Injecting fresh vigor into the national establishment for data science and AI, UK’s Chancellor commits £100 million in funding to The Alan Turing Institute. This allocation, targeting environment, health, defence, and national security, underlines UK’s ambitious stride towards global AI leadership.
Nokia unveiled specialized, private AI models for the telecom sector to improve network operations and customer service. A coalition of 10 governments agreed on principles for secure 6G networks. IBM and the GSMA have launched a global AI training initiative to bridge the AI knowledge gap among telecom operators. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X80 modem chip introduces 5G-Advanced support with up to 10 Gbps speeds and six-carrier aggregation.
The radio access network (RAN) equipment market experienced a significant downturn last year, as highlighted by recent reports from Omdia and Dell’Oro. These reports, drawing from detailed market analysis, reveal a challenging period for the industry, with global RAN revenues dropping by 11% to just over $40 billion.
As debate swirls around potential alterations to EU telecom sector merger regulations, European Commissioner Margrethe Vestager maintains her stance. Even with industry pressure for a shakeup due to challenges like 5G rollouts and shrinking profit margins, she insists on preserving existing rules.
In a significant move against the rising menace of spyware, representatives from various countries recently convened in London for the UK – France Cyber Proliferation conference. This gathering underscored the urgent need for international cooperation against the malicious use of cyber tools, an issue that transcends national borders. UK Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden highlighted the importance of joining forces with allied nations to combat cyber threats, positioning the UK as a leader in this global fight.
In response to the soaring global demand for fast, secure connectivity, China Mobile International Limited (CMI) is significantly investing in four new submarine cable systems. These systems promise to robustly service the substantial growth in mobile data usage in quickly digitising regions such as Africa. However, as aging cables become outdated, the race is on for fresh investment to keep pace with customer needs and the rapid development of next-gen technologies.
Neterra, a telecommunications trailblazer for nearly three decades, recently secured the prestigious ‘Best Central & Eastern European Carrier’ award at the Global Carrier Awards 2023. In an exclusive interview with Svetoslava Bancheva, the PR and Digital Communications Manager, Neterra’s evolution from providing Bulgaria’s first internet connection to becoming a global telecom solution provider unfolds. Svetoslava highlights pivotal milestones, including running submarine cables under the Danube River and the establishment of the Sofia Data Center.
In a significant move to strengthen its position in the global semiconductor industry, the Japanese government has committed approximately $307 million in subsidies to a high-profile semiconductor project. This initiative brings together major players NTT from Japan, Intel from the United States, and South Korea’s SK Hynix. Their collaboration focuses on the development of advanced optical semiconductor technology, which promises faster data processing speeds and reduced energy consumption compared to traditional electrical semiconductors.
Recognizing the growing demand for mid-band spectrum, the International Telecom Union (ITU) appends new frequency bands for 5G usage. A significant addition was the 6GHZ spectrum, which is anticipated to facilitate the 5G evolution. Multiple global operators have conducted successful tests, making strides toward a seamless shift to 5G-Advanced. This advancement not only opens a myriad of industry opportunities but also promises an improved user experience potentially comparable to the fiber experience.
Despite Europe’s stride towards a digitally advanced future, the current uptake of 5G stands at only 2.5%. This stands in stark contrast to how tech giants like North America, China, Japan, and South Korea are faring. While European market figures on Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) appears promising, various challenges, including recent antidumping measures, have stymied progress and exacerbated the digital divide.
