch, Fern Trading. Targeting telecom giants like EE, Virgin Media O2, Vodafone, and Three, Octopus aims to enhance its telecommunications portfolio.