The 2021 ‘Build America, Buy America Act’ significantly reshaped U.S. telecommunications, demanding domestic purchases from companies eyeing a piece of the $42 billion BEAD funding. Despite industry concerns, majority purchase from U.S. vendors remains crucial.
Scotland’s pureLiFi pioneers revealed latest advancements in delivering data via light at Mobile World Congress. Their new LiFi hotspot not only provides impressive broadband connectivity, but avoids congesting WiFi networks. The LINXC Bridge™ emerged as a trailblazing solution for indoor 5G connectivity, boasting 1Gbps speeds over 5G network.
Vodafone has announced its intention to sell its Italian branch to Swisscom for a total of €8 billion in cash, signaling a significant shift in the telecom landscape. This revelation came on Wednesday, following intense speculation in the media regarding such a transaction. The two companies have entered into exclusive discussions concerning Vodafone Italy, though a definitive agreement has yet to be finalized.
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.
MATRIXX Software, Celfocus, and Qeema have launched Jawwy 2.0 to improve customer experience and reduce costs. NTT Ltd. plans to open its first data center campus in the Paris region as part of a $10 billion global expansion. Crexendo and TELCLOUD launched a POTS Replacement platform to offer cost-effective, reliable alternatives for critical services. Hero Digital revamped Calix.com, enhancing user experience and performance. Consumer advocacy groups urge the FCC for stricter regulations to protect against SIM swap and port-out scams.
In a significant development for remote connectivity, Telstra, the Australian telecom giant, has initiated the transition of its remote mobile sites to the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network provided by Eutelsat OneWeb. This move marks a departure from the traditional geostationary (GEO) satellites, aimed at reducing latency issues and meeting the growing demand for real-time services among customers.
Anticipate a sweeping change in home entertainment in South West England with broadband provider Truespeed’s partnership with Sky. Delivering ultra-fast broadband enriched with Sky TV and Netflix programming, this new package aims at offering premium digital connectivity alongside quality entertainment. An intriguing insight to the world of Sky Entertainment and Netflix is bundled with the high-speed internet from Truespeed for a rewarding viewing experience.
VMO2 reignited talks over a potential acquisition of TalkTalk’s consumer business this week, eyeing several million UK broadband subscribers. Yet, the negotiation’s early nature and TalkTalk’s sizable £1.1 billion debt make the situation complex.
In an exciting development for the telecommunications industry, EE has officially opened the doors to its brand-new Experience store in Gateshead, marking the beginning of an ambitious rollout plan. This store is the first in a series, with the company planning to launch over ten Experience stores across the country within the next year.
