A bidding war erupted over the fire sale of Casa Systems’ cable business, with CommScope emerging as the surprise victor. The final price tag of $45.1 million far outstripped initial expectations, highlighting the strategic value of Casa’s assets.
Sparkle, Italy’s leading international service provider, has entered into a strategic partnership with Tunisie Telecom, Tunisia’s primary telecom operator, to enhance international IP transit services via a new route from Sicily to Milan. Tunisie Telecom, a frontrunner in Tunisia’s telecommunications sector, serves over 6 million subscribers with a comprehensive array of services, including fixed and mobile telecommunications, data centers, cloud services, IoT, and managed security solutions for both individuals and enterprises.
Sparkle, the subsea cable subsidiary of TIM, has announced the successful completion of its first international VPN test secured with quantum encryption. This milestone was achieved in collaboration with Arqit Quantum, a leader in quantum-safe encryption, and Telsy, TIM’s cybersecurity-focused company. The proof of concept (PoC) involved establishing a secure Internet Protocol (IPsec) tunnel between Italy and Germany using Arqit’s Symmetric Key Agreement (SKA) Platform.
Verizon launches AI-driven apps to improve customer service by streamlining interactions. The European Commission designates Booking.com as a ‘gatekeeper’ and plans antitrust charges against Microsoft for bundling Teams with Office. Telstra establishes a regional network hub in Guam at GNC iX data center. GlobalData underscores US telcos’ struggle to stand out in the B2B channel.
EXA Infrastructure, a leading digital infrastructure platform facilitating connections between Europe and North America, has unveiled plans for a significant expansion in North America. The company’s latest move involves the introduction of a new route linking Ashburn and Atlanta, aiming to bolster its infrastructure presence in the region.
Black Box, a renowned provider of communication and technology solutions, has announced the inauguration of its state-of-the-art Hyperscale Data Center of Excellence (DCoE) in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. This milestone marks over three decades of Black Box’s presence in Minnesota and underlines its commitment to pioneering innovation and excellence in data center services and the broader technology sector.
In a significant development for commuters, the Berlin underground (U-Bahn) has finalized the installation of a 4G mobile network, ensuring high-speed internet access across its entire subway system. The initiative, a collaboration between Germany’s O2 Telefonica and Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG), marks a milestone achievement after years of planning and execution. Data usage among subway users has skyrocketed, increasing sevenfold since 2019, necessitating improved connectivity underground.
In a strategic move bolstering its presence in broadband access, DZS, a US-based company, has finalized the acquisition of NetComm from Casa Systems for up to $10 million. This acquisition comes on the heels of Casa’s recent divestment of its 5G and cable businesses, marking the conclusion of its restructuring efforts.
Comcast, the US cable giant, is expanding its prepaid Now brand with new fixed and mobile offerings in response to the impending closure of the Affordable Connectivity Programme (ACP). This initiative aims to attract consumers affected by the conclusion of the federal assistance program.
Bridging the digital divide in vast and harsh terrains like the Scottish Highlands, VMO2 embarks on a novel approach, utilizing a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites from Starlink for critical backhaul services. Bypassing conventional, costly terrestrial infrastructure, VMO2’s tests have proven the potency of satellite technology in improving coverage across the UK.
